Brownsville, TX โ City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Cameron County ยท Texas
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Brownsville based on 8 key metrics โ compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
188,023
2023 ACS
Median Income
$48,675
2023
Median Home Value
$122,400
2023
Median Rent
$906
2023
Median Age
30.9
Unemployment
6.1%
Cost of Living Index
84.6
100 = national avg
Brownsville is a city in Cameron County, Texas, with a population of 188,023 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Brownsville is one of the communities in Texas.
The median household income in Brownsville is $48,675, and the median home value is $122,400. The cost of living index is 84.6 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $906 per month. The unemployment rate is 6.1%, and the median age is 30.9 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
188,023
Male
90,622
48.2%
Female
97,401
51.8%
Median Age
30.9
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
13.1%
High School or Higher
27.6%
Foreign Born
27.2%
Veterans
1.9%
Married
38.8%
Avg Household Size
3.2
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.000
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
45.5%
Foreign Born
27.2%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
94.2%
177,155 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
5.8%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
173,918
English Only
15.6%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
145,198 speakers
Limited English
28.1%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
71.8%
Limited English Proficiency
28.1%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
3,580
1.9% of population
Disability Rate
46.0%
1,648 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$49,682
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
3,277
91.5%
Female Veterans
303
8.5%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$49,682
Non-Veteran Income
$24,657
Difference
$25,025
101.5% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
1,648
Without Disability
1,932
Disability Rate
46.0%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
11,572
#1 Ancestry
American
1.9% (3,579)
#2 Ancestry
German
1.0% (1,790)
#3 Ancestry
English
0.8% (1,441)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
58,518
Family Households
45,747
78.2%
Married Couples
27,808
47.5%
Non-Family Households
12,771
21.8%
Single Mother Households
13,591
23.2%
Single Father Households
4,348
7.4%
Living Alone
11,494
19.6%
Children Under 18
Total Children
45,666
In Married Couple
28,531
62.5%
With Single Mother
13,570
29.7%
With Single Father
3,565
7.8%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$56,245
Married Couple Income
$68,398
Single Mother Income
$36,843
Single Father Income
$53,646
Avg Family Size
3.2
Avg Non-Family Size
3.1
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
6,161
Grandparents Responsible
1,446
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$48,675
-34% vs national
Per Capita Income
$21,338
-43% vs national
Poverty Rate
24.9%
+83% vs national
Gini Index
0.4654
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
6.1%
+17% vs national
SNAP Recipients
29.1%
of households
How Brownsville Compares
Brownsville vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 100,000 - 250,000 residents. Brownsville is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Brownsville, TX has a median household income of $48,675, making it the 22,035th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Brownsville has a higher median household income than 22% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Brownsville, TX has a per capita income of $21,338, making it the 25,238th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Brownsville has a higher per capita income than 10% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Brownsville, TX has a poverty rate of 24.9%, making it the 4,765th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Brownsville has a higher poverty rate than 85% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville, TX has a unemployment rate of 6.1%, making it the 8,957th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Brownsville has a higher unemployment rate than 71% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Brownsville. The median household income here is $48,675.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
+20% vs TX avg
Labor Force
82,784
Employed
77,664
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
13.1%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
27.6%
of adults 25+
Median Age
30.9
Work from Home
7.7%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Registered Nurses
Top Median Wage
$75.8K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
84.6
100 = national avg
-15.4 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$37,224
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$87,984
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$866
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,047
per month
The median household income in Brownsville, TX is $48,675, which is 33.5% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $21,338. The poverty rate of 24.9% is higher than the TX state average of 14.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4654, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 6.1%, compared to the state average of 5.1%. The labor force is 82,784. 13.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 76.6% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 84.6, which is 15.4% below the national average. Housing costs are below the national average at an index of 89.2. A single adult needs to earn approximately $37,224 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin โ January 2026
Median Sale Price
$245,000
Median List Price
$249,500
Price Per Sq Ft
$161
Days on Market
80
Active Inventory
415
Months of Supply
7.8
Buyer's market
Zillow Home Value
$190,763
ZHVI โ January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$1,568
ZORI โ January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
0.0%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
14.3%
Sale-to-List Ratio
95.8%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
53
New Listings
106
Pending Sales
91
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$161
Median List $/SF
$162
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Brownsville, TX? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro area, home prices have risen 103.5% over the past 20 years. The 10-year growth rate is 87.7%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 58.8%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 6.0%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Brownsville-Harlingen, TX housing market rather than Brownsville alone.
