City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Little Elm, TX

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

51,426
Residents
$116,036
Median income
$390,300
Median home
$1,931
Median rent (state)

Little Elm - the verdict

Little Elm ranks in the 86th percentile for household income and the 83rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

86th
percentile, household income
76th
percentile, home value
80th
percentile, median rent
83rd
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: Little Elm, TX

51,426 people live in Little Elm, Texas - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Little Elm brings in $116,036 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.6%. Typical homes in Little Elm are valued around $390,300, and the median resident age is 36.0 years. 40.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 69.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 850 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 12% from five years earlier. Little Elm reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 557.0 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,931 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 96.9 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

51,426 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$116,036 /yr

Poverty 6.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Little Elm compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 86% higher than other cities
Home value 76% pricier than other cities
Median rent 80% pricier than other cities
Safety 83% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Texas alone, Little Elm ranks #113 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Little Elm'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.

86thIncome percentile
83rdSafety percentile

86th percentile nationally for median household income · 83rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Little Elm's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Little Elm'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Little Elm'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 Little Elm's home value compares nationally

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

$390,300 24th percentile more affordable than 24% 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%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Little Elm $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 - Little Elm, TX Little Elm, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Little Elm, 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 Little Elm, TX median $116,036/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%
Little Elm, 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 Little Elm, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.8%

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

Population
51,426
Median Income
$116,036
Median Home Value
$390,300
Median Age
36.0
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor force participation
69.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
557.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
133.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
423.3
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
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
45,000 residents50,000 residents55,000 residents60,000 residents65,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 46,783 residents 62,727 residents ▲ +34.1%
Little Elm's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
850
housing units authorized
Single-Family
850
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
16.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 962
2020 1,498
2021 1,555
2022 1,291
2023 928
2024 850

Permit volume decreased 12% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.7%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
24.7%
Other
0.9%

Based on 26,054 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 Little Elm sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,931/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Burleson
50,981 people
Grapevine
50,875 people
Kyle
52,439 people
Rockwall
49,605 people
Galveston
53,348 people
Bedford
49,191 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Little Elm's 51,426 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mooresville, NC
51,447 people
Harrisonburg, VA
51,492 people
Glendora, CA
51,350 people
Burien, WA
51,331 people
Aliso Viejo, CA
51,320 people
Palm Desert, CA
51,551 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Little Elm's $116,036 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ogden Dunes, IN
$116,042 median income
Seven Fields, PA
$116,042 median income
South Williamson, KY
$116,027 median income
East Marion, NY
$116,023 median income
Highgate Center, VT
$116,049 median income
Lake Wisconsin, WI
$116,053 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Little Elm, 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 Little Elm, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 50.7% 19.6% 10.4% 13.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 21.1% White 50.7% Black or African American 19.6% Asian 10.4% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 5.0% Two or more races 13.0% 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 Little Elm 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
Little Elm (this city) 51,426 $116,036
Burleson 50,981 $94,162
Grapevine 50,875 $111,438
Kyle 52,439 $89,645
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Little Elm, TX?

What is the population of Little Elm, TX? +

The population of Little Elm, TX stands at 51,426 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Little Elm, TX? +

Little Elm households earn a median of $116,036 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Little Elm? +

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

Little Elm has a total crime rate of 557.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Little Elm, TX? +

Homes in Little Elm carry a median value of $390,300, 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

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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.