City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Laredo, TX

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

255,949
Residents
$63,264
Median income
$182,400
Median home
$1,161
Median rent (state)

Laredo - the verdict

Laredo ranks in the 40th percentile for household income and the 36th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

40th
percentile, household income
37th
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
36th
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: Laredo, TX

Texas's Laredo is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 255,949 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Laredo brings in $63,264 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 18.4%. Typical homes in Laredo are valued around $182,400, and the median resident age is 29.7 years. Educational attainment runs 21.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,448 residential building permits were authorized in Laredo (Slowing), down 10% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1830.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 74.6°F with 21.4 inches of precipitation per year.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Texas scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,161 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 89.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

255,949 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$63,264 /yr

Poverty 18.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Laredo compare to other US cities?

Where Laredo sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 40% higher than other cities
Home value 37% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities
Safety 36% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Texas, Laredo ranks #422 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Laredo's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Texas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

40thIncome percentile
36thSafety percentile

40th percentile nationally for median household income · 36th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Laredo's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Laredo'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 47 Avg. percentile National median
Laredo'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 Laredo's home value compares nationally

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

$182,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 63% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $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. Laredo $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 - Laredo, TX Laredo, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Laredo, 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 Laredo, TX median $63,264/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%
Laredo, 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 Laredo, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.0%

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

Population
255,949
Median Income
$63,264
Median Home Value
$182,400
Median Age
29.7
Poverty Rate
18.4%
Labor force participation
59.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1830.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
365.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1464.9
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
74.6°F
Annual Precipitation
21.4"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
84
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
250,000 residents255,000 residents260,000 residents265,000 residents270,000 residents275,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 255,471 residents 269,515 residents ▲ +5.5%
Laredo's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
1,448
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1,154
detached homes
Multifamily
294
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,602
2020 1,447
2021 1,684
2022 1,272
2023 1,542
2024 1,448

Permit volume decreased 10% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.3%
Carpool
11.4%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
5.4%
Other
1.6%

Based on 107,586 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 Laredo sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,161/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Irving
255,036 people
Lubbock
261,078 people
Garland
245,298 people
Plano
287,339 people
Frisco
210,238 people
McKinney
202,314 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Laredo's 255,949 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

St. Petersburg, FL
260,646 people
Chesapeake, VA
251,153 people
Winston-Salem, NC
250,887 people
Glendale, AZ
250,193 people
Fort Wayne, IN
266,235 people
Toledo, OH
268,461 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Laredo's $63,264 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Boardman, OR
$63,266 median income
Canandaigua, NY
$63,268 median income
Camp Nelson, CA
$63,259 median income
Harrogate, TN
$63,257 median income
Ritzville, WA
$63,277 median income
Shady Hills, FL
$63,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Laredo, 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 Laredo, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 37.6% 7.8% 53.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 95.2% White 37.6% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.8% Two or more races 53.4% 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 Laredo 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
Laredo (this city) 255,949 $63,264
Irving 255,036 $79,641
Lubbock 261,078 $60,487
Garland 245,298 $74,717
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Laredo, TX?

What is the population of Laredo, TX? +

Laredo, TX has a population of 255,949 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Laredo is $63,264 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Laredo? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Laredo; 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 Laredo, TX safe? +

Laredo has a total crime rate of 1830.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Laredo, TX? +

A typical home in Laredo is worth $182,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Laredo? +

The average annual temperature in Laredo runs 74.6°F, 21.4 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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 Editorial

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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.