Metro area: Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
Brownsville vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 100,000 - 250,000 residents. Brownsville is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Brownsville, TX has a median home value of $122,400, making it the 19,200th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Brownsville has a higher median home value than 31% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Brownsville, TX has a median rent of $906, making it the 12,364th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Brownsville has a higher median rent than 45% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Brownsville, TX has a price per square foot of $161, making it the 11,474th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Brownsville has a higher price per square foot than 45% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Brownsville, TX has a rent burden of 22.3%, making it the 5,869th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Brownsville has a higher rent burden than 73% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$122,400
Median Rent
$906
Total Housing Units
63,750
Vacancy Rate
8.2%
Owner Occupied
59.9%
Renter Occupied
40.1%
Median Property Tax
$2,233
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$732
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$2,233
per year
Effective Tax Rate
1.82%
of home value
Median Home Value
$122,400
Estimated Mean Tax
$2,473
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($2,233) by the median home value ($122,400). In Brownsville, TX, this works out to an effective rate of 1.82%. This is above the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Brownsville, TX is $245,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 80 days on the market. 0.0% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 7.8 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $161. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,568/month. About 59.9% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1993. There are 63,750 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $2,233. The effective tax rate is 1.82%, above the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
4.56
per 1,000 residents
+75% vs national
Property Crime Rate
19.42
per 1,000 residents
+13% vs national
Total Crimes
4,585
2024
Violent Clearance
33%
cases solved
Property Clearance
19%
cases solved
YoY Change
+15.9%
violent crime rate
worsening vs 2023
How Brownsville Compares
Source: FBI (2024)Brownsville vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 100,000 - 250,000 residents. Brownsville is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Composition
Source: FBI (2024)Violent Crime Breakdown
Property Crime Breakdown
Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2024)Brownsville police solve 75% of murder cases but only 12% of rape cases.
Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2024)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 4 | 0.02 | 75.0% |
| Rape | Violent | 59 | 0.31 | 11.9% |
| Robbery | Violent | 116 | 0.61 | 40.5% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 693 | 3.62 | 33.3% |
| Burglary | Property | 368 | 1.92 | 24.5% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 2,554 | 13.36 | 17.1% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 791 | 4.14 | 20.5% |
Brownsville, TX reported 872 violent crimes and 3,713 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 4.56 per 1,000 residents is 75.4% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 33% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 2,554 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 26.3% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending upward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 872 | 3,713 | 4.56 | 19.42 |
| 2023 | 750 | 3,861 | 3.94 | 20.26 |
| 2022 | 831 | 3,500 | 4.40 | 18.53 |
| 2021 | 735 | 3,354 | 3.99 | 18.20 |
| 2020 | 738 | 3,406 | 4.02 | 18.55 |
| 2019 | 777 | 4,553 | 4.21 | 24.69 |
| 2018 | 602 | 4,845 | 3.26 | 26.27 |
| 2017 | 477 | 5,176 | 2.58 | 27.95 |
| 2016 | 448 | 6,028 | 2.41 | 32.48 |
| 2015 | 502 | 7,656 | 2.71 | 41.40 |
School Shootings
Source: The Washington PostTotal Incidents
1
Total Killed
1
Total Injured
0
| Date | School | Killed | Injured | Type | Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2012 | Cummings Middle School | 1 | 0 | targeted | nan |
Data from The Washington Post, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
97.3
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
94.8
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
91.7
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
6.3
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
34
Public Assistance
$35.0M
Individual Assistance
$6.6M
Most Common Type
Hurricane
16 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms and Flooding โ | Flood | May 2025 | โ | $812K |
| Hurricane Beryl โ | Hurricane | Jul 2024 | $56K | โ |
| Severe Winter Storms โ | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 2021 | $98K | $243K |
| Severe Winter Storm โ | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 2021 | โ | โ |
| Tropical Storms Marco and Laura โ | Hurricane | Aug 2020 | โ | โ |
| Hurricane Hanna โ | Hurricane | Jul 2020 | โ | โ |
| Covid-19 Pandemic โ | Biological | Mar 2020 | $4.0M | $2.4M |
| Covid-19 โ | Biological | Mar 2020 | โ | โ |
| Severe Storms and Flooding โ | Flood | Jul 2019 | โ | $215 |
| Severe Storms and Flooding โ | Flood | Jul 2018 | โ | $88K |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line โฆ โ | Severe Storm | Nov 2015 | โ | $328K |
| Hurricane Alex โ | Hurricane | Aug 2010 | $1.1M | $349K |
| Tropical Storm Alex โ | Hurricane | Jun 2010 | โ | โ |
| Hurricane Ike โ | Hurricane | Sep 2008 | $121K | โ |
| Hurricane Gustav โ | Hurricane | Aug 2008 | โ | โ |
| Hurricane Dolly โ | Hurricane | Jul 2008 | $29.6M | $2.1M |
| Wildfires โ | Fire | Mar 2008 | โ | โ |
| Hurricane Dean โ | Hurricane | Aug 2007 | โ | โ |
| Extreme Wildfire Threat โ | Fire | Jan 2006 | โ | โ |
| Hurricane Rita โ | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | $25K | โ |
Showing 20 of 36 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
7,054
Total Claims Paid
$184,322,403
Avg Claim Payout
$26,130
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
69
Federal Funding
