Cameron County, TX

County

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2021 Population

420,554

0.375% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

31.9

0.631% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

26.3%

1.34% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$43,057

4.51% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$94,200

5.02% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

165,622

0.904% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Cameron County, TX had a population of 421k people with a median age of 31.9 and a median household income of $43,057. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Cameron County, TX declined from 422,135 to 420,554, a −0.375% decrease and its median household income grew from $41,200 to $43,057, a 4.51% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Cameron County, TX are White (Hispanic) (65.1%), Two+ (Hispanic) (18.9%), White (Non-Hispanic) (8.51%), Other (Hispanic) (5.5%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.671%).

None of the households in Cameron County, TX reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

85.3% of the residents in Cameron County, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Cameron County, TX are Texas Southmost College (984 degrees awarded in 2021), Southern Careers Institute-Brownsville (489 degrees), and Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen (436 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Cameron County, TX was $94,200, and the homeownership rate was 65.2%.

Most people in Cameron County, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Cameron County, TX was 2 cars per household.

Cameron County, TX borders Hidalgo County, TX and Willacy County, TX.

Photo by Remko Tanis

United States Texas Brownsville-Harlingen, TX

Population & Diversity

Cameron County, TX is home to a population of 421k people, from which 85.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 22.8% of Cameron County, TX residents were born outside of the country (95.7k people).

In 2021, there were 3.44 times more White (Hispanic) residents (274k people) in Cameron County, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 79.7k Two+ (Hispanic) and 35.8k White (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

85.3%

2021 Citizenship

85.4%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 85.3% of Cameron County, TX residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Cameron County, TX was 85.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Cameron County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Cameron County, TX

White (Hispanic)
274k ± 4.64k
Two+ (Hispanic)
79.7k ± 4.41k
White (Non-Hispanic)
35.8k ± 230

90%

Hispanic Population

378k people

90% of the people in Cameron County, TX are hispanic (378k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Cameron County, TX as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Texas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,459,913 ± 36,829 people
India
290,669 ± 13,170 people
El Salvador
220,934 ± 11,496 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,459,913 Texas residents, followed by India with 290,669 and El Salvador with 220,934.

Foreign-Born Population

22.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

95.7k people

22.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

95.5k people

As of 2021, 22.8% of Cameron County, TX residents (95.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Cameron County, TX was 22.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Cameron County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,320 ± 472
Gulf War (2001-)
2,582 ± 427
Gulf War (1990s)
1,898 ± 400

Cameron County, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.67 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Cameron County, TX employs 166k people. The largest industries in Cameron County, TX are Health Care & Social Assistance (31,626 people), Educational Services (21,636 people), and Retail Trade (19,628 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($65,833), Utilities ($52,301), and Public Administration ($46,269).

Males in Texas have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,604. The income inequality in Texas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

166k

2021 Value

± 3,791

0.904%

1 Year growth

± 3.16%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Cameron County, TX grew at a rate of 0.904%, from 164k employees to 166k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Cameron County, TX, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (18,987 people), Sales & Related Occupations (16,622 people), and Healthcare Support Occupations (13,860 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Cameron County, TX.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Texas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

166k

2021 Value

± 3,791

0.904%

1 Year growth

± 3.16%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Cameron County, TX grew at a rate of 0.904%, from 164k employees to 166k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Cameron County, TX, are Health Care & Social Assistance (31,626 people), Educational Services (21,636 people), and Retail Trade (19,628 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Cameron County, TX, though some of these residents may live in Cameron County, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$31,052

Median earning men ± $911

$22,653

Median earning women ± $1,219

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($54,229), Information ($43,920), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($41,895).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,984), Public Administration ($38,445), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($32,009).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Texas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Texas.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

3,395
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,901
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
1,300
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.69M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$773k
Manufacturing
$575k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Electronics
$255B
Gasoline
$212B
Fuel oils
$180B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas product (by dollars) was Electronics with $255B, followed by Gasoline ($212B) and Fuel oils ($180B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Texas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Texas.

$2.26T

2020 Value in Texas

$4.54T

Projected 2050 Value in Texas

101% growth

In 2020, total outbound Texas trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 101% to $4.54T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Texas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Louisiana
$77.7B
California
$68.4B
Michigan
$58.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Louisiana with $77.7B, followed by California with $68.4B and Michigan and $58.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Texas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Cameron County, TX went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (42.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.638%).

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing the state of Texas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (56.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (42.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.638%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Cameron County, TX for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Texas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

John Cornyn

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on December 2, 2002
Phil Gramm resigned (effective November 30, 2002) a few weeks before the expiration of his term in hopes that his successor, fellow Republican John Cornyn, could gain seniority over other newly elected senators. However, Cornyn did not gain additional seniority due to a 1980 Rules Committee policy.

