Is Groves Safe, Pros and cons of living in Groves
Groves, Texas, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and suburban convenience, making it an appealing place to consider for a new home. Nestled in Jefferson County, this East Texas community provides a relaxed pace of life while remaining accessible to larger metropolitan areas like Beaumont and Port Arthur.
The city’s landscape is predominantly residential, featuring a variety of housing options from apartments and condos to single-family homes. Groves is a community where many residents choose to own their homes, reflecting a sense of stability and investment in the area. The local atmosphere tends to be conservative, with many families choosing Groves as a place to settle down.
Is it Safe to Live in Groves?
Groves presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that warrant consideration. The overall crime rate in Groves is higher than the national average, with a D+ safety grade indicating that it is safer than only 24% of U.S. cities (according to CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of being a victim of any crime in Groves is approximately 1 in 72 (according to NeighborhoodScout).
Violent crime rates in Groves are slightly higher than the national average, with a rate of 5.15 per 1,000 residents (according to CrimeGrade.org). Property crime rates are also a factor, with a rate of 10 per 1,000 population (according to NeighborhoodScout). While some neighborhoods, particularly in the northeast, are considered safer, residents should remain aware of their surroundings, especially in the southwest areas where the risk of crime is higher (according to CrimeGrade.org, NeighborhoodScout).
Cost of Living and Housing in Groves
The cost of living in Groves is generally more affordable than the national average. Overall living expenses are estimated to be around 9% lower than the national average (according to Payscale). This affordability extends to several key areas, making Groves an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals and families.
Housing costs in Groves are notably lower than the national average, with expenses being approximately 19-20.6% less than the national figures (according to Payscale, Salary.com). The median home value in Groves was around $163,600 as of 2024 (according to Data USA), and the median listing price was $209,900 in early 2026 (according to Realtor.com®). The homeownership rate is relatively high, at 77.9% (according to Data USA).
Rental prices in Groves are also significantly lower than the national average. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $845 per month, and for a two-bedroom, it’s around $990 per month (as of May 2026, according to Apartments.com). This makes Groves a more affordable option for renters compared to many other U.S. cities, with rent being 49% lower than the national average (according to Apartments.com).
Job Market and Economy
Groves supports a workforce of approximately 7,875 residents, engaged across various industries (according to Data USA). The primary sectors employing Groves residents include construction, retail trade, and manufacturing (according to Data USA). The average annual salary in Groves is around $47,215 as of April 2026 (according to ZipRecruiter), with a median household income of $73,710 (according to Data USA).
The job market is influenced by the proximity to larger employment centers and industrial facilities in neighboring cities like Beaumont and Port Arthur. Key employment sectors and roles that contribute to the local economy include those in construction, extraction occupations, and administrative support (according to Data USA). High-paying jobs in the area can include roles such as CDL drivers, heavy equipment operators, and refinery positions (according to ZipRecruiter).
Climate and Environment
Groves experiences a hot and humid climate, characteristic of the East Texas region. Summers are long and can be oppressive, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 85°F from May to September (according to Weather Spark). The hottest month is typically July, with highs around 90°F and lows of 76°F (according to Weather Spark).
Winters are short and relatively cool, with average daily high temperatures below 67°F from December to February (according to Weather Spark). January is the coldest month, with average lows around 46°F and highs of 62°F (according to Weather Spark). The area receives a substantial amount of rainfall throughout the year, with an average of about 58 inches annually (according to Livability.com) and up to 63 inches (according to myPerfectWeather).
June typically sees the most rainfall, averaging around 5.2 inches, while March is generally the driest month (according to Weather Spark). The humidity can be notably high during the summer months, contributing to the perception of uncomfortable warmth from May to September (according to myPerfectWeather).
Education and Schools
Groves is served by public schools within the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District. The district includes Groves Middle School, which has shown consistent improvement in its statewide ranking, moving to 907th out of 2,344 Texas middle schools for the 2024-2025 school year (according to SchoolDigger.com). Students at Groves Middle School have demonstrated proficiency scores above the district and state averages in reading and math (according to SchoolDigger.com).
Groves Intermediate School has also seen steady improvement, ranking 1729th out of 4,651 Texas elementary schools in the 2024-2025 school year (according to SchoolDigger.com). Groves Elementary School is recognized for its strong performance, ranking within the top 20% of all public schools in Texas for overall test scores, with math and reading proficiency rates higher than the Texas state average (according to Humble ISD).
Overall, public schools in Groves have an average ranking of 4 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Texas public schools. Minority enrollment in Groves public schools is around 50% of the student body, with a majority being Hispanic (according to Niche).
Demographics and Diversity
Groves is home to a population of approximately 16,976 residents, with a projected increase to 17,546 by 2026 (according to Data USA). The median age in Groves is around 38.9 years (according to Data USA, Zippia), which is slightly higher than the Texas state average. The racial composition of Groves includes a majority White population, followed by Hispanic and other ethnic groups (according to Data USA).
White residents make up about 55.4% of the population, with Hispanic residents accounting for 29.6% (according to Texas Census Data). Other significant demographic groups include those identifying with Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and Other (Hispanic) ethnicities (according to Data USA). Approximately 14.1% of Groves residents were born outside the United States (according to Data USA).
The community is characterized by a generally conservative leaning among residents. Homeownership is prevalent, with about 78% of residents owning their homes rather than renting (according to Niche). This indicates a stable community where many individuals and families have invested in property.