$25,689,257
Properties Protected
14
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
4.15
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures | 20 | $11,179,477 |
| 403.1: Stormwater Management - Culverts | 9 | $4,577,872 |
| 205.8: Retrofitting Public Structures - Wind | 6 | $152,799 |
| 403.2: Stormwater Management - Diversions | 6 | $4,113,932 |
| 400.1: Utility Protective Measures (Electric, Gas, etc.) | 5 | $0 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Brownsville has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are cold wave, hurricane, heat wave. The area has had 34 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (16 declarations). 7,054 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $35,026,483 in public assistance recovery funding. $6,575,983 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 69 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
40.8%
4.7pp above the national average
Depression Rate
19.0%
4.5pp below the national average
Diabetes Rate
18.7%
6.8pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
36.5%
25.9pp above the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
36.2%
Arthritis
19.5%
Cancer (excl. skin)
4.5%
Teeth Lost (65+)
17.5%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
16.7%
14+ days in past month
Depression
19.0%
Loneliness
โ
Lack of Support
โ
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
37.0%
Mobility
19.2%
Cognitive
18.8%
Hearing
7.8%
Vision
12.1%
Self-Care
6.9%
Independent Living
11.6%
Brownsville has an obesity rate of 40.8%, which is 4.7pp above the national average. The depression rate is 19.0%, 4.5pp below the national average. About 36.5% of adults lack health insurance. 71.4% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
4
Avg CMS Rating
2.8 / 5
Nearest Hospital
In city
Valley Regional Medical Center
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Regional Medical Center | In city | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
| Valley Baptist Medical Center- Brownsville | 6.5 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Vhs Harlingen Hospital Company Llc | 22.3 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
| Harlingen Medical Center | 22.3 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Palms Behavioral Health | 22.3 mi | Psychiatric | โ | โ |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
4
Pop. Served
211,415
Violations (5yr)
2
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD | 201,249 | 0 |
| EL JARDIN WSC | 9,423 | 0 |
| STARBASE WATER SYSTEM | 743 | 0 |
| SOUTHMOST REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY | โ | 2 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
3
Total COโe
306.5K MT
Top Emitter
Brownsville Municipal Landfill
123.6K MT COโe
Total COโe vs Similar Cities (100,000 - 250,000)
| Facility | Sector | COโe (MT) |
|---|---|---|
Brownsville Municipal Landfill City Of Brownsville | Waste | 123,646 |
Brownsville Enbridge (Us) Inc | Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems | 99,177 |
SILAS RAY POWER PLANT Public Utilities Board Of The City Of Brownsville Texas | Power Plants | 83,712 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons COโe/year.
There are 4 water systems serving the area. 2 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 3 industrial facilities report greenhouse gas emissions totaling 306.5K metric tons of COโe.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
76.6%
-3% vs national
Public Transit
0.8%
-12% vs national
Work From Home
7.7%
-18% vs national
Carpool
12.2%
Walk / Bike
1.6%
combined
How Brownsville's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
18
2023
6-Year Avg
12
fatalities/yr
Pedestrian
11
Cyclist
2
Nighttime
8
dark conditions
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 | 18 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
| 2022 | 10 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2018 | 16 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for Brownsville, TX covers travel times and transportation modes. 76.6% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 7.7% work from home, which is below the TX state average of 7.8%. 12.2% of workers carpool. 1.5% walk to work. In 2023, there were 18 traffic fatalities from 11 fatal crashes. 11 were pedestrians.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
82.8%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
46.7%
of households
No Internet
12.9%
of households
Total Households
58,518
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
89.2%
of households
Smartphone
85.9%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
64.3%
of households
Tablet
59.8%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
14.9ยข
per kWh
-13% vs 100,000 - 250,000 avg
Commercial Rate
8.6ยข
per kWh
-37% vs 100,000 - 250,000 avg
Industrial Rate
6.1ยข
per kWh
-38% vs 100,000 - 250,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$164
residential
+15% vs 100,000 - 250,000 avg
12% below the national average of 17.1ยข/kWh
Residential electricity in Texas averages 14.9ยข per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1ยข. The average monthly electric bill is $164. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Brownsville vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (100,000 - 250,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (ยข/kWh)
Commercial Rate (ยข/kWh)
Industrial Rate (ยข/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
4
Population Served
211,415
Violations (5yr)
2
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD | Community | Surface water | 201,249 | 0 |
| EL JARDIN WSC | Community | Purchased surface water | 9,423 | 0 |
| STARBASE WATER SYSTEM | Community | Purchased surface water | 743 | 0 |
| SOUTHMOST REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY | Community | Ground water | 0 | 2 |
82.8% of households in Brownsville have broadband internet access. 46.7% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 33.3% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 12.9% of households have no internet access. 16.4% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 4 water systems, providing water to 211,415 people. A total of 2 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Brownsville is located in Cameron County, TX. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Brownsville.
