Using the 2010 US Census statistics, the State of Texas had a population of 25,145,561 a year or so ago. Dividing the total Texas population by the number of counties, 254, yields an average population of 98,998 per Texas county. Dragging my mouse over the interactive county population map (http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/) it appears that Bowie County, in the northeast corner of Texas, comes closest to the average popluation: 92,565.
But what's really interesting to me about Texas counties is the remarkable range of population. The smallest county in the state, Loving County, had only 82 residents in 2010! As far as I can tell, that's the "smallest" county in the United States. By a lot. In fact, by my count in 2010 Texas had 6 counties with fewer than 1,000 residents: Loving (82), Kenedy (416), Borden (641), McMullen (707), Kent (808), and Terrell (984). I've visited 4 of the 6 thus far. They are very, shall we say, empty. I'm looking forward to visiting Loving County. If only to determine how many of the 82 residents work for the county!
On the other end of the scale, Texas now has 5 counties with a population exceeding one million: Travis (1,024,266) is the newest member of this group, Bexar (1,714,773), Tarrant (1,809,034), Dallas (2,368,139), and Harris (4,092,459). These 5 largest counties (about 2% of the counties in Texas) account for about 44% of the state's entired population! And, the remaining 249 counties (about 98% of the counties in Texas) account for about 56% of the state's population.
Needless to say, the significant range in county population in Texas is reflected in the size and number of county buildings, including courthouses, found across the state. Not to mention, the budgets of these counties.
These statistics are chiefly responsible, among other factors, for providing those of us traveling the Texas courthouse trail with never ending surprises around every bend in road; over every hill; and across each county line.
But what's really interesting to me about Texas counties is the remarkable range of population. The smallest county in the state, Loving County, had only 82 residents in 2010! As far as I can tell, that's the "smallest" county in the United States. By a lot. In fact, by my count in 2010 Texas had 6 counties with fewer than 1,000 residents: Loving (82), Kenedy (416), Borden (641), McMullen (707), Kent (808), and Terrell (984). I've visited 4 of the 6 thus far. They are very, shall we say, empty. I'm looking forward to visiting Loving County. If only to determine how many of the 82 residents work for the county!
On the other end of the scale, Texas now has 5 counties with a population exceeding one million: Travis (1,024,266) is the newest member of this group, Bexar (1,714,773), Tarrant (1,809,034), Dallas (2,368,139), and Harris (4,092,459). These 5 largest counties (about 2% of the counties in Texas) account for about 44% of the state's entired population! And, the remaining 249 counties (about 98% of the counties in Texas) account for about 56% of the state's population.
Needless to say, the significant range in county population in Texas is reflected in the size and number of county buildings, including courthouses, found across the state. Not to mention, the budgets of these counties.
These statistics are chiefly responsible, among other factors, for providing those of us traveling the Texas courthouse trail with never ending surprises around every bend in road; over every hill; and across each county line.
Gas Station, Oilton, Webb County, Texas. October 27, 2011.
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