Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Sweetwater, TX Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Showing latest census year. Full demographic history available with a paid plan. View plans →

Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

20,085

Median Agei

43.8

Race & Ethnicityi

Hispanic/Latino

95.6%19,206

White

2.8%553

Black

0.6%111

Two or More

0.5%108

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%47

Other

0.2%33

Asian

0.1%27

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.3%481

High School Diploma

32.2%4,710

Some College (<1 yr)

1.1%162

Some College (1+ yr)

7.7%1,120

Associate's Degree

10.9%1,594

Bachelor's Degree

16.2%2,365

Master's Degree

3.5%517

Professional Degree

1.4%203

Doctorate

0.3%46

HS or Higher

76.6%

BA or Higher

21.4%

Graduate+

5.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$294,200

Median Renti

$1,771

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

42.1%2,831

Renter-Occupied

57.9%3,890

Total Units

7,080

Homeownership

42.1%

Vacancy Rate

5.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

14.5%410

$50K–$100K

7.8%222

$100K–$150K

3.4%96

$150K–$200K

11.3%319

$200K–$300K

14.2%401

$300K–$500K

34%963

$500K–$1M

13.1%372

$1M+

1.7%48

Rent Distribution

Under $500

211

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

292

$1,000–$1,250

367

$1,250–$1,500

420

$1,500–$2,000

1,064

$2,000+

1,425

Year Built

2020 or later

0.8%60

2010–2019

3.5%247

2000–2009

3.5%246

1990–1999

13.8%977

1980–1989

30.4%2,150

1970–1979

29%2,050

1960–1969

11.2%796

1950–1959

6.2%436

1940–1949

1.5%103

1939 or earlier

0.2%15

Heating Fuel

Electricity

93.8%6,302

No Fuel

2.8%190

Utility Gas

1.7%117

Bottled/LP Gas

1.2%80

Other

0.5%32

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$54,967

Mean Household Incomei

$68,009

Per Capita Incomei

$24,017

Poverty Ratei

16.2%

Unemploymenti

4.4%

Labor Forcei

10,656

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.4%497

$10K–$15K

6.9%466

$15K–$20K

3.5%236

$20K–$25K

4%266

$25K–$30K

4.9%329

$30K–$35K

4.8%320

$35K–$40K

5%333

$40K–$45K

6.1%409

$45K–$50K

3.8%258

$50K–$60K

9.1%614

$60K–$75K

9.3%628

$75K–$100K

13.9%936

$100K–$125K

9.6%648

$125K–$150K

6.6%444

$150K–$200K

3.2%213

$200K+

1.8%124

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

292

Residentsi

381

Avg. Tenant Renti

$372/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

3 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers94 homes90% occupied$457/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8198 homes99% occupied$331/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $54,967/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

96.7%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

2.7%

Low income$27K–$44K/yr

0.6%

Who Receives This Housing

77% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

99.3% of subsidized households are minority

17.2% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

96.1% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

15,02474.8%

By Region

Top Countries

Guatemala

149

Mexico

102

India

China

Philippines

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

10,033

Avg. Commutei

29 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

10,190

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

97(0.6% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

83.7%Insured

16.3%Uninsured