City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Sour Lake, TX

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

2,162
Residents
$73,190
Median income
$161,800
Median home
$1,103
Median rent (state)

Sour Lake - the verdict

Nationally, Sour Lake sits in the 54th percentile for household income and the 72nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

54th
percentile, household income
31st
percentile, home value
29th
percentile, median rent
72nd
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: Sour Lake, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,162 residents in Sour Lake, a small town within Texas. Median household income here is $73,190 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.2%. Sour Lake's housing stock carries a median value of $161,800, and the median resident age is 30.7 years. 21.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 61.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 7 residential building permits were authorized in Sour Lake (Construction Slowdown), down 36% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Sour Lake reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 799.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, below 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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,103 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 69.6 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

2,162 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$73,190 /yr

Poverty 8.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Sour Lake compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 54% higher than other cities
Home value 31% pricier than other cities
Median rent 29% pricier than other cities
Safety 72% 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, Sour Lake ranks #181 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 Sour Lake 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 sits close to the middle of Texas's city distribution

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Sour Lake ranks #621 - the 62nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sour Lake only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#534 of 1,520
65th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#910 of 1,663
43rd percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#736 of 1,505
51st percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#862 of 1,663
47th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#621 of 1,663
62nd 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.

54thIncome percentile
72ndSafety percentile

54th percentile nationally for median household income · 72nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sour Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sour Lake'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 65 Avg. percentile National median
Sour Lake'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 Sour Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$161,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 69% 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%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sour Lake $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 - Sour Lake, TX Sour Lake, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sour Lake, 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 Sour Lake, TX median $73,190/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%
Sour Lake, 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 Sour Lake, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.8%

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

Population
2,162
Median Income
$73,190
Median Home Value
$161,800
Median Age
30.7
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Labor force participation
61.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
799.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
213.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
586.0
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.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,750 residents1,800 residents1,850 residents1,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,777 residents 1,841 residents ▲ +3.6%
Sour Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 11
2020 11
2021 20
2022 25
2023 7
2024 7

Permit volume decreased 36% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.4%
Carpool
5.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
7.3%
Other
4.2%

Based on 881 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 Sour Lake 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
69.6 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Splendora
2,167 people
Uvalde Estates
2,168 people
Lyford
2,153 people
Hamlin
2,178 people
Marfa
2,179 people
Pleak
2,142 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sour Lake's 2,162 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM
2,162 people
Aguas Claras comunidad, PR
2,162 people
Seminole Manor, FL
2,161 people
Catlin, IL
2,161 people
Middletown, IN
2,163 people
Amelia, LA
2,161 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sour Lake's $73,190 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wadsworth, NV
$73,182 median income
Lake Geneva, WI
$73,199 median income
Santa Claus, GA
$73,214 median income
Kahuku, HI
$73,214 median income
Sheridan, IL
$73,214 median income
Harlan, IN
$73,214 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sour Lake, 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 Sour Lake, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.2% 6.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.3% White 88.2% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 2.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.5% Two or more races 2.6% 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 Sour Lake 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
Sour Lake (this city) 2,162 $73,190
Splendora 2,167 $69,000
Uvalde Estates 2,168 $45,318
Lyford 2,153 $44,464
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sour Lake, TX?

What is the population of Sour Lake, TX? +

Sour Lake, TX counts 2,162 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sour Lake, TX? +

The median household income in Sour Lake is $73,190 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sour Lake? +

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

Sour Lake has a total crime rate of 799.1 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 Sour Lake, TX? +

A typical home in Sour Lake is worth $161,800, 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

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.