City · Texas
Universal City, Texas
Universal City, city, in Bexar County, Texas. Universal City had 20,399 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 19,720 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 20,189 (±153). GEOID 4874408.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,399
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,720 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,189 ±153
Median household income
$74,811
±$5,711 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$269,600
±$17,253 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,315
±$70 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Universal City and what county is it in?
Universal City is a city in Bexar County, Texas. It covers 5.6 square miles of land, 3,496 residents per square mile in 2020.
Universal City is in the San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 8 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Universal City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 20,399 people lived in Universal City on July 1, 2025, up 3.5% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 19,720 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 20,189 (±153).
| Measure | Universal City | Bexar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,189 ±153 | 2,067,341 | −270 |
| Households | 8,175 ±476 | 750,939 | +963 |
| Average household size | 2.47 ±0.14 | 2.70 | −0.37 |
| Housing units | 8,440 ±544 | 820,780 | +896 |
Universal City's population since 2000
From 14,849 in 2000 to 20,399 in 2025: up 37.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Universal City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Universal City?
The median resident of Universal City is 37.1 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 14.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 43.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 41.4%. 11.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Universal City | Bexar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.1 ±3.5 | 34.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.5% ±3.0 pts | 24.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.4% ±2.8 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Male | 51.0% ±3.2 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 43.2% ±5.0 pts | 59.7% | +7.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 41.4% ±4.9 pts | 26.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.5% ±3.1 pts | 7.4% | −5.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.2% ±2.0 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±1.1 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.1% ±3.3 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.0% ±4.7 pts | 37.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 14.8% ±3.1 pts | 9.6% | – |
| With a disability | 17.7% ±2.7 pts | 15.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.7% ±3.3 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1% ±1.8 pts | 86.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.6% ±4.3 pts | 31.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.0% ±2.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.8% ±4.2 pts | 83.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4% ±2.5 pts | 2.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Universal City earn?
Half of Universal City's 8,175 households earn less than $74,811 a year (±$5,711), against $72,341 in Bexar County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $77,770 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Universal City | Bexar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,811 ±$5,711 | $72,341 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $99,389 ±$13,298 | $98,061 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,600 ±$5,316 | $36,702 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.8% ±3.4 pts | 14.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.2% ±4.1 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.9% ±3.5 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.9% ±0.8 pts | 96.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.1% ±2.4 pts | 91.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Universal City?
Owners occupy 57.5% of Universal City's occupied homes and renters 42.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $269,600 by its owner (±$17,253). The median renter pays $1,315 a month including utilities, and 31.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Universal City | Bexar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $269,600 ±$17,253 | $262,200 | +$62,474 |
| Median gross rent | $1,315 ±$70 | $1,354 | +$103 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.2% ±9.0 pts | 44.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,862 ±$150 | $1,923 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.5% ±5.1 pts | 58.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 42.5% ±5.1 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Housing units | 8,440 ±544 | 820,780 | +896 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.6% ±2.4 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.7% ±4.6 pts | 64.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.4% ±1.4 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8% ±1.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.8% ±2.1 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.6% ±1.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.7% ±1.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Universal City building?
Builders took permits for 16 new housing units in Universal City in 2025 (16 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 6.6 across Texas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Universal City work and get to work?
79.8% of Universal City's workers drive alone and 9.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Universal City | Bexar County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.2% ±4.3 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% ±2.5 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8% ±4.6 pts | 68.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0% ±3.3 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.9% ±3.5 pts | 14.6% | +6.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.3 min ±2.5 | 25.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Universal City?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Universal City, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $59,923 (Tract 1216.01) to $79,428 (Tract 1217.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1217.01Bexar County | 4,781 | $74,183 |
| Tract 1216.04Bexar County | 10,121 | $95,821 |
| Tract 1216.01Bexar County | 4,464 | $59,923 |
| Tract 1217.02Bexar County | 6,648 | $79,428 |
| Tract 1216.05Bexar County | 2,417 | $78,778 |
| Tract 1216.06Bexar County | 4,090 | $63,792 |
| Tract 1317Bexar County | 1,240 | $113,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Universal City) · Census block assignment files
How does Universal City compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Universal City is the 1,906th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 155th-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Universal City ranks 362nd of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 155th | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 414th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 60th | 979 |
| Median household income | 362nd | 933 |
| Per capita income | 264th | 978 |
| Median home value | 304th | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 295th | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 562nd | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 241st | 877 |
| Median age | 449th | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 813th | 973 |
| Work from home | 354th | 557 |
| Travel time to work | 461st | 976 |
Universal City's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Universal City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Universal City?
10 of the 57 figures for Universal City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Universal City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Universal City.