Is Mexia Safe, Pros and cons of living in Mexia
Mexia, Texas, is a city in Limestone County that offers a distinct blend of small-town charm and affordability. Located in Central Texas, it provides a slower pace of life that appeals to many seeking an escape from larger urban centers. The city’s motto, “A great place to live, no matter how you pronounce it,” humorously acknowledges its unique name and welcoming spirit.
Mexia’s history is tied to the Texas Revolution, named after General José Antonio Mexía. Over time, it has evolved from early settlements near Fort Parker to a community that now serves as a hub for its surrounding rural areas. The city’s development has been influenced by various factors, including its past as a site for a World War II prisoner of war camp, which later became a state school and a significant local employer.
Is it Safe to Live in Mexia?
Mexia presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that warrant consideration for potential residents. The city’s crime rate is higher than the national average, and it is considered less safe than a significant percentage of other cities in Texas (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Mexia is approximately 1 in 231, and for property crime, it’s about 1 in 96 (according to NeighborhoodScout).
However, some data suggests a different perspective. Crime Explorer indicates that over a recent five-year period, Mexia recorded a violent crime rate that is substantially below the national average, with a significantly lower rate per 100k residents. AreaVibes also states that Mexia’s overall crime rates are lower than the national average, with violent crimes being higher than the national average, but property crimes being lower. Crime Grade assigns Mexia a D+ for its crime rate, indicating it’s higher than the average U.S. city, but residents generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest.
Crime Statistics Overview
The overall crime rate in Mexia is reported as 35.01 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by Crime Grade). This rate is considered higher than that of the average U.S. city. Crime Grade also notes that Mexia ranks in the 24th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than only 24% of cities in the U.S.
When examining specific crime types, violent crimes in Mexia are reported to be 22% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crimes, however, are reported to be 40.3% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Augurisk classifies the crime risk for Mexia as moderate, predicting a certain number of violent crimes, property crimes, acts of vandalism, and motor vehicle thefts annually.
Pros and Cons of Living in Mexia
Mexia offers a compelling proposition for those prioritizing affordability in their housing and general living expenses. The cost of living is notably lower than the national average, with housing costs significantly below the U.S. average. This affordability extends to homeownership, with median home values substantially lower than the national median (as reported by Kurby AI and Point2Homes).
Conversely, Mexia faces challenges that may deter some potential residents. The city’s crime rates are a significant concern, being higher than the national average according to some sources. Additionally, the median household income is considerably lower than the national average, which, combined with a poverty rate that is higher than the national average, presents economic challenges for a portion of the population (as reported by Census Reporter and Point2Homes).
Affordability and Housing
The median home value in Mexia is approximately $109,900 (as reported by Point2Homes), which is substantially lower than the national median home value of $332,700 (as reported by Point2Homes). This makes homeownership significantly more accessible in Mexia. The median gross rent in Mexia is around $887 per month (as reported by Point2Homes), which is also lower than the national median rent.
Housing costs in Mexia are reported to be 29.7% lower than the national average, with an average monthly cost of $843 for a single person and $1,546 for a family of four (as reported by Salary.com). The homeownership rate in Mexia is 58.3% (as reported by Point2Homes), indicating a community where owning a home is more common than renting. The median listing home price in Mexia is $188,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®), though recently sold homes show a wide range of prices.
Economic Landscape and Job Market
Mexia’s economy is characterized by a lower median household income compared to national averages. The median household income in Mexia was $42,222 in 2024 (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, cited by Point2Homes), with a median income of $39,690 reported by Livability.com. The poverty rate in Mexia is 32.3%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 12.5% (as reported by Census Reporter).
The unemployment rate in Mexia is reported at 3.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of workers in Mexia are employed by private companies, with a significant portion also working for government entities. Job types are predominantly white-collar, making up over 70% of the workforce (as reported by Point2Homes).
Climate and Environment
Mexia experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters (as reported by Wikipedia). The average high temperature in Mexia is around 77°F, with average lows around 54°F (as reported by Livability.com). The hottest month is typically August, with average highs around 95°F and lows around 72°F (as reported by the National Weather Service).
Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with the wettest month being May, averaging about 4.0 inches of rain (as reported by the National Weather Service). The driest month is July, with an average rainfall of 1.6 inches (as reported by the National Weather Service). The average annual rainfall for Mexia is approximately 40 inches (as reported by Livability.com), and the total annual precipitation is around 40.34 inches based on 30-year normals (as reported by the National Weather Service).
