County · Texas
Wharton County, Texas
Wharton County, Texas. Wharton County had 42,060 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). It holds 7 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 48481.
Wharton County is the county of the El Campo, TX micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
42,060
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 41,570 · ACS 2020-2024: 41,794
Median household income
$66,924
±$3,866 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$189,900
±$12,396 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,046
±$79 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Wharton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 41,570 residents in Wharton County. The Census Bureau estimates 42,060 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 41,794 over 1,086 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wharton County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 41,794 | 30,188,424 | +217 |
| Households | 15,890±353 | 10,992,816 | +691 |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.06 | 2.69 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 17,711±54 | 12,128,515 | no clear change |
Wharton County's population since 2000
From 41,188 in 2000 to 42,060 in 2025: up 2.1%. 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 Wharton County?
Wharton County holds 7 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is El Campo with 12,142 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| El Campo | 12,350 | $67,017 |
|---|---|---|
| Wharton | 8,627 | $58,212 |
| East Bernard | 2,218 | $97,961 |
| BolingGEOID 4809232 | 930 | $84,545 |
| LouiseGEOID 4844212 | 889 | $63,750 |
| HungerfordGEOID 4835420 | 390 | not published |
| IagoGEOID 4835684 | 148 | not published |
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 Wharton County?
The median resident of Wharton County is 38.1 years old; 25.4% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 43.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 42.0%. 8.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wharton County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1±0.6 | 35.6 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 25.4%±0.1 pts | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2%±0.1 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 42.0% | 39.7% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 43.3%±0.4 pts | 39.1% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.9%±0.8 pts | 11.9% | −2.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 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 | 2.9%±0.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.5%±1.3 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 27.2%±2.4 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±0.9 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 14.4%±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.2%±2.5 pts | 17.1% | −4.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.5%±1.7 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.7%±2.4 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.1%±1.2 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±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 Wharton County earn?
Half of Wharton County's 15,890 households earn less than $66,924 a year (±$3,866), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $59,455 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,469 after inflation. 13.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wharton County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,924±$3,866 | $78,476 | +$7,469 |
| Mean household income | $95,050±$7,679 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,628±$2,370 | $40,752 | +$3,494 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.6%±2.5 pts | 13.8% | −4.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.9%±5.1 pts | 18.7% | −9.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.9%±2.4 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.8%±2.6 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 Wharton County?
Owners occupy 72.3% of Wharton County's occupied homes and renters 27.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,900 by its owner (±$12,396). The median renter pays $1,046 a month including utilities, and 41.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wharton County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $189,900±$12,396 | $283,800 | +$32,248 |
| Median gross rent | $1,046±$79 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.5%±7.2 pts | 42.3% | +9.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,840±$85 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.3%±2.9 pts | 62.6% | +5.3 pts |
| Housing units | 17,711±54 | 12,128,515 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.9%±1.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.6%±4.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.5%±3.0 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.3%±1.9 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5%±1.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.7%±1.7 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 Wharton County building?
Builders took permits for 116 new housing units across Wharton County in 2025 (116 single-family), 2.8 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 Wharton County get to work?
79.0% of Wharton County's workers drive alone and 5.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Wharton County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.9%±2.1 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±1.4 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.0%±2.4 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5%±2.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±0.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.2%±1.4 pts | 14.4% | +3.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min±1.9 | 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 Wharton County's census tracts?
Wharton County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,326 (Tract 7407) to $89,578 (Tract 7409.01).
| Tract 740148481740100 | 5,024±640 | $78,276 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 740248481740200 | 1,695±317 | $51,016 |
| Tract 740348481740300 | 1,527±322 | $49,559 |
| Tract 740448481740400 | 6,450±877 | $72,872 |
| Tract 740548481740500 | 3,175±645 | $61,134 |
| Tract 740648481740600 | 3,791±523 | $63,839 |
| Tract 740748481740700 | 1,567±330 | $48,326 |
| Tract 740848481740800 | 3,873±763 | $49,819 |
| Tract 7409.0148481740901 | 3,400±445 | $89,578 |
| Tract 7409.0248481740902 | 4,129±544 | $84,750 |
| Tract 741048481741000 | 4,870±555 | $65,636 |
| Tract 741148481741100 | 2,293±354 | $86,094 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wharton County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 80th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 150th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 94th of 254 |
| Median household income | 107th of 253 |
| Median home value | 94th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 82nd of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 137th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 123rd 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 Wharton 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.