Port Lavaca, TX

Texas

Port Lavaca is a small city in Texas with a population of 11,410. Residents earn $65,395 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
11,410 Population 1,124/sq mi density
$65,395 Median Income $34,571 per capita
$121,000 Home Value $181,169 Zillow
$1,024 Median Rent
71°F Avg Temperature
685 Violent Crime/100K 2,884 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$65,395 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,000 home value, $1,024/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
685 violent crimes/100K (80% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,395
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $121,000
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 685/100K
80% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.8%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,024
12% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.8%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.4%
24% lower than US avg

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

People

Population11,410
Median Age34.5 yrs
Density1,124/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 56%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,395
Per Capita$34,571
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$5,127M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,000
Rent$1,024
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$181,169

Crime

F
Violent685/100K
Property2,884/100K
Murder8.1/100K
Assault564/100K
Burglary797/100K

Health

Obesity35.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.7%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp71°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain41.4 in/yr
Elevation18 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.8%
High School+77.1%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 24%
Commute17 min
EV Stations5
Libraries4

Is Port Lavaca a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Port Lavaca receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. Port Lavaca offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Port Lavaca is $65,395, 13% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Port Lavaca is $121,000, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,024 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 685 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 2,884 per 100,000, 47% above the national average.

Education

13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Port Lavaca has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F. Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Port Lavaca has a population of 11,410 with a density of 1,124 people per square mile. The median age is 34.5 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (55.6%), with 3.3% Black.

Population

11,410
Total Population
1,124
People / sq mi
34.5yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
10.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Port Lavaca vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only63.4%
19% below US avg
Spanish36.6%
173% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Port Lavaca vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Port Lavaca is $65,395, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Port Lavaca vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,395
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,571
Avg Weekly Wage$1,611
IRS Avg AGI$66,236

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.4%
24% below US avg
Establishments (County)687
County GDP$5,127M

Business (County)

Restaurants76
Healthcare31
Retail66
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,647
33% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.8 min
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Port Lavaca is $121,000, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,024 (12% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $181,169.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,000
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$181,169
Median List Price$202,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$202,450
$/Sq Ft$92
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio93.4%
Price Drops24.4%
Inventory41

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,024
12% below 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-Occupied72.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,647
33% above US avg
Effective Rate3.84%
In Port Lavaca, 35.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.7% report depression. 33.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Port Lavaca vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.8%
12% above US avg
Diabetes13.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma9.0%
COPD5.6%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity33.4%
Depression19.7%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.5%
Checkup Rate71.6%
Premature Death9,452/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.1/10
Exercise Access66.7%
Healthcare Facilities31
Port Lavaca has a violent crime rate of 685 per 100,000 residents, 80% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,884 per 100,000 (47% above US avg). The murder rate is 8.1 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent684.7/100K
80% above US avg
Murder8.1/100K
28% above US avg
Rape104.7/100K
Robbery8.1/100K
Assault563.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,883.8/100K
47% above US avg
Burglary797.5/100K
Theft1,901.1/100K
Vehicle Theft185.3/100K
Arson8.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Port Lavaca has an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

55°F Jan (13°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average71.3°F
32% above US avg
January Average55°F (13°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.4 inches
9% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation18 ft (5 m)
Area10.2 sq mi (26.3 km²)
Population Density1,124/sq mi
Coordinates28.6180°N, 96.6283°W
County FIPS48057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 52.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.8%
D 23.7%

Winner: Republican by 52.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.8%
59% below US avg
High School+77.1%
School Test Score5.10
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,124/sq mi
Total Area10.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants76
Retail Stores66

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations182
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.8 min
Work from Home5.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Port Lavaca with another city: