Jefferson County, TX

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

253,136

0.473% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2018 Median Age

0% 1-year change

2020 Poverty Rate

18%

1.76% 1-year increase

2020 Median Household Income

$50,840

0.796% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$120,300

6.65% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

103,750

2.21% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Jefferson County, TX had a population of 253k people with a median age of 36 and a median household income of $50,840. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Jefferson County, TX declined from 254,340 to 253,136, a −0.473% decrease and its median household income declined from $51,248 to $50,840, a −0.796% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Jefferson County, TX are White (Non-Hispanic) (39.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (33.4%), White (Hispanic) (15%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.79%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (3.21%).

None of the households in Jefferson 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.

92.1% of the residents in Jefferson County, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Jefferson County, TX are Lamar University (5,318 degrees awarded in 2020), Lamar Institute of Technology (675 degrees), and Lamar State College-Port Arthur (435 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Jefferson County, TX was $120,300, and the homeownership rate was 61.5%.

Most people in Jefferson County, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Jefferson County, TX was 2 cars per household.

Jefferson County, TX borders Cameron Parish, LA, Chambers County, TX, Hardin County, TX, Liberty County, TX, and Orange County, TX.

About the photo: Spindletop Well Replica, Beaumont, TX

Photo by Roy Luck

Population & Diversity

Jefferson County, TX is home to a population of 253k people, from which 92.1% are citizens. As of 2020, 12% of Jefferson County, TX residents were born outside of the country (30.4k people).

In 2020, there were 1.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (101k people) in Jefferson County, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 84.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 37.9k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.1%

2020 Citizenship

92.2%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 92.1% of Jefferson County, TX residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Jefferson County, TX was 92.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Jefferson County, TX

White (Non-Hispanic)
101k ± 72
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
84.5k ± 669
White (Hispanic)
37.9k ± 1.28k

21.2%

Hispanic Population

53.7k people

21.2% of the people in Jefferson County, TX are hispanic (53.7k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Jefferson 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
2,484,512 ± 36,982 people
India
279,123 ± 12,908 people
El Salvador
219,615 ± 11,461 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,484,512 Texas residents, followed by India with 279,123 and El Salvador with 219,615.

Foreign-Born Population

12%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

30.4k people

12%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

30.5k people

As of 2020, 12% of Jefferson County, TX residents (30.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Jefferson County, TX was 12%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,264 ± 493
Gulf War (2001-)
2,395 ± 435
Gulf War (1990s)
2,281 ± 377

Jefferson County, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.2 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Jefferson County, TX employs 104k people. The largest industries in Jefferson County, TX are Construction (13,951 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (13,310 people), and Retail Trade (12,571 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($93,015), Manufacturing ($71,244), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($68,973).

Males in Texas have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,589. The income inequality in Texas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.478, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

104k

2020 Value

± 2,821

−2.21%

1 Year decline

± 3.72%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Jefferson County, TX declined at a rate of −2.21%, from 106k employees to 104k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Jefferson County, TX, are Construction & Extraction Occupations (11,399 people), Sales & Related Occupations (11,244 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (10,444 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Jefferson 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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

104k

2020 Value

± 2,821

−2.21%

1 Year decline

± 3.72%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Jefferson County, TX declined at a rate of −2.21%, from 106k employees to 104k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Jefferson County, TX, are Construction (13,951 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (13,310 people), and Retail Trade (12,571 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Jefferson County, TX, though some of these residents may live in Jefferson County, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,724

Median earning men ± $2,233

$29,792

Median earning women ± $1,946

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Manufacturing ($71,529), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($53,872), and Wholesale Trade ($53,081).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Manufacturing ($70,509), Public Administration ($42,990), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($41,098).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Texas. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

3,109
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,517
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
1,195
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

$6.84M
Manufacturing
$1.78M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$893k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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
$292B
Gasoline
$210B
Fuel oils
$178B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas product (by dollars) was Electronics with $292B, followed by Gasoline ($210B) and Fuel oils ($178B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Texas.

$2.36T

2020 Value in Texas

$4.5T

Projected 2050 Value in Texas

90.9% growth

In 2020, total outbound Texas trade was $2.36T. This is expected to increase 90.9% to $4.5T 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
$78.1B
California
$76.4B
Michigan
$74.9B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Louisiana with $78.1B, followed by California with $76.4B and Michigan and $74.9B.

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 Jefferson County, TX went to Donald J. Trump with 50.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.947%).

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 36 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

Donald J. Trump (50.2%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.947%)
Libertarian Party

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

Senators 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 Representatives Elections

US Representatives from Texas

Texas is currently represented by 36 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 2020, universities in Jefferson County, TX awarded 6,484 degrees. The student population of Jefferson County, TX in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 8,112 male students and 15,513 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Jefferson County, TX are White (3,193 and 50.7%), followed by Black or African American (1,397 and 22.2%), Hispanic or Latino (1,250 and 19.8%), and Asian (197 and 3.13%).

