Wharton County, TX

County

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2024 Population

41,794

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

38.1

0.781% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

13.6%

6.01% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$66,924

1.25% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$189,900

3.94% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

18,978

4.38% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Wharton 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.

94.9% of the residents in Wharton County, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wharton County, TX are Wharton County Junior College (1,026 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Wharton County, TX was $189,900, and the homeownership rate was 72.3%.

Most people in Wharton County, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Wharton County, TX was 2 cars per household.

Wharton County, TX borders Austin County, TX, Brazoria County, TX, Colorado County, TX, Fort Bend County, TX, Jackson County, TX, and Matagorda County, TX.

United States Texas El Campo, TX

Population & Diversity

Wharton County, TX is home to a population of 41.8k people, from which 94.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 8.53% of Wharton County, TX residents were born outside of the country (3.56k people).

In 2024, there were 2.66 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (18.1k people) in Wharton County, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.81k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 5.91k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.9%

2024 Citizenship

94.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.9% of Wharton County, TX residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Wharton County, TX was 94.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wharton County, TX

White (Non-Hispanic)
18.1k ± 175
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
6.81k ± 1.14k
White (Hispanic)
5.91k ± 1.05k

42%

Hispanic Population

17.6k people

42% of the people in Wharton County, TX are hispanic (17.6k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Wharton 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
2,397,739 ± 36,447 people
India
325,248 ± 13,925 people
El Salvador
221,729 ± 11,517 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,397,739 Texas residents, followed by India with 325,248 and El Salvador with 221,729.

Foreign-Born Population

8.53%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

3.56k people

8.38%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

3.49k people

As of 2024, 8.53% of Wharton County, TX residents (3.56k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wharton County, TX was 8.38%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
764 ± 199
Gulf War (2001-)
336 ± 143
Gulf War (1990s)
305 ± 135

Wharton County, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.27 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Wharton County, TX.

Economy

The economy of Wharton County, TX employs 19k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Wharton County, TX were Manufacturing (2,602 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,360 people), and Educational Services (2,118 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($83,264), Utilities ($61,011), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($60,172).

Employment

Occupations

19k

2024 Value

± 1,244

4.38%

1 Year growth

± 8.87%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Wharton County, TX grew at a rate of 4.38%, from 18.2k employees to 19k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wharton County, TX, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,945 people), Production Occupations (1,815 people), and Management Occupations (1,771 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wharton County, TX.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

19k

2024 Value

± 1,244

4.38%

1 Year growth

± 8.87%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Wharton County, TX grew at a rate of 4.38%, from 18.2k employees to 19k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wharton County, TX, are Manufacturing (2,602 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,360 people), and Educational Services (2,118 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wharton County, TX, though some of these residents may live in Wharton County, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$51,492

Median earning men ± $3,599

$34,776

Median earning women ± $4,267

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($69,886), Manufacturing ($60,023), and Public Administration ($57,554).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($70,326), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($70,037), and Information ($53,571).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

4.59%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 13.8M people employed in Texas. This represents a 4.59% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 9.63%.

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

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

90
Other Services (except Public Administration)
64
Retail Trade
55
Construction

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

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$75.9k
Manufacturing
$74.8k
Retail Trade
$67.4k
Health Care and Social Assistance

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Jill Stein (0.726%).

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

Voting results are not available for Wharton County, TX. Showing the available data for Texas.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.1%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (42.5%)
Democratic Party
Jill Stein (0.726%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Jill Stein (0.726%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Texas for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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.

Education

In 2023, universities in Wharton County, TX awarded 1,026 degrees. The student population of Wharton County, TX in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 2,428 male students and 3,259 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wharton County, TX are Hispanic or Latino (475 and 46.3%), White (331 and 32.3%), Asian (103 and 10%), and Black or African American (102 and 9.94%).

The largest universities in Wharton County, TX by number of degrees awarded are Wharton County Junior College (1,026 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Wharton County, TX are General Studies (313 and 30.5%), General Business (81 and 7.89%), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Paramedic) (81 and 7.89%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 5,687 students enrolled in Wharton County, TX, 42.7% men and 57.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 2,627 records, of which 61.6% were women and 38.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Pre-Nursing Studies
58 degrees awarded
General Studies
313 degrees awarded
General Business
81 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Wharton County, TX was Pre-Nursing Studies with 58 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Wharton County Junior College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,026 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wharton County Junior College with 1,026 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 453 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wharton County, TX, which is 0.791 times less than the 573 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 475 degrees mean that there were 1.44 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 331 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

Public, 2-year ($768) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($3,552) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,448) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Wharton County, TX was $189,900 in 2024, which is 0.571 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $182,700 to $189,900, a 3.94% increase. The homeownership rate in Wharton County, TX is 72.3%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Wharton County, TX have an average commute time of 25.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Wharton County, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 18.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wharton County, TX. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 2.15%.

Housing

Property

$189,900

Median Property Value 2024

±$12,396

$11,482

Median Property Taxes

±$846

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 Wharton County, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

72.3%

Homeownership

2024

66.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 72.3% of the housing units in Wharton County, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 70.6%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$66,924

Median Household Income

± $3,866

15.9k

Number of Households

± 1,071

In 2024, the median household income of the 15.9k households in Wharton County, TX grew to $66,924 from the previous year's value of $66,100.

The following chart displays the households in Wharton 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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

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

0.475

2023 Wage GINI in Texas

0.476

2022 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2023, the income inequality in Texas was 0.475 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.208% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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 2024

Drove Alone (79%)
Carpooled (12.5%)
Worked At Home (5.23%)

In 2024, 79% of workers in Wharton County, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12.5%) and those who worked at home (5.23%).

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

25.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wharton County, TX have a shorter commute time (25.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.89% of the workforce in Wharton County, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Wharton 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 Wharton County, TX distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wharton County, TX have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 18.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wharton County, TX. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 2.15%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

13.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wharton County, TX (5.59k out of 41.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 45 - 54.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wharton County, TX is Hispanic, followed by White and Black.

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 2025, 21.3% of the children was living in poverty in Wharton County, TX. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.9%.

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 439 in Wharton County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 13.3 per 100,000 population.

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

Health

85.8% of the population of Wharton County, TX has health coverage, with 44.4% on employee plans, 13.4% on Medicaid, 14.7% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 0.994% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Wharton County, TX see 2,608 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,608 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1818 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1670 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,608 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wharton County, TX

Primary care physicians in Wharton County, TX see an average of 2,608 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,608 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.7% under 18 years, 19.9% between 18 and 34 years, 35.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

14.2%

Uninsured

44.4%

Employer Coverage

13.4%

Medicaid

14.7%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

0.994%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wharton County, TX declined by 14.4% from 16.5% to 14.2%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 67.5 in Wharton County, TX.

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

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, 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 41.4% in Wharton County, TX.

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