City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Taft, TX

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

2,847
Residents
$67,431
Median income
$124,200
Median home
$1,366
Median rent (state)

Taft - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Taft lands in the 46th percentile for household income and the 64th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

46th
percentile, household income
19th
percentile, home value
53rd
percentile, median rent
64th
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: Taft, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,847 residents in Taft, a small town within Texas. The typical household in Taft brings in $67,431 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 20.0%. Taft's housing stock carries a median value of $124,200, and the median resident age is 35.0 years. About 12.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 51.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 15 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 37% from five years earlier. Taft reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 982.4 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: 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 $1,366 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 85.4 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

2,847 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$67,431 /yr

Poverty 20.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Taft compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 19% pricier than other cities
Median rent 53% pricier than other cities
Safety 64% 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, Taft ranks #222 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

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 Taft'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.

46thIncome percentile
64thSafety percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income · 64th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Taft's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Taft'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 58 Avg. percentile National median
Taft'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 Taft's home value compares nationally

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

$124,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 81% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Taft $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 - Taft, TX Taft, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Taft, 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 Taft, TX median $67,431/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%
Taft, 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 Taft, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.2%

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

Population
2,847
Median Income
$67,431
Median Home Value
$124,200
Median Age
35.0
Poverty Rate
20.0%
Labor force participation
51.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
982.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
135.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
846.9
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
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 →
2,750 residents2,800 residents2,850 residents2,900 residents2,950 residents3,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,800 residents 2,939 residents ▲ +5.0%
Taft's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
15
housing units authorized
Single-Family
15
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 24
2020 9
2021 45
2022 24
2023 13
2024 15

Permit volume decreased 37% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.7%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
1.7%
Other
5.5%

Based on 1,025 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 Taft sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,366/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Seagraves
2,842 people
South Padre Island
2,852 people
St. Hedwig
2,839 people
La Paloma
2,836 people
Midway South
2,858 people
Brazoria
2,859 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Taft's 2,847 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gray Summit, MO
2,847 people
Aromas, CA
2,846 people
Loogootee, IN
2,846 people
Quarryville, PA
2,846 people
York, AL
2,849 people
Vamo, FL
2,845 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Taft's $67,431 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Warrenton, OR
$67,430 median income
Pawtucket, RI
$67,436 median income
Omro, WI
$67,426 median income
Parma, OH
$67,425 median income
China Lake Acres, CA
$67,438 median income
Hoyt, KS
$67,438 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Taft, 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 Taft, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 52.7% 6.0% 39.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 74.7% White 52.7% Black or African American 1.7% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.0% Two or more races 39.1% 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 Taft 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
Taft (this city) 2,847 $67,431
Seagraves 2,842 $51,189
South Padre Island 2,852 $61,578
St. Hedwig 2,839 $117,617
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Taft, TX?

What is the population of Taft, TX? +

Taft, TX has a population of 2,847 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Taft households earn a median of $67,431 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Taft? +

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

Taft has a total crime rate of 982.4 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 Taft, TX? +

A typical home in Taft is worth $124,200, 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.