Population 213,160 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Ellis County
Household size in Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.95 | 2.83 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.96 | 2.89 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.03 | 2.94 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.99 | 2.87 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | +0.03 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Ellis County are large by national standards, averaging 2.99 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.95, even as the national average fell.
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 Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.1 | 34.6 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.9 | 35.3 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.0 | 36.2 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.9 | 36.7 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +2.2 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Ellis County is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 36.9, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.1, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the southeast and oldest in the northeast.
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 Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.7% | 13.2% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 13.4% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 12.6% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.9% | 11.6% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in Ellis County (11.9%), close to the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Ellis County
Renters in Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 37.1% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.3% | 39.5% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.6% | 40.5% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.2% | 39.9% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +2.8 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.2% of households in Ellis County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 36.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the west.
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 Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 10.2% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 8.8% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 8.2% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.7% | 7.2% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Ellis County than nationally: 5.7%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy has fallen 3.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few Texas counties have a lower vacancy rate: only four of 254.
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 Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1988 | 1984 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1990 | 1985 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1992 | 1987 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1999 | 1992 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +8 | +8 | +6 |
Ellis County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1999, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1988 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the southeast. Of Texas' 254 counties, only 16 have newer homes.
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 Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $957 | $1,058 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,060 | $1,135 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,204 | $1,349 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,749 | $1,865 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$791 | +$807 | +$639 | +$606 |
The median renter in Ellis County pays $1,749 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the Dallas area overall ($1,865). Rents are up $791 a month from 2006–10, an 83% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 32.3% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Ellis County
Bachelor's degrees in Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.1% | 31.6% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 32.4% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.5% | 34.9% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.7% | 39.5% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.6 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Ellis County (30.7%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.6 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the northeast.
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 Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.1% | 83.5% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.9% | 84.4% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.3% | 85.4% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.5% | 87.6% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +4.0 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Ellis County have finished high school as nationally: 88.5%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.3 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Ellis County
| Period | Ellis County | Dallas area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 7.1% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 7.6% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 4.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Ellis County than nationally: unemployment was 4.5%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Ellis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellis County | 2.99 | 36.9 | 11.9% | 24.2% | 5.7% | 1999 | $1,749 | 30.7% | 88.5% | 4.5% |
| Johnson County | 3.02 | 38.0 | 9.6% | 25.3% | 8.8% | 1997 | $1,492 | 26.6% | 87.9% | 3.3% |
| Hood County | 2.57 | 47.2 | 7.0% | 18.8% | 11.9% | 1996 | $1,676 | 32.2% | 92.0% | 4.9% |
| Van Zandt County | 2.79 | 43.6 | 11.4% | 18.5% | 12.0% | 1991 | $1,047 | 20.6% | 87.1% | 3.2% |
| Smith County | 2.94 | 38.7 | 13.1% | 31.2% | 17.3% | 1986 | $1,291 | 28.5% | 88.4% | 4.1% |
| Eastland County | 2.45 | 40.0 | 11.2% | 28.4% | 24.1% | 1966 | $866 | 23.2% | 83.0% | 4.3% |
| Gregg County | 2.62 | 37.5 | 16.7% | 39.7% | 11.5% | 1980 | $1,181 | 22.6% | 86.9% | 3.9% |
| Harrison County | 2.68 | 38.4 | 14.4% | 23.1% | 11.0% | 1985 | $1,067 | 23.6% | 89.4% | 4.9% |
| Callahan County | 2.74 | 43.6 | 8.0% | 19.1% | 19.6% | 1978 | $791 | 25.1% | 92.8% | 4.8% |
| Taylor County | 2.62 | 35.4 | 12.4% | 39.5% | 12.4% | 1977 | $1,348 | 29.4% | 90.4% | 2.5% |
| Caddo Parish | 2.42 | 40.8 | 17.6% | 39.8% | 15.0% | 1977 | $1,028 | 26.0% | 88.0% | 9.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Webb County, TX · Weber County, UT · Whatcom County, WA · Winnebago County, IL · York County, ME · Anderson County, SC · Barnstable County, MA · Baldwin County, AL · Yolo County, CA · Atlantic 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 Ellis 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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