Poverty and living standards in Dallas, Texas: official figures
16.7% of residents of Dallas (216,023 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 217th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Texas: 13.8%).
How many children live in poverty in Dallas?
24.3% of children under 18 in Dallas lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (75,364 children), 153rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Texas: 18.7%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Dallas?
By age, the poverty rate in Dallas was 25.5% for children under 6 and 15.3% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Dallas live in deep poverty?
98,107 people in Dallas, 7.6% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 245th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Dallas are cost-burdened?
51.7% of renting households in Dallas spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (151,242 households), 346th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Texas: 51.7%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Dallas spend half their income on rent?
24.7% of renting households in Dallas spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 312th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Dallas compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Dallas ranks 217 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 214 | Chicago | 16.8% |
| 215 | Duluth | 16.8% |
| 216 | Elyria | 16.7% |
| 217 | Dallas | 16.7% |
| 218 | Stonecrest | 16.7% |
| 219 | Cleveland | 16.7% |
| 220 | Yakima | 16.6% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Dallas ranks 153 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | Wichita Falls | 24.4% |
| 151 | El Paso | 24.4% |
| 152 | Mableton | 24.4% |
| 153 | Dallas | 24.3% |
| 154 | Middletown | 24.3% |
| 155 | Longview | 24.2% |
| 156 | Tucson | 24.2% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Dallas ranks 245 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 242 | Pasadena | 7.7% |
| 243 | Sarasota | 7.7% |
| 244 | Bethlehem | 7.6% |
| 245 | Dallas | 7.6% |
| 246 | Pomona | 7.6% |
| 247 | Miami | 7.6% |
| 248 | Deerfield Beach | 7.6% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Dallas ranks 478 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 475 | Phoenix | 51.8% |
| 476 | St. Joseph | 51.7% |
| 477 | Wylie | 51.7% |
| 478 | Dallas | 51.7% |
| 479 | Concord | 51.7% |
| 480 | South San Francisco | 51.6% |
| 481 | Lynchburg | 51.6% |
More on Dallas: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.