Population 9,715 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Penitas
Household size in Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.11 | 3.67 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.97 | 3.72 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 4.05 | 3.66 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 4.04 | 3.42 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.25 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Penitas are large by national standards, averaging 4.04 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 4.11, in line with the national trend. Only two of the 545 Texas cities with 5,000+ people 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 Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.5 | 28.7 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 26.7 | 29.5 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 23.9 | 30.0 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 28.9 | 31.9 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.4 | +3.2 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Penitas is young: half of its residents are under 28.9, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 24.5, mirroring the country. Of the 545 Texas cities with 5,000+ people, only 15 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 Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.2% | 18.3% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 18.3% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 35.0% | 19.5% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 26.0% | 18.6% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +8.8 pts | +0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Penitas: 26.0% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 8.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of the 545 Texas cities with 5,000+ people, only seven 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 Penitas
Renters in Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 29.2% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 32.1% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.1% | 32.0% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.4% | 32.5% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +3.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Penitas is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 69.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.9 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 14.6% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.0% | 12.1% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 13.1% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 12.4% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −2.2 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs a little high in Penitas: 11.5% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has fallen 3.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1997 | 1991 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 2000 | 1993 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2001 | 1995 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2003 | 1998 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +7 | +8 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Penitas is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2003, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1997 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Penitas has newer homes than the great majority of Texas cities.
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 Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $522 | $597 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $534 | $652 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $601 | $737 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $856 | $987 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$335 | +$390 | +$639 | +$606 |
Rent in Penitas runs $856 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $335 a month since 2006–10, up 64%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 35.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only 37 of the 545 Texas cities with 5,000+ people have lower rents.
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 Penitas
Bachelor's degrees in Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.0% | 15.1% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.3% | 16.4% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 18.4% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 20.3% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +5.2 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Penitas: 9.7% 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 3.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 545 Texas cities with 5,000+ people, only 22 have a lower share of college graduates.
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 Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.1% | 59.4% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 46.3% | 61.5% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 50.0% | 64.9% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 54.4% | 69.8% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +10.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than four in ten adults in Penitas never finished high school, well above the national share: only 54.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 7.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Texas city with 5,000+ people has 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 Penitas
| Period | Penitas | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.2% | 10.2% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 10.5% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 6.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 7.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in Penitas: 6.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Even so, the rate is lower than in the McAllen area overall (7.6%). Unemployment has fallen 4.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Penitas 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penitas | 4.04 | 28.9 | 26.0% | 21.4% | 11.5% | 2003 | $856 | 9.7% | 54.4% | 6.8% |
| La Joya | 4.08 | 27.7 | 22.5% | 29.2% | 14.9% | 1999 | $880 | 14.3% | 60.1% | 5.0% |
| Palmview | 3.54 | 32.0 | 21.3% | 25.6% | 7.7% | 2001 | $781 | 12.6% | 61.8% | 7.8% |
| Abram | 3.47 | 30.4 | 25.0% | 13.0% | 8.7% | 1995 | $848 | 19.3% | 71.2% | 6.3% |
| Palmview South | 3.29 | 44.3 | 21.2% | 23.8% | 19.3% | 1995 | $725 | 10.0% | 68.1% | 5.9% |
| Mission | 3.36 | 33.2 | 18.8% | 25.6% | 13.1% | 1999 | $1,025 | 21.8% | 67.4% | 7.7% |
| Sullivan City | 3.53 | 33.6 | 11.8% | 16.9% | 11.2% | 1998 | $772 | 10.9% | 56.8% | 9.4% |
| Alton | 3.80 | 26.3 | 18.9% | 41.4% | 11.4% | 2004 | $1,048 | 14.3% | 66.5% | 8.5% |
| Madero | 2.79 | 35.6 | 12.2% | 26.0% | 13.5% | 2002 | $1,060 | 22.5% | 61.1% | 4.0% |
| Palmhurst | 3.32 | 32.0 | 10.7% | 26.6% | 16.9% | 1999 | $1,033 | 42.9% | 85.7% | 5.8% |
| East Alto Bonito | 4.62 | 29.7 | 3.5% | 10.0% | 7.7% | 1992 | $797 | 6.9% | 67.0% | 4.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Ste. Genevieve, MO · St. Amant, LA · St. Francis, WI · St. Pauls, NC · St. Pete Beach, FL · St. Stephens, NC · Stafford Springs, CT · Stanford, KY · Stayton, OR · Southborough, MA
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 Penitas. 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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