South Padre Island, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

South Padre Island is a small town in Texas with a population of 2,852. Residents earn $61,578 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,852 Population 1,060/sq mi density
$61,578 Median Income $67,367 per capita
$498,800 Home Value $437,502 Zillow
$1,421 Median Rent
75°F Avg Temperature
1,406 Violent Crime/100K 18,896 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$61,578 median income, 3.8% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.1 / 5.0
$498,800 home value, $1,421/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,406 violent crimes/100K (270% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
52.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,578
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $498,800
77% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 1,406/100K
270% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 52.5%
56% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,421
22% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.4%
1% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.8%
21% lower than US avg

How South Padre Island Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,852
Median Age59.0 yrs
Density1,060/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

B+
Median Income$61,578
Per Capita$67,367
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty9.8%
County GDP$17,387M
Commute14 min

Housing

C
Home Value$498,800
Rent$1,421
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$437,502

Crime

F
Violent1,406/100K
Property18,896/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault754/100K
Burglary2,126/100K

Health

Obesity32.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.8%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp75°F
AQI42 (Good)
Elevation3 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+52.5%
High School+92.0%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 47%
Commute14 min
EV Stations22
Libraries9

Is South Padre Island a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Padre Island receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. South Padre Island has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Padre Island is $61,578, 18% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Padre Island is $498,800, making it a premium housing market at 77% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,421 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.1x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

With 1,406 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 18,896 per 100,000, 864% above the national average.

Education

South Padre Island is a highly educated community — 52.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

South Padre Island has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F. Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

South Padre Island has a population of 2,852 with a density of 1,060 people per square mile. The median age is 59.0 years, 52% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80%), with 5.6% Black.

Population

2,852
Total Population
1,060
People / sq mi
59.0yrs
Median Age
52% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.4%
Female 43.6%

Race & Ethnicity

South Padre Island vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.3%
7% above US avg
Spanish15.7%
17% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South Padre Island vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Padre Island is $61,578, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: South Padre Island vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,578
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$67,367
Avg Weekly Wage$857
IRS Avg AGI$48,428

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.8%
21% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,200
County GDP$17,387M

Business (County)

Restaurants815
Healthcare1,060
Retail1,030
Manufacturing186

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,394
83% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.28%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.3 min
Work from Home18.0%

Walkability

The median home value in South Padre Island is $498,800, 77% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,421 (22% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $437,502.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$498,800
77% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$437,502
Median List Price$450,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$450,000
$/Sq Ft$359
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops16.1%
Inventory298

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,421
22% 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-Occupied66.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,394
83% above US avg
Effective Rate1.28%
In South Padre Island, 32.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.8% report depression. 19.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South Padre Island vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.4%
1% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.1%
Asthma8.8%
COPD4.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity19.8%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress14.8%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.8%
Checkup Rate72.8%
Premature Death9,065/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.8/10
Exercise Access74.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,060
South Padre Island has a violent crime rate of 1,406 per 100,000 residents, 270% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 18,896 per 100,000 (864% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: South Padre Island vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,406.0/100K
270% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape377.2/100K
Robbery274.4/100K
Assault754.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property18,895.8/100K
864% above US avg
Burglary2,126.2/100K
Theft16,323.7/100K
Vehicle Theft445.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)32
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South Padre Island has an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

61°F Jan (16°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average74.7°F
38% above US avg
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3 ft (1 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density1,060/sq mi
Coordinates26.1205°N, 97.1707°W
County FIPS48061
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 52.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 5.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 52.5%
D 46.7%

Winner: Republican by 5.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+52.5%
56% above US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score5.10
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,060/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations22
Alt Fuel Stations22
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities1,060
Restaurants815
Retail Stores1,030

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)32
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.3 min
Work from Home18.0%

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