Ted Cruz

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing Texas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Texas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Texas

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Texas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Cameron County, TX awarded 2,463 degrees. The student population of Cameron County, TX in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 3,667 male students and 5,571 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Cameron County, TX are Hispanic or Latino (2,179 and 88.7%), followed by White (239 and 9.73%), Unknown (19 and 0.773%), and Black or African American (7 and 0.285%).

The largest universities in Cameron County, TX by number of degrees awarded are Texas Southmost College (984 and 40%), Southern Careers Institute-Brownsville (489 and 19.9%), and Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen (436 and 17.7%).

The most popular majors in Cameron County, TX are Medical Assistant (508 and 20.6%), General Studies (324 and 13.2%), and General Cosmetology (174 and 7.06%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 9,238 students enrolled in Cameron County, TX, 39.7% men and 60.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 8,578 records, of which 60.5% were women and 39.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
324 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Safety Studies
143 degrees awarded
Early Childhood Education & Teaching
61 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Cameron County, TX was General Studies with 324 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Cameron County, TX according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Texas Southmost College
984 degrees awarded
Southern Careers Institute-Brownsville
489 degrees awarded
Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen
436 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Texas Southmost College with 984 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 938 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Cameron County, TX, which is 0.615 times less than the 1,525 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 2,179 degrees mean that there were 9.12 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 239 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Private for-profit, less-than 2-year ($11,200) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,948) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,344) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Measure

In 2021, 1.46% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.43% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (5.58M), Some college (4.95M), and Bachelors Degree (4.04M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Cameron County, TX was $94,200 in 2021, which is 0.385 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $89,700 to $94,200, a 5.02% increase. The homeownership rate in Cameron County, TX is 65.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Cameron County, TX have an average commute time of 20.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Cameron County, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Cameron County, TX is $43,057. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Cameron County, TX was Census Tract 106.02 with a value of $95,000, followed by Census Tract 113.02 and Census Tract 126.13, with respective values of $87,952 and $71,233.

In 2022, 23.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cameron County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.23%.

Housing

Property

$94,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,302

$84,782

Median Property Taxes

±$2,508

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Cameron County, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Cameron County, TX compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

65.2%

Homeownership

2021

65%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 65.2% of the housing units in Cameron County, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 66.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Cameron County, TX compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 106.02
Census Tract 113.02
Census Tract 126.13

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Cameron County, TX was Census Tract 106.02 with a value of $95,000, followed by Census Tract 113.02 and Census Tract 126.13, with respective values of $87,952 and $71,233.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Cameron County, TX colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$43,057

Median Household Income

± $1,642

130k

Number of Households

± 3,059

In 2021, the median household income of the 130k households in Cameron County, TX grew to $43,057 from the previous year's value of $41,200.

The following chart displays the households in Cameron County, TX distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Cameron County, TX is from Texas.

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Texas

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2021, the income inequality in Texas was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.474% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Texas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Texas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (81.3%)
Carpooled (9.15%)
Worked At Home (6.25%)

In 2021, 81.3% of workers in Cameron County, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.15%) and those who worked at home (6.25%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Cameron County, TX have a shorter commute time (20.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.03% of the workforce in Cameron County, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Cameron County, TX compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Cameron County, TX distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Cameron County, TX have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 23.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cameron County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.23%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

26.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Cameron County, TX (110k out of 418k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Cameron County, TX is Hispanic, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 34.6% of the children was living in poverty in Cameron County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 13.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 319 in Cameron County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.115 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

71.5% of the population of Cameron County, TX has health coverage, with 28.8% on employee plans, 26.2% on Medicaid, 8.23% on Medicare, 7.27% on non-group plans, and 1.01% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Cameron County, TX see 2015 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.13% decrease from the previous year (2038 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3096 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1409 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,015 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cameron County, TX

Primary care physicians in Cameron County, TX see an average of 2,015 patients per year. This represents a 1.13% decrease from the previous year (2,038 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Cameron County, TX in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 32% under 18 years, 21.4% between 18 and 34 years, 33.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

28.5%

Uninsured

28.8%

Employer Coverage

26.2%

Medicaid

8.23%

Medicare

7.27%

Non-Group

1.01%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Cameron County, TX declined by 0.493% from 28.6% to 28.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Cameron County, TX changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 44.8 in Cameron County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cameron County, TX.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 42.2% in Cameron County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cameron County, TX.

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