County · Texas
Karnes County, Texas
Karnes County, Texas. Karnes County had 15,018 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.7% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). It holds 4 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 48255.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,018
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,710 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,968
Median household income
$60,214
±$9,628 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$149,000
±$30,966 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$957
±$223 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Karnes County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,710 residents in Karnes County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,018 for July 1, 2025, up 1.7% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,968 over 748 square miles of land.
| Measure | Karnes County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,968 | 30,188,424 | −577 |
| Households | 4,730±249 | 10,992,816 | +448 |
| Average household size | 2.45±0.11 | 2.69 | −0.39 |
| Housing units | 5,975±68 | 12,128,515 | no clear change |
Karnes County's population since 2000
From 15,446 in 2000 to 15,018 in 2025: down 2.8%. 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 Karnes County?
Karnes County holds 4 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Kenedy with 3,305 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kenedy | 3,473 | $61,167 |
|---|---|---|
| Karnes City | 3,111 | $55,354 |
| RungeGEOID 4863788 | 892 | not published |
| Falls CityGEOID 4825392 | 514 | $56,339 |
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 Karnes County?
The median resident of Karnes County is 38.1 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 15.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 53.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 34.7%. 3.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Karnes County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1±1.6 | 35.6 | +2.7 |
| Under 18 years | 19.4%±0.4 pts | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.2%±0.7 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 53.4% | 39.7% | −1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 34.7%±0.5 pts | 39.1% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.3%±1.3 pts | 11.9% | +2.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 5.5% | – |
| 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 | 2.2%±1.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.7%±1.5 pts | 17.6% | −7.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.8%±3.4 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.9%±1.1 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 20.6%±4.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.8%±3.3 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 78.1%±3.4 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.3%±2.8 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.0%±1.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.7 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 Karnes County earn?
Half of Karnes County's 4,730 households earn less than $60,214 a year (±$9,628), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $69,075 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Karnes County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,214±$9,628 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $95,318±$11,308 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,304±$3,586 | $40,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.1%±5.3 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.6%±14.2 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.1%±6.0 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 70.6%±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 Karnes County?
Owners occupy 62.4% of Karnes County's occupied homes and renters 37.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $149,000 by its owner (±$30,966). The median renter pays $957 a month including utilities, and 35.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Karnes County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $149,000±$30,966 | $283,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $957±$223 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.3%±12.8 pts | 42.3% | +16.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,183±$124 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.4%±5.7 pts | 62.6% | −12.1 pts |
| Housing units | 5,975±68 | 12,128,515 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.8%±2.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.6%±6.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.5%±4.5 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.4%±4.0 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±1.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.4%±2.9 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 Karnes County building?
Builders took permits for 62 new housing units across Karnes County in 2025 (62 single-family), 4.1 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 Karnes County get to work?
75.1% of Karnes County's workers drive alone and 4.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Karnes County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 44.7%±2.9 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±1.7 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.1%±6.0 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.8%±5.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 4.7%±2.9 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.6%±1.6 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.9 min±2.4 | 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 Karnes County's census tracts?
Karnes County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $40,234 (Tract 9704) to $91,667 (Tract 9701).
| Tract 970148255970100 | 2,039±308 | $91,667 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970248255970200 | 4,469±274 | $56,894 |
| Tract 9703.0148255970301 | 3,341±227 | $39,470 |
| Tract 9703.0248255970302 | 3,482±194 | $63,452 |
| Tract 970448255970400 | 1,637±299 | $40,234 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Karnes County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 139th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 135th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 133rd of 254 |
| Median household income | 163rd of 253 |
| Median home value | 155th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 122nd of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 44th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 210th of 252 |
| Median age | 147th 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 Karnes 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.