Counties in Texas by poverty rate
Willacy County had the highest poverty rate of 254 counties in 2018, at 35%. Loving County had the lowest, at 3.3%. The median was 15.8% and the figure for Texas was 14.9%. Source: the U.S. Census Bureau.
Top 40 counties, 2018
Full ranking
| Rank | Counties | 2018 (%) | Change on 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willacy County | 35 | 0 pts |
| 2 | Starr County | 33.2 | +1.2 pts |
| 3 | Zapata County | 32.1 | +2.1 pts |
| 4 | Zavala County | 32 | +0.4 pts |
| 5 | Brooks County | 31 | -4 pts |
| 6 | Hidalgo County | 30 | +0.5 pts |
| 7 | La Salle County | 29.6 | +0.4 pts |
| 8 | Cameron County | 27.9 | +0.2 pts |
| 9 | Frio County | 27.5 | -0.4 pts |
| 10 | Bee County | 26.7 | +0.1 pts |
| 11 | Concho County | 26.6 | +11.2 pts |
| 12 | Houston County | 26.1 | +3.8 pts |
| 12 | Walker County | 26.1 | +3 pts |
| 14 | Maverick County | 25.9 | -1.1 pts |
| 15 | Webb County | 25.7 | -1.6 pts |
| 16 | Duval County | 25.5 | -3.1 pts |
| 17 | Jim Hogg County | 25.2 | -2.1 pts |
| 18 | Kleberg County | 25 | -0.5 pts |
| 19 | Dimmit County | 24.6 | -6.6 pts |
| 19 | Garza County | 24.6 | -0.7 pts |
| 21 | Hall County | 24.1 | +0.1 pts |
| 22 | Crosby County | 23.7 | +1.4 pts |
| 23 | Brazos County | 23.2 | -0.7 pts |
| 24 | Haskell County | 23.1 | +2.5 pts |
| 25 | Dawson County | 22.9 | +1.2 pts |
| 25 | Uvalde County | 22.9 | +2.4 pts |
| 27 | Presidio County | 22.4 | -1 pts |
| 27 | Terry County | 22.4 | +0.9 pts |
| 29 | Newton County | 22.3 | +1.5 pts |
| 30 | Limestone County | 22.2 | +3.1 pts |
| 30 | San Augustine County | 22.2 | +0.6 pts |
| 32 | Edwards County | 22.1 | -0.5 pts |
| 33 | Jones County | 22 | +1.1 pts |
| 34 | Cochran County | 21.9 | -2.9 pts |
| 34 | Marion County | 21.9 | -0.9 pts |
| 36 | Karnes County | 21.8 | -0.3 pts |
| 37 | Falls County | 21.7 | -5.9 pts |
| 38 | Menard County | 21.6 | +1 pts |
| 38 | Nacogdoches County | 21.6 | -2.3 pts |
| 40 | Reeves County | 21.5 | -3.6 pts |
| 41 | Mitchell County | 21.4 | +0.8 pts |
| 42 | Childress County | 21.2 | +0.9 pts |
| 42 | Cottle County | 21.2 | 0 pts |
| 42 | Jim Wells County | 21.2 | -2.5 pts |
| 45 | Kinney County | 21.1 | +1 pts |
| 46 | Floyd County | 21 | +0.8 pts |
| 47 | Howard County | 20.6 | +2.5 pts |
| 47 | Shelby County | 20.6 | -0.2 pts |
| 49 | El Paso County | 20.5 | -0.5 pts |
| 50 | Cass County | 20.4 | +1.4 pts |
| 50 | Knox County | 20.4 | -0.2 pts |
| 52 | Culberson County | 20.3 | -1.8 pts |
| 52 | Dickens County | 20.3 | -0.9 pts |
| 54 | Morris County | 20.2 | +1.8 pts |
| 55 | Lamb County | 20 | 0 pts |
| 55 | Navarro County | 20 | +3.1 pts |
| 57 | Aransas County | 19.9 | +1.8 pts |
| 58 | Anderson County | 19.8 | +1 pts |
| 59 | Potter County | 19.7 | +1.2 pts |
| 60 | Hockley County | 19.5 | +3.3 pts |
| 60 | Pecos County | 19.5 | -1.1 pts |
| 62 | Henderson County | 19.4 | +2.2 pts |
| 62 | Stephens County | 19.4 | -0.1 pts |
| 64 | Coleman County | 19.3 | -5.9 pts |
| 65 | Jasper County | 19.2 | -0.8 pts |
| 65 | Swisher County | 19.2 | -0.7 pts |
| 67 | Bowie County | 19.1 | +3.2 pts |
| 68 | McLennan County | 18.9 | +1.6 pts |
| 68 | Terrell County | 18.9 | -0.4 pts |
| 68 | Val Verde County | 18.9 | -2.5 pts |
| 71 | Camp County | 18.8 | -1.5 pts |
| 72 | Eastland County | 18.7 | +1.9 pts |
| 72 | Jefferson County | 18.7 | +0.1 pts |
