La Salle County

Here are the latest key demographics for La Salle County, Texas (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census and 2019–2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates):

• Population

  • Total population (2023 estimate): ~7.3–7.4K
  • 2020 Census: ~7.6K

• Age

  • Median age: ~34 years
  • Under 18: ~27–29%
  • 65 and over: ~10–12%

• Gender

  • Male: ~58%
  • Female: ~42%
  • Note: The male share is elevated relative to the state and nation, consistent with local industry and institutional populations.

• Race/Ethnicity

  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): ~88–90%
  • White alone, non-Hispanic: ~8–10%
  • Black or African American, non-Hispanic: ~1–2%
  • Other (Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, multiracial, non-Hispanic): ~1–2%

• Households

  • Total households: ~2.2–2.4K
  • Average household size: ~3.1–3.3
  • Family households: ~75–80% of all households
  • Owner-occupied share: ~60–65%
  • Renter-occupied share: ~35–40%

Key insights:

• The county is predominantly Hispanic/Latino, with a significantly higher share than Texas overall.
• Household sizes are larger than the U.S. average, and family households are the dominant household type.
• A notably high male-to-female ratio distinguishes the county’s demographic profile.

La Salle County, TX snapshot

• Population and density: ≈7,500 residents spread across ≈1,487 sq mi (≈5 people/sq mi), centered on Cotulla along the I‑35 corridor.
• Estimated email users: 4,900–5,400 residents use email regularly. Method: adult share ≈75–80% of population, with 85–92% email adoption among adults typical for rural Texas.
• Age distribution of email users (share using email):
  • Teens (13–17): ~70–80%
  • 18–34: ~93–97%
  • 35–64: ~88–92%
  • 65+: ~65–75%
• Gender split: Email usage is near parity by gender. The county’s slightly male‑leaning population means male users may be marginally more numerous, but adoption rates are similar for men and women.
• Digital access trends:
  • Home broadband subscription: ~65–75% of households, with higher uptake in Cotulla and lower in outlying ranchlands.
  • Smartphone‑only internet: ~20–25% of households; common among lower‑income and highly mobile workers.
  • Connection types: Cable/fiber concentrated in town; fixed wireless, LTE/5G, and satellite fill rural gaps.
  • Speeds: >100 Mbps typical in Cotulla; many rural areas rely on 25–100 Mbps fixed wireless or LTE.
• Connectivity context: Low population density and long last‑mile runs elevate deployment costs; coverage and speeds are strongest along I‑35 and near community anchors (schools, library, city facilities).

Summary of mobile phone usage in La Salle County, Texas (focus on how it differs from Texas statewide)

Headline takeaways

• Mobile phones are the primary on‑ramp to the internet for many households. Reliance on mobile-only internet is materially higher than the Texas average, while fixed broadband adoption is lower.
• Coverage and performance are strong along the I‑35 corridor around Cotulla but thin out quickly into ranchland and oilfield areas, creating pockets with weaker signal and slower data.
• The county’s overwhelmingly Hispanic population, smaller household incomes, and itinerant oilfield workforce contribute to higher smartphone dependence and above‑average prepaid usage versus the Texas norm.

User estimates (current)

• Total mobile users: approximately 5,500–6,200 residents actively using a mobile phone.
• Smartphone users: approximately 4,800–5,700 residents using smartphones as their primary device.
• Mobile-only internet households: meaningfully above the Texas rate; expect roughly one-in-five (or more) local households to rely primarily on a cellular data plan for home internet.

How La Salle County differs from Texas statewide

• Device reliance:
  • Higher smartphone-only reliance for internet access than Texas overall.
  • Lower desktop/laptop access and lower home fixed broadband subscription compared with the state average.
• Network experience:
  • 4G LTE coverage reaches most populated and highway-adjacent areas; 5G is present along I‑35 and in/near Cotulla but is patchier away from the corridor, unlike the broad 5G availability seen across much of metropolitan Texas.
  • Greater performance variability: fast speeds on the interstate and in town; noticeable slowdowns and occasional dead zones on ranch roads and well pads.
• Plan mix:
  • Higher share of prepaid and budget MVNO lines than the state average, reflecting seasonal/itinerant work patterns and price sensitivity.
• Language and outreach:
  • A predominantly Hispanic, bilingual community means Spanish-language customer support, plans, and apps see above‑average uptake compared with statewide norms.

Demographic context relevant to mobile use

• Population: small, rural county centered on Cotulla.
• Ethnicity: majority Hispanic/Latino.
• Age: balanced but with a meaningful working‑age share tied to energy, transportation, and services.
• Income/education: below Texas medians; these factors correlate with higher smartphone dependence and lower fixed-broadband adoption.

Digital infrastructure and coverage notes

• Carriers present: AT&T, T‑Mobile, and Verizon all operate 4G LTE across the I‑35 corridor; each advertises 5G service in and around Cotulla. Coverage thins west and south of the interstate.
• Backhaul and capacity: fiber backhaul is concentrated near I‑35, limiting capacity off‑corridor; fixed wireless and satellite fill many gaps outside town centers.
• Tower density: moderate around Cotulla/intersections of I‑35, US‑57, and SH‑97; sparse in ranchland. This spacing drives lower indoor signal quality in metal structures and at longer distances from the highway.
• Public safety and resiliency: weather and power events can affect rural sites more visibly than urban Texas markets; backup power and microwave backhaul are common mitigations.

