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Smiley, TX

Texas · Gonzales County

Smiley is a small town in Texas with a population of 533. Residents earn $35,000 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
533 Population 1,025/sq mi density
$35,000 Median Income $20,326 per capita
$69,500 Home Value $269,014 Zillow
$873 Median Rent 35.5% income on rent
69°F Avg Temperature 300 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$35,000 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$69,500 home value, $873/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
4.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,000
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $69,500
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.9%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $873
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.1%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.0%
134% higher than US avg

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

People

Population533
Median Age31.4 yrs
Density1,025/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 78%
Veterans3.0%

Economy

C
Median Income$35,000
Per Capita$20,326
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty29.0%
County GDP$3,676M
Commute42 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$69,500
Rent$873
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$269,014
Housing Units227
Rent Burden35.5%

Health

Obesity40.1%
Uninsured30.0%
Smoking14.4%
Depression21.5%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp69°F (20°C)
AQI42 (Good)
Rain34.4 in/yr
Sunny Days300/yr
Elevation312 ft (95 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.9%
High School+80.6%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute42 min
Broadband90.3%
Libraries3

Is Smiley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Smiley receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. Smiley has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Smiley is $35,000, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 29.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Smiley is $69,500, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $873 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

4.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Smiley enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. With 300 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Smiley has a population of 533 with a density of 1,025 people per square mile. The median age is 31.4 years, 19% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.5%).

Population

533
Total Population
1,025
People / sq mi
31.4yrs
Median Age
19% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.4%
Female 54.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Smiley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only65.1%
17% below US avg
Spanish34.9%
160% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Smiley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Smiley is $35,000, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 29.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes.

Income: Smiley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,000
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,326
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043
IRS Avg AGI$70,835

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate29.0%
134% above US avg
Establishments (County)550
County GDP$3,676M

Business (County)

Restaurants50
Healthcare33
Retail70
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,493
86% above US avg
Cost of Living97.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate9.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time42.2 min
Drive Alone85.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Smiley is $69,500, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $873 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $269,014.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$69,500
75% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$269,014

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$873
25% below US avg
Rent Burden35.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.9%
Housing Units227
Median Year Built1975

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,493
86% above US avg
Effective Rate9.34%
In Smiley, 40.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.0% of residents lack health insurance. 14.4% are current smokers. 21.5% report depression. 35.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.1%
25% above US avg
Diabetes14.5%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure33.3%
Asthma9.4%
COPD6.1%
Cancer5.3%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.4%
3% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity35.8%
Depression21.5%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress15.7%
Short Sleep39.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate79.8%
Uninsured30.0%
249% above US avg
Primary Care1:2,455
Dentists1:2,204
Mental Health1:2,491
Checkup Rate71.5%
Dental Visits44.1%
Premature Death10,412/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.1/10
Exercise Access48.2%
Healthcare Facilities33
Smiley has an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.4 inches. The area enjoys 300 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average68.8°F
27% above US avg
January Average51°F (11°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days300 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.4 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation312 ft (95 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,025/sq mi
Coordinates29.2713°N, 97.6376°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyGonzales County County
County FIPS48177
Smiley is located in Gonzales County County. It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 4.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.8-point margin. 90.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.1%
D 22.3%

Winner: Republican by 54.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.9%
85% below US avg
High School+80.6%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.10
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,025/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi
CountyGonzales County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access90.3%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants50
Retail Stores70

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute42.2 min
Drive Alone85.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Nixon, TX 2,363 pop · 7.7 mi Stockdale, TX 1,201 pop · 19.8 mi Gonzales, TX 7,180 pop · 20.2 mi Yorktown, TX 1,987 pop · 21.5 mi Cuero, TX 8,147 pop · 24.1 mi Runge, TX 1,196 pop · 27.0 mi Luling, TX 5,486 pop · 28.4 mi Yoakum, TX 5,649 pop · 29.6 mi Seguin, TX 31,789 pop · 29.7 mi La Vernia, TX 1,126 pop · 30.0 mi Poth, TX 1,646 pop · 30.1 mi Shiner, TX 2,284 pop · 30.1 mi Karnes City, TX 3,101 pop · 31.0 mi Floresville, TX 7,679 pop · 33.0 mi
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