City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Refugio, TX

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

2,729
Residents
$56,193
Median income
$85,000
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Refugio - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Refugio places in the 29th percentile for household income and the 62nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

29th
percentile, household income
5th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
62nd
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: Refugio, TX

Texas's Refugio is a small town, with 2,729 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Refugio brings in $56,193 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 32.6%. Home values in Refugio run a median of $85,000, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. 14.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 51.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 97% from five years earlier. Refugio reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1046.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Refugio's yearly average temperature at 71.1°F with 34.8 inches of precipitation per year and 0.5 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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). Workers in Refugio report an average commute of 18.4 minutes, with 80.9% driving alone and 1.2% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 37.5 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

2,729 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$56,193 /yr

Poverty 32.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Refugio compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 29% higher than other cities
Home value 5% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 62% 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, Refugio ranks #243 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 Refugio'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.

29thIncome percentile
62ndSafety percentile

29th percentile nationally for median household income · 62nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Refugio's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Refugio'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 61 Avg. percentile National median
Refugio'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 Refugio's home value compares nationally

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

$85,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 95% 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. Refugio $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 - Refugio, TX Refugio, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX median $56,193/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%
Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 32.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.9%

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

Population
2,729
Median Income
$56,193
Median Home Value
$85,000
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
32.6%
Labor force participation
51.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1046.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
216.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
830.0
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
71.1°F
Annual Precipitation
34.8"
Annual Snowfall
0.5"

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 →
2,700 residents2,720 residents2,740 residents2,760 residents2,780 residents2,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,722 residents 2,752 residents ▲ +1.1%
Refugio's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 29
2020 67
2021 20
2022 4
2023 10
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 97% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.4 minutes
Drive Alone
80.9%
Carpool
13.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.2%
Work from Home
1.2%

Based on 1,011 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 Refugio 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
37.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Edcouch
2,729 people
Talty
2,727 people
Balcones Heights
2,724 people
Citrus
2,740 people
Hallettsville
2,744 people
Sonora
2,746 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Refugio's 2,729 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Morgantown, KY
2,729 people
Highspire, PA
2,729 people
Jemison, AL
2,728 people
Roseau, MN
2,728 people
Lakeside, MT
2,730 people
Warsaw, NC
2,728 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Refugio's $56,193 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Concordia, MO
$56,192 median income
Vanderbilt, MI
$56,188 median income
Martinsville, IN
$56,186 median income
Vicksburg, AZ
$56,184 median income
Fairport Harbor, OH
$56,184 median income
Marietta, PA
$56,204 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 46.0% 15.3% 8.0% 29.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 60.6% White 46.0% Black or African American 15.3% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.0% Two or more races 29.8% 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 Refugio 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
Refugio (this city) 2,729 $56,193
Edcouch 2,729 $33,258
Talty 2,727 $136,917
Balcones Heights 2,724 $28,082
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Refugio, TX?

What is the population of Refugio, TX? +

Refugio, TX has a population of 2,729 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Refugio is $56,193 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Refugio? +

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

Refugio has a total crime rate of 1046.5 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 Refugio, TX? +

Refugio's median home value sits at $85,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Refugio? +

Refugio has an average annual temperature of 71.1°F, 34.8 inches of precipitation, and 0.5 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 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.