Women’s History Month 2024

During Women's History Month in March, we highlighted the demographic and social characteristics of women in Texas through our social media posts. At younger ages, there are fewer women than men due to a birth sex ratio that favors males, but as people age, the population tends to skew towards females, mainly because of their higher survival rates. In 2020, women aged 85 and older made up 63% of the population in Texas for that age group.

Percent Female Population by Age Group in Texas, 2020

Source:U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile.

In 2022, women comprised 46% of the Texan civilian workforce across various occupations. Over the past decade, women have notably increased their representation in traditionally male-dominated fields, while participation in some female-dominated sectors has declined.

Changes in Women’s Participation by Occupation Since 2012, Texas

Source:U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, 2012 and 2022.

According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, women in Texas are surpassing men in educational attainment with women earning 59% of all degrees compared to 41% of degrees earned by men.

Degrees Awarded by Gender

Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Data Dashboard, 2022.

Degrees Awarded by Ethnicity and Gender

Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Data Dashboard, 2022.

Despite these advancements in education, women still earn less than their male counterparts. The gender pay gap persists both in Texas and nationwide, with women earning only 83.6% of what men earned in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This gap remains consistent even when women have attained the same level of education as men.

Median Earnings by Field of Bachelor’s Degree for First Major in Texas, 2022

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, 2022.