Texas has the second largest population in USA with population over 29 million, which accounts for 6.8% of the US population. It is also the second largest state by size in US. The state’s capital city is Austin but the largest city by population in Texas is Houston with population over 2.3 million. The state has three cities with populations exceeding one million: Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas.
The state is located in the South Central region of the country USA. It has a total area of 696,241 km2 and covers 7 percent of America. Texas shares borders with Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Based on our research, Texas population will reach 31.956 million by 1st July of 2024. We use first day of July each year due to US census bureau normally publishes the estimated population data for the same period. The calculation is based on the average growth rate of 1.71% over last 12 years since 2011. We believe using the recent years’ figures (see the table in next section) will make the estimation more accurate.
Population Growth of Texas
Looking back last twelve years of Texas’s population, the growth rate is strong and consistent ranging from 1.53% to 2.12%, adding around 0.4 million to 0.59 million people each year to the overall population. Lots of workers were moving to Texas to take advantage of employment opportunities there, which contributes to the population growth. Comparing with other US states, Texas growth rate is above the average and one of the fastest growth states in the country.
Year | Population (million) |
Growth rate |
2011 | 25.65 | n/a |
2012 | 26.07 | 1.64% |
2013 | 26.47 | 1.53% |
2014 | 26.94 | 1.78% |
2015 | 27.43 | 1.82% |
2016 | 27.86 | 1.57% |
2017 | 28.45 | 2.12% |
2018 | 28.95 | 1.72% |
2019 | 29.44 | 1.69% |
2020 | 29.89 | 1.54% |
2021 | 30.41 | 1.74% |
2022 | 30.91 | 1.64% |
2023 | 31.42 | 1.65% |
Demographics of Texas
According to U.S. Census Bureau, 49.6 percent of the Texas population is male and 50.4 percent are female. Average male age is 32 and average female age is 34, so average state age is 33.
The top five races for people living in Texas are: White(81.1%),Black(13.2%),Asian(5.4%),Native(0.3%),Hispanic(47.4%).
The top five languages (other than English) spoken in Texas are: Spanish(29.46%) ,Chinese(0.43%) ,German(0.29%) ,French(0.26%) ,Kru, Ibo, Yoruba(0.16%). As you can see Spanish dominate the non-English speaking Language due to Latin American immigrant population.
The religious makeup of Texas is: Evangelical Protestant(64.4%),Roman Catholic(21.2%),Mainline Protestant(8.1%),Orthodox(0.1%),Hindu, Sikhs, Buddhists, Muslim, others(2.0%),Unclaimed(4.5%).
Population Density of Texas
Texas’s population density is 40 people per square kilometer, which is ranking 26th most populated state in US. We are a bit surprised Texas cannot top the list even in the top 10 of list considering it has the second biggest population among other states in US.
Top 5 Largest Cities by Population
The population figures below are based on the estimated by United States Census. They are subject to change. We will endeavor to make the figures as accurate as possible.
Houston – Being the most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and the fourth-most populous city in the United States, the city has over 2.3 million people that accounts for 8% of the state population. The city was named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas. It is also known as “Space City” … read more about Houston population 2023.
San Antonio– The city ranks the second most populated city in Texas with population around 1.5 million that accounts for 5.3% of the state population. It is also the seventh-most populous city in the United States. The city is straddling the regional divide between South and Central Texas… read more about San Antonio population 2023.
Dallas– The city has population over 1.3 million that accounts for 4.56% of the state population. The city’s population ranks ninth in United States and third in Texas after Houston and San Antonio. It is Located in North Texas. Dallas is the main core of the largest metropolitan area in the South and the largest inland metropolitan area in the United State… read more about Dallas population 2023.
Austin– The city has population over 960,000 that accounts for 3.34% of the state population. The city’s population ranks 11th in United States and fourth in Texas after Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. It is the most populous state capital in the U.S that isn’t the most populous city in a state. It is headquarter for many world famous companies like IBM, Google, and Intel etc…read more about Austin population 2023.
Fort Worth– The city has population over 855,000 that accounts for 3% of the state population. The city is in North Central Texas. Fort Worth population growth is one of the fastest cities in US. 50.9% of people living Fort Worth are female while 49.1% are male. The city’s Motto is “Where the West begins”…read more about Fort Worth population 2023.
Facts About Texas
- The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845.
- The name ‘Texas’ came from the Caddo Indian word ‘tayshas’ meaning “friends” or “allies”.
- Texas has the largest state capitol building in the United States.
- Texas has highest highway speed limit in USA (85 miles per hour).
- Amarillo, Texas is called “Helium Capital of the World” since it has America’s National Helium Reserve which stores about 90% of the world’s recoverable helium.
- Texas is 221 times bigger than the smallest state in the United States, Rhode Island.
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the second largest by area in the United States, and fourth in the world with 18,076 acres and 7 runways.
- The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the United States’ largest rose garden.
References
The following links provide data for this topic:
- U.S. Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov
- Texas Government: https://texas.gov/
- History.com: http://www.history.com