County · Texas
Brewster County, Texas
Brewster County, Texas. Brewster County had 9,458 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.9% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 4 places (1 city, village or borough and 3 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 48043.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,458
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,546 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,503
Median household income
$56,212
±$9,462 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$227,000
±$14,339 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$839
±$51 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Brewster County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,546 residents in Brewster County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,458 for July 1, 2025, down 0.9% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,503 over 6,184 square miles of land.
| Measure | Brewster County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,503 | 30,188,424 | +272 |
| Households | 4,951±177 | 10,992,816 | +863 |
| Average household size | 1.82±0.07 | 2.69 | −0.41 |
| Housing units | 5,917±213 | 12,128,515 | +385 |
Brewster County's population since 2000
From 8,866 in 2000 to 9,458 in 2025: up 6.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Brewster County?
Brewster County holds 4 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Alpine with 5,989 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Alpine | 6,035 | $60,139 |
|---|---|---|
| MarathonGEOID 4846572 | 410 | $45,635 |
| Study ButteGEOID 4870688 | 200 | not published |
| TerlinguaGEOID 4872248 | 78 | $46,094 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Brewster County?
The median resident of Brewster County is 40.9 years old; 16.7% are under 18 and 26.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 51.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 42.1%. 11.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Brewster County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9±3.9 | 35.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 16.7% | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.5%±1.3 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 42.1% | 39.7% | −2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 51.3%±3.4 pts | 39.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.9%±1.8 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0%±3.0 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.4%±5.0 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 29.8%±4.6 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.7%±2.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 13.5%±2.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.4%±5.1 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.2%±3.2 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 45.5%±5.6 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.1%±4.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9%±1.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 Brewster County earn?
Half of Brewster County's 4,951 households earn less than $56,212 a year (±$9,462), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $57,941 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brewster County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,212±$9,462 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,422±$8,334 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,712±$5,153 | $40,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.9%±2.7 pts | 13.8% | −5.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.0%±3.6 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.8%±3.1 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.7%±5.2 pts | 91.4% | – |
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 Brewster County?
Owners occupy 62.5% of Brewster County's occupied homes and renters 37.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $227,000 by its owner (±$14,339). The median renter pays $839 a month including utilities, and 34.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Brewster County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $227,000±$14,339 | $283,800 | +$40,673 |
| Median gross rent | $839±$51 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.2%±10.9 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,739±$198 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.5%±5.6 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,917±213 | 12,128,515 | +385 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.3%±4.4 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.1%±4.6 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.3%±3.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.2%±2.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.8%±2.7 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 Brewster County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Brewster County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Brewster County get to work?
65.6% of Brewster County's workers drive alone and 7.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.3 minutes.
| Measure | Brewster County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.1%±3.3 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0%±2.3 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 65.6%±8.0 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.7%±8.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 5.1%±2.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.6%±3.2 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.3 min±2.9 | 26.7 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 are Brewster County's census tracts?
Brewster County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,498 (Tract 9505) to $75,972 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950348043950300 | 4,619±410 | $57,894 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950448043950400 | 1,617±409 | $75,972 |
| Tract 950548043950500 | 3,267±230 | $49,498 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Brewster County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 169th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 183rd of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 234th of 254 |
| Median household income | 201st of 253 |
| Median home value | 61st of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 180th of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 211th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 252 |
| Median age | 99th of 254 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Brewster County 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' school search.