Population 39,945 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in River Oaks
Household size in River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.86 | 2.96 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.83 | 3.00 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.95 | 2.98 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.77 | 2.91 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.10 | −0.05 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
River Oaks is a place of small households, averaging 1.77 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 1.86, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only five of Houston's 63 neighborhoods 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 River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.5 | 34.0 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.9 | 34.8 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.2 | 35.6 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.6 | 36.4 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +2.3 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of River Oaks is 42.6 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 39.5 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only three of Houston's 63 neighborhoods are older.
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 River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.9% | 13.7% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 3.8% | 13.7% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 13.3% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 13.5% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.7% of households in River Oaks, well below the national share of 11.6%. River Oaks has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Houston neighborhoods.
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 River Oaks
Renters in River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 55.1% | 36.6% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 56.7% | 38.6% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 57.9% | 39.5% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 63.3% | 38.8% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +8.3 pts | +2.2 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in River Oaks rent: 63.3% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 50.7% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 8.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 11.3% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 10.1% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.8% | 9.3% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.1% | 8.6% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in River Oaks than nationally: 12.1%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones.
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 River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1985 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1993 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +20 | +8 | +8 | +6 |
River Oaks has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1995, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1975 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the center.
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 River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,137 | $1,018 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,366 | $1,103 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,688 | $1,300 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,054 | $1,649 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$917 | +$631 | +$639 | +$606 |
A typical rental in River Oaks costs $2,054 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $917 a month from 2006–10, an 81% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 27.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are 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 River Oaks
Bachelor's degrees in River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.8% | 29.2% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 75.4% | 30.4% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 77.9% | 32.5% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 78.7% | 35.9% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +6.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in River Oaks: 78.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 2.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few Houston neighborhoods have a higher share of college graduates: only two of 63.
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 River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.3% | 80.9% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.9% | 81.9% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.7% | 83.6% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.2% | 84.8% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | +3.9 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in River Oaks: 98.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 0.8 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. River Oaks has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Houston neighborhoods.
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 River Oaks
| Period | River Oaks | Houston area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.3% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.4% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.9% | 5.6% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 6.2% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in River Oaks runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has edged up 0.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell. 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).
River Oaks compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Oaks | 1.77 | 42.6 | 4.7% | 63.3% | 12.1% | 1995 | $2,054 | 78.7% | 98.2% | 4.0% |
| Montrose | 1.75 | 36.3 | 3.1% | 62.7% | 13.5% | 1993 | $1,741 | 78.3% | 98.4% | 5.0% |
| West University | 2.48 | 39.5 | 5.1% | 45.1% | 7.7% | 1994 | $2,310 | 83.9% | 98.3% | 4.2% |
| Rice | 2.34 | 36.3 | 2.8% | 47.5% | 13.2% | 1985 | $2,087 | 77.1% | 99.2% | 3.9% |
| Rice Military | 1.79 | 34.9 | 4.5% | 55.9% | 7.8% | 2009 | $2,176 | 79.9% | 98.8% | 1.8% |
| Washington Avenue-Memorial Park | 1.73 | 32.5 | 2.8% | 76.0% | 10.2% | 2005 | $1,943 | 75.4% | 98.2% | 1.0% |
| Fourth Ward | 1.79 | 31.4 | 8.7% | 80.1% | 11.3% | 2003 | $1,856 | 69.9% | 99.3% | 7.8% |
| Galleria-Uptown | 2.02 | 39.2 | 9.2% | 69.2% | 14.5% | 1986 | $1,624 | 57.8% | 88.5% | 6.2% |
| Midtown | 1.57 | 33.3 | 3.7% | 79.9% | 9.6% | 2004 | $1,912 | 73.4% | 98.9% | 3.1% |
| Medical | 1.87 | 34.9 | 5.6% | 74.7% | 10.5% | 1993 | $1,558 | 71.9% | 97.4% | 7.1% |
| Greater Heights | 2.13 | 36.4 | 5.0% | 39.1% | 10.1% | 1989 | $1,927 | 73.3% | 93.9% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Woodhaven, Queens, NY · Westgate Hts, Albuquerque, NM · La Sierra, Riverside, CA · Wheaton-Glenmont, Wheaton, MD · Kings Bridge, Bronx, NY · Kalihi-Palama, Honolulu, HI · Irving Park, Chicago, IL · Inwood, Manhattan, NY · Inner Richmond, San Francisco, CA · Hyde Park, Los Angeles, CA
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 River Oaks. 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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