Wharton County, Texas Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 80th-largest in Texas
The population of Wharton County, Texas is 41,651 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 80th-largest county in Texas. The median household income is $66,100, the median home value is $182,700, and the median age is 38.4.
The population of Wharton County has grown 1.8% since 2010 (41,280 → 42,035), a +0.13% annualized rate.
41,651
Population
+0.13%
Annual growth
38
People / sq mi
$66,100
Median Income
$182,700
Median Home Value
Wharton County covers 1,086 sq mi of land at 38.3 people per square mile.
About Wharton County, TX
Wharton County is a county in Texas with a population of 41,651. It ranks #80 among counties in Texas by population. The median age is 38.4, in line with the national median. The population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
The median household income in Wharton County is $66,100, below the US median of $74,580. 9.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $182,700, with monthly rent averaging $986. The homeownership rate of 70.6% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Wharton County reflects 19.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.3 minutes each way.
Wharton County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Wharton County had a population of 41,280 in 2010 and 42,035 in 2024, a 1.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 42,035 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.13%.
42,035
Population (2024)
41,280
Population (2010)
42,035
Peak (2024)
0.13%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 41,280 |
| 2011 | 41,286 |
| 2012 | 41,130 |
| 2013 | 41,115 |
| 2014 | 41,082 |
| 2015 | 41,369 |
| 2016 | 41,619 |
| 2017 | 41,869 |
| 2018 | 41,515 |
| 2019 | 41,671 |
| 2020 | 41,586 |
| 2021 | 41,681 |
| 2022 | 41,811 |
| 2023 | 41,855 |
| 2024 | 42,035 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 63.4% |
| Black or African American | 13.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
38.4
Median Age
50.5%
Female
49.5%
Male
17.9%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 21.0% · Seniors (65+): 17.9%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $66,100$-10,192 vs state |
| Mean household income | $89,055 |
| Per-capita income | $32,579 |
| Poverty rate | 9.4%-1.1% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% |
| Employment-to-population | 55.9% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Wharton County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.5% of workers.
How residents commute
0.1%
Drive alone
2.0%
Carpool
80.4%
Public transit
5.6%
Work from home
25.3 min
Avg commute
Housing
$182,700$-77,700 vs state
Median home value
$986
Median rent
70.6%
Homeownership rate
17,546
Total housing units
87.9%
Occupied
12.1%
Vacant
29.4%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
83.5%
With health insurance
86.1%
With broadband internet
9.6%
Foreign-born
6.3%
Veterans (18+)
15.1%
With a disability
74.7%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
83.9%
High School+
19.2%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Wharton County, Texas has a population of 41,651 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 80th-largest county in Texas. Population density is 38 people per square mile.
The population of Wharton County has grown 1.8% since 2010 (41,280 → 42,035), a +0.13% annualized rate.
The median household income in Wharton County, Texas is $66,100, with mean (average) household income of $89,055 and per-capita income of $32,579. 9.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Wharton County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (63.4%), Black or African American (13.3%), Hispanic or Latino (0.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Wharton County, Texas is 38.4 years. Residents are 50.5% female and 49.5% male.
The median home value in Wharton County is $182,700 and median monthly rent is $986. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 17,546 total housing units, 12.1% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Wharton County, Texas is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.
Houston is among the largest cities associated with Wharton 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.