Willacy County

As of the latest U.S. Census data, Willacy County, Texas, has a population of approximately 20,164 people. The racial composition includes about 90.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% White, 0.4% Black or African American, and 0.6% Asian. The median household income stands at around $28,000, and about 29.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. Educational attainment shows that roughly 60% have a high school diploma or higher.

Willacy County, TX, has a median home value of about $68,000. Approximately 66.8% of homes are owner-occupied. The median monthly owner costs with a mortgage are around $1,228, while without a mortgage, they're approximately $380. The median gross rent is about $627 per month. Housing vacancy rates are near 19%, with a total of around 7,700 housing units available.

Willacy County, TX holds elections for various local, state, and federal offices. As of the last election cycle, voter turnout was around 40%. In the 2022 general election, key races included those for county judge, where Carlos "Goo" Guerra (D) won with 57% of the vote, and for sheriff, with Joseph Cantu (I) securing 53%. State and congressional races saw Democratic incumbents largely retaining their seats; for instance, U.S. Representative Filemon Vela (D) won TX-34 with 55%. Local offices such as county commissioners, constables, and school board members were also contested, reflecting the area's commitment to civic engagement. Remember always to verify data as candidates and statistics can change each cycle.

As of the most recent data, Willacy County, TX, faces educational challenges. Approximately 62.7% of its residents over 25 have a high school diploma or higher, significantly below the national average of about 88% and the Texas average of around 83%. Furthermore, only about 9.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.1% and the Texas average of 30.7%. This information underscores the educational gaps in Willacy County. The county's lower educational attainment can impact various socio-economic factors, including employment opportunities and income levels. Efforts to improve education in this area are essential for fostering community growth and development.

As of recent data, Willacy County, TX has a labor force participation rate of approximately 48.7%, with an unemployment rate around 12.1%, significantly higher than the national average of about 3.5% and the Texas state average of around 4.7%. Key industries in Willacy County include agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, which employ approximately 20% of the workforce, far above the national average of 1.3%. Educational services, health care, and social assistance sectors employ around 22% of workers, slightly below the national average of 23.1%. Retail trade covers about 8%, compared to the national rate of 10.1%. The county's economy is largely supported by primary sector activities, reflecting its rural character and agricultural emphasis.

As of the latest available data, Willacy County, TX, has a median household income of approximately $30,700. This is significantly lower than both the national median household income, which stands at around $68,700, and the Texas state median household income of about $64,800.

Income Comparison Table

The lower median income in Willacy County highlights the economic challenges faced by its residents when compared to broader state and national figures.

As of the most recent data, Willacy County, TX, has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, the county reported an overall crime rate of approximately 26.5 per 1,000 residents. The breakdown of crime statistics is as follows:

These numbers reflect a combination of data collected from local law enforcement agencies and the FBI’s crime database, and they indicate that property crimes are more prevalent than violent crimes in Willacy County.