Town in Refugio County

Living in Refugio, TX

C-

502nd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 33 of 100

Refugio gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 502nd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and errands and things to do, and trails on schools and home ownership. It is a strong pick for young professionals.

  • Good for young professionals
  • Schools scores low (7 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (11 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Refugio isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthRefugio
Where Refugio is in Texas.
Population
2,752+1.3% since 2020
Median rent
$74747% lower than Texas
Median home value
$94,80067% lower than Texas
Household income
$48,750Median
Average commute
21 minOne way
Violent crime
392Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Refugio

Refugio is a town in Refugio County. 2,752 people lived here in 2025, up 1.3% from 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 39.6, 35% of households have children, 59% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $48,750 a year (38% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Refugio

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $747, 47% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.9 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Refugio

  • Weaker school ratings. None of the 3 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Higher poverty. 25% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 27% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and wildfires as very high here.

Who Refugio suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 0% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is about the same as the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 11% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 38% lower than the Texas median, with 21 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 82% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 27% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is about the same as the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 41% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 83% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $747 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 38% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $747 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 60% for people on a budget.

Refugio report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Refugio with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B

    Median rent $747, homes cost 1.9x income.

    65 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $48,750, 1.0% unemployed.

    34 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade F

    3 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    7 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade C-

    392 violent crimes per 100k, 249 property crimes per 100k.

    35 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade B

    2 grocery stores, 21 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    70 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A-

    Average commute 21 min, 2.1% work from home.

    86 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D-

    13% have a bachelor’s degree.

    11 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    27% of adults uninsured.

    11 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade F

    59% of homes owner-occupied.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    83% of homes have broadband.

    20 of 100 vs US towns

Where Refugio stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $74747% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 1.9x46% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 21 min19% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 74%22 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13%21 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $48,75038% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Refugio

Refugio renters pay a median of $747 a month, 47% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $30,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 74% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $807 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $94,800, 67% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $519 before tax, or $641 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Refugio pays $1,468 a year, 65% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in RefugioStudio$7711 bedroom$8072 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,461
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Refugio County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent47% lower than Texas$747$1,403$1,413
Median home value67% lower than Texas$94,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income46% lower than Texas1.9x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent22 points higher than Texas74%52%51%
Median property tax per year65% lower than Texas$1,468$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them4 points lower than Texas59%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$641
Mortgage payment
$519
Property tax
$122
Median rent, for comparison
$747

Based on a $94,800 home in Refugio, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Refugio safe?

In 2025, Refugio Police Department reported 11 violent crimes and 7 property crimes. That works out to 392 violent crimes per 100,000 people, about the same as the Texas rate of 387, and 249 property crimes per 100,000, 88% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 164% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Refugio by yearTexas39220212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
392
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
249
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Refugio by yearTexas24920212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Refugio Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Refugio

Refugio has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 0% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Refugio ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
7
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
69
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • CRefugio Junior HighMiddle, Refugio ISD77 of 100
  • CRefugio High SchoolHigh, Refugio ISD70 of 100
  • FRefugio ElementaryElementary, Refugio ISD59 of 100

Daily life in Refugio

Everyday places mapped inside Refugio, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Dennis M O'Connor Public Library.

The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 19% shorter than the Texas average. 2% of workers work from home. 6.3% walk, bike or take transit to work.

The median household income is $48,750, income per person is $21,899, unemployment is 1.0% and 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
2
Pharmacies
2
Restaurants
21
Cafes
2
Bars
2
Parks
2
Gyms
3
Hospitals and urgent care
3
Childcare
2
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income38% lower than Texas$48,750$78,476$80,734
Income per person46% lower than Texas$21,899$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate4 points lower than Texas1.0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line12 points higher than Texas25%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher21 points lower than Texas13%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher5 points lower than Texas81%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points higher than Texas27%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet8 points lower than Texas83%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute19% lower than Texas21 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home12 points lower than Texas2.1%14%15%
Workers who work from home2.1%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk6.3%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Refugio

Under 1826%
18 to 3421%
35 to 6433%
65 and over20%

Median age 39.6 years. 35% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White23%
Hispanic or Latino61%
Black12%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race3.6%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Refugio

Refugio has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 45°F. There are about 110 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 35 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Refugio40°60°80°100°67J70F75M81A86M91J94J95A91S84O75N68DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Refugio 2 Nw, 2 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, coastal flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is high and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingModerate
  • Coastal floodingHigh
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesHigh
  • HailHigh
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windModerate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Refugio

Nearby, Woodsboro gets a B, Lamar gets a B+ and Sinton gets a D. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. BWoodsboroTown, 1,464 people6 mi
  2. B+LamarTown, 1,202 people21 mi
  3. DSintonTown, 5,584 people23 mi
  4. DRockportSmall city, 10,683 people24 mi
  5. FTaftTown, 2,871 people24 mi
  6. FTaft SouthwestTown, 1,635 people25 mi

Living in Refugio: common questions

Is Refugio, TX a good place to live?

Refugio gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 502nd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and errands and things to do, and trails on schools and home ownership. It is a strong pick for young professionals.

How much does it cost to live in Refugio?

Renters in Refugio pay a median of $747 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $94,800, 67% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.9x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $641, including property tax.

Is Refugio safe?

In 2025, Refugio Police Department reported 392 violent crimes per 100,000 people, about the same as the Texas rate. Property crime was 249 per 100,000, 88% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Refugio?

We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Refugio. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 7 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Refugio flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Refugio as moderate, and coastal flooding as high. Hazards rated high or very high here: coastal flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Refugio?

Summers in Refugio peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 45°F. Expect around 110 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 35 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Refugio?

The average one-way commute is 21 min, 19% lower than the Texas average. About 2.1% of workers work from home.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.