684,753
El Paso is a city located in El Paso County Texas. It is also the county seat of El Paso County. With a 2020 population of 684,753, it is the 6th largest city in Texas and the 24th largest city in the United States. El Paso is currently growing at a rate of 0.44% annually and its population has increased by 0.72% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 679,879 in 2020. Spanning over 258 miles, El Paso has a population density of 2,660 people per square mile.
The average household income in El Paso is $64,025 with a poverty rate of 23.97%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in El Paso is 33 years, 31.1 years for males, and 34.9 years for females.
The estimated population of El Paso gives it a population density of 2,500 people per square mile (980/square mile). The larger metropolitan area, covering all of Hudspeth and El Paso counties, has a population of 837,000 while the El Paso-Las Cruces CSA has a population of 1.05 million. Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso form a broad international metropolitan area often called the Paso del Norte or the El Paso-Juarez-Las Cruces with more than 2.7 million residents. This constitutes the Western Hemisphere's largest bilingual, binational work force.
El Paso has been ranked as one of the top three safest large U.S. cities since 1997 and the safest for the last three years. The city is known for its strong military presence, including Biggs Army Airfield and Fort Bliss -- one of the largest U.S. Army military complexes and the country's largest training area. El Paso is also the headquarters for the U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations Group, the Joint Task Force North, and the El Paso Intelligence Center.
El Paso Population Growth
While the Texas population grew by 20% from 2000 to 2010, El Paso grew by 15% during the same period. A great deal of the growth is attributed to people leaving the fringe communities and moving into the large urban center of El Paso. The increase in the Hispanic population is attributed to immigration and high fertility rates. It's believed Hispanics and Latinos will have an 85% share of the population by 2020, although the military presence and university will maintain diversity in the city.
The El Paso area has been inhabited for thousands of years, initially by maize farmers. When the Spanish arrived, the Suma, Manso, and Jumano people lived in the area and were incorporated later into the Mestizo culture with immigrants from other parts of Texas.
Spanish explorer Don Juan de Onate was the first New Spain or Mexican explorer to see the Rio Grande near El Paso, celebrating Thanksgiving Mass in the area in 1598, which was decades before the famous Pilgrims' Thanksgiving.
Fray Garcia de San Francisco established the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission of El Paso del Norte in 1659. It was the construction of this mission that allowed the village of El Paso del Norte to grow.
The Texas Revolution in 1836 did not affect the area much, although Texas claimed the El Paso area as part of a treaty with Mexico. The village of El Paso remained a self-governing community with Texan and Mexican representatives until Texas took full control in 1846. Americans continued settling in the area during this time.
The city of El Paso experienced a booming population when the railroads arrived, with the population exploding by more than 9,000 between 1881 and 1890. Most were Americans from Texas. The city became a violent boomtown called the Six Shooter Capital with gambling and prostitution flourishing until WWI when the Army pressured authorities to crack down on the city's vices.
By 1920, the population was more than 100,000 with a white majority. It wasn't until 1965 that Hispanics once more claimed a majority in the city.
The first bridge crossing the Rio Grande at El Paso del Norte was constructed more than 250 years ago. There are now several bridges serving the area, including the Santa Fe Street Bridge, the Bridge of the Americas, and the Ysleta Bridge.
El Paso Demographics
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of El Paso was:
- White: 69.64%
- Other race: 12.53%
- Two or more races: 12.29%
- Black or African American: 3.43%
- Asian: 1.41%
- Native American: 0.52%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.17%
State
Texas
County
El Paso County
Land Area (mi²)
257.4 sq mi
Density (mi²)
2,660.10/sq mi
Growth Rate
0.44% (2,969)
Growth Since 2020
0.72% (4,874)
Rank in State
6th
Rank in Country
24th
The current population of El Paso, Texas is 684,753 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates.The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 679,879.
El Paso, Texas Population 2022
El Paso Metro Area Population by Year
El Paso Population by Race
El Paso Population Pyramid 2022
El Paso Median Age
33
Total
31.1
Male
34.9
Female
El Paso Adults
There are 498,859 adults, (87,804 of whom are seniors) in El Paso.
El Paso Age Dependency
65.4
Age Dependency Ratio
21.4
Old Age Dependency Ratio
44
Child Dependency Ratio
El Paso Sex Ratio
| Female | 346,593 | 50.98% |
| Male | 333,286 | 49.02% |
El Paso Population by Age
El Paso Renter vs Owner Occupied by Household Type
3.56
Average Family Size
2.92
Average Household Size
59.6%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
El Paso Households and Families
El Paso Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)
El Paso Educational Attainment by Race
El Paso Earnings by Educational Attainment
El Paso Language by Age
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
El Paso Language
32.19% of El Paso residents speak only English, while 67.81% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 65.71% of the population.