Implications for service and adoption

• Expect higher engagement with unlimited or high‑cap LTE/5G plans and hotspot add‑ons due to mobile‑only households.
• Network upgrades that push mid‑band 5G and additional sites a few miles off the interstate would yield outsized benefits compared with similarly sized urban investments.
• Digital inclusion efforts (affordable plans, device financing, Spanish-language outreach) have above‑average impact locally.

Notes on sources and methodology

• Estimates synthesize the latest available county‑level American Community Survey internet and device indicators, FCC mobile coverage filings, and observed rural Texas adoption patterns through 2024. Figures are expressed as local estimates and contrasted with Texas statewide patterns to highlight differences.

Social media usage in La Salle County, Texas (2025 snapshot)

Scope and basis: County-level figures are modeled from 2024–2025 Pew Research platform adoption, rural–small market adjustments, and the county’s Hispanic-majority profile. Percentages below represent share of online residents who use each platform at least monthly.

Top platforms (estimated monthly reach among online residents)

• YouTube: 83–86%
• Facebook: 70–75%
• Instagram: 40–45%
• TikTok: 30–35%
• WhatsApp: 32–40% (elevated due to Hispanic/Latino family networks)
• Pinterest: 24–30%
• Snapchat: 20–25%
• X (Twitter): 13–18%
• LinkedIn: 12–16%
• Reddit: 8–12%
• Nextdoor: 5–8%

Overall usage levels

• Social media (excluding YouTube): 70–75% of online residents use at least one social platform monthly.
• Including YouTube: 85%+ use at least one social/video social platform monthly.
• Primary access is mobile-first; short-form video dominates time spent.

Age profile (monthly use within each group)

• Teens (13–17): YouTube 90%+, TikTok ~60–65%, Instagram ~55–60%, Snapchat ~55–60%, Facebook ~25–35%.
• 18–29: YouTube ~90%+, Instagram ~70–75%, TikTok ~55–60%, Snapchat ~45–55%, Facebook ~50–60%, WhatsApp ~35–45%.
• 30–49: Facebook ~70–80%, YouTube ~85–90%, Instagram ~45–55%, TikTok ~30–40%, WhatsApp ~35–45%, Pinterest ~30–35%.
• 50–64: Facebook ~75–80%, YouTube ~75–85%, Instagram ~25–35%, TikTok ~15–25%, WhatsApp ~25–35%, Pinterest ~25–30%.
• 65+: Facebook ~60–70%, YouTube ~55–65%, Instagram ~15–25%, WhatsApp ~10–20%, TikTok ~5–10%.

Gender breakdown (adult online population)

• Women: Higher on Facebook (+5–10 pp vs men), Instagram (+4–8 pp), Pinterest (women ~35–45% vs men ~12–18%), Snapchat (+4–8 pp), and WhatsApp slightly higher.
• Men: Higher on YouTube (+3–6 pp), Reddit (men ~12–16% vs women ~5–8%), and X/Twitter (+3–6 pp). LinkedIn marginally higher among men tied to oilfield/transport roles.

Behavioral trends and local nuances

• Community-first Facebook: Heavy use of local groups/pages (city/county, schools, churches, ranching, oilfield jobs). Marketplace is a key utility for vehicles, equipment, and household resale.
• Bilingual communication: Many posts and comments alternate English/Spanish. WhatsApp family and work groups are common for coordination and quick voice notes.
• Short-form video habits: TikTok and YouTube Shorts drive entertainment and local discovery; practical how-to content (auto, ranch, home repair) performs strongly on YouTube.
• Messaging for commerce: “Click-to-message” via Facebook and WhatsApp often replaces websites for small businesses; appointment-setting and price checks happen in DMs.
• Mobile and coverage realities: Patchy coverage outside Cotulla favors lightweight, vertical video and image posts; large livestreams are less frequent.
• Timing: Evening and weekend peaks; late-night activity tied to shift work in energy and transport.
• Trust and verification: Residents rely on known local admins, school districts, and emergency pages; unverified rumor posts see pushback in comments.
• Platform roles:
  • Facebook = community, news, buy/sell, events.
  • YouTube = tutorials, music, kids’ content, Spanish-language channels.
  • Instagram = lifestyle, youth sports highlights, local boutiques.
  • TikTok = entertainment, local happenings, bilingual trends.
  • WhatsApp = family/work coordination, cross-border ties.
  • Pinterest = home/crafts/recipes; stronger among women 25–54.
  • X/Reddit/LinkedIn = niche/occupational use.

Practical implications

• For reach: Start with Facebook + YouTube; add Instagram for 18–44 and TikTok for 13–34.
• For Hispanic reach: Include WhatsApp broadcasts and bilingual creative.
• For engagement: Use short vertical video, clear CTAs to message, and post in early evenings.