Population 891,977 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Hidalgo County
Household size in Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.67 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.72 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.66 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.42 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.25 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Hidalgo County is a place of big households: 3.42 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.67, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only ten 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 Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.7 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.5 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.0 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.9 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.2 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 31.9, Hidalgo County is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 28.7, in line with the national trend. Only 12 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 Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.3% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.3% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.6% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in five households in Hidalgo County (18.6%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Only 19 of Texas' 254 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 Hidalgo County
Renters in Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.2% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.1% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.0% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 32.5% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Hidalgo County is about as common as it is nationally: 32.5% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a smaller share here than in Texas as a whole (37.4%). About six in ten owners (61.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.4 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 Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.6% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.1% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.4% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in Hidalgo County than nationally: 12.4%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has fallen 2.2 points since 2006–10, as it has 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 Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1991 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1993 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1998 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +8 | +6 |
Hidalgo County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1998, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1991 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Of Texas' 254 counties, only 18 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 Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $597 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $652 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $737 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $987 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$390 | +$639 | +$606 |
Rent in Hidalgo County runs $987 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $390 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 30.7% 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 Hidalgo County
Bachelor's degrees in Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.4% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.3% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Hidalgo County: 20.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.4% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 61.5% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 64.9% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 69.8% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About three in ten adults in Hidalgo County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 69.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 10.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Few Texas counties have a lower share of high school graduates: only 14 of 254.
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 Hidalgo County
| Period | Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Hidalgo County: 7.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Hidalgo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo County | 3.42 | 31.9 | 18.6% | 32.5% | 12.4% | 1998 | $987 | 20.3% | 69.8% | 7.6% |
| Willacy County | 3.32 | 36.7 | 21.3% | 25.3% | 16.0% | 1987 | $727 | 13.9% | 70.2% | 8.6% |
| Cameron County | 3.21 | 33.5 | 18.1% | 34.8% | 10.7% | 1992 | $1,012 | 22.4% | 72.9% | 6.0% |
| Starr County | 3.55 | 30.0 | 22.1% | 30.5% | 16.9% | 1995 | $734 | 14.7% | 60.2% | 10.1% |
| Kenedy County | 2.53 | 54.8 | 12.2% | 47.3% | 56.7% | 1957 | $1,374 | 13.0% | 52.8% | 0.0% |
| Brooks County | 2.23 | 42.8 | 23.4% | 47.2% | 24.7% | 1969 | $807 | 18.0% | 82.8% | 17.8% |
| Jim Hogg County | 3.83 | 28.7 | 27.7% | 43.6% | 28.0% | 1977 | $849 | 15.7% | 76.5% | 5.7% |
| Zapata County | 3.13 | 34.4 | 23.7% | 28.0% | 27.3% | 1990 | $663 | 15.5% | 66.2% | 9.2% |
| Kleberg County | 2.47 | 32.8 | 17.0% | 47.5% | 16.1% | 1978 | $983 | 23.4% | 83.6% | 7.5% |
| Duval County | 3.21 | 35.9 | 18.7% | 29.6% | 27.3% | 1979 | $823 | 6.4% | 74.5% | 10.6% |
| 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: Kern County, CA · Ventura County, CA · Fairfield County, CT · Pinellas County, FL · El Paso County, TX · Erie County, NY · Essex County, MA · Shelby County, TN · Fort Bend County, TX · Milwaukee County, WI
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 Hidalgo 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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