El Paso Language
23.97%
Overall Poverty Rate
17.06%
Male Poverty Rate
20.52%
Female Poverty Rate
Poverty in El Paso
The race most likely to be in poverty in El Paso is Islander, with 63.77% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in El Paso is White, with 13.39% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 5.06%. Among those working part-time, it was 21.40%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 27.03%.
El Paso Poverty
El Paso Poverty Rate by Education
El Paso Poverty Rate by Employment Status and Sex
Income by Household Type
El Paso Marital Status
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Marriage Rates
44.3%
Overall Marriage Rate
46.6%
Male Marriage Rate
42.1%
Female Marriage Rate
El Paso Married by Age and Sex
male
female
El Paso Marriage
The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 45-54.
El Paso Marital Status by Race
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
El Paso Marital Status
El Paso Veterans by War
El Paso Veterans by Age
El Paso Veterans by Race
El Paso Veterans by Education
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
7.24%
Veteran Poverty Rate
27.65%
Veteran Disability Rate
El Paso Veterans by Education
LaborForceParticipation
62.2%
Labor Force Participation
56.5%
Employment Rate
6.2%
Unemployment Rate
El Paso Employment by Age
LaborForceParticipation
El Paso Employment by Race
LaborForceParticipation
El Paso Employment by Education
Origin of Non-Citizens
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Origin of Naturalized Citizens
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
75.37%
Born in El Paso
99.04%
Native Born
29.51%
Foreign Born
14.23%
Non Citizen
15.28%
Naturalized
Place of Birth
99.04% of El Paso residents were born in the United States, with 75.37% having been born in Texas. 14.23% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
El Paso Place of Birth
El Paso Population by Year
FAQs
How many people live in El Paso 2022? ›
The metro area population of El Paso in 2022 was 974,000, a 1.14% increase from 2021. The metro area population of El Paso in 2021 was 963,000, a 1.26% increase from 2020. The metro area population of El Paso in 2020 was 951,000, a 1.28% increase from 2019.
What percent of El Paso is Mexican? ›Race & Ethnicity
The largest El Paso racial/ethnic groups are Hispanic (81.6%) followed by White (12.4%) and Black (3.1%).
Race and Ethnicity
81.5% of the people in El Paso, TX are hispanic (554k people).
Jobs, family ties, climate and a city's strong identity — think New York City or Silicon Valley — are factors that could pull someone toward a city, Howard said. Factors like not being able to get a job or not feeling comfortable in a community may push people out of it, she said.
Is El Paso a big city? › Is El Paso a large city? ›With a 2023 population of 687,722, it is the 6th largest city in Texas and the 24th largest city in the United States. El Paso is currently growing at a rate of 0.43% annually and its population has increased by 1.15% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 679,879 in 2020.
Does everyone in El Paso speak Spanish? ›El Paso, Texas
Nearly 7 in 10 residents of El Paso speak a language other than English, and 39% of the population are bilingual. The most popular second language is Spanish, and 67% of residents speak it.
El Paso has continuously been listed among the nation's safest big cities in various rankings for over a decade. As former El Paso County Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca once said: Being the safest city doesn't mean there isn't any crime, it just means there's less crime here than somewhere else.
Is El Paso friendly? ›Not only is El Paso safe, but it is full of many things to do for all ages. Known as the largest metropolitan area along the border, El Paso is a friendly city with many great areas to explore and neighborhoods to call home.
Is El Paso mostly Mexican? ›El Paso, a city of nearly 700,000 people at the juncture of Texas, New Mexico and the Mexican state of Chihuahua, is 80 percent Hispanic, and the overwhelming majority are U.S. citizens.
Does El Paso have a homeless problem? ›
There are an estimated 809 homeless individuals in El Paso County Texas.
Why is El Paso popular? ›Its unique desert landscapes are home to diverse flora and fauna, and the city is rich in cultural attractions. Fun things to do in El Paso and great places to visit include the El Paso Museum of Art with its fine collection of pre-Columbian and Indian art, the Mission Trail, and the Magoffin Home State Historic Site.
What is the safest area of El Paso to live? ›Which part of El Paso is safest? If you're considering a move to El Paso, the neighborhoods with the lowest crime rates are Album Park, Cielo Vista, Castner Heights, Mesa Hills, and Montoya Heights. There are plenty of other safe, great neighborhoods throughout El Paso.
Is it worth living in El Paso Texas? ›El Paso is in El Paso County and is one of the best places to live in Texas. Living in El Paso offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In El Paso there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in El Paso and residents tend to be liberal.
What is the best part of El Paso Texas to live in? ›Referred to as an upscale community, the neighborhood of Silver Springs Village is home to some of the most desirable real estate in the city. Known for its diverse population and vibrant culture, this is one of the most welcoming and friendly neighborhoods in all of El Paso.
Why is it so hot in El Paso? ›El Paso experiences the urban “heat island” effect, when pavement and buildings cover natural land, absorbing and retaining heat.
