County · Texas
Willacy County, Texas
Willacy County, Texas. Willacy County had 19,971 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.9% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 10 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 7 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 48489.
Willacy County is the county of the Raymondville, TX micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,971
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,164 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,139
Median household income
$54,180
±$8,228 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$73,600
±$13,677 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$809
±$107 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Willacy County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,164 residents in Willacy County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,971 for July 1, 2025, down 0.9% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,139 over 591 square miles of land.
| Measure | Willacy County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,139 | 30,188,424 | −1,449 |
| Households | 5,691±181 | 10,992,816 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.25±0.10 | 2.69 | −0.27 |
| Housing units | 6,885±29 | 12,128,515 | −438 |
Willacy County's population since 2000
From 20,082 in 2000 to 19,971 in 2025: down 0.6%. 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 Willacy County?
Willacy County holds 10 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Raymondville with 10,082 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Raymondville | 10,236 | $51,442 |
|---|---|---|
| Lyford | 2,249 | $56,071 |
| Sebastian | 1,684 | $22,786 |
| LasaraGEOID 4841548 | 909 | not published |
| San PerlitaGEOID 4865636 | 538 | $74,688 |
| Port MansfieldGEOID 4858928 | 319 | not published |
| Los AngelesGEOID 4844062 | 108 | not published |
| Ranchette EstatesGEOID 4860458 | 106 | not published |
| Zapata RanchGEOID 4880722 | 87 | $111,270 |
| Santa MonicaGEOID 4865756 | 86 | $89,375 |
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 Willacy County?
The median resident of Willacy County is 34.3 years old; 23.6% are under 18 and 14.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 87.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 9.8%. 10.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Willacy County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.3±0.8 | 35.6 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 23.6% | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.7%±0.4 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 87.3% | 39.7% | −0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 9.8%±0.6 pts | 39.1% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.8 pts | 11.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.7 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.4%±2.2 pts | 17.6% | −4.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 60.6%±3.6 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.7%±1.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 12.9%±2.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 23.9%±3.2 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 71.2%±3.1 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.0%±2.2 pts | 33.8% | +5.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.1%±1.2 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.4 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 Willacy County earn?
Half of Willacy County's 5,691 households earn less than $54,180 a year (±$8,228), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $43,715 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,465 after inflation. 24.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Willacy County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,180±$8,228 | $78,476 | +$10,465 |
| Mean household income | $71,310±$9,883 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,476±$2,369 | $40,752 | +$6,153 |
| People below the poverty line | 24.0%±5.1 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.7%±8.8 pts | 18.7% | −13.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 31.9%±4.8 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.9%±4.0 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 Willacy County?
Owners occupy 74.7% of Willacy County's occupied homes and renters 25.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $73,600 by its owner (±$13,677). The median renter pays $809 a month including utilities, and 37.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Willacy County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $73,600±$13,677 | $283,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $809±$107 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.5%±15.0 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,464±$96 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.7%±4.8 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,885±29 | 12,128,515 | −438 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.7%±5.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.8%±3.6 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.4%±3.0 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9%±1.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.4%±1.2 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 Willacy County building?
Builders took permits for 43 new housing units across Willacy County in 2025 (43 single-family), 2.2 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 Willacy County get to work?
82.6% of Willacy County's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.5%.
| Measure | Willacy County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.4%±2.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.5%±2.8 pts | 5.3% | −6.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 82.6%±4.2 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.2%±2.5 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.9 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1%±3.1 pts | 14.4% | +6.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.7 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 Willacy County's census tracts?
Willacy County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $45,000 (Tract 9503) to $73,824 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950348489950300 | 5,513±807 | $45,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950448489950400 | 7,106±870 | $73,824 |
| Tract 950548489950500 | 2,727±497 | $58,750 |
| Tract 950648489950600 | 2,271±464 | $40,769 |
| Tract 950748489950700 | 2,522±381 | $54,946 |
| Tract 990048489990000 | 0±15 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Willacy County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 121st of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 186th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 101st of 254 |
| Median household income | 206th of 253 |
| Median home value | 242nd of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 192nd of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 17th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 216th of 252 |
| Median age | 213th 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 Willacy 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.