| |
The demographics of Brownsville can be summed up as young,
fast-growing and increasingly educated.
The first unmistakable fact is that Brownsville is a young
city. The average age of local residents is only 27.7 years,
nearly 10 years younger than the national average. Indeed,
35% of the population is under 18 years of age, while 60% is
under age 34. At the other end of the age spectrum, a mere
16% of people are over the age of 55.
Brownsville is also a fast-growing city. The estimated
population in 2004 was 161,225, up from 139,722 at the 2000
Census. By 2010, the population is projected to reach
199,841. At the county level, the population now stands at
370,829. That's up from 335,227 in 2000. By 2010, the county
is expected to have 431,445 residents.
Demographic data also shows rising levels of educational
attainment. Almost 52% of persons in Brownsville over the
age of 25 are high school graduates compared to only 45% in
1990. As for college attainment, 13.4% of persons now hold a
four-year undergraduate degree compared to 12.2% a decade
ago.
Behind these gains is the continuing expansion of the
University of Texas at Brownsville. UTB’s enrollment now
stands at 13,316 students. That compares with 11,560 a year
ago. The number of degrees conferred is also growing. The
university awarded 2,085 degrees in 2005, up from 1,923 in
2004 and 1,836 in 2003. Of that total, 709 degrees were
earned at the bachelor's level and 182 were graduate
diplomas.
Despite these gains, Brownsville remains a poor city by
national standards. The latest income data shows earnings of
$16,994 on a per capita basis in 2004, just 51% of the
national average of $33,050. On a positive note, local
income growth over the last five years has outpaced the
national average, 20.8% compared to 18.3%.
|
|
|
|
