Small-town market profile · Texas
Port Lavaca, TX area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Port Lavaca area, each scored against other small-town markets.
- Population, 2025
- 19,599
- −2.3% since 2020
- Households
- 8,670
- Median household income
- $79,959
- +36.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $171,200
- Jobs located here
- 10,873
- Highest market score
- 71
- Doctors, dentists and clinics, #78 of 538 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Port Lavaca area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Port Lavaca area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 19,599 people live in the Port Lavaca area, in 8,670 households. Between 2020 and 2025, the population of the Port Lavaca area declined 2.3%, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median household income in the Port Lavaca area is $79,959 a year, in line with the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 36.0% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Port Lavaca area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 131, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (74).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Port Lavaca area are for medical and dental practices (71), insurance agencies (71) and coffee shops and cafes (64). The Port Lavaca area ranks #78 of 538 scored small-town markets for medical and dental practices.
The Port Lavaca area is made up of one county, Calhoun County. For its number of households, the Port Lavaca area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for convenience stores (59% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for medical and dental practices (58% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Port Lavaca area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Port Lavaca area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 71 | #78 of 538 | 31 | 35.8 | $318K | 209 | 7 |
| Insurance agencies | 71 | #94 of 537 | 12 | 13.8 | $1.9M | 148 | 4 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 64 | #107 of 529 | 6 | 6.9 | $5.6M | 150 | 4 |
| Real estate | 63 | #107 of 536 | 17 | 19.6 | Index only | 179 | 4 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 62 | #123 of 535 | 6 | 6.9 | $1M | 158 | Under 3 |
| Pet businesses | 61 | #135 of 527 | 11 | 12.7 | $721K | 82 | 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 60 | #178 of 537 | 12 | 13.8 | $2.8M | 91 | 14 |
| Gas stations | 59 | #169 of 536 | 9 | 10.4 | $2.9M | 122 | 13 |
| Home repair trades | 58 | #159 of 526 | 7 | 8.1 | $3.6M | 146 | 18 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 58 | #162 of 458 | 5 | 5.8 | $2M | 111 | 4 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 56 | #188 of 507 | 7 | 8.1 | $4.8M | 115 | 4 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 54 | #224 of 538 | 31 | 35.8 | $255K | 120 | 4 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 53 | #220 of 533 | 15 | 17.3 | Index only | 161 | 4 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 53 | #231 of 526 | 8 | 9.2 | $1.2M | 125 | 3 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 52 | #249 of 536 | 12 | 13.8 | $1.4M | 108 | Under 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 51 | #217 of 476 | 5 | 5.8 | $5M | 105 | 10 |
| Auto repair shops | 50 | #284 of 538 | 21 | 24.2 | $389K | 87 | 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 47 | #222 of 387 | 5 | 5.8 | $1.6M | 62 | Under 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 45 | #317 of 536 | 20 | 23.1 | $821K | 93 | Under 3 |
| Grocery stores | 44 | #327 of 506 | 9 | 10.4 | $5.9M | 63 | 3 |
| Auto repair and car care | 43 | #343 of 538 | 37 | 42.7 | $221K | 82 | 11 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 38 | #398 of 538 | 24 | 27.7 | $2.2M | 65 | 8 |
| Convenience stores | 37 | #395 of 529 | 11 | 12.7 | $4.8M | 61 | 5 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 37 | #399 of 538 | 100 | 115.3 | $333K | 90 | 46 |
| Hair salons | 34 | #449 of 538 | 22 | 25.4 | $359K | 83 | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | 31 | #321 of 387 | 6 | 6.9 | $1.3M | 79 | Under 3 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 28 | #476 of 538 | 61 | 70.4 | $546K | 82 | 28 |
| Laundromats | 24 | #138 of 150 | 5 | 5.8 | $3.3M | 26 | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | 21 | #394 of 431 | 6 | 6.9 | $1.4M | 54 | 3 |
| Child care and preschools | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.6 | $996K | 99 | 6 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.6 | $3.2M | 192 | 4 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.6 | $2.5M | 103 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 4.6 | $2M | 73 | 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.5 | $2.7M | 108 | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.5 | $2.7M | 88 | 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.5 | $470K | 69 | Under 3 |
| Gyms | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.5 | $2.1M | 161 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.5 | $4.3M | 147 | 4 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.3 | $3.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Chiropractors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.3 | $4.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.3 | $12.4M | Too few | 8 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.3 | $3.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pizza | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.3 | $16.7M | Too few | 14 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | $16.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | $9.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | $12.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | $7.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | $7.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | $6.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Port Lavaca area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $8.2M | $942 | 98 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $26.2M | $3,016 | 116 |
| Food away from home | $33.3M | $3,844 | 94 |
| Groceries | $53M | $6,115 | 97 |
| Personal care products and services | $7.9M | $910 | 91 |
| Child care and other personal services | $4M | $460 | 79 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $6.3M | $724 | 74 |
| Medical and dental services | $9.9M | $1,137 | 88 |
| Pets | $7.9M | $915 | 101 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $16.4M | $1,893 | 92 |
| Vehicle insurance | $22.3M | $2,568 | 131 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $24.9M | $2,869 | 95 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $12.9M | $1,487 | 105 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $131.8M | $15,206 | 91 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Port Lavaca area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 19,599−2.3% since 2020
- Households
- 8,670
- Median age
- 40.1
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 77%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 507 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 39
- Median household income
- $79,959+36.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $102,381
- Median home value
- $171,200
- Jobs located here
- 10,873
- Daytime population
- 22,043Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Port Lavaca area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Port Lavaca area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Port Lavaca area 1
- Calhoun County, TX19,868 people
Other markets based in Texas 12
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- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area7,442,788 people
- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro area2,662,733 people
- Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area2,426,592 people
- McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area891,977 people
- El Paso, TX metro area874,182 people
- Killeen-Temple, TX metro area494,360 people
- Corpus Christi, TX metro area448,012 people
- Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro area426,120 people
- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro area396,827 people
- Lubbock, TX metro area358,708 people
- Waco, TX metro area302,045 people
Questions
How fast is the Port Lavaca, TX area growing?
Population estimates put the Port Lavaca area at 19,599 people in 2025, down 2.3% since 2020, against +3.1% for the U.S. It has 8,670 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 36.0%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Port Lavaca, TX area spend?
Households in the Port Lavaca area spend about $131.8M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $53M on groceries and $33.3M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Port Lavaca area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 131, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (74).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Port Lavaca, TX area?
Of the business types scored in the Port Lavaca area, medical and dental practices (71), insurance agencies (71) and coffee shops and cafes (64) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For medical and dental practices, that ranks #78 of 538 scored small-town markets.
How does the Port Lavaca, TX area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Port Lavaca area is $79,959, in line with the U.S. median of $80,734. The population fell 2.3% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $171,200, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for convenience stores (59% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for medical and dental practices (58% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 29 of the 56 business types have a score in the Port Lavaca area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Port Lavaca area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Port Lavaca area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Port Lavaca area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.