City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Plainview, TX

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

19,893
Residents
$45,991
Median income
$107,800
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Plainview - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Plainview places in the 14th percentile for household income and the 31st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

14th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
31st
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: Plainview, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 19,893 residents in Plainview, a small town within Texas. Plainview households earn a median of $45,991 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.1%. Plainview's housing stock carries a median value of $107,800, and the median resident age is 32.0 years. 15.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 1 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2053.6 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 59.7°F with 19.3 inches of precipitation per year and 8.2 inches of snowfall.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Texas at 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $973 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 78.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

19,893 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$45,991 /yr

Poverty 19.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Plainview compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 14% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 31% 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, Plainview ranks #464 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

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

Texas-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Plainview near the bottom of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Plainview ranks #1,343 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Plainview only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,232 of 1,520
19th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#1,343 of 1,663
0th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#1,076 of 1,505
29th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#354 of 1,663
79th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#914 of 1,663
45th 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.

14thIncome percentile
31stSafety percentile

14th percentile nationally for median household income · 31st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Plainview's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Plainview'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Plainview'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 Plainview's home value compares nationally

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

$107,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 88% 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. Plainview $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 - Plainview, TX Plainview, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Plainview, 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 Plainview, TX median $45,991/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%
Plainview, 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 Plainview, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.1%

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

Population
19,893
Median Income
$45,991
Median Home Value
$107,800
Median Age
32.0
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Labor force participation
60.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2053.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
370.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1683.5
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
59.7°F
Annual Precipitation
19.3"
Annual Snowfall
8.2"

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
19,000 residents19,500 residents20,000 residents20,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 20,056 residents 19,314 residents ▼ -3.7%
Plainview's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

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

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.5%
Carpool
14.8%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
2.7%

Based on 8,632 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 Plainview sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
78.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Universal City
19,853 people
Alamo
20,008 people
Angleton
19,597 people
Boerne
19,509 people
Portland
20,369 people
Alton
19,205 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Plainview's 19,893 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Punta Gorda, FL
19,886 people
Agoura Hills, CA
19,881 people
Mokena, IL
19,906 people
Plattsburgh, NY
19,878 people
Lincolnia, VA
19,913 people
Shelbyville, IN
19,866 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Plainview's $45,991 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fairview Crossroads, SC
$45,994 median income
Harrisville, WV
$45,988 median income
Marietta, OH
$45,986 median income
Springfield, MO
$45,984 median income
Nauvoo, AL
$46,000 median income
Nectar, AL
$46,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Plainview, 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 Plainview, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 60.0% 13.6% 20.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 65.5% White 60.0% Black or African American 3.4% Asian 0.9% American Indian 1.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 13.6% Two or more races 20.4% 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 Plainview 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
Plainview (this city) 19,893 $45,991
Universal City 19,853 $75,439
Alamo 20,008 $54,234
Angleton 19,597 $83,981
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Plainview, TX?

What is the population of Plainview, TX? +

Plainview, TX has a population of 19,893 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Plainview runs $45,991, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Plainview? +

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

Plainview has a total crime rate of 2053.6 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 Plainview, TX? +

A typical home in Plainview is worth $107,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Plainview? +

The average annual temperature in Plainview runs 59.7°F, 19.3 inches of precipitation, and 8.2 inches of snowfall per year. 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

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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.