County · Texas
Hale County, Texas
Hale County, Texas. Hale County had 31,819 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 48189.
Hale County is one of the 2 counties of the Plainview, TX micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
31,819
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,522 · ACS 2020-2024: 32,131
Median household income
$51,897
±$4,443 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$116,500
±$12,510 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$836
±$43 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Hale County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 32,522 residents in Hale County. The Census Bureau estimates 31,819 for July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 32,131 over 1,005 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hale County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 32,131 | 30,188,424 | −1,695 |
| Households | 11,024±281 | 10,992,816 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.73±0.07 | 2.69 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 13,392±63 | 12,128,515 | no clear change |
Hale County's population since 2000
From 36,602 in 2000 to 31,819 in 2025: down 13.1%. 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 Hale County?
Hale County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Plainview with 19,314 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Plainview | 20,187 | $44,768 |
|---|---|---|
| Abernathy | 2,865 | $87,531 |
| Hale Center | 2,062 | $57,083 |
| Seth Ward | 1,603 | $53,990 |
| Petersburg | 1,014 | $51,250 |
| EdmonsonGEOID 4822708 | 86 | $65,000 |
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 Hale County?
The median resident of Hale County is 34.4 years old; 26.3% are under 18 and 14.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 61.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 31.4%. 9.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hale County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.4±0.4 | 35.6 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 26.3%±0.1 pts | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.2%±0.2 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 61.3% | 39.7% | +1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 31.4%±0.4 pts | 39.1% | −2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.5%±0.7 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.2%±1.6 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 36.8%±2.5 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.9%±0.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.0%±1.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 21.0%±2.6 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 74.3%±2.7 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.3%±2.0 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±1.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.5 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 Hale County earn?
Half of Hale County's 11,024 households earn less than $51,897 a year (±$4,443), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $59,546 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,649 after inflation. 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hale County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,897±$4,443 | $78,476 | −$7,649 |
| Mean household income | $69,923±$4,760 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,080±$1,625 | $40,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.5%±3.0 pts | 13.8% | +4.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 30.0%±6.3 pts | 18.7% | +11.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.0%±3.4 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.5%±2.9 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 Hale County?
Owners occupy 60.5% of Hale County's occupied homes and renters 39.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $116,500 by its owner (±$12,510). The median renter pays $836 a month including utilities, and 39.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hale County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $116,500±$12,510 | $283,800 | +$14,722 |
| Median gross rent | $836±$43 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.1%±6.8 pts | 42.3% | +11.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,611±$82 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.5%±3.5 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,392±63 | 12,128,515 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.4%±3.4 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.5%±2.7 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.5%±2.0 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.1%±1.5 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 Hale County building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units across Hale County in 2025 (6 single-family), 0.2 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 Hale County get to work?
79.2% of Hale County's workers drive alone and 3.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Hale County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.1%±2.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±1.7 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.2%±3.5 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.8%±3.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.1%±1.2 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.8 min±1.8 | 26.7 min | +2.7 min |
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 Hale County's census tracts?
Hale County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,599 (Tract 9505) to $79,528 (Tract 9509).
| Tract 950148189950100 | 4,459±708 | $50,377 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950248189950200 | 3,521±595 | $41,023 |
| Tract 950348189950300 | 6,251±720 | $58,168 |
| Tract 950448189950400 | 4,602±751 | $45,794 |
| Tract 950548189950500 | 3,141±450 | $31,599 |
| Tract 950648189950600 | 3,769±439 | $71,941 |
| Tract 950748189950700 | 2,719±542 | $62,013 |
| Tract 950848189950800 | 930±224 | $55,417 |
| Tract 950948189950900 | 2,739±351 | $79,528 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hale County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 90th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 197th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 103rd of 254 |
| Median household income | 219th of 253 |
| Median home value | 188th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 182nd of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 34th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 201st of 252 |
| Median age | 211th 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 Hale 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.