City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Mesquite, TX

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

148,848
Residents
$71,843
Median income
$226,500
Median home
$1,931
Median rent (state)

Mesquite - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Mesquite places in the 52nd percentile for household income and the 11th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

52nd
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
80th
percentile, median rent
11th
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: Mesquite, TX

148,848 people live in Mesquite, Texas - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $71,843 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.4%. Mesquite's housing stock carries a median value of $226,500, and the median resident age is 33.4 years. About 18.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 66.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 719 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 1023% from five years earlier. Mesquite's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3477.7 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: 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. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

148,848 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$71,843 /yr

Poverty 11.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Mesquite compare to other US cities?

Here's how Mesquite stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 80% pricier than other cities
Safety 11% 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, Mesquite ranks #582 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 Mesquite'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.

52ndIncome percentile
11thSafety percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income · 11th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Mesquite's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Mesquite'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Mesquite'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 Mesquite's home value compares nationally

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

$226,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Mesquite $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 - Mesquite, TX Mesquite, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Mesquite, 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 Mesquite, TX median $71,843/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%
Mesquite, 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 Mesquite, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.6%

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

Population
148,848
Median Income
$71,843
Median Home Value
$226,500
Median Age
33.4
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Labor force participation
66.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3477.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
501.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2976.4
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
48
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
147,000 residents148,000 residents149,000 residents150,000 residents151,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 149,620 residents 150,693 residents ▲ +0.7%
Mesquite's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
719
housing units authorized
Single-Family
719
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 64
2020 257
2021 560
2022 541
2023 581
2024 719

Permit volume increased 1023% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.1%
Carpool
15.0%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
8.5%
Other
0.9%

Based on 72,245 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 Mesquite 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
99.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Pasadena
149,345 people
Denton
146,987 people
McAllen
143,789 people
Waco
141,925 people
Killeen
156,144 people
Midland
133,998 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Mesquite's 148,848 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pomona, CA
148,391 people
Naperville, IL
149,424 people
Surprise, AZ
149,519 people
Bridgeport, CT
148,012 people
Joliet, IL
149,785 people
Jackson, MS
149,827 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Mesquite's $71,843 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Palm Coast, FL
$71,840 median income
Boulder Canyon, SD
$71,846 median income
Kent Acres, DE
$71,848 median income
Moses Lake, WA
$71,854 median income
Billings, MT
$71,855 median income
Prince George, VA
$71,831 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Mesquite, 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 Mesquite, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 37.8% 24.7% 12.6% 20.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 44.7% White 37.8% Black or African American 24.7% Asian 3.0% American Indian 1.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 12.6% Two or more races 20.9% 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 Mesquite 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
Mesquite (this city) 148,848 $71,843
Pasadena 149,345 $64,270
Denton 146,987 $73,719
McAllen 143,789 $60,165
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Mesquite, TX?

What is the population of Mesquite, TX? +

Mesquite, TX counts 148,848 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Mesquite runs $71,843, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Mesquite? +

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

Mesquite has a total crime rate of 3477.7 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 Mesquite, TX? +

A typical home in Mesquite is worth $226,500, 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 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.