County · Texas
Refugio County, Texas
Refugio County, Texas. Refugio County had 6,657 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.2% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 5 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 48391.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,657
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,741 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,707
Median household income
$60,181
±$5,864 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$99,000
±$14,550 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$795
±$244 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Refugio County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,741 residents in Refugio County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,657 for July 1, 2025, down 1.2% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,707 over 770 square miles of land.
| Measure | Refugio County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,707 | 30,188,424 | −438 |
| Households | 2,495±138 | 10,992,816 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.63±0.14 | 2.69 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,359±16 | 12,128,515 | −373 |
Refugio County's population since 2000
From 7,828 in 2000 to 6,657 in 2025: down 15.0%. 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 Refugio County?
Refugio County holds 5 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Refugio with 2,752 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Refugio County?
The median resident of Refugio County is 42.4 years old; 21.7% are under 18 and 22.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 50.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 40.6%. 3.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Refugio County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4±1.4 | 35.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.7%±0.8 pts | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.5%±0.5 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 50.4% | 39.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 40.6%±0.6 pts | 39.1% | −1.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.2%±1.4 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±1.4 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.0%±1.5 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.9%±3.1 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±1.9 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 20.5%±2.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 16.1%±3.6 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.8%±2.9 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.0%±2.8 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.9%±1.2 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.1%±0.1 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 Refugio County earn?
Half of Refugio County's 2,495 households earn less than $60,181 a year (±$5,864), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $61,628 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Refugio County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,181±$5,864 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,904±$6,397 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,082±$2,499 | $40,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.6%±4.5 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.8%±10.3 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.1%±4.6 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.9%±3.2 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 Refugio County?
Owners occupy 77.0% of Refugio County's occupied homes and renters 23.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $99,000 by its owner (±$14,550). The median renter pays $795 a month including utilities, and 45.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Refugio County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $99,000±$14,550 | $283,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $795±$244 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.3%±13.3 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,268±$111 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.0%±4.6 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,359±16 | 12,128,515 | −373 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±8.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.0%±4.3 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.0%±3.3 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.8%±2.1 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.5%±1.8 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 Refugio County building?
Builders took permits for 17 new housing units across Refugio County in 2025 (17 single-family), 2.6 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 Refugio County get to work?
88.0% of Refugio County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 24.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Refugio County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.6%±3.6 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±2.4 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 88.0%±3.8 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.4%±2.0 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 3.7%±2.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.4%±1.8 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.4 min±3.6 | 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 Refugio County's census tracts?
Refugio County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,974 (Tract 9502) to $64,722 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950248391950200 | 3,421±202 | $49,974 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950448391950400 | 3,286±202 | $64,722 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Refugio County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 190th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 188th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 176th of 254 |
| Median household income | 164th of 253 |
| Median home value | 211th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 196th of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 121st of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 216th of 252 |
| Median age | 74th 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 Refugio 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.