Demographics of Wichita Falls, TX

Wichita Falls is a city in northern Texas near the Oklahoma border. With a population of around 104,000, it is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. Wichita Falls has an interesting demographic makeup, with a history closely tied to the early 20th century oil boom. Let’s take a closer look at the population statistics and demographics of this Texan city.

Population Statistics

As of the 2020 US Census, the population of Wichita Falls was 104,197. This is a decrease from the 2010 census population of 104,553. Here are some key population stats for Wichita Falls:

• City Population (2020): 104,197
• Metro Population (2020): 151,306
• Population Rank in Texas: 38th
• Population Density: 1,111 people per square mile

The racial makeup of Wichita Falls is:

• White: 75.8%
• Black or African American: 11.7%
• Asian: 2.6%
• Two or more races: 4.6%
• Other race: 10.8%

Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up 34.3% of the population.

The median age in Wichita Falls is 32.7 years old. By gender, there are approximately 96 males for every 100 females.

History

Wichita Falls was founded in 1882 during the construction of the Wichita Valley Railroad. It was named for the nearby Wichita River falls. The city grew quickly after the discovery of oil in the early 1900s, with boomtowns springing up around oil fields.

By 1910, Wichita Falls had grown to nearly 9,000 residents. The population exploded to over 40,000 by 1920 during the height of the oil boom. Growth leveled off after oil production slowed in the 1920s.

During World War II, the city saw another population spike due to aircraft manufacturing at Sheppard Air Force Base. The population reached 100,000 by 1960 and hit a peak of nearly 113,000 in 1980.

Age and Gender

Wichita Falls has a relatively young population compared to national averages. The median age is 32.7 years old. By gender, the population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

Here is the full age and gender breakdown for Wichita Falls:

Age

• Under 5 years: 7.8%
• 5 to 19 years: 19.2%
• 20 to 34 years: 23.4%
• 35 to 54 years: 22.9%
• 55 to 74 years: 19.3%
• 75 years and over: 7.5%

Gender

• Male: 49.1%
• Female: 50.9%

As you can see, the two largest age groups are young adults 20-34 (23.4%) and middle-aged adults 35-54 (22.9%). This gives Wichita Falls a large working-age population.

Households and Families

There are 37,090 households in Wichita Falls. 62.8% are family households while 37.2% are non-family households.

The average household size is 2.51 people. Family households have an average size of 3.16 people.

Of all households:

• 28.4% have children under 18
• 24.7% are married couples living together
• 13.3% have a female householder with no husband present
• 4.9% have a male householder with no wife present

In non-family households, 62.6% are living alone while 37.4% are living with non-relatives.

Housing

There are 43,950 total housing units in Wichita Falls. Most housing is single-unit structures rather than multi-unit buildings. Here is the housing breakdown:

• Single-unit structures: 62.8%
• Multi-unit structures: 35.1%
• Mobile homes: 2.1%

The median value of owner-occupied housing units is $118,500. The homeownership rate is 59.3%.

Income and Poverty

The median household income in Wichita Falls is $44,498, which is below the national median of $62,843. By race and ethnicity, median incomes are:

• White: $51,653
• Black: $28,958
• Hispanic or Latino: $37,426
• Asian: $27,319

The poverty rate for all people in Wichita Falls is 18.9%. Poverty rates by race are:

• White: 14.8%
• Black: 36.4%
• Hispanic or Latino: 28.1%
• Asian: 37.1%

As you can see, there are significant economic disparities by race and ethnicity, with higher poverty rates among minorities.

Education

Among the adult population 25 years and over, 82.5% have a high school degree or higher, while 21.7% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The public school system in Wichita Falls is Wichita Falls Independent School District, which has 15 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 3 high schools. There are also several private schools.

Higher education options include Midwestern State University, Vernon College, and North Central Texas College.

Employment

The largest employers in Wichita Falls are Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls Independent School District, United Regional Health Care System, and the City of Wichita Falls.

The most common industries are healthcare, retail trade, educational services, food services, and manufacturing.

The unemployment rate as of October 2022 is 4.2%, which is lower than state and national averages. Key occupational groups include office support, sales, transportation, education, and food service.

Religion

The largest religious group in Wichita Falls is Protestant Christians (45%), followed by Catholic Christians (19%), Other Religions (5%), and non-religious (31%).

The city has a diverse mix of Protestant megachurches and smaller traditional congregations. St. Mary’s Catholic Church is the largest church in Wichita Falls with over 2,500 families.

Other religious communities include Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jewish congregations.

Conclusion

In summary, Wichita Falls is a midsized Texas city with a diverse population representing many ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups. It has a large working-age population and economy focused on healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. There are disparities in income and poverty rates among ethnic groups.

The city has a mixture of religious faiths, including a large Protestant Christian majority. The demographics reflect its history as an oil boomtown while showing its evolution into a more modern urban economy.