City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Stafford, TX

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

17,279
Residents
$85,910
Median income
$247,900
Median home
$1,573
Median rent (state)

Stafford - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Stafford lands in the 67th percentile for household income and the 10th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

67th
percentile, household income
55th
percentile, home value
62nd
percentile, median rent
10th
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: Stafford, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 17,279 residents in Stafford, a small town within Texas. Stafford households earn a median of $85,910 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.9%. Home values in Stafford run a median of $247,900, and the median resident age is 32.8 years. About 40.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 68.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 484 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 6814% from five years earlier. Stafford's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3520.5 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: 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 $1,573 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

17,279 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$85,910 /yr

Poverty 6.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Stafford compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 55% pricier than other cities
Median rent 62% pricier than other cities
Safety 10% 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: Stafford ranks #584 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Stafford 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 Stafford toward the top of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Stafford ranks #218 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Stafford only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#381 of 1,520
75th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#288 of 1,663
75th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#395 of 1,505
74th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#962 of 1,663
42nd percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#218 of 1,663
87th 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.

67thIncome percentile
10thSafety percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income · 10th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Stafford's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Stafford'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Stafford'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 Stafford's home value compares nationally

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

$247,900 45th percentile more affordable than 45% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Stafford $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 - Stafford, TX Stafford, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Stafford, 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 Stafford, TX median $85,910/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%
Stafford, 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 Stafford, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.8%

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

Population
17,279
Median Income
$85,910
Median Home Value
$247,900
Median Age
32.8
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor force participation
68.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3520.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
319.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3201.5
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
17,000 residents17,500 residents18,000 residents18,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,379 residents 18,043 residents ▲ +3.8%
Stafford's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
484
housing units authorized
Single-Family
29
detached homes
Multifamily
455
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
28
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 7
2020 3
2021 49
2022 39
2023 39
2024 484

Permit volume increased 6814% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.9%
Carpool
6.1%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
8.7%
Other
4.5%

Based on 8,963 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 Stafford 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
97.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Royse City
17,357 people
Glenn Heights
17,175 people
Addison
17,128 people
Bellaire
17,116 people
Melissa
17,497 people
Groves
17,021 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Stafford's 17,279 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Amesbury, MA
17,277 people
Clayton, MO
17,282 people
Cameron Park, CA
17,283 people
Nipomo, CA
17,266 people
Bon Air, VA
17,302 people
Murraysville, NC
17,307 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Stafford's $85,910 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Napeague, NY
$85,912 median income
Breezy Point, MN
$85,913 median income
Rosemont, PA
$85,913 median income
Rush Valley, UT
$85,917 median income
Coalville, UT
$85,921 median income
Fritz Creek, AK
$85,893 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Stafford, 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 Stafford, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 23.5% 27.3% 26.6% 8.0% 13.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 28.0% White 23.5% Black or African American 27.3% Asian 26.6% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 8.0% Two or more races 13.0% 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 Stafford 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
Stafford (this city) 17,279 $85,910
Royse City 17,357 $116,424
Glenn Heights 17,175 $79,739
Addison 17,128 $82,858
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Stafford, TX?

What is the population of Stafford, TX? +

Stafford, TX has a population of 17,279 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Stafford runs $85,910, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Stafford? +

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

Stafford has a total crime rate of 3520.5 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 Stafford, TX? +

Homes in Stafford carry a median value of $247,900, 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.