Poverty and living standards in San Marcos, Texas: official figures
26.9% of residents of San Marcos (17,210 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 25th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Texas: 13.8%).
How many children live in poverty in San Marcos?
18.1% of children under 18 in San Marcos lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (1,628 children), 315th 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 San Marcos?
By age, the poverty rate in San Marcos was 24.8% for children under 6 and 19.5% 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 San Marcos live in deep poverty?
10,542 people in San Marcos, 16.5% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 16th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in San Marcos are cost-burdened?
66.5% of renting households in San Marcos spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (11,992 households), 21st highest 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 San Marcos spend half their income on rent?
35.6% of renting households in San Marcos spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 48th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow San Marcos compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
San Marcos ranks 25 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Stillwater | 27.4% |
| 23 | Canton | 27.4% |
| 24 | Dayton | 26.9% |
| 25 | San Marcos | 26.9% |
| 26 | Athens | 26.5% |
| 27 | Davis | 26.5% |
| 28 | Iowa City | 26.3% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
San Marcos ranks 315 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 312 | Miami Gardens | 18.2% |
| 313 | Hanford | 18.2% |
| 314 | Rapid City | 18.1% |
| 315 | San Marcos | 18.1% |
| 316 | Rialto | 18.1% |
| 317 | Decatur | 18.1% |
| 318 | Aurora | 18.1% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
San Marcos ranks 16 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Ann Arbor | 17.2% |
| 14 | New Brunswick | 17.1% |
| 15 | Athens | 16.7% |
| 16 | San Marcos | 16.5% |
| 17 | Detroit | 16.4% |
| 18 | Stillwater | 16.2% |
| 19 | Valdosta | 16.0% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
San Marcos ranks 21 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Highland | 67.4% |
| 19 | San Luis Obispo | 67.0% |
| 20 | Sunrise | 66.8% |
| 21 | San Marcos | 66.5% |
| 22 | Bradenton | 66.4% |
| 23 | Boynton Beach | 66.2% |
| 24 | Miramar | 66.2% |
More on San Marcos: 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…)
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