| 72 | Live Oak County | 18.7 | +1.3 pts |
| 75 | Donley County | 18.6 | -1.3 pts |
| 75 | Titus County | 18.6 | +2.3 pts |
| 77 | McCulloch County | 18.5 | -0.9 pts |
| 78 | DeWitt County | 18.4 | -0.4 pts |
| 78 | Hale County | 18.4 | -1.5 pts |
| 78 | Matagorda County | 18.4 | +0.4 pts |
| 81 | Lynn County | 18.3 | +0.2 pts |
| 82 | Nolan County | 18.2 | -1.1 pts |
| 82 | Red River County | 18.2 | -1.3 pts |
| 82 | Tyler County | 18.2 | -1.4 pts |
| 85 | Erath County | 18.1 | +2.3 pts |
| 85 | Real County | 18.1 | -0.1 pts |
| 87 | Foard County | 18 | 0 pts |
| 88 | Angelina County | 17.9 | -2.1 pts |
| 88 | Madison County | 17.9 | -0.4 pts |
| 90 | Hudspeth County | 17.8 | -0.5 pts |
| 90 | Motley County | 17.8 | +0.1 pts |
| 90 | Wichita County | 17.8 | +1 pts |
| 93 | Jack County | 17.7 | +0.3 pts |
| 93 | Trinity County | 17.7 | -3.3 pts |
| 95 | Kimble County | 17.6 | -1 pts |
| 95 | Lubbock County | 17.6 | -1.3 pts |
| 95 | Sabine County | 17.6 | -2.6 pts |
| 98 | Castro County | 17.5 | +0.3 pts |
| 98 | Deaf Smith County | 17.5 | -0.2 pts |
| 98 | Grimes County | 17.5 | -0.5 pts |
| 98 | San Jacinto County | 17.5 | -0.7 pts |
| 102 | Cherokee County | 17.4 | +0.2 pts |
| 102 | Hardeman County | 17.4 | -0.6 pts |
| 104 | Collingsworth County | 17.3 | -0.7 pts |
| 104 | San Patricio County | 17.3 | -1.7 pts |
| 106 | Bexar County | 17.2 | +1.6 pts |
| 106 | Delta County | 17.2 | -0.3 pts |
| 108 | Gonzales County | 16.9 | +0.2 pts |
| 108 | Runnels County | 16.9 | -0.4 pts |
| 110 | San Saba County | 16.8 | -0.3 pts |
| 110 | Wharton County | 16.8 | +0.8 pts |
| 112 | Gray County | 16.7 | -0.3 pts |
| 113 | Harris County | 16.5 | +0.6 pts |
| 113 | Schleicher County | 16.5 | +0.3 pts |
| 115 | Comanche County | 16.4 | +1.4 pts |
| 115 | Rusk County | 16.4 | +1.2 pts |
| 117 | Refugio County | 16.3 | -0.6 pts |
| 118 | Briscoe County | 16.2 | +0.9 pts |
| 118 | Nueces County | 16.2 | +0.1 pts |
| 120 | Baylor County | 16.1 | -1.6 pts |
| 121 | Brewster County | 16 | +2 pts |
| 121 | Taylor County | 16 | +0.8 pts |
| 123 | Palo Pinto County | 15.9 | -0.9 pts |
| 123 | Upshur County | 15.9 | -0.5 pts |
| 123 | Waller County | 15.9 | +0.4 pts |
| 126 | Bailey County | 15.8 | -1.4 pts |
| 126 | Robertson County | 15.8 | -1.6 pts |
| 126 | Scurry County | 15.8 | -1.4 pts |
| 129 | Atascosa County | 15.7 | -1.2 pts |
| 129 | Panola County | 15.7 | +0.7 pts |
| 131 | Leon County | 15.6 | -0.5 pts |
| 131 | Milam County | 15.6 | -3.7 pts |
| 131 | Van Zandt County | 15.6 | +2.5 pts |
| 134 | Fisher County | 15.5 | +0.8 pts |
| 134 | Tom Green County | 15.5 | +2 pts |
| 136 | Gaines County | 15.4 | +0.4 pts |
| 136 | Victoria County | 15.4 | -0.3 pts |
| 138 | Crockett County | 15.3 | -1.5 pts |
| 138 | Wilbarger County | 15.3 | -1.1 pts |
| 138 | Wood County | 15.3 | +0.1 pts |
| 141 | Franklin County | 15.2 | +0.4 pts |
| 142 | Gregg County | 15.1 | -1.4 pts |
| 142 | Liberty County | 15.1 | -0.4 pts |
| 144 | Coryell County | 15 | +1.4 pts |
| 144 | Polk County | 15 | -3 pts |
| 144 | Smith County | 15 | -0.6 pts |
| 147 | Bosque County | 14.9 | -1.1 pts |
| 148 | Burleson County | 14.8 | -1.8 pts |
| 148 | Cooke County | 14.8 | +1.8 pts |
| 150 | Hamilton County | 14.7 | -1.4 pts |
| 150 | Harrison County | 14.7 | -2.6 pts |
| 152 | Hopkins County | 14.6 | +0.9 pts |
| 152 | Mills County | 14.6 | -1.2 pts |
