Population 53,024 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Galveston
Household size in Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.28 | 2.96 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.30 | 3.00 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.29 | 2.98 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.05 | 2.91 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.22 | −0.05 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Galveston are small: just 2.05 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.28, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only four of the 545 Texas cities with 5,000+ people have smaller 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 Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.8 | 34.0 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.1 | 34.8 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.0 | 35.6 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.6 | 36.4 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +2.3 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Galveston skews a little older than the country: its median age is 41.6, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.8, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the center.
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 Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 13.7% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.7% | 13.7% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.9% | 13.3% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 13.5% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Galveston than nationally: 10.0%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Galveston
Renters in Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.2% | 36.6% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.0% | 38.6% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.1% | 39.5% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 53.9% | 38.8% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +2.2 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Galveston: 53.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 57.7% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 1.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only 17 of the 545 Texas cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
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 Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.6% | 11.3% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.8% | 10.1% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 26.5% | 9.3% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.8% | 8.6% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −8.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 21.8% of the housing in Galveston, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 8.8 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1985 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1988 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1993 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +8 | +8 | +6 |
The housing in Galveston is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1968, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1961 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the center. Only 19 of the 545 Texas cities with 5,000+ people have older 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 Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $770 | $1,018 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $866 | $1,103 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,032 | $1,300 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,387 | $1,649 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$618 | +$631 | +$639 | +$606 |
Rent in Galveston runs $1,387 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $618 a month since 2006–10, up 80%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 35.6% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the north.
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 Galveston
Bachelor's degrees in Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.0% | 29.2% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 30.4% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.5% | 32.5% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.4% | 35.9% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.4 pts | +6.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Galveston as nationally: 36.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 9.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast 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 Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.2% | 80.9% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.9% | 81.9% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.6% | 83.6% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.2% | 84.8% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +3.9 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Galveston have finished high school as nationally: 88.2%, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in the Houston area overall (84.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 8.0 points, as it has nationally.
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 Galveston
| Period | Galveston | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 5.6% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 6.2% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.9%, unemployment in Galveston is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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).
Galveston compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston | 2.05 | 41.6 | 10.0% | 53.9% | 21.8% | 1968 | $1,387 | 36.4% | 88.2% | 5.9% |
| Tiki Island | 1.96 | 58.1 | 1.9% | 4.5% | 46.9% | 1996 | $1,639 | 55.5% | 98.8% | 1.6% |
| Bayou Vista | 1.85 | 58.2 | 3.2% | 9.9% | 20.3% | 1979 | $2,083 | 30.3% | 94.5% | 10.1% |
| Texas City | 2.54 | 39.3 | 16.2% | 45.2% | 10.2% | 1982 | $1,403 | 20.1% | 85.2% | 6.4% |
| Jamaica Beach | 1.80 | 61.6 | 2.6% | 9.2% | 62.1% | 1984 | $2,172 | 61.6% | 98.8% | 6.5% |
| La Marque | 2.58 | 37.6 | 16.1% | 32.3% | 7.2% | 1986 | $1,542 | 24.0% | 87.2% | 6.4% |
| Hitchcock | 2.71 | 38.4 | 17.4% | 28.1% | 8.6% | 1993 | $1,439 | 22.0% | 88.2% | 6.1% |
| Santa Fe | 2.65 | 42.0 | 9.3% | 14.6% | 8.1% | 1996 | $1,375 | 24.2% | 90.2% | 8.2% |
| Hillcrest | 2.46 | 50.2 | 6.9% | 26.7% | 10.6% | 1972 | $1,384 | 32.4% | 89.4% | 3.1% |
| Liverpool | 3.03 | 39.1 | 10.2% | 15.6% | 15.7% | 1995 | $1,453 | 19.9% | 83.3% | 2.3% |
| Danbury | 3.17 | 35.9 | 6.8% | 14.8% | 14.2% | 1982 | $1,493 | 15.2% | 86.3% | 5.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Texarkana, TX · Hoffman Estates, IL · Logan, UT · Minnetonka, MN · Morgan Hill, CA · New Iberia, LA · Olive Branch, MS · Plainfield, NJ · Port Arthur, TX · Asheboro, NC
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 Galveston. 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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