Austin, TX – The City of Austin today released additional analysis of 2020 Census Data. These new analyses – including an interactive and static map series – utilize the available 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 data and depict census tract geographic-level breakdown of Austin’s total population, total housing units, and race and ethnicity. Similar to earlier released findings, these maps look at changes of Austin neighborhoods between 2010 and 2020.
 

“This is the first time local communities will see their official 2020 Census count,” said Lila Valencia, Demographer for the City of Austin. “The census tract level analysis allows community members to explore how their neighborhoods compare to Austin and how they may have changed in size and diversity throughout the decade.”
 

The data shown in the map series are at the census tract geographic level with populations in each tract between 1,200–8,000 – and an optimal size of 4,000 – comparable to neighborhoods in size. The data finds some of the most populous tracts in Austin in the Lakeline area (northwest), around the University of Texas, and the Holly neighborhood (east), but the most densely populated areas of the city continue to lie along the I-H35 corridor.

Additional key insights from the data include:
 

Housing

Between 2010 and 2020, Austin added 90,185 housing units. This represents a growth of 25.5 percent, compared to 21.7 percent growth in population.

Tracts with the greatest number of housing units in 2020 are found in the Domain area, Holly neighborhood, Seaholm, the Lakeline area of northwest Austin, and the Harris Brach area of northeast Austin.  

Areas adding higher numbers of housing units in the last decade are found all along the perimeter of the city, but high numbers of housing were also added downtown along east and west Cesar Chavez, and in Mueller, Highland, and the Domain, all areas with significant multi-family development. Areas with declines in housing are found primarily in flood mitigation areas of lower Onion Creek, parts of the St. Johns as well as St. Edwards neighborhoods.

Population Density

The population density of Austin in 2020 is 3,006.4 people per square mile, up from 2,653.2 in 2010. The most densely populated tracts are found around the University of Texas and in downtown Austin just north of the river. Other densely populated areas are seen along the I-H35 corridor and parts of northwest Austin. The least populated residential tract can be found west of MoPac between the Bryker Woods and Tarrytown neighborhoods. 

Race & Ethnicity

The 2020 census data reveal increased racial and ethnic diversity in the population of Austin. The data in the race and ethnicity maps show similar increases in diversity in many neighborhoods throughout the city.  

This newly released suite of data adds to the current City of Austin Census resources including the 2020 Census Count Dashboards and the 2020 Census Redistricting Data Files.

The data is crucial in determining how the federal government proportionately distributes billions of dollars in grants and program funding for social services, community development, and the construction of schools, roads, and hospitals. 

Data from the Census also play a central role in redrawing boundaries for representative districts for the U.S. Congress, Texas Legislature, and Austin City Council districts. 

For more information visit AustinTexas.gov/Demographics. 

About the Housing and Planning Department 

The Housing and Planning Department provides resources related to planning, zoning, housing, and community development to enhance the quality of life of all Austinites. Equitable, efficient, and comprehensive planning with displacement prevention as a prioritized focus is the Department’s core charge in delivering housing services to the community. 

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