Population 426,120 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Cameron County
Household size in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.54 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.52 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.43 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.21 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.33 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Cameron County are large by national standards, averaging 3.21 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.54, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 16 of Texas' 254 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.0 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.8 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.7 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.5 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.6 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Cameron County is young: half of its residents are under 33.5, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 31.0 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only 24 of Texas' 254 counties are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.5% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.5% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 18.4% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in six households in Cameron County (18.1%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Few Texas counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only 20 of 254.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Cameron County
Renters in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.8% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.9% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.1% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 34.8% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over a third of households in Cameron County rent their homes (34.8%), the same as the national share. Among homeowners, 61.3% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 4.0 points, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.9% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Cameron County is close to the national rate: 10.7% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 4.1 points, in line with the national trend. Cameron County has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Texas counties.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +8 | +6 |
Cameron County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1992, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Cameron County has newer homes than the great majority of Texas counties.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $624 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $687 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $771 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,012 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$388 | +$639 | +$606 |
The median renter in Cameron County pays $1,012 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $388 a month since 2006–10, up 62%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 30.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Cameron County
Bachelor's degrees in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.2% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.1% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.4% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.4 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Cameron County: 22.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 7.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the west.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.6% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 64.4% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 67.4% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 72.9% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than a quarter of adults in Cameron County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 72.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.4 points, as it has nationally. Of Texas' 254 counties, only 22 have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Cameron County
| Period | Cameron County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Cameron County is close to the national rate: 6.0% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Cameron County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron County | 3.21 | 33.5 | 18.1% | 34.8% | 10.7% | 1992 | $1,012 | 22.4% | 72.9% | 6.0% |
| Willacy County | 3.32 | 36.7 | 21.3% | 25.3% | 16.0% | 1987 | $727 | 13.9% | 70.2% | 8.6% |
| Hidalgo County | 3.42 | 31.9 | 18.6% | 32.5% | 12.4% | 1998 | $987 | 20.3% | 69.8% | 7.6% |
| Kenedy County | 2.53 | 54.8 | 12.2% | 47.3% | 56.7% | 1957 | $1,374 | 13.0% | 52.8% | 0.0% |
| Starr County | 3.55 | 30.0 | 22.1% | 30.5% | 16.9% | 1995 | $734 | 14.7% | 60.2% | 10.1% |
| Brooks County | 2.23 | 42.8 | 23.4% | 47.2% | 24.7% | 1969 | $807 | 18.0% | 82.8% | 17.8% |
| Kleberg County | 2.47 | 32.8 | 17.0% | 47.5% | 16.1% | 1978 | $983 | 23.4% | 83.6% | 7.5% |
| Jim Hogg County | 3.83 | 28.7 | 27.7% | 43.6% | 28.0% | 1977 | $849 | 15.7% | 76.5% | 5.7% |
| Nueces County | 2.71 | 38.0 | 14.1% | 40.3% | 13.0% | 1983 | $1,392 | 24.7% | 85.8% | 4.9% |
| Zapata County | 3.13 | 34.4 | 23.7% | 28.0% | 27.3% | 1990 | $663 | 15.5% | 66.2% | 9.2% |
| Jim Wells County | 2.93 | 37.7 | 20.8% | 31.5% | 17.0% | 1983 | $870 | 15.7% | 79.6% | 6.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Sarasota County, FL · Galveston County, TX · Genesee County, MI · Stark County, OH · St. Lucie County, FL · Hampden County, MA · St. Charles County, MO · Horry County, SC · Jefferson Parish, LA · Somerset County, NJ
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Cameron County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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