City · Texas
Rio Grande City, Texas
Rio Grande City, city, in Starr County, Texas. Rio Grande City had 15,451 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 15,317 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 15,396 (±33). GEOID 4862168.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,451
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,317 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,396 ±33
Median household income
$44,577
±$7,194 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$113,200
±$11,089 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$767
±$63 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Rio Grande City and what county is it in?
Rio Grande City is a city in Starr County, Texas. It covers 11.4 square miles of land, 1,349 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rio Grande City is in the Rio Grande City-Roma, TX micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Rio Grande City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 15,451 people lived in Rio Grande City on July 1, 2025, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 15,317 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 15,396 (±33).
| Measure | Rio Grande City | Starr County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,396 ±33 | 66,067 | +988 |
| Households | 4,525 ±321 | 19,157 | +619 |
| Average household size | 3.29 ±0.23 | 3.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,168 ±330 | 23,139 | no clear change |
Rio Grande City's population since 2000
From 11,923 in 2000 to 15,451 in 2025: up 29.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rio Grande City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rio Grande City?
The median resident of Rio Grande City is 29.9 years old; 31.6% are under 18 and 10.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 96.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 3.0%. 24.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rio Grande City | Starr County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.9 ±3.3 | 29.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 31.6% ±3.9 pts | 32.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.1% ±2.3 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Male | 49.6% ±2.9 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 96.0% ±1.7 pts | 97.2% | −2.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±1.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 24.0% ±3.6 pts | 27.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 87.7% ±3.2 pts | 91.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 1.9% ±0.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
| With a disability | 17.0% ±2.8 pts | 16.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 29.5% ±4.9 pts | 28.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 69.5% ±5.6 pts | 60.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.8% ±4.3 pts | 13.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9% ±2.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.3% ±4.2 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3% ±1.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rio Grande City earn?
Half of Rio Grande City's 4,525 households earn less than $44,577 a year (±$7,194), against $37,639 in Starr County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $40,716 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 30.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rio Grande City | Starr County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,577 ±$7,194 | $37,639 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $60,243 ±$7,006 | $58,715 | – |
| Per capita income | $19,539 ±$2,347 | $18,829 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 30.8% ±5.9 pts | 33.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 38.9% ±10.1 pts | 40.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 40.3% ±5.9 pts | 42.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.7% ±2.2 pts | 88.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3% ±4.6 pts | 78.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rio Grande City?
Owners occupy 69.4% of Rio Grande City's occupied homes and renters 30.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $113,200 by its owner (±$11,089). The median renter pays $767 a month including utilities, and 43.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rio Grande City | Starr County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $113,200 ±$11,089 | $95,100 | +$24,467 |
| Median gross rent | $767 ±$63 | $726 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.1% ±12.3 pts | 46.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,669 ±$203 | $1,473 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.4% ±5.4 pts | 69.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.6% ±5.4 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Housing units | 5,168 ±330 | 23,139 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5% ±1.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6% ±5.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.8% ±4.3 pts | 79.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.4% ±3.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6% ±1.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 17.3% ±4.6 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.6% ±1.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.4% ±3.3 pts | 10.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Rio Grande City work and get to work?
79.7% of Rio Grande City's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | Rio Grande City | Starr County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.0% ±3.5 pts | 56.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% ±2.9 pts | 10.4% | −8.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.7% ±5.4 pts | 71.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.8% ±4.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.1% ±1.1 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3% ±3.7 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.3 min ±2.1 | 22.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Rio Grande City?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Rio Grande City, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $33,654 (Tract 9506.02) to $40,217 (Tract 9505).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9505Starr County | 3,857 | $40,217 |
| Tract 9506.01Starr County | 4,021 | $37,550 |
| Tract 9506.02Starr County | 2,722 | $33,654 |
| Tract 9501.07Starr County | 4,494 | $39,974 |
| Tract 9501.08Starr County | 4,712 | $48,458 |
| Tract 9501.04Starr County | 5,560 | $38,727 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Rio Grande City) · Census block assignment files
How does Rio Grande City compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rio Grande City is the 2,367th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 193rd-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Rio Grande City ranks 837th of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 193rd | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 519th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 364th | 979 |
| Median household income | 837th | 933 |
| Per capita income | 900th | 978 |
| Median home value | 758th | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 753rd | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 59th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 522nd | 877 |
| Median age | 875th | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 537th | 973 |
| Work from home | 429th | 557 |
| Travel time to work | 816th | 976 |
Rio Grande City's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Rio Grande City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Rio Grande City?
13 of the 57 figures for Rio Grande City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rio Grande City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Rio Grande City.