Port Arthur, TX

Full City Profile · Texas · Cameron Parish County

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
55,779 Population 738/sq mi density
$45,752 Median Income $25,593 per capita
$96,900 Home Value $127,534 Zillow
$996 Median Rent 34.3% income on rent
70°F Avg Temperature
720 Violent Crime/100K 1,549 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$45,752 median income, 7.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$96,900 home value, $996/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
720 violent crimes/100K (90% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.2% bachelor's degree or higher

Port Arthur, TX

At a Glance

Median Income
$45,752
39% below
$25,593 per capita
Home Value
$96,900
66% below
Zillow: $127,534
Median Rent
$996/mo
14% below
34.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
720/100K
90% above
1,549/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
11.2%
67% below
77.2% high school+
Unemployment
7.9%
119% above
27.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
45.4%
41% above
19.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
70°F

How Port Arthur Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Port Arthur's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
61%
Home Value
34%
Rent
86%
Poverty
219%
Bachelor's
33%
Unemployment
219%
Crime
190%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Port Arthur a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.5 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Port Arthur residents earn a median household income of $45,752 , which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $25,593. The unemployment rate stands at 7.9% (119% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 27.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 158 business establishments, including 7 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Port Arthur is $96,900 , 66% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $127,534. Median rent is $996/month, with 34.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 97.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1974.

Safety & Crime

Port Arthur reports 720 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 90% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,549/100K. The murder rate is 10.8/100K.

Education

11.2% of adults in Port Arthur hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below the national average). 77.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.1/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Port Arthur has an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 62.1 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 61.

Data Overview

People

Population55,779
Median Age34.4 yrs
Density738/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born20.6%
Veterans4.5%

Economy

C
Median Income$45,752
Per Capita$25,593
Unemployment7.9%
Poverty27.2%
County GDP$1,057M
Avg Weekly Wage$2,237

Housing

A+
Home Value$96,900
Rent$996
Ownership57.2%
Zillow$127,534
Housing Units24,981
Rent Burden34.3%

Crime

F
Violent720/100K
Property1,549/100K
Murder10.8/100K
Assault534/100K
Burglary415/100K

Health

Obesity45.4%
Diabetes18.3%
Smoking19.9%
Heart Disease7.4%
Premature Death7,694/100K

Climate

Avg Temp70°F
Rain62.1 in/yr
AQI61 (Moderate)
Elevation7 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.2%
High School+77.2%
Graduate+3.8%
School Score5.1/10

Community

2024 VoteR 93% / D 7%
Commute23 min
Broadband85.7%
Internet Speed17 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries7

Did You Know?

The median home in Port Arthur was built in 1974.
The nearest airport is Jack Brooks Regional (9 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.373 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
16.1% of the population has a disability.
20.6% of residents are foreign-born.