City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

South Houston, TX

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

16,017
Residents
$52,611
Median income
$176,100
Median home
$1,573
Median rent (state)

South Houston - the verdict

Nationally, South Houston sits in the 24th percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
62nd
percentile, median rent
17th
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: South Houston, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 16,017 residents in South Houston, a small town within Texas. South Houston households earn a median of $52,611 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 22.4%. Home values in South Houston run a median of $176,100, and the median resident age is 30.4 years. Educational attainment runs 9.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 112 residential building permits were authorized in South Houston (Rapid Growth), up 33% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. South Houston's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2873.3 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,573 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

16,017 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$52,611 /yr

Poverty 22.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does South Houston compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 62% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Texas and the picture shifts: South Houston ranks #550 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 South Houston'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.

24thIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South Houston's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South Houston'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 31 Avg. percentile National median
South Houston'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 South Houston's home value compares nationally

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

$176,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 65% 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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. South Houston $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 - South Houston, TX South Houston, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South Houston, 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 South Houston, TX median $52,611/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%
South Houston, 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 South Houston, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 22.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.1%

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

Population
16,017
Median Income
$52,611
Median Home Value
$176,100
Median Age
30.4
Poverty Rate
22.4%
Labor force participation
57.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2873.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
694.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2178.9
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
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
15,800 residents16,000 residents16,200 residents16,400 residents16,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 16,167 residents 16,407 residents ▲ +1.5%
South Houston's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
112
housing units authorized
Single-Family
16
detached homes
Multifamily
96
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 84
2020 19
2021 38
2022 30
2023 18
2024 112

Permit volume increased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.1%
Carpool
21.5%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
2.9%
Other
1.4%

Based on 6,641 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 South Houston sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,573/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Highland
16,004 people
Gatesville
16,058 people
Mount Pleasant
16,061 people
Red Oak
15,909 people
Rendon
15,894 people
Live Oak
15,875 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South Houston's 16,017 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wolf Trap, VA
16,020 people
Hayden, ID
16,021 people
Dublin, GA
16,023 people
Floral Park, NY
16,025 people
Lynden, WA
16,025 people
St. Simons, GA
16,026 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South Houston's $52,611 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

New Eagle, PA
$52,612 median income
Gwinn, MI
$52,609 median income
Bryant, IL
$52,614 median income
Swink, CO
$52,604 median income
Shelburne Falls, MA
$52,604 median income
Lyman, NE
$52,621 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South Houston, 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 South Houston, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 36.5% 12.1% 46.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 91.3% White 36.5% Black or African American 2.3% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 12.1% Two or more races 46.8% 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 South Houston 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
South Houston (this city) 16,017 $52,611
Highland 16,004 $164,459
Gatesville 16,058 $54,802
Mount Pleasant 16,061 $53,039
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South Houston, TX?

What is the population of South Houston, TX? +

South Houston, TX has a population of 16,017 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South Houston, TX? +

The median household income in South Houston is $52,611 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South Houston? +

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

South Houston has a total crime rate of 2873.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 South Houston, TX? +

A typical home in South Houston is worth $176,100, 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 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.