Demographic Analysis San Marcos

Sam Hunter

Table 1
Population Projection
Population Census Population Percent Projections
(1) Actual Estimate Change (2020)
Population (2015) (2010 - Source: San
(2010) 2015) Marcos Gov

San Marcos 44,894 60,684 34.6% 70,000

City
Source: US
Census

Hays County 151,107 194,739 23.9% -

Source: US
Census
Sources:​ US Census ​ Quick
​ Facts & American ​ Fact
​ Finder - San Marcos
Demographic Trends
Analysis
The population in San Marcos is expected to rise 34.6% by 2015,
along the same rate Austin increased between 2000 - 2010
(37.3%)( ​Austin Chamber ​), with a high concentration of students.
According to the San Marcos Gov. Demographic Trends Report
(2013), Southwest Texas State University students comprise nearly one
third of San Marcos' population ( ​San Marcos Gov. Demographic Trends ​).
Looking to Hays County overall, San Marcos is growing at a
faster rate: 23.9% v 34.6%. The two primary groups in Hays County are
those on the periphery of Austin and those in the San Marcos area;
these groups include Dripping Springs, Kyle, and Buda.

Table 2
Age
Age (2) San Marcos % of Pop. Hays County % of Pop.

Total 54,712 177,562

Population

Under 5 2,531 4.626041819 11,027 6.210225161

5-9 2,105 3.847419213 12,556 7.07133283

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Demographic Analysis San Marcos
Sam Hunter

10-14 2,037 3.723132037 11,675 6.57516811

15-19 7,324 13.38646001 15,563 8.764825807

20-24 16,836 30.7720427 23,127 13.02474629

25-34 9,277 16.95606083 24,244 13.65382233

35-44 4,399 8.040283667 22,845 12.86592852

45-54 3,253 5.945679193 20,929 11.78686881

55-59 1,452 2.653896769 9,921 5.587344139

60-64 1,449 2.648413511 8,657 4.875480114

65-74 2,061 3.766998099 10,834 6.101530733

75-84 1,257 2.297485012 4,779 2.691454253

85+ 731 1.336087147 1,405 0.791272907

Source: US Census - American Fact Finder - Demographic Estimate for

2015
Analysis
The biggest age group in San Marcos are those ages 20-24 (31%),
however, this youth majority also expands with 15-19 (13%) & 25-34
(17%) year olds. This is largely due to the fact there is a high
concentration of Texas State University students here. In total the
age groups of 15-34 year olds approximate 61% of the
population--20-34 year olds together at roughly 47%. This age
distribution also reflects the lack of families here, with ages <5-14
only accounting for about 12% of the population paired with a lower
concentration of older, working, parental age adults. The 35-64 age
group only accounts for 33% of population.
In Hays county overall, there is a more substantial range of
age groups. San Marcos being approximately 31% of Hay’s population,
the young adult age groups are possibly more skewed due to Texas
State’s influence. Even with this concentration of young adults,
older working age groups as well as younger child age groups have a

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Demographic Analysis San Marcos
Sam Hunter

more substantial portion of the population in comparison to San

Marcos's rates for family age groups.

Table 3
Race and Ethnicity
Race (3) San Marcos Hays County

Total Population 54,712 177,562

White 83.7% 84.8%

Hispanic (any race) 40.5% 36.7%

Black 4.5% 3.5%

American Indian 0.6% 0.4%

Pacific Islander 0.0% 0.1%

Asian 1.8% 1.4%

Two or more Races 3.5% 2.8%

Source: US Census - American Fact Finder - Demographic Estimate 2015
Analysis
San Marcos is slightly more diverse in terms of non-white
groups than the overall makeup of Hays County. Upto 40% of the
population in San Marcos identifies as Hispanic, being the largest
minority group.
It’s good to note that any race can identify as Hispanic, so
the numbers may not add up properly.
While 83.7% of whites is low compared to other areas in Hays
County, like Dripping Springs (approx. 89%), the U.S. proportion of
whites to other minority groups is approximately 77%, according to
the ​U.S. Census.

Table 4
Housing
Housing (4) San Marcos Hays County

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Demographic Analysis San Marcos
Sam Hunter

Total housing units 22,473 67,463

Occupied 20,155 (89.68%) 61,360 (90.95%)

-Renter Occupied 14,600 (72.4%) 22,175 (36.1%)

-Owner Occupied 5,555 (27.6%) 39,185 (63.9%)

Vacant 2,318 (10.3%) 6,103 (9.0%)

Source: US Census - American Fact Finder - Housing Estimate for 2015
Analysis
San Marcos is unique from Hays County in that there is a much
more significant proportion of people renting rather than owning
homes. This can be simply explained with the high percentage of young
adults in the area. However, 72% of housing rented along with only
61% or less of the population being within the prime age for renting
rather than buying and/or college age, there is still a decent amount
of people renting that are likely not enrolled at Texas State.

Table 5 & 6
Housing and Rent Values
Home Values (5) San Marcos Hays County

Median Home Value $137,300 $180,900

<$50k 14.2% 6.6%

$50k - 99,999 14.3% 9.5%

$100k - 149,999 28.4% 18.2%

$150k - 199,999 21.4% 21.9%

$200k - 299,999 12.0% 20.8%

$300k - 499,999 7.2% 17.6%

$500k - 999,999 2.4% 4.5%

$1,000,000+ 0.2% 0.9%

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Demographic Analysis San Marcos
Sam Hunter

Rent Values (6) San Marcos Hays County

Median $939 $973

<$500 4.0% 4.1%

$500 - 999 55.6% 49.6%

$1,000 - 1,499 28.0% 30.8%

$1,500 - 1,999 9.0% 11.3%

$2,000 - 2,499 2.7% 3.0%

$2,500 - 2,999 0.4% 0.6%

$3,000+ 0.3% 0.6%

Source: US Census - American Fact Finder - Housing Estimate for 2015
Analysis
Housing in San Marcos is generally affordable in order to meet
the needs of college students in the area. Compared to Hays, which is
less affordable, the median housing price is lower by $43,000
(137,300 v 180,900), possibly skewed by areas like the edges of
Austin and Dripping Springs.
When looking at rent, half of the rent values fall below $939
in San Marcos, with Hay’s slightly higher--its median $973.
We can conclude that most affordable housing needs are likely
met, but could primarily be filled with college students, and
particularly centered near campus. San Marcos needs to ensure that
it’s poorer working population’s needs are met as well.

Table 6
Income
Income (6) San Marcos Hays County

Mean Income $42,356 $58,583

Median Income $28,923 $76,204

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Demographic Analysis San Marcos
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<$10k 17.1% 7.6%

$10k - 14,999 8.6% 4.8%

$15k - 24,999 17.1% 10.3%

$25k - 34,999 14.4% 9.2%

$35k - 49,999 14.8% 12.1%

$50k - 74,999 13.8% 17.1%

$75k - 99,999 6.3% 12.9%

$100k - 149,999 5.0% 15.3%

$150k - 199,999 1.8% 5.8%

$200k+ 1.2% 4.9%

Source: US Census - American Fact Finder - Income Estimate for 2015
Analysis
In San Marcos, in comparison to Hays has a relatively large
percentage of especially poor residents (17% make under 10k)--on top
of this, majority of people make generally entry level wages, with
the exception of a small proportion of people on the top.
I would say that the income of residents generally matches the
housing and rent prices in the area. There is a relatively fair
amount of affordable housing and rent (both approx 60%) to meet the
lower income residents. Compared to Hays, San Marcos is a slightly
more affordable area to live in.