Balch Springs, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

Balch Springs is a small city in Texas with a population of 27,181. Residents earn $70,528 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
27,181 Population 2,994/sq mi density
$70,528 Median Income $26,201 per capita
$208,200 Home Value $221,316 Zillow
$1,260 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
921 Violent Crime/100K 4,264 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$70,528 median income, 5.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$208,200 home value, $1,260/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
921 violent crimes/100K (142% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,528
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $208,200
26% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 921/100K
142% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.4%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,260
8% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.6%
56% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.9%
60% lower than US avg

How Balch Springs Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population27,181
Median Age33.8 yrs
Density2,994/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 27%

Economy

B+
Median Income$70,528
Per Capita$26,201
Unemployment5.6%
Poverty4.9%
County GDP$389,402M
Commute36 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$208,200
Rent$1,260
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$221,316

Crime

F
Violent921/100K
Property4,264/100K
Murder7.9/100K
Assault735/100K
Burglary838/100K

Health

Obesity38.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.3%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain40.9 in/yr
Elevation468 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.4%
High School+70.8%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 60%
Commute36 min
EV Stations2
Libraries60

Is Balch Springs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Balch Springs receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, long commute times. Balch Springs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Balch Springs is $70,528, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Balch Springs is $208,200, 26% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,260 per month. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 921 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,264 per 100,000, 118% above the national average.

Education

11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 70.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Balch Springs enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Balch Springs has a population of 27,181 with a density of 2,994 people per square mile. The median age is 33.8 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (34%), with 27% White, 3.2% Hispanic.

Population

27,181
Total Population
2,994
People / sq mi
33.8yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
9.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Balch Springs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only52.5%
33% below US avg
Spanish47.5%
254% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Balch Springs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Balch Springs is $70,528, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes.

Income: Balch Springs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,528
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,201
Avg Weekly Wage$1,717
IRS Avg AGI$106,567

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.9%
60% below US avg
Establishments (County)84,182
County GDP$389,402M

Business (County)

Restaurants6,468
Healthcare8,134
Retail7,794
Manufacturing2,190

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$14,198
306% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.82%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.1 min
Work from Home8.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Balch Springs is $208,200, 26% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,260 (8% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $221,316.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$208,200
26% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$221,316
Median List Price$360,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$360,000
$/Sq Ft$148
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio95.3%
Price Drops30.2%
Inventory53

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,260
8% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,902

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$14,198
306% above US avg
Effective Rate6.82%
In Balch Springs, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.3% report depression. 36.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Balch Springs vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes13.6%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure34.0%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.2%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity36.1%
Depression19.3%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate68.6%
Checkup Rate74.0%
Premature Death8,431/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access96.2%
Healthcare Facilities8,134
Balch Springs has a violent crime rate of 921 per 100,000 residents, 142% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,264 per 100,000 (118% above US avg). The murder rate is 7.9 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Balch Springs vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent920.8/100K
142% above US avg
Murder7.9/100K
25% above US avg
Rape59.3/100K
Robbery118.6/100K
Assault735.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,264.0/100K
118% above US avg
Burglary837.8/100K
Theft2,849.2/100K
Vehicle Theft577.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)322
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Balch Springs has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average66.0°F
22% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.9 inches
8% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation468 ft (143 m)
Area9.1 sq mi (23.5 km²)
Population Density2,994/sq mi
Coordinates32.7139°N, 96.6181°W
County FIPS48113
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 22.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38%
D 60.2%

Winner: Democrat by 22.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.4%
66% below US avg
High School+70.8%
School Test Score5.10
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,994/sq mi
Total Area9.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries60
Healthcare Facilities8,134
Restaurants6,468
Retail Stores7,794

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)322
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.1 min
Work from Home8.5%

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