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El Refugio, TX
Census-designated place in Starr County, Texas.
Population
780
Land area
0.6sq mi
People per sq mi
1,250
ZIP codes
0
El Refugio and its ZIP codes
El Refugio at a glance
- El Refugio is about 11 times as dense as Texas as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $47,440 a year, 40% less than the Texas figure of $78,476.
Housing and community stats
El Refugio, TX, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$47,440
Poverty rate
60.5%
Homeownership
59.0%
Bachelor's or higher
1.4%
Median age
22.3
Average commute
13.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (769), Italian Americans (9).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Starr County. PPP loans are for El Refugio.
Unemployment rate
8.3%
Sep 2026, -1.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$41,877
15,052 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$34,180
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$2.7B
FY 2026, $41,170 per person
How people get to work
El Refugio, TX, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone62.0%
- Carpooled3.2%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked2.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other12.9%
- Worked from home19.4%
Average one-way commute: 13.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
El Refugio, TX, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: cold wave
Storm events since 1996
549
Countywide, mostly drought
Flood insurance policies
152
0.9% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
99° / 45°F
22.5 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in El Refugio, TX, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
42.0%
U.S. 33.3% +8.7 pts
Diabetes
21.2%
U.S. 12.1% +9.1 pts
Smoking
14.3%
U.S. 12.8% +1.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
41.1%
U.S. 11.1% +30.0 pts
Cities near El Refugio
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| La PuertaCensus-designated place | 0.7 mi | 0.3 |
| El ChaparralCensus-designated place | 0.8 mi | 0.1 |
| Santa RosaCensus-designated place | 0.9 mi | 0.1 |
| Garza-Salinas IICensus-designated place | 0.9 mi | 0.1 |
| Santa CruzCensus-designated place | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| B and ECensus-designated place | 1.1 mi | 0.1 |
| Amada AcresCensus-designated place | 1.3 mi | 0.1 |
| CamargitoCensus-designated place | 1.4 mi | 0.1 |
| La CasitaCensus-designated place | 1.5 mi | 0.1 |
| ChaparritoCensus-designated place | 1.5 mi | 0.1 |
| Las LomasCensus-designated place | 2.2 mi | 0.4 |
| Olivia Lopez de GutierrezCensus-designated place | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| El MesquiteCensus-designated place | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Valle HermosoCensus-designated place | 3.3 mi | 0.5 |
| Manuel GarciaCensus-designated place | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| GarciasvilleCensus-designated place | 3.9 mi | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is El Refugio, TX in?
- El Refugio is in Starr County, Texas.
- What is the population of El Refugio, TX?
- About 780 people live in El Refugio, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near El Refugio?
- Nearby places include La Puerta (0.7 mi), El Chaparral (0.8 mi), Santa Rosa (0.9 mi), Garza-Salinas II (0.9 mi), Santa Cruz (1.1 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023