| 152 | Stonewall County | 14.6 | -0.7 pts |
| 155 | Rains County | 14.5 | -2.5 pts |
| 156 | Goliad County | 14.4 | -0.8 pts |
| 156 | Lamar County | 14.4 | -1.8 pts |
| 158 | Kenedy County | 14.3 | -0.9 pts |
| 158 | Throckmorton County | 14.3 | -1.1 pts |
| 160 | Calhoun County | 14.2 | -2.1 pts |
| 160 | Dallas County | 14.2 | -0.6 pts |
| 160 | Sutton County | 14.2 | -0.1 pts |
| 160 | Upton County | 14.2 | +0.2 pts |
| 164 | Caldwell County | 14.1 | -0.4 pts |
| 164 | Coke County | 14.1 | +0.8 pts |
| 164 | Winkler County | 14.1 | -0.6 pts |
| 167 | Wheeler County | 14 | -0.5 pts |
| 168 | Kerr County | 13.9 | +0.6 pts |
| 168 | Ward County | 13.9 | -1.2 pts |
| 168 | Young County | 13.9 | -1.9 pts |
| 171 | Fannin County | 13.8 | +0.9 pts |
| 171 | Montague County | 13.8 | -1.5 pts |
| 171 | Washington County | 13.8 | +0.9 pts |
| 174 | Colorado County | 13.7 | -1.2 pts |
| 174 | Freestone County | 13.7 | -2.4 pts |
| 174 | King County | 13.7 | -0.2 pts |
| 177 | Hunt County | 13.6 | -3.3 pts |
| 177 | Martin County | 13.6 | +0.3 pts |
| 179 | Lavaca County | 13.5 | +1.4 pts |
| 179 | Parmer County | 13.5 | +0.2 pts |
| 181 | Bandera County | 13.4 | +1.5 pts |
| 181 | Orange County | 13.4 | -0.3 pts |
| 181 | Shackelford County | 13.4 | -0.8 pts |
| 184 | Fayette County | 13.3 | +2.5 pts |
| 184 | Kent County | 13.3 | 0 pts |
| 186 | Brown County | 13.2 | -3.6 pts |
| 186 | Hays County | 13.2 | +1 pts |
| 188 | Jeff Davis County | 13.1 | +0.3 pts |
| 189 | Bell County | 13 | -0.8 pts |
| 189 | Hutchinson County | 13 | +0.1 pts |
| 189 | Oldham County | 13 | +0.2 pts |
| 192 | Ector County | 12.9 | -0.6 pts |
| 192 | Jackson County | 12.9 | -3.1 pts |
| 192 | Lampasas County | 12.9 | -0.3 pts |
| 195 | Mason County | 12.7 | +0.2 pts |
| 196 | Bastrop County | 12.6 | +1.1 pts |
| 196 | Hill County | 12.6 | -2.3 pts |
| 196 | Sterling County | 12.6 | +0.4 pts |
| 199 | Hardin County | 12.4 | -0.3 pts |
| 200 | Grayson County | 12.3 | -1.1 pts |
| 200 | Lee County | 12.3 | -0.4 pts |
| 200 | Llano County | 12.3 | -0.6 pts |
| 200 | Medina County | 12.3 | -2.4 pts |
| 204 | Moore County | 12.2 | +0.5 pts |
| 205 | Dallam County | 12.1 | +0.6 pts |
| 205 | Galveston County | 12.1 | +0.1 pts |
| 205 | Sherman County | 12.1 | -0.4 pts |
| 205 | Tarrant County | 12.1 | +0.5 pts |
| 205 | Yoakum County | 12.1 | +0.1 pts |
| 210 | Callahan County | 12 | -2 pts |
| 210 | Lipscomb County | 12 | -1.4 pts |
| 210 | Travis County | 12 | +0.5 pts |
| 213 | Hansford County | 11.6 | -0.3 pts |
| 214 | Kaufman County | 11.5 | +2.2 pts |
| 215 | McMullen County | 11.1 | -0.5 pts |
| 216 | Burnet County | 11 | +0.6 pts |
| 217 | Clay County | 10.9 | -0.9 pts |
| 217 | Wilson County | 10.9 | +1.8 pts |
| 219 | Andrews County | 10.7 | -2.3 pts |
| 219 | Armstrong County | 10.7 | +0.1 pts |
| 219 | Johnson County | 10.7 | +0.3 pts |
| 222 | Archer County | 10.6 | +0.5 pts |
| 223 | Ochiltree County | 10.5 | -1.8 pts |
| 224 | Austin County | 10.2 | -0.5 pts |
| 224 | Hood County | 10.2 | -0.4 pts |
| 226 | Blanco County | 10.1 | -0.5 pts |
| 226 | Brazoria County | 10.1 | +1.1 pts |
| 226 | Crane County | 10.1 | -1.6 pts |
| 226 | Midland County | 10.1 | -0.6 pts |
| 230 | Borden County | 10 | -1 pts |
| 230 | Reagan County | 10 | -1.4 pts |
| 232 | Wise County | 9.9 | -1.2 pts |
