Ponder, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

Ponder is a small town in Texas with a population of 2,524. Residents earn $110,714 per year, which is 47% above the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
2,524 Population 749/sq mi density
$110,714 Median Income $38,399 per capita
$287,000 Home Value $314,249 Zillow
$2,345 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
136 Violent Crime/100K 1,086 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$110,714 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$287,000 home value, $2,345/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
136 violent crimes/100K (64% below avg)
B+
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $110,714
47% higher than US avg
Home Value $287,000
2% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 136/100K
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.4%
11% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,345
102% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.0%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.5%
96% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,524
Median Age30.3 yrs
Density749/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A+
Median Income$110,714
Per Capita$38,399
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty0.5%
County GDP$64,329M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$287,000
Rent$2,345
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$314,249

Crime

F
Violent136/100K
Property1,086/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary204/100K

Health

Obesity33.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.3%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain35.6 in/yr
Elevation733 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+37.4%
High School+96.1%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 43%
Commute34 min
Libraries17

Is Ponder a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ponder receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Ponder offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ponder is $110,714, which is significantly higher than the national average — 47% above $75,149. This places Ponder among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 0.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ponder is $287,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,345 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Ponder is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 136 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,086 per 100,000, 45% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Ponder enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Ponder has a population of 2,524 with a density of 749 people per square mile. The median age is 30.3 years, 22% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.8%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 3.6% Black.

Population

2,524
Total Population
749
People / sq mi
30.3yrs
Median Age
22% below US avg
3.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Ponder vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.8%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.2%
39% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ponder vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ponder is $110,714, which is 47% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Ponder vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$110,714
47% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,399
Avg Weekly Wage$1,262
IRS Avg AGI$116,976

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.5%
96% below US avg
Establishments (County)20,760
County GDP$64,329M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,020
Healthcare2,419
Retail1,991
Manufacturing458

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,186
191% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.55%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.7 min
Work from Home11.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Ponder is $287,000, 2% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,345 (102% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $314,249.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$287,000
2% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$314,249
Median List Price$279,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$279,900
$/Sq Ft$137
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio99.4%
Price Drops23.1%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,345
102% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,186
191% above US avg
Effective Rate3.55%
In Ponder, 33.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.3% report depression. 18.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ponder vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.0%
3% above US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure27.6%
Asthma9.8%
COPD4.3%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.2%
Physical Inactivity18.7%
Depression23.3%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress10.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.6%
Checkup Rate73.4%
Premature Death5,062/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access94.1%
Healthcare Facilities2,419
Ponder has a violent crime rate of 136 per 100,000 residents, 64% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,086 per 100,000 (45% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent135.8/100K
64% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape135.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,086.2/100K
45% below US avg
Burglary203.7/100K
Theft814.7/100K
Vehicle Theft67.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)46
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ponder has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average64.5°F
19% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.6 inches
6% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation733 ft (223 m)
Area3.4 sq mi (8.7 km²)
Population Density749/sq mi
Coordinates33.1717°N, 97.2965°W
County FIPS48121
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 37.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (11% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 13.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.8%
D 42.7%

Winner: Republican by 13.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.4%
11% above US avg
High School+96.1%
School Test Score5.10
B+ Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density749/sq mi
Total Area3.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries17
Healthcare Facilities2,419
Restaurants2,020
Retail Stores1,991

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)46
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.7 min
Work from Home11.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Ponder with another city: