County · Texas
Jefferson County, Texas
Jefferson County, Texas. Jefferson County had 254,321 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.9% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 13 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 77 census tracts. GEOID 48245.
Jefferson County is one of the 3 counties of the Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
254,321
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 256,526 · ACS 2020-2024: 253,878
Median household income
$60,026
±$1,694 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$169,500
±$4,123 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,117
±$29 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Jefferson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 256,526 residents in Jefferson County. The Census Bureau estimates 254,321 for July 1, 2025, down 0.9% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 253,878 over 877 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 253,878 | 30,188,424 | −462 |
| Households | 94,807±949 | 10,992,816 | +1,819 |
| Average household size | 2.52±0.03 | 2.69 | −0.04 |
| Housing units | 109,884±114 | 12,128,515 | +1,349 |
Jefferson County's population since 2000
From 252,051 in 2000 to 254,321 in 2025: up 0.9%. 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County holds 13 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Beaumont with 112,967 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Beaumont | 115,282 | $56,997 |
|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur | 56,039 | $46,354 |
| Nederland | 18,856 | $77,570 |
| Groves | 17,335 | $73,710 |
| Port Neches | 13,692 | $81,637 |
| Central Gardens | 4,373 | $83,750 |
| Fannett | 2,363 | $90,962 |
| China | 1,260 | $55,104 |
| Bevil Oaks | 1,089 | $91,031 |
| Beauxart GardensGEOID 4807036 | 1,064 | not published |
| HamshireGEOID 4832012 | 962 | $102,800 |
| NomeGEOID 4851720 | 469 | $58,125 |
| Taylor LandingGEOID 4871966 | 278 | $134,063 |
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 Jefferson County?
The median resident of Jefferson County is 37.0 years old; 24.6% are under 18 and 15.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 36.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 32.7%. 12.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.0±0.3 | 35.6 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 24.6% | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.5%±0.1 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 24.1% | 39.7% | +3.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 36.3%±0.3 pts | 39.1% | −4.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 32.7%±0.3 pts | 11.9% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.1 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 | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.1%±0.5 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 22.9%±0.6 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±0.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.0%±0.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 20.6%±1.1 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.1%±0.8 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.7%±1.0 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±0.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.3 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 Jefferson County earn?
Half of Jefferson County's 94,807 households earn less than $60,026 a year (±$1,694), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,071 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $3,045 after inflation. 19.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,026±$1,694 | $78,476 | −$3,045 |
| Mean household income | $84,539±$2,266 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,101±$741 | $40,752 | −$1,243 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.5%±1.1 pts | 13.8% | +1.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.9%±2.6 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.9%±1.1 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.3%±0.8 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 Jefferson County?
Owners occupy 62.5% of Jefferson County's occupied homes and renters 37.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $169,500 by its owner (±$4,123). The median renter pays $1,117 a month including utilities, and 44.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $169,500±$4,123 | $283,800 | +$30,678 |
| Median gross rent | $1,117±$29 | $1,403 | +$45 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.2%±3.1 pts | 42.3% | +7.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,737±$50 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.5%±1.2 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 109,884±114 | 12,128,515 | +1,349 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7%±1.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.9%±1.0 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.4%±0.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8%±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.4%±0.5 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 Jefferson County building?
Builders took permits for 341 new housing units across Jefferson County in 2025 (325 single-family), 1.3 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 Jefferson County get to work?
85.7% of Jefferson County's workers drive alone and 3.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.3%±0.9 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3%±0.7 pts | 5.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 85.7%±1.1 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±0.9 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.4%±0.6 pts | 14.4% | +1.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.2 min±0.5 | 26.7 min | +0.8 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 Jefferson County's census tracts?
Jefferson County is divided into 77 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $18,261 (Tract 1.03) to $143,036 (Tract 109.02).
All 77 census tracts of Jefferson County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jefferson County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 22nd of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 182nd of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 22nd of 254 |
| Median household income | 167th of 253 |
| Median home value | 124th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 56th of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 39th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 139th of 252 |
| Median age | 166th 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 Jefferson 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.