Temperature and Precipitation Details
The hot season in Mexia generally lasts from early June to mid-September, with daily high temperatures frequently exceeding 88°F (as reported by the National Weather Service). Conversely, the cool season spans from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures falling below 65°F. January is typically the coldest month, with average lows around 38°F and highs around 58°F (as reported by the National Weather Service).
Wet days, defined as days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, are more common from mid-October through late June. May experiences the most wet days, with an average of 10.5 days (as reported by the National Weather Service). Snowfall is minimal, with an average annual snowfall of 0 inches (as reported by Livability.com).
Education and Schools
Mexia Independent School District (ISD) serves the city and surrounding areas, with its overall performance receiving a “D” rating from the Texas Education Agency (as reported by Texas Tribune Schools Explorer). This rating is based on student achievement, school progress, and the success of educating disadvantaged students.
Within the district, Mexia High School has a notable four-year graduation rate of 89.4% and a low dropout rate of 1.6%. However, its test scores remain below the state average (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Mexia ISD is also characterized by a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with a significant portion qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch programs (as reported by Texas Tribune Schools Explorer).
School District Performance
Mexia Independent School District has received a “B minus” overall rating from Niche, with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Niche rankings place the district at #222 out of 888 for being the most diverse school districts in Texas and #608 out of 887 for having the best teachers in Texas. The district’s boundary includes Mexia and Tehuacana (as reported by Wikipedia).
The Texas Education Agency assigns letter grades to school districts and campuses to indicate performance. An “A” signifies exemplary performance, while a “B” denotes recognized performance. A “C” indicates acceptable performance, a “D” suggests performance needing improvement, and an “F” means unacceptable performance. Schools that repeatedly fail may face state intervention (as reported by Texas Tribune Schools Explorer).
Demographics and Population
As of the 2020 census, Mexia had a population of 6,893 (as reported by Wikipedia). Current estimates suggest the population is around 6,859 (as reported by Point2Homes) or approximately 6,907 (as reported by Kurby AI). The population is growing at a slow rate, with an annual increase of about 0.2% (as reported by Mexia, Texas Population 2026).
The racial composition of Mexia includes a significant percentage of White and Black or African American residents. In 2024, White (Non-Hispanic) residents constituted the largest group, followed by Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 38.9% of the population identifies as Hispanic (as reported by Data USA).
Age and Gender Distribution
The median age in Mexia is approximately 40.1 years (as reported by Census Reporter and Mexia, Texas Population 2026), which is slightly higher than the national median age. The population distribution shows about 26.7% of residents under the age of 18 and 15.3% aged 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). This indicates a balanced age demographic.
Gender-wise, there are slightly more males than females in Mexia. For every 100 females, there are approximately 96.4 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 and over, there are 92.8 males aged 18 and over (as reported by Wikipedia). This slight male majority is also reflected in the overall population figures, with 51.9% male and 48.1% female (as reported by Point2Homes).
Racial and Ethnic Makeup
The racial makeup of Mexia shows a diverse population. White residents constitute about 37.5% of the population, while African Americans make up around 28.4% (as reported by Point2Homes). Other significant demographic groups include those identifying with two or more races, and Hispanic or Latino individuals.
In 2024, White (Non-Hispanic) residents were the most numerous ethnic group, followed by Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 38.9% of Mexia’s population identifies as Hispanic (as reported by Data USA), highlighting the city’s multicultural fabric.
Major Employers and Job Opportunities
Information on specific major employers in Mexia is not extensively detailed in the provided search results. However, historical context points to the Mexia State Supported Living Center, which originated from a prisoner of war camp, as a principal employer in the past (as reported by Wikipedia). The job market generally consists of white-collar and blue-collar roles, with employment opportunities found in private companies and government entities (as reported by Point2Homes).
The average annual household income in Mexia was reported as $55,882 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). However, other sources cite a median household income of $33,239 (as reported by Kurby AI) or $39,690 (as reported by Livability.com). The average salary for an average job in Mexia is $38,000 a year, or $18.27 per hour (as reported by Zippia).
Employment Rate and Economic Stability
The unemployment rate in Mexia is reported to be 3.3% (as reported by Point2Homes), which is a moderate figure. The employment rate is currently at 94.72% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). While specific major employers are not listed, the local economy supports various industries, providing employment opportunities for residents.
The economic landscape in Mexia is marked by a lower median household income and a higher poverty rate compared to national averages (as reported by Census Reporter and Kurby AI). This suggests that while employment is available, the compensation may not always be sufficient to lift all residents above the poverty line.