City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Universal City, TX

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

19,853
Residents
$75,439
Median income
$249,400
Median home
$1,426
Median rent (state)

Universal City - the verdict

Nationally, Universal City sits in the 57th percentile for household income and the 25th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

57th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
56th
percentile, median rent
25th
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: Universal City, TX

Texas's Universal City is a small town, with 19,853 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Universal City households earn a median of $75,439 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.9%. Universal City's housing stock carries a median value of $249,400, and the median resident age is 35.3 years. Educational attainment runs 33.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 17 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 77% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2360.7 in FBI UCR data, near 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: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Texas scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,426 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Universal City report an average commute of 25.4 minutes, with 80.5% driving alone and 7.6% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

19,853 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$75,439 /yr

Poverty 7.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Universal City compare to other US cities?

Where Universal City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 57% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 56% pricier than other cities
Safety 25% 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, Universal City ranks #504 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

Each percentile compares Universal City 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 Universal City toward the top of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Universal City ranks #320 - the 81st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Universal City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#499 of 1,520
67th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#420 of 1,663
72nd percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#389 of 1,505
74th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#896 of 1,663
46th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#320 of 1,663
81st 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.

57thIncome percentile
25thSafety percentile

57th percentile nationally for median household income · 25th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Universal City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Universal City'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 42 Avg. percentile National median
Universal City'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 Universal City's home value compares nationally

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

$249,400 44th percentile more affordable than 44% 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. Universal City $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 - Universal City, TX Universal City, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Universal City, 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 Universal City, TX median $75,439/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%
Universal City, 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 Universal City, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.5%

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

Population
19,853
Median Income
$75,439
Median Home Value
$249,400
Median Age
35.3
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Labor force participation
65.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2360.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
258.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2102.3
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
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 →
19,600 residents19,800 residents20,000 residents20,200 residents20,400 residents20,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 19,751 residents 20,399 residents ▲ +3.3%
Universal City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
17
housing units authorized
Single-Family
17
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 73
2020 88
2021 103
2022 75
2023 43
2024 17

Permit volume decreased 77% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
25.4 minutes
Drive Alone
80.5%
Carpool
8.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
7.6%
Other
2.1%

Based on 9,975 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 Universal City sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,426/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Plainview
19,893 people
Alamo
20,008 people
Angleton
19,597 people
Boerne
19,509 people
Portland
20,369 people
Alton
19,205 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Universal City's 19,853 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oroville, CA
19,855 people
Miamisburg, OH
19,859 people
Altamont, OR
19,844 people
Shelbyville, IN
19,866 people
Mamaroneck, NY
19,840 people
Harvey, IL
19,831 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Universal City's $75,439 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Murrells Inlet, SC
$75,438 median income
Tenino, WA
$75,438 median income
Eton, GA
$75,441 median income
Carneys Point, NJ
$75,436 median income
Bloomington, IL
$75,449 median income
Clearfield, UT
$75,429 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Universal City, 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 Universal City, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 60.0% 10.1% 6.5% 20.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 42.2% White 60.0% Black or African American 10.1% Asian 2.5% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 6.5% Two or more races 20.4% 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 Universal City 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
Universal City (this city) 19,853 $75,439
Plainview 19,893 $45,991
Alamo 20,008 $54,234
Angleton 19,597 $83,981
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Universal City, TX?

What is the population of Universal City, TX? +

Universal City, TX counts 19,853 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Universal City, TX? +

The median household income in Universal City is $75,439 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Universal City? +

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

Universal City has a total crime rate of 2360.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Universal City, TX? +

A typical home in Universal City is worth $249,400, 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.