City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Plains, TX

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

1,190
Residents
$74,187
Median income
$112,500
Median home
$1,186
Median rent (state)

Plains - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Plains lands in the 55th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

55th
percentile, household income
14th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Plains, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,190 residents in Plains, a small town within Texas. Plains households earn a median of $74,187 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 19.7%. Plains's housing stock carries a median value of $112,500, and the median resident age is 25.7 years. Educational attainment runs 14.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1 residential building permits were authorized in Plains (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 59.5°F with 16.2 inches of precipitation per year and 2.7 inches of snowfall.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,186 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 46.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

1,190 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$74,187 /yr

Poverty 19.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Plains compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 55% higher than other cities
Home value 14% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Texas-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Plains toward the top of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Plains ranks #330 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Plains only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#519 of 1,520
66th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#735 of 1,663
55th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#1,027 of 1,505
31st percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#330 of 1,663
80th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#992 of 1,663
40th 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.

55thIncome percentile

55th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Plains's home value compares nationally

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

$112,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 86% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Plains $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 - Plains, TX Plains, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Plains, 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 Plains, TX median $74,187/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%
Plains, 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 Plains, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.8%

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

Population
1,190
Median Income
$74,187
Median Home Value
$112,500
Median Age
25.7
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Labor force participation
56.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.6%

Climate

Avg Temperature
59.5°F
Annual Precipitation
16.2"
Annual Snowfall
2.7"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,320 residents1,330 residents1,340 residents1,350 residents1,360 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,351 residents 1,323 residents ▼ -2.1%
Plains's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 2
2021 0
2022 4
2023 0
2024 1

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
91.3%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
0.0%

Based on 438 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 Plains sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,186/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
46.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Rankin
1,189 people
Muniz
1,184 people
Runge
1,196 people
Valley Mills
1,183 people
Clear Lake Shores
1,182 people
Lake Medina Shores
1,198 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Plains's 1,190 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Humansville, MO
1,190 people
Stanberry, MO
1,190 people
Rose Valley, PA
1,190 people
Fraser, CO
1,189 people
Lake Park, IA
1,191 people
Harper, KS
1,191 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Plains's $74,187 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Scotia, NY
$74,185 median income
Pollock Pines, CA
$74,190 median income
Chester Gap, VA
$74,183 median income
Crawfordville, FL
$74,192 median income
Stewartsville, IN
$74,179 median income
Middle River, MD
$74,198 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Plains, 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 Plains, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 33.5% 6.3% 54.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 52.1% White 33.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 5.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.3% Two or more races 54.7% 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 Plains 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
Plains (this city) 1,190 $74,187
Rankin 1,189 $72,083
Muniz 1,184 $98,587
Runge 1,196 $35,313
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Plains, TX?

What is the population of Plains, TX? +

1,190 people live in Plains, TX according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Plains is $74,187 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Plains? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Plains; 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.

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

Homes in Plains carry a median value of $112,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Plains? +

The average annual temperature in Plains runs 59.5°F, 16.2 inches of precipitation, and 2.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

Verify with HUD →

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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.