Nueces County, Texas Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 17th-largest in Texas
The population of Nueces County, Texas is 352,829 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 17th-largest county in Texas. The median household income is $66,021, the median home value is $194,700, and the median age is 36.8.
The population of Nueces County has grown 3.8% since 2010 (340,251 → 353,125), a +0.27% annualized rate.
352,829
Population
+0.27%
Annual growth
420
People / sq mi
$66,021
Median Income
$194,700
Median Home Value
Nueces County covers 839 sq mi of land at 420.4 people per square mile.
About Nueces County, TX
Nueces County is a county in Texas with a population of 352,829. It ranks #17 among counties in Texas by population. The median age is 36.8, younger than the national median. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The median household income in Nueces County is $66,021, below the US median of $74,580. 13.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $194,700, with monthly rent averaging $1,224. The homeownership rate of 59.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Nueces County reflects 23.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.4 minutes each way.
Nueces County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Nueces County had a population of 340,251 in 2010 and 353,125 in 2024, a 3.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 362,347 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.27%.
353,125
Population (2024)
340,251
Population (2010)
362,347
Peak (2019)
0.27%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 340,251 |
| 2011 | 343,278 |
| 2012 | 347,966 |
| 2013 | 352,987 |
| 2014 | 356,717 |
| 2015 | 360,587 |
| 2016 | 361,753 |
| 2017 | 361,328 |
| 2018 | 362,177 |
| 2019 | 362,347 |
| 2020 | 353,600 |
| 2021 | 353,552 |
| 2022 | 351,852 |
| 2023 | 352,645 |
| 2024 | 353,125 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 54.8% |
| Black or African American | 4.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
36.8
Median Age
50.2%
Female
49.8%
Male
15.6%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.7% · Seniors (65+): 15.6%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $66,021$-10,271 vs state |
| Mean household income | $88,191 |
| Per-capita income | $33,560 |
| Poverty rate | 13.3%+2.8% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% |
| Employment-to-population | 57.5% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Nueces County is professional & business services, accounting for 24.7% of workers.
How residents commute
1.2%
Drive alone
1.4%
Carpool
80.3%
Public transit
5.0%
Work from home
21.4 min
Avg commute
Housing
$194,700$-65,700 vs state
Median home value
$1,224
Median rent
59.9%
Homeownership rate
153,109
Total housing units
85.4%
Occupied
14.6%
Vacant
40.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
82.4%
With health insurance
94.0%
With broadband internet
15.9%
Foreign-born
8.7%
Veterans (18+)
13.8%
With a disability
67.2%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
85.3%
High School+
23.7%
Bachelor's+
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Frequently Asked Questions
Nueces County, Texas has a population of 352,829 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 17th-largest county in Texas. Population density is 420 people per square mile.
The population of Nueces County has grown 3.8% since 2010 (340,251 → 353,125), a +0.27% annualized rate.
The median household income in Nueces County, Texas is $66,021, with mean (average) household income of $88,191 and per-capita income of $33,560. 13.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Nueces County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (54.8%), Black or African American (4.0%), Hispanic or Latino (1.3%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Nueces County, Texas is 36.8 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.
The median home value in Nueces County is $194,700 and median monthly rent is $1,224. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 153,109 total housing units, 14.6% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Nueces County, Texas is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 24.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.4%.
Houston is among the largest cities associated with Nueces County, Texas, with a population of 2,300,419.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.