City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

West, TX

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

2,571
Residents
$52,292
Median income
$164,700
Median home
$1,023
Median rent (state)

West - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, West lands in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 88th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
32nd
percentile, home value
22nd
percentile, median rent
88th
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: West, TX

Texas's West is a small town, with 2,571 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. West households earn a median of $52,292 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.8%. West's housing stock carries a median value of $164,700, and the median resident age is 36.5 years. About 19.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 15 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 200% from five years earlier. West reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 423.5 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: the state registers 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,023 monthly. 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 73.0 out of 100 (High).

Population

2,571 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$52,292 /yr

Poverty 11.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does West compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 32% pricier than other cities
Median rent 22% pricier than other cities
Safety 88% 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: West ranks #76 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 West 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 sits close to the middle of Texas's city distribution

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, West ranks #1,195 - the 27th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares West only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,068 of 1,520
30th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#1,195 of 1,663
27th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#722 of 1,505
52nd percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#656 of 1,663
60th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#721 of 1,663
56th 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.

23rdIncome percentile
88thSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 88th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West'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 61 Avg. percentile National median
West'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 West's home value compares nationally

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

$164,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 68% 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. West $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 - West, TX West, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West, 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 West, TX median $52,292/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%
West, 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 West, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.3%

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

Population
2,571
Median Income
$52,292
Median Home Value
$164,700
Median Age
36.5
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Labor force participation
56.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
423.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
115.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
308.0
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 →
2,550 residents2,600 residents2,650 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,559 residents 2,629 residents ▲ +2.7%
West's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
15
housing units authorized
Single-Family
13
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 19
2021 0
2022 12
2023 11
2024 15

Permit volume increased 200% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.6%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.4%
Work from Home
10.3%
Other
0.9%

Based on 1,086 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 West sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,023/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
73.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Escobares
2,563 people
The Hills
2,579 people
Wild Peach
2,580 people
Caddo Mills
2,589 people
Jarrell
2,589 people
Palmhurst
2,595 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West's 2,571 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bellevue, ID
2,571 people
Shelby, MI
2,571 people
Vergennes, VT
2,571 people
Rangely, CO
2,572 people
Rising Sun, IN
2,570 people
Hallowell, ME
2,570 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West's $52,292 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lindcove, CA
$52,292 median income
Hindsboro, IL
$52,292 median income
Grand Junction, IA
$52,292 median income
Palco, KS
$52,292 median income
Fort Smith, MT
$52,292 median income
Twin Bridges, MT
$52,292 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West, 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 West, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 71.7% 25.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 25.2% White 71.7% Black or African American 2.6% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 25.2% 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 West 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
West (this city) 2,571 $52,292
Escobares 2,563 $29,420
The Hills 2,579 $178,194
Wild Peach 2,580 $71,349
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West, TX?

What is the population of West, TX? +

West, TX counts 2,571 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in West runs $52,292, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West? +

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

West has a total crime rate of 423.5 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 West, TX? +

Homes in West carry a median value of $164,700, 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.