How the city has changed over 35 years: how many people live here, how many police officers there are, how much crime gets reported, and how much money comes in. Every figure comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, or the Texas Comptroller — and links to its source. Summaries are AI-generated from those verified figures: check them against the sources.
The census shows the city had 1,673 residents in 1990. The count grew to 2,462 by 2000 and continued upward, reaching 2,897 in 2011, the highest year listed. After 2011 the numbers gradually fell, dropping to 2,074 in 2020. By 2025 the population was 2,086, which is a change of +413 (+25%) from 1990.
1990In 1990 the population was 1,673, the lowest recorded in the series.
20022002 marked the first year the count reached 2,533, the first time at or above 2,500.
2011The peak was in 2011 with 2,897 residents, the highest year listed.
2025In 2025 the count was 2,086, reflecting a net increase of +413 since 1990.
figures verified against the data · AI-generated from the figures below — verify against the sources.
1,673
people in 1990
2,086
people in 2025
+25% since 1990
People living in South Padre Island, year by year
U.S. Census Bureau estimates as of July 1 each year. Hover a point to see the figure.
Figures South Padre Island's own police department reports to the FBI. A year the department didn't fully report stays blank — never guessed. The per-1,000-residents rates are computed by us: FBI crime counts divided by Census population.
AI summary
Violent crimes reported to the South Padre Island police rose from 26 in 1990 to 33 in 2025, a net increase of 7 incidents (+27%). The peak was 80 incidents in 2006, while the low was 15 in 1997. Property crimes fell sharply, dropping from 727 incidents in 1990 to 226 in 2025, a decline of 501 incidents (‑69%). The highest property‑crime year was 1994 with 841 reports; the lowest was 2025 with 226. The police force grew from 16 sworn officers in 1990 to 28 in 2025, an increase of 12 officers (+75%).
2006In 2006 the police recorded the highest number of violent crimes, 80 incidents.
19941994 saw the most property‑crime reports, 841 incidents.
2025The lowest property‑crime count was in 2025, with 226 reports.
20132013 had the most sworn officers, 31 members.
1990In 1990 violent crimes amounted to 15.5 per 1,000 residents.
figures verified against the data · AI-generated from the figures below — verify against the sources.
Sworn police officers
Reported by the department to the FBI (count as of Oct 31). Gaps in the line are years the department didn't report.
· FBI Crime Data Explorer
Violent crimes per 1,000 residents
Computed by us: crimes reported to the FBI ÷ Census population × 1,000. The original counts are in the table below.
Property crimes per 1,000 residents
Burglary, vehicle theft, larceny. Same computation as above.
South Padre Island’s sales‑tax revenue from the state grew from $2,863,860 in 2013 to $5,636,183 in 2025. The total increase over the period was $2,772,323, which the data notes is a 97% rise. The city first received at least $5,000,000 in 2021, and the highest amount recorded was $5,644,979 in 2023. After peaking in 2023, the 2024 payment fell to $5,231,651 before rising again in 2025.
2013The lowest recorded payment was $2,863,860 in 2013.
20212021 was the first year the payment reached $5,000,000, with $5,162,018 received.
2023The highest payment was $5,644,979 in 2023.
2025From 2013 to 2025 the payment grew by $2,772,323, a 97% increase.
figures verified against the data · AI-generated from the figures below — verify against the sources.
Sales tax paid to the city, by year
Monthly allocation payments from the Texas Comptroller to the City of South Padre Island, summed per calendar year. The online public record starts in 2013.
Historical property tax rates and year-by-year city employee counts don't exist in any machine-readable public record reaching back to 1990. When the city or the state publishes them, they'll appear here. We don't show figures we can't link to a source — that's how we work.