Is El Paso a sister city? ›In addition, under the Border 2012 Program, the sister cities of El Paso, Texas and Cuidad Juárez, Chihuahua also included Sunland Park, New Mexico and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo into the sister-city plan, also becoming a Tri-National Plan.
Is El Paso a healthy place to live? ›EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The City of El Paso Department of Public Health received the Silver Level Healthy Community Award from the Texas Department of State Health Services for reducing the risk factors of chronic disease and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Is it cheaper to live in El Paso? ›The cost of living in El Paso, TX is 3% lower than the state average and 10% lower than the national average. El Paso, TX housing is 31% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 10% less pricey.
Is El Paso bigger than Juarez? ›Juárez is the largest city in the region (population 1,321,004 as of 2010). El Paso is the next largest (682,669 as of 2018), and Las Cruces is the third largest (102,296 as of 2018).
Why is El Paso a good place to live? ›
Unmatched Safety
El Paso has a long history as one of the top safest large cities in the United States. With low crime numbers and highly-ranked schools, living in El Paso should be a peaceful and rewarding experience, as well as an exciting opportunity to enjoy great food, entertainment, and outdoor recreation.
Chucotown is the nickname for El Paso. It's generally believed to be derived from pachuco, the word for old-school Latinos in zoot suits.
Is El Paso a good city to live in? ›Recognized as the city with the lowest cost of living in the U.S., El Paso's affordability is one of area's major selling points for new residents. With no state income tax, paychecks go a little further with the local housing market as well.
What percent of El Paso is Catholic? ›The Diocese of El Paso includes 10 counties in far West Texas with 61,376 registered families in 57 parishes and 20 mission churches. Seventy-eight percent of the population in the Diocese is Catholic, 81% is Hispanic, and 28% are immigrants.
Is El Paso cheap? ›EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The City of El Paso has been ranked as the third best affordable city to visit in the United States.
What percentage of El Paso is white? ›| Population | |
|---|---|
| Persons 65 years and over, percent | 12.8% |
| Female persons, percent | 50.2% |
| Race and Hispanic Origin | |
| White alone, percent | 91.4% |
- Air Pollution. El Paso shares an air shed with the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez. ...
- Marine Pollution. Many toxic chemicals from industrial and agricultural sources find their way into the Rio Grande river. ...
- Land Pollution.
In general, the whole area to the east is to be avoided due to its less safe neighborhoods in the city; The area "Angel's Triangle" which used to be called " Devil's Triangle to the northeast of El Paso. This area is still to be avoided even though its crime rate has dropped considerably since the 90s.
What is the coldest month in El Paso? ›Average Temperature in El Paso
The cool season lasts for 2.9 months, from November 21 to February 17, with an average daily high temperature below 66°F. The coldest month of the year in El Paso is December, with an average low of 35°F and high of 59°F.
Furthermore, nearly 70% of El Paso speaks Spanish, making it one of just 22 US cities and towns with more Spanish speakers than English speakers. El Paso is also the estimated 38th largest city with the most unauthorized immigrants, according to Pew Hispanic.
What is the main religion in El Paso? ›
About 80% of El Pasoans are Catholic, according to the Diocese.
Where is the most homeless city? ›The new survey finds that Los Angeles has overtaken New York as the city with the largest homeless population. In New York, where most people experiencing homelessness are in shelters, the total number declined to less than 62,000 this year from nearly 78,000 in 2020.
Which city has the most homeless in us? ›...
| White | 48.9% |
|---|---|
| Multiracial | 5.9% |
El Paso County has a low natural disaster risk score of 30%. Over the past 20 years, 15 disasters have been declared by the county, most of which related to Hurricane incidents.
Does El Paso have a beach? ›The Playa del Paso is a sandy beach which is often empty.
Is El Paso Democrat or Republican? ›A small eastern portion of the county is in the 23rd Congressional District, represented since 2021 by Republican Tony Gonzales. El Paso County is historically Democratic and the 2008 presidential election was no exception.
Is El Paso still the safest city? ›El Paso is still among the safest cities in the nation. It was the second safest large city and ninth safest overall, according to new rankings using FBI crime data compiled by GoodHire, a background screening company.
What percent of El Paso is white? ›| Population | |
|---|---|
| Persons 65 years and over, percent | 12.8% |
| Female persons, percent | 50.2% |
| Race and Hispanic Origin | |
| White alone, percent | 91.4% |
Today, El Paso is known for its large military presence that is anchored by Fort Bliss, but on the flip side has an up-and-coming culinary scene. With a growing list of top-notch restaurants, museums, and theaters this is a town worth getting to know.
Is it nice to live in El Paso? ›El Paso is in El Paso County and is one of the best places to live in Texas. Living in El Paso offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In El Paso there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in El Paso and residents tend to be liberal.