College Station, Texas: A Demographic Overview

College Station, Texas, situated in the Brazos Valley region of East-Central Texas, is a dynamic city known for being the home of Texas A&M University. Its location within the Texas Triangle, approximately 83 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Houston and 87 miles (140 km) east-northeast of Austin, contributes to its growing population and diverse economy.

Population Growth and Key Demographics

In 2023, College Station, TX, had a population of 122,280 people. This reflects a 1.52% increase from 2022, when the population was 120,451. The median age in College Station is 22.9.

Citizenship and Foreign-Born Population

A significant portion of the population, 92.2%, are citizens of the United States, slightly lower than the national average of 93.4%. As of 2023, 12.2% of College Station residents (14.9k people) were born outside the United States. This percentage is approximately the same as the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in College Station, TX was 12.2%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

Race and Ethnicity

The ethnic composition of College Station reveals a diverse community. In 2023, the most prevalent ethnic groups are:

White (Non-Hispanic): 73.9k
Asian (Non-Hispanic): 11.6k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic): 9.89k

Hispanics comprise 18.4% of the population, totaling 22.5k people.

Economic Landscape

College Station's economy is robust, with 61.2k people employed. From 2022 to 2023, employment grew by 1.68%, from 60.2k to 61.2k employees. The largest industries in College Station, TX are Educational Services (16,357 people), Retail Trade (8,401 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (6,556 people). The highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($161,198), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($84,476), and Wholesale Trade ($71,953).

Occupations and Industries

The most common job groups in College Station, TX, are Education Instruction & Library Occupations (9,542 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,550 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (6,404 people).

Income and Poverty

In 2023, the median household income in College Station, TX, was $51,776, a 1.19% decrease from $52,397 in 2022. The median earnings for men in 2023 are highest in Wholesale Trade ($76,165), Public Administration ($73,328), and Manufacturing ($71,700). For women, the highest median earnings are in Public Administration ($42,620), Information ($42,039), and Construction ($40,673). Despite the economic activity, the poverty rate in College Station is 28.6%, a 0.354% increase from the previous year.

Housing and Living

The median property value in College Station, TX, was $326,500 in 2023, higher than the national average of $303,400. This reflects a 6.77% increase from $305,800 in 2022. However, the homeownership rate is 35.9%, lower than the national average of 65%.

Commute and Transportation

Most people in College Station, TX, drive alone to work, with an average commute time of 17.2 minutes, shorter than the national average of 26.6 minutes. Car ownership is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household. In 2023, 70.8% of workers in College Station, TX drove alone to work. Other modes of transportation include working from home (12.1%) and carpooling (8.02%).

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Education

In 2023, universities in College Station, TX, awarded 21,032 degrees. The student population is skewed towards men, with 40,654 male students and 35,979 female students. The largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 38,711 records, of which 47.6% were women and 52.4% men.

Tuition and Enrollment

The median tuition cost for a public four-year college in College Station, TX, is $9,003 for in-state students and $36,428 for out-of-state students. In 2023, there were 76,633 students enrolled in College Station, TX, 53.1% men and 46.9% women.

Political Landscape

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Jill Stein (0.726%). John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing the state of Texas.

Historical Context and Community Development

College Station's origins are closely tied to Texas A&M University. The city's growth was initially slow, with a population of 350 in 1884 and 391 at the turn of the century. The incorporation of College Station occurred on October 19, 1938.

Northgate District

Northgate, a mixed-use district north of Texas A&M University, is a significant cultural and economic hub. It features a combination of businesses, restaurants, apartments, and entertainment venues, frequented by Texas A&M students. The district's roots date back to the 1930s, with the first business district established near the campus.

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