The largest universities in Jefferson County, TX by number of degrees awarded are Lamar University (5,318 and 82%), Lamar Institute of Technology (675 and 10.4%), and Lamar State College-Port Arthur (435 and 6.71%).

The most popular majors in Jefferson County, TX are General Educational Leadership & Administration (2,210 and 34.1%), General Special Education & Teaching (336 and 5.18%), and Registered Nursing (246 and 3.79%).

The median tuition cost in Jefferson County, TX for a public four year colleges is $6,129 for in-state students and $15,945 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Jefferson County, TX, the percentage of applicants admitted was 82.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 23,625 (34.3% men and 65.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2020 there were 23,625 students enrolled in Jefferson County, TX, 34.3% men and 65.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 9,756 records, of which 64.6% were women and 35.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Counseling Psychology
171 degree-majors awarded
General Educational Leadership & Administration
1,227 degree-majors awarded
Educational & Instructional Technology
180 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in Jefferson County, TX was Counseling Psychology with 171 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Lamar University
5,318 degrees awarded
Lamar Institute of Technology
675 degrees awarded
Lamar State College-Port Arthur
435 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lamar University with 5,318 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 2,146 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Jefferson County, TX, which is 0.495 times less than the 4,338 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,193 degrees mean that there were 2.29 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,397 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

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($6,129) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,462) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,012) 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 2020, 1.35% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.35% 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 2020 were High School or Equivalent (5.56M), Some college (5.02M), and Bachelors Degree (3.9M).

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 Jefferson County, TX was $120,300 in 2020, which is 0.523 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $112,800 to $120,300, a 6.65% increase. The homeownership rate in Jefferson County, TX is 61.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Jefferson County, TX have an average commute time of 20.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Jefferson County, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Jefferson County, TX is $50,840. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Jefferson County, TX was Census Tract 113.03 with a value of $102,736, followed by Census Tract 109.02 and Census Tract 110.02, with respective values of $101,705 and $88,333.

In 2021, 15.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Jefferson County, TX. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 0.543%.

Housing

Property

$120,300

Median Property Value 2020

±$3,583

$57,859

Median Property Taxes

±$1,890

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

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

Rent vs Own

61.5%

Homeownership

2020

65.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 61.5% of the housing units in Jefferson County, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 61.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Jefferson 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 113.03
Census Tract 109.02
Census Tract 110.02

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Jefferson County, TX was Census Tract 113.03 with a value of $102,736, followed by Census Tract 109.02 and Census Tract 110.02, with respective values of $101,705 and $88,333.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Jefferson 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.

$50,840

Median Household Income

± $1,175

94k

Number of Households

± 2,198

In 2020, the median household income of the 94k households in Jefferson County, TX declined from $50,840 from the previous year's value of $51,248.

The following chart displays the households in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, TX is from Texas.

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Texas

0.48

2019 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2020, the income inequality in Texas was 0.478 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.474% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less 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 2020

Drove Alone (88.5%)
Carpooled (7.08%)
Worked At Home (2.05%)

In 2020, 88.5% of workers in Jefferson County, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.08%) and those who worked at home (2.05%).

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

20.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Jefferson County, TX have a shorter commute time (20.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 0.947% of the workforce in Jefferson County, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2021, 15.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Jefferson County, TX. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 0.543%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

18% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Jefferson County, TX (42.5k out of 236k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 6 - 11.

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

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 2021, 24.4% of the children was living in poverty in Jefferson County, TX. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 7.3%.

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 2021, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 707 in Jefferson County, TX. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator grew 69.9 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

79.5% of the population of Jefferson County, TX has health coverage, with 40.7% on employee plans, 17.1% on Medicaid, 11.7% on Medicare, 8.82% on non-group plans, and 1.25% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Texas was $6,998 in 2014. This is a 5.06% increase from the previous year ($6,661).

Primary care physicians in Jefferson County, TX see 1903 patients per year on average, which represents a 7.64% increase from the previous year (1768 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1644 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 953 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Texas. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Texas, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,903 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Jefferson County, TX

Primary care physicians in Jefferson County, TX see an average of 1,903 patients per year. This represents a 7.64% increase from the previous year (1,768 patients).

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

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Texas across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.7% under 18 years, 22.3% between 18 and 34 years, 36.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

20.5%

Uninsured

40.7%

Employer Coverage

17.1%

Medicaid

11.7%

Medicare

8.82%

Non-Group

1.25%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Jefferson County, TX declined by 1.58% from 20.8% to 20.5%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2021, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 73.7 in Jefferson County, TX.

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

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2021, 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 41.5% in Jefferson County, TX.

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

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