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Texas Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Texas is a state in the South Central region of the United States. It shares borders with Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, and New Mexico to the west, along with the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the south and southwest. Texas is the second-most populous state in the United States and also the second-largest state by land area.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas recorded a population of 29,145,505 in the 2020 Census. The latest Census population estimate (July 1, 2024) places Texas’s population at 31,290,831 (31.2 million), reflecting an increase of over 2 million people since 2020.
Based on recent Census trends, strong net domestic and international migration, and natural population growth, Texas is projected to experience healthy population growth over the next few years.
Projected Population of Texas (2026): ~33 million
Texas Population Growth (2010–2020)
Between 2010 and 2020, Texas recorded strong population growth, significantly outpacing the national average.
Population Increase: 3,999,944 people (approximately 4 million)
Decadal Growth Rate: 15.9%
This growth was driven by a combination of net domestic migration, international immigration, and natural population increase.
Texas also has a relatively young population compared to many other U.S. states.
Median Age: ~34.2 years
Gender Composition: 50.4% female and 49.6% male
Texas Census Snapshot (2020)
| Indicator | Cata |
| Total Population | 2,91,45,505 (29.14 million |
| Percentage Change (2010–2020) | 15.9% |
| Population Rank | 2nd |
| Total Land Area | 261,232 sq mi (676,587 km2) |
| Area Rank | 2nd |
| Population Density | 114/sq mi |
Source: US Census 2020
Texas Historical Population
Texas has a population growth rate of 15.9% during 2010 – 2020. In 1910, the Population of Texas was 3.8 million and in the year 2020, it reached 29 million, an increase of almost 25 million.
By far the biggest increase in the measured population of Texas took place between 1850 and 1860 when the numbers jumped from 212,592 to 604,215. This represented a rise of an incredible 184.2% and further large jumps were experienced for the rest of the 19th century. Further growth levels settled down by comparison but there has still been a healthy increase
Decadal Population Change (1910–2020)
| Year | Population | Percentage Change |
| 1910 | 3,896,542 | – |
| 1920 | 3,426,861 | -12.05% |
| 1930 | 4,663,228 | 36.08% |
| 1940 | 5,824,715 | 24.91% |
| 1950 | 6,414,824 | 10.13% |
| 1960 | 7,711,194 | 20.21% |
| 1970 | 9,579,677 | 24.23% |
| 1980 | 11,196,730 | 16.88% |
| 1990 | 14,229,191 | 27.08% |
| 2000 | 20,851,820 | 46.54% |
| 2010 | 25,145,561 | 20.59% |
| 2020 | 29,145,505 | 15.91% |
Texas Population Projections
Unlike much of the United States of America, Texas’s growth is fairly constant and as such, it is far easier to predict than other parts of the country. The population of Texas in 2016 is now estimated at 27.4 million, and given its very high growth rate, it will be no surprise to see a substantial jump in the population at the next census.
Currently, 5 of the 15 fastest-growing cities in the United States are located in Texas, and San Marcos, located between San Antonio and Austin, had the highest growth rate of any US city or town with more than 50,000 people between 2011 and 2012.
The population of Texas is estimated to continue the “rural flight” trend, further increasing the population of its larger cities, with growth fueled by the suburbs, as well as recent gas and oil development in many parts of the state. . By 2040, Texas is projected to have a population over 45 million.
Source: US Census Bureau population estimate 2020
Texas Demographics (Summary)
Race and Ethnicity in Texas (Overview)
Texas has a highly diverse racial and ethnic composition. According to the 2020 Census, the White alone (non-Hispanic) population was the largest group, accounting for 39.75% of the total population, closely followed by the Hispanic or Latino population at 39.26%.
Other major groups include:
Black or African American: 11.82%
Asian: 5.36%
Two or More Races: 3.04%
Ancestry in Texas (Overview)
Texas reflects a broad mix of European, African, Asian, and Latin American ancestries. Among European ancestry groups, German, Irish, and English Americans represent the three largest groups. Significant populations of Italian and French Americans are also present in the state.
Black Americans form the largest racial minority group in Texas, while Asian Americans represent a growing minority, including a substantial Indian American population exceeding 200,000 residents.
The Hispanic and Latino population remains one of the largest demographic groups in Texas, numbering nearly 8.5 million people, and plays a major role in shaping the state’s cultural and demographic profile.
read deatiled data Race and Ethnicity in Texas
Religion in Texas (Overview)
Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation in Texas.
Christian: ~77%
Protestant: 50%
Roman Catholic: 23%
Other Christian groups: ~4%
Unaffiliated: ~18%
Non-Christian Religions: ~4%
Non-Christian faiths in Texas include Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other smaller religious communities, each representing around 1% or less of the population.
For more details read Religion in Texas
Cities and Counties in Texas
Texas has some of the largest and fastest-growing urban centers in the United States.
Largest City: Houston
Major Cities: Houston, San Antonio, Dallas
Counties: 254 total
Largest County by Population: Harris County
Largest County by Area: Brewster County
Texas has:
3 cities with 1M+ population
3 cities with 500,000+ population
read more about Cities and Counties in Texas
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