| 233 | Glasscock County | 9.7 | +0.3 pts |
| 233 | Somervell County | 9.7 | -0.7 pts |
| 235 | Gillespie County | 9.6 | -1.3 pts |
| 235 | Hemphill County | 9.6 | -0.4 pts |
| 237 | Hartley County | 9.5 | +0.6 pts |
| 238 | Montgomery County | 9.3 | +0.4 pts |
| 239 | Carson County | 8.9 | +0.4 pts |
| 240 | Ellis County | 8.8 | +0.3 pts |
| 241 | Chambers County | 8.5 | -1 pts |
| 241 | Guadalupe County | 8.5 | -0.8 pts |
| 241 | Randall County | 8.5 | -0.3 pts |
| 244 | Parker County | 8.3 | +0.3 pts |
| 245 | Irion County | 8.1 | -1.2 pts |
| 246 | Fort Bend County | 7.9 | -0.1 pts |
| 247 | Roberts County | 7.8 | +0.8 pts |
| 248 | Kendall County | 7.5 | +0.2 pts |
| 249 | Denton County | 7.3 | +0.2 pts |
| 250 | Comal County | 7.1 | -1.8 pts |
Other periods
About this ranking
People living in families or alone with income below the official US poverty thresholds, as a percentage of people whose poverty status can be determined. United States: Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), all ages.
Absolute thresholds set by the US government, so not comparable with the EU at_risk_of_poverty_rate.
Every value in the ranking comes from the same publisher and the same period, so the counties are compared on one definition. Equal values share a rank.
How to cite
U.S. Census Bureau. Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): percent of people of all ages in poverty, states and counties. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe/datasets/2018/2018-state-and-county/est18all.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
Use this data in your AI agent
Invokely serves this figure to AI assistants through MCP and to code through a REST API, with the source and citation attached. Ask your assistant:
Rank Counties in Texas by poverty rate using official data, and cite the source.
rank_places {"indicator":"poverty_rate","level":"province","within":"Texas","limit":10}
GET https://invokely.ai/api/v1/rank?indicator=poverty_rate&level=province&within=Texas&limit=10
Questions
Which county has the highest poverty rate?
Willacy County, with 35% in 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Which county has the lowest poverty rate?
Loving County, with 3.3% in 2018.
Where does this ranking come from?
Every value comes from one source and one period, so the places are comparable: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): percent of people of all ages in poverty, states and counties. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
Poverty rate (US official measure): other rankings
- US states
- US counties
- Counties in Georgia
- Counties in Virginia
- Counties in Kentucky
- Counties in Missouri
- Counties in Kansas
- Counties in Illinois
- Counties in North Carolina
- Counties in Iowa
- Counties in Tennessee
- Counties in Nebraska
Counties in Texas: more rankings
- Asian population share
- Bachelor's degree or higher, population 25 and over
- Live births, July to June
- Black or African American population share
- Crude birth rate, July to June
- Crude death rate, July to June
- Deaths, July to June
- Foreign-born population share
- Real GDP growth
- GDP per capita, US dollars
- Gross domestic product (GDP), US dollars
- Hispanic or Latino population share
- Homeownership rate (US, housing units)
- Median age
- Median gross rent (monthly)
- Median home value