Abilene: Demographics & People
Abilene is home to 128,053 people, in 46,917 households. Population grew 0.7% from 127,130 (2022) to 128,053 (2024). Median age 32.8 years. (1.7y younger than Texas). Children under 18 are 23% of the population. Population is 57% White (non-Hispanic) and 27% Hispanic or Latino. 63% of households are family-led. County is gaining 379 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 43% adult obesity, 21% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs Texas avg 2.7).
- 37% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Texas 35%).
- 59 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Texas 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.7% from 127,130 (2022) to 128,053 (2024) — about 1.2× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~128,989 (extrapolated at 0.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 130,249.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 19,663 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 127,130 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 128,053 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 128,053 people (vs Texas 143,570) |
| Population Estimate | 130,249 |
| Population Note | Census Place population (125,182) covers both Jones and Taylor counties |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 32.8y is 6.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 23% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 32.8 years (vs Texas 34.5y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 128,053 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 29,488 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 39,138.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 41,620.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 17,807 |
| Population under 18 | 29,488 |
| Median age | 32.8 years (vs Texas 34.5y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 128,053 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 84,697 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 13,037 |
| Asian residents | 2,942 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 34,179 |
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | 48.0% |
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | moderately diverse |
| Asian population | 2.3% (vs Texas 3.7%) |
| Black population | 9.8% (vs Texas 9.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 27.1% (vs Texas 36.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 56.8% (vs Texas 36.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 7% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 85,199 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 31,685 |
| Share born in this state | 66.5% |
| Share born in another state | 33.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 24.7% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 7.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 9,491 |
| From Europe | 662 |
| From Asia | 16 |
| From Africa | 1,957 |
| From Latin America | 8 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 70 |
Households & Family Composition
46,917 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 63% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 29,860 families, 28% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 29,326 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 29,860 |
| Married couples with children | 8,422 |
| Single-parent households | 1,040 |
| Average household size | 2.46 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 13.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 2,617 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 850 |
| Family households | 29,442 households (vs Texas 35,060) |
| Households that are families | 62.8% (vs Texas 65.3%) |
| Total households | 46,917 households (vs Texas 51,915) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 18.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 379 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 18.7% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 14,772 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 14,393 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 379 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 7,740 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.8% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 12,278 residents live in group quarters (9.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 12,278 |
|---|
Other
| Census Counties | Jones County, Taylor County |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · District | 19 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 48253 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 48 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 253 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Jones |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 31.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 25.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 39.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 48253 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Jones County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 436 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 48253 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Jones County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 52.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 43.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 40.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 20,083 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 43 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 31 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 4 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 23.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 128,053, stable, young professional, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 128,053 people (vs Texas 143,570) |
| Town Summary · County | Jones County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade