City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Kemah, TX

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Kemah - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,952
Residents
$95,152
Median income
$268,900
Median home
$1,573
Median rent (state)

Kemah - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Kemah lands in the 75th percentile for household income and the 10th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

75th
percentile, household income
59th
percentile, home value
62nd
percentile, median rent
10th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Kemah, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,952 residents in Kemah, a small town within Texas. Kemah households earn a median of $95,152 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.6%. Typical homes in Kemah are valued around $268,900, and the median resident age is 38.6 years. About 33.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 68.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 131 residential building permits were authorized in Kemah (Building Boom), up 589% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Kemah's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3630.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,573 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

1,952 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$95,152 /yr

Poverty 13.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Kemah compare to other US cities?

Kemah measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 75% higher than other cities
Home value 59% pricier than other cities
Median rent 62% pricier than other cities
Safety 10% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Texas and the picture shifts: Kemah ranks #588 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Kemah against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Texas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Texas-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Kemah toward the top of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Kemah ranks #327 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Kemah only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#285 of 1,520
81st percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#288 of 1,663
75th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#340 of 1,505
77th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#566 of 1,663
66th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#327 of 1,663
80th percentile in Texas

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Texas only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

75thIncome percentile
10thSafety percentile

75th percentile nationally for median household income · 10th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kemah's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kemah's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 42 Avg. percentile National median
Kemah's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Kemah's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$268,900 41st percentile more affordable than 41% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Kemah $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Kemah, TX Kemah, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kemah, TX-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Kemah, TX median $95,152/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Kemah, TX's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Kemah, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,952
Median Income
$95,152
Median Home Value
$268,900
Median Age
38.6
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Labor force participation
68.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3630.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
239.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3390.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,500 residents2,000 residents2,500 residents3,000 residents3,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,812 residents 3,097 residents ▲ +70.9%
Kemah's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
131
housing units authorized
Single-Family
131
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
67.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 19
2020 6
2021 4
2022 381
2023 145
2024 131

Permit volume increased 589% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.1%
Carpool
11.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.5%
Work from Home
13.1%
Other
1.7%

Based on 1,045 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Texas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$45
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Texas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Texas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Kemah sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,573/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Johnson City
1,952 people
Siesta Shores
1,939 people
Troup
1,965 people
Van Horn
1,965 people
Shamrock
1,966 people
Little Cypress
1,968 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kemah's 1,952 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

McConnell AFB, KS
1,952 people
Centerburg, OH
1,952 people
Indian Springs, GA
1,951 people
Great Barrington, MA
1,953 people
Melrose Park, NY
1,951 people
Georgetown CDP (Luzerne County), PA
1,953 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kemah's $95,152 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Frederick, MD
$95,150 median income
Lakeville, CT
$95,156 median income
Huber Ridge, OH
$95,141 median income
Mount Ephraim, NJ
$95,137 median income
Bethany, PA
$95,167 median income
Santaquin, UT
$95,175 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kemah, TX Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Kemah, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 65.4% 6.3% 13.6% 10.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 30.8% White 65.4% Black or African American 6.3% Asian 4.4% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 13.6% Two or more races 10.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Kemah compares to nearby Texas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Kemah (this city) 1,952 $95,152
Johnson City 1,952 $47,232
Siesta Shores 1,939 $33,264
Troup 1,965 $51,563
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kemah, TX?

What is the population of Kemah, TX? +

Kemah, TX counts 1,952 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Kemah, TX? +

In Kemah, the typical household earns $95,152 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kemah? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kemah; the closest available measure is the Texas state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Texas vary by metro area.

Is Kemah, TX safe? +

Kemah has a total crime rate of 3630.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Kemah, TX? +

The median home value in Kemah is $268,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.