City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Shepherd, TX

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

2,124
Residents
$48,368
Median income
$144,100
Median home
$1,149
Median rent (state)

Shepherd - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Shepherd lands in the 17th percentile for household income and the 83rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
32nd
percentile, median rent
83rd
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: Shepherd, TX

Texas's Shepherd is a small town, with 2,124 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Shepherd brings in $48,368 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.7%. Typical homes in Shepherd are valued around $144,100, and the median resident age is 37.0 years. Educational attainment runs 7.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 46.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 9 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Shepherd reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 556.4 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Texas scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,149 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 58.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

2,124 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$48,368 /yr

Poverty 16.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Shepherd compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 32% pricier than other cities
Safety 83% 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, Shepherd ranks #112 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 Shepherd against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Texas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Texas-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Shepherd toward the bottom of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Shepherd ranks #1,369 - the 17th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Shepherd only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,175 of 1,520
23rd percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#811 of 1,663
51st percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#842 of 1,505
44th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#427 of 1,663
74th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,369 of 1,663
17th 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.

17thIncome percentile
83rdSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 83rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Shepherd's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Shepherd'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 57 Avg. percentile National median
Shepherd'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 Shepherd's home value compares nationally

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

$144,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Shepherd $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 - Shepherd, TX Shepherd, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Shepherd, 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 Shepherd, TX median $48,368/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%
Shepherd, 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 Shepherd, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 7.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.0%

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

Population
2,124
Median Income
$48,368
Median Home Value
$144,100
Median Age
37.0
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor force participation
46.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
7.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
556.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
50.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
505.8
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,900 residents1,950 residents2,000 residents2,050 residents2,100 residents2,150 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,092 residents 1,942 residents ▼ -7.2%
Shepherd's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
9
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 2
2022 8
2023 5
2024 9

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.6%
Carpool
14.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.5%
Work from Home
5.5%
Other
6.2%

Based on 740 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 Shepherd sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,149/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
58.9 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Odem
2,128 people
Meadowlakes
2,113 people
Jefferson
2,111 people
San Augustine
2,139 people
Pleak
2,142 people
Bells
2,101 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Shepherd's 2,124 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Clifton Springs, NY
2,124 people
Amherst, VA
2,124 people
Danville, AR
2,123 people
Penngrove, CA
2,123 people
Laporte, CO
2,123 people
Cherryvale, KS
2,125 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Shepherd's $48,368 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Walterboro, SC
$48,366 median income
Milton, IL
$48,365 median income
Windsor, VT
$48,371 median income
Geneva, OH
$48,357 median income
Clifton, SC
$48,357 median income
Dripping Springs, AZ
$48,355 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Shepherd, 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 Shepherd, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.6% 11.9% 13.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.7% White 68.6% Black or African American 11.9% Asian 0.0% American Indian 2.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.6% Two or more races 13.2% 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 Shepherd 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
Shepherd (this city) 2,124 $48,368
Odem 2,128 $61,094
Meadowlakes 2,113 $79,635
Jefferson 2,111 $40,865
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Shepherd, TX?

What is the population of Shepherd, TX? +

The population of Shepherd, TX stands at 2,124 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Shepherd runs $48,368, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Shepherd? +

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

Shepherd has a total crime rate of 556.4 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 Shepherd, TX? +

A typical home in Shepherd is worth $144,100, 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

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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.