City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Tool, TX

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

2,399
Residents
$71,964
Median income
$163,700
Median home
$1,009
Median rent (state)

Tool - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Tool lands in the 52nd percentile for household income and the 94th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

52nd
percentile, household income
31st
percentile, home value
20th
percentile, median rent
94th
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: Tool, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,399 residents in Tool, a small town within Texas. Tool households earn a median of $71,964 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.2%. Home values in Tool run a median of $163,700, and the median resident age is 52.0 years. Educational attainment runs 28.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 36 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 350% from five years earlier. Tool reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 257.0 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: 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 $1,009 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Tool report an average commute of 39.0 minutes, with 71.5% driving alone and 12.2% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 84.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

2,399 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$71,964 /yr

Poverty 7.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Tool compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 31% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% pricier than other cities
Safety 94% 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: Tool ranks #39 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 Tool against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Texas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Texas-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Tool toward the bottom of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Tool ranks #1,273 - the 23rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Tool only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#556 of 1,520
63rd percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#1,273 of 1,663
23rd percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#726 of 1,505
52nd percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#942 of 1,663
43rd percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#424 of 1,663
74th 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.

52ndIncome percentile
94thSafety percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income · 94th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Tool's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Tool'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 74 Avg. percentile National median
Tool'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 Tool's home value compares nationally

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

$163,700 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. Tool $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 - Tool, TX Tool, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Tool, 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 Tool, TX median $71,964/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%
Tool, 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 Tool, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.5%

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

Population
2,399
Median Income
$71,964
Median Home Value
$163,700
Median Age
52.0
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Labor force participation
56.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
257.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
85.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
171.3
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 →
2,100 residents2,200 residents2,300 residents2,400 residents2,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,178 residents 2,427 residents ▲ +11.4%
Tool's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
36
housing units authorized
Single-Family
36
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
15
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 12
2021 23
2022 38
2023 38
2024 36

Permit volume increased 350% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
39.0 minutes
Drive Alone
71.5%
Carpool
11.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
12.2%
Other
5.1%

Based on 1,137 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 Tool sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,009/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Ben Bolt
2,391 people
Idalou
2,389 people
Gunter
2,382 people
Woodcreek
2,375 people
Garfield
2,424 people
Premont
2,424 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Tool's 2,399 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Flora, MS
2,399 people
Red Lodge, MT
2,399 people
Nanty-Glo, PA
2,399 people
Delcambre, LA
2,400 people
Jamestown West, NY
2,398 people
Maxton, NC
2,398 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Tool's $71,964 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Valders, WI
$71,964 median income
Memphis, FL
$71,967 median income
Courtland, CA
$71,972 median income
Raintree Plantation, MO
$71,953 median income
Browns Mills, NJ
$71,975 median income
Hemby Bridge, NC
$71,953 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Tool, 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 Tool, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.2% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.1% White 91.2% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 7.9% 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 Tool 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
Tool (this city) 2,399 $71,964
Ben Bolt 2,391 $70,500
Idalou 2,389 $70,655
Gunter 2,382 $110,795
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Tool, TX?

What is the population of Tool, TX? +

Tool, TX has a population of 2,399 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Tool, the typical household earns $71,964 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Tool? +

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

Tool has a total crime rate of 257.0 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 Tool, TX? +

Homes in Tool carry a median value of $163,700, 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.