Population 20,552 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lavaca County
Household size in Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.37 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.46 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.39 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.02 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Lavaca County is a place of small households, averaging 2.39 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Lavaca County has smaller households than at least four in five Texas counties.
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 Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.0 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.3 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.9 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.3 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.3 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.3, Lavaca County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The youngest areas are in the southwest, the oldest in the north.
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 Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.4% of households in Lavaca County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Lavaca County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Texas counties.
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 Lavaca County
Renters in Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.7% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.7% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Lavaca County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 62.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.9% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.5% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.4% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Lavaca County: 18.4% of homes are empty, 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 3.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +8 | +6 |
The typical home in Lavaca County was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in Texas overall, where the median home dates to 1992. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the west has the oldest housing.
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 Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $561 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $617 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $771 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,131 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$571 | +$639 | +$606 |
Rent in Lavaca County runs $1,131 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $571 a month since 2006–10, up 102%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 29.3% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the center.
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 Lavaca County
Bachelor's degrees in Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.4% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.2% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.0% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Lavaca County: 22.0% 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 7.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.5% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.7% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.5% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.4% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.9 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Lavaca County have finished high school as nationally: 88.4%, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in Texas overall (85.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 11.9 points, mirroring the country.
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 Lavaca County
| Period | Lavaca County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.5% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.0% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Lavaca County has been strong: just 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.3 points, 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).
Lavaca 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavaca County | 2.39 | 44.3 | 8.4% | 21.7% | 18.4% | 1977 | $1,131 | 22.0% | 88.4% | 3.1% |
| DeWitt County | 2.68 | 41.6 | 10.2% | 26.1% | 23.5% | 1979 | $864 | 17.4% | 86.0% | 3.2% |
| Gonzales County | 2.51 | 41.8 | 16.4% | 33.8% | 12.1% | 1983 | $854 | 12.0% | 75.0% | 4.2% |
| Fayette County | 2.38 | 47.7 | 11.1% | 20.6% | 20.9% | 1985 | $1,037 | 27.1% | 91.1% | 2.2% |
| Colorado County | 2.68 | 45.7 | 8.7% | 20.5% | 18.8% | 1980 | $1,001 | 23.2% | 88.8% | 3.2% |
| Jackson County | 2.50 | 42.5 | 12.2% | 29.2% | 13.9% | 1979 | $1,014 | 17.1% | 84.3% | 4.9% |
| Caldwell County | 2.92 | 37.7 | 16.1% | 24.7% | 6.2% | 1992 | $1,299 | 18.8% | 81.1% | 3.2% |
| Wharton County | 2.64 | 38.7 | 12.1% | 27.7% | 11.5% | 1980 | $1,068 | 20.5% | 85.0% | 4.9% |
| Austin County | 2.55 | 43.7 | 11.7% | 23.5% | 14.4% | 1989 | $1,154 | 24.9% | 86.1% | 4.0% |
| Guadalupe County | 2.83 | 38.9 | 12.0% | 22.2% | 6.5% | 2001 | $1,757 | 32.2% | 90.1% | 4.6% |
| Wilson County | 2.95 | 41.1 | 9.2% | 15.3% | 6.5% | 1999 | $1,095 | 25.9% | 89.6% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Quebradillas Municipio, PR · Klickitat County, WA · Knox County, KY · Labette County, KS · Lajas Municipio, PR · Lauderdale County, TN · Powell County, KY · Price County, WI · Prince Edward County, VA · Pulaski County, IN
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 Lavaca 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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