Election Overview
Source: Cameron County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
54,258
46.7%
GOP Votes
60,991
52.5%
Total Votes
116,122
Margin
R+5.8%
Shift from 2020
R+19.0pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 54,258 | 60,991 | 116,122 | 46.7% | 52.5% | R+5.8 |
| 2020 | 64,063 | 49,032 | 114,174 | 56.1% | 42.9% | D+13.2 |
| 2016 | 59,319 | 29,432 | 91,804 | 64.6% | 32.1% | D+32.5 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Cameron County recorded 116,122 total votes. Republicans won the county with 52.5% of the vote compared to 46.7% for Democrats, a margin of R+5.8%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+19.0pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Cameron County has shifted 38.4 percentage points toward Republicans.
Public Records Request
Source: brownsvilletx.justfoia.comSubmit a public records request to Brownsville โ Uses JustFOIA portal.
Source: brownsvilletx.justfoia.com
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
352
Total Assets
$276.5M
Total Income
$160.0M
Per 10K Residents
18.7
nonprofits
-62.9% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
24
Median Assets
$236K
Oldest Active
1938
ruling year
Newest Org
2026
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $231.0M of $276.5M total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 100,000 - 250,000
Largest Nonprofits in Brownsville
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFBrownsville, TX has 352 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $276.5M. The most common category is Religion-Related, with 86 organizations. 24 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 18.7 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1938.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
688
Total Approved
$122.1M
Jobs Supported
6,055
Per 10K Residents
36.6
SBA loans
-61.3% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
61
Top Lender
PNC Bank, National Association
162 loans
Top Industry
Health Care & Social Assistance
Data Span
1992โ2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
625
Total Amount
$94.8M
Avg Loan
$151,708
Median Loan
$40,000
SBA Guaranteed
$70.4M(74%)
Jobs Supported
5,053
Loans
63
Total Amount
$27.3M
Avg Loan
$432,640
Median Loan
$297,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
68
10% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$22.6M
18% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$331,987
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 100,000 - 250,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wise Hospitality Llc (tx Entity) | 1 | $4.7M |
| Wise Hospitality Llc (ca) | 1 | $3.2M |
| Dirty Als Properties 1 Lp | 1 | $3.0M |
| Mrnb Llc | 1 | $2.7M |
| S & M Transport Llc | 5 | $2.3M |
| South Texas Corral Llc | 1 | $2.3M |
| Saber Steel Group Inc. | 6 | $2.2M |
| Harlingen Pharmacy Llc | 1 | $2.0M |
| Jugrasa L L P | 1 | $2.0M |
| Americas Best Value Inn - Brownsville | 1 | $1.9M |
Brownsville, TX has received 688 SBA loans totaling $122.1M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 625 loans (91% of the total), supporting 5,053 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 63 loans totaling $27.3M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Health Care & Social Assistance. The most active SBA lender in Brownsville is PNC Bank, National Association with 162 loans. That works out to 36.6 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
5
Total Population
225,875
Avg Median Income
$56,613
Avg Home Value
$158,420
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78520 | 63,337 | $47,331 | $129,200 | $842 | 39.8 |
| 78521 | 87,860 | $41,276 | $90,500 | $864 | 93.6 |
| 78526 | 59,719 | $68,143 | $158,300 | $1,080 | 47.4 |
| 78575 | 4,728 | $74,273 | $220,400 | $1,138 | 8.3 |
| 78578 | 10,231 | $52,041 | $193,700 | $763 | 57.0 |
Brownsville, TX has 5 ZIP codes with a combined population of 225,875. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $56,613. The average median home value is $158,420. The average median monthly rent is $937.
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