City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Port Arthur, TX

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

55,779
Residents
$45,752
Median income
$96,900
Median home
$1,103
Median rent (state)

Port Arthur - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Port Arthur lands in the 14th percentile for household income and the 27th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

14th
percentile, household income
9th
percentile, home value
29th
percentile, median rent
27th
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: Port Arthur, TX

55,779 people live in Port Arthur, Texas - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Port Arthur brings in $45,752 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 27.2%. Typical homes in Port Arthur are valued around $96,900, and the median resident age is 34.4 years. Educational attainment runs 11.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 47.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 28 residential building permits were authorized in Port Arthur (Construction Slowdown), down 91% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2258.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, near 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: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Texas at 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,103 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 85.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

55,779 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$45,752 /yr

Poverty 27.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Port Arthur compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 14% higher than other cities
Home value 9% pricier than other cities
Median rent 29% pricier than other cities
Safety 27% 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, Port Arthur ranks #489 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 Port Arthur'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.

14thIncome percentile
27thSafety percentile

14th percentile nationally for median household income · 27th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Port Arthur's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Port Arthur'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
Port Arthur'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 Port Arthur's home value compares nationally

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

$96,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 91% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Port Arthur $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 - Port Arthur, TX Port Arthur, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, TX median $45,752/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%
Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 27.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.6%

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

Population
55,779
Median Income
$45,752
Median Home Value
$96,900
Median Age
34.4
Poverty Rate
27.2%
Labor force participation
47.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2258.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
718.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1539.8
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
20
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
55,600 residents55,800 residents56,000 residents56,200 residents56,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 56,027 residents 55,804 residents ▼ -0.4%
Port Arthur's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
28
housing units authorized
Single-Family
28
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 326
2020 592
2021 261
2022 151
2023 60
2024 28

Permit volume decreased 91% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
89.0%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
1.1%
Other
0.7%

Based on 19,325 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 Port Arthur sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,103/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

DeSoto
55,896 people
Texas City
54,159 people
Galveston
53,348 people
Wylie
58,991 people
Kyle
52,439 people
Little Elm
51,426 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Port Arthur's 55,779 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kingsport, TN
55,807 people
New Brunswick, NJ
55,744 people
Apple Valley, MN
55,696 people
Berwyn, IL
55,888 people
Mount Prospect, IL
55,648 people
National City, CA
55,960 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Port Arthur's $45,752 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wagener, SC
$45,753 median income
Waldron, MI
$45,750 median income
Forest City, MO
$45,750 median income
Falls City, NE
$45,750 median income
Mission, OR
$45,750 median income
Shady Cove, OR
$45,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 24.6% 42.5% 11.3% 15.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 35.5% White 24.6% Black or African American 42.5% Asian 5.5% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 11.3% Two or more races 15.1% 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 Port Arthur 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
Port Arthur (this city) 55,779 $45,752
DeSoto 55,896 $83,256
Texas City 54,159 $65,447
Galveston 53,348 $57,216
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Port Arthur, TX?

What is the population of Port Arthur, TX? +

The population of Port Arthur, TX stands at 55,779 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Port Arthur, TX? +

In Port Arthur, the typical household earns $45,752 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Port Arthur? +

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

Port Arthur has a total crime rate of 2258.3 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 Port Arthur, TX? +

Homes in Port Arthur carry a median value of $96,900, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.