ZIP Code 77042: Population, Income, Housing

State: TX
Total population: 38,721 Household income: $59,097 Rent: $1,346

Overview

Total population
38,721
Rent
$1,346
Year built
1985
Household income
$59,097
Per capita income
$44,173
Poverty rate
17.7%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Household size
2.1 persons
Rent over 30% of income
51.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
Texas
County
Harris County
City
Houston
Total population
38,721
Adults over 25
27,015
Total households
18,122
Household size
2.1 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$59,097
Per capita income
$44,173
Poverty rate
17.7%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Rent over 30% of income
51.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,346
Year built
1985
Households that rent
73.7%
Households that own
26.3%
Rooms per home (all homes)
3.8

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
34.5%
Black
23.5%
Asian
8.5%
Two or more races
18.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
36%
Not Hispanic or Latino
64%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
17,376 (85%)
Commute time to work
30 mins
Work from home
3,067 (15%)

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
26.8%
High school graduate or GED
19.6%
Some college or associate degree
8.3%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
45.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of ZIP Code 77042 with: Harris County, TX Houston, TX Houston metro area, TX Texas United States

ZIP 77042

Total population38,721
Rent$1,346
Year built1985
Household income$59,097
Per capita income$44,173
Poverty rate17.7%
Unemployment rateN/A

Harris County, TX

Total population4,838,303
Rent$1,401
Year built1988
Household income$74,983
Per capita income$41,006
Poverty rate16.3%
Unemployment rate4.1%

Houston, TX

Total population2,328,253
Rent$1,361
Year built1982
Household income$64,813
Per capita income$42,430
Poverty rate19.9%
Unemployment rate4%

Houston Metro Area, TX

Total population7,442,788
Rent$1,430
Year built1993
Household income$82,168
Per capita income$42,619
Poverty rate13.9%
Unemployment rate4.3%

Texas State

Total population30,188,424
Rent$1,403
Year built1992
Household income$78,476
Per capita income$40,752
Poverty rate13.8%
Unemployment rate4.1%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric ZIP77042 CountyHarris, TXCityHouston, TXMetro AreaHouston metro area, TXStateTexasCountryUnited States
Total population38,7214,838,3032,328,2537,442,78830,188,424334,922,499
Rent$1,346$1,401$1,361$1,430$1,403$1,413
Year built198519881982199319921980
Household income$59,097$74,983$64,813$82,168$78,476$80,734
Per capita income$44,173$41,006$42,430$42,619$40,752$44,673
Poverty rate17.7%16.3%19.9%13.9%13.8%12.5%
Unemployment rateN/A4.1%4%4.3%4.1%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for 77042

Rent & Income

In 77042, the typical monthly rent is $1,346 and the typical household income is $59,097. Rent here is similar to both Houston and Texas, and household income is lower than both Houston and Texas. The estimated poverty rate is 17.7%, which is lower than the Houston rate but higher than the Texas rate.

Housing & Affordability

Most households in this area are renters (73.7%), making this a heavily renter area. About 51.9% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 45.3% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

 

ZIP 77042 — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

ZIP 77042 — Poverty

 

 

How ZIP 77042 compares in Texas (388 ZIP Codes)

Metric This ZIP Rank Starts from State range
Rent $1,346 153 / 388 from lower rent $747 – $3,501
Household income $59,097 296 / 388 from higher income $30,377 – $250,001
Poverty rate 17.7% 272 / 388 from lower poverty 1.5% – 47.7%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in Texas with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

 

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 77042

Rent

Looking at rent levels, ZIP Code 77042 places 153rd out of 388 ZIP Codes in Texas. Throughout Texas, numbers span from $747 in ZIP 78582 up to $3,501 in ZIP 76092.

Household income

In terms of earnings, this ZIP comes 296th out of 388 ZIP Codes. At the state level, values extend from $30,377 in ZIP 77840 up to $250,001 in ZIP 76092.

Poverty rate

In terms of poverty rate, ZIP Code 77042 comes 272nd out of 388 ZIP Codes. In Texas as a whole, the range goes from 1.5% in ZIP 76092 up to 47.7% in ZIP 77840.

 

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 77042 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,346 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing — including the apartment or home and essential utilities like heat, water, and electricity.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in ZIP Code 77042

Annual Household Income: $59,097

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in ZIP Code 77042

Estimated Rate: 17.7%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in ZIP Code 77042

In ZIP Code 77042, households that rent: 13,351 (73.7%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 13,351 73.7%
Owner-Occupied 4,771 26.3%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in ZIP Code 77042

In ZIP Code 77042, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 6,931 (51.9%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 6,931 51.9%
Other renter households 6,420 48.1%
Total renter households 13,351 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in ZIP Code 77042

Less than High School: 7,251 people (26.8%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 5,282 people (19.6%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 2,243 people (8.3%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 12,239 people (45.3%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 27,015

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.