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Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
Texas is the most populous state in the Southern United States. It is the second-largest U.S. state by both size and number of people, covering 268,596 square miles and home to over 31.7 million people. Texas is called the "Lone Star State" because of the single star on its flag. This reminds us of when it was its own country called the Republic of Texas.
Spain was the first European country to claim Texas. Later, it became part of Mexico and then joined the United States in 1845 as the 28th state. The state has an interesting history, including the Texas Revolution and a time when it was part of the Confederate States during the American Civil War.
Today's Texas has a strong and varied economy. Important industries include cattle, cotton, oil, technology, and many others. The state is a leader in tourism, agriculture, energy, computers, aerospace, and more. Big cities like the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and Greater Houston are very populous, while Austin, the capital, is known for its culture and technology. Texas's landscape is very different in various parts, from coastal swamps and pine forests in the east to deserts and mountains in the west.
Etymology
The name Texas comes from the Caddo word táy:shaʼ, meaning 'friend'. The Spanish called the area Tejas or Texas.
During Spanish colonial rule, the land was known as Nuevas Filipinas ('New Philippines') or provincia de los Tejas. Later, it joined the Mexican Empire in 1821 and became a republic in 1836. Both Tejas and Texas are correct Spanish spellings of the name.
History
Texas lies between two big areas of Pre-Columbian North America: the Southwestern and the Plains areas. Many Native American groups lived there long ago, such as the Ancestral Puebloans, Mississippian culture, and people from Mesoamerica. When Europeans came, tribes like the Caddo, Apache, and Comanche were there.
Texas became a state when Europeans started exploring in the 1500s. Spanish missionaries set up towns. Later, the land was part of Mexico. In the 1830s, people fought for Texas to be free, called the Texas Revolution. After that, Texas was its own country for a short time. In 1845, Texas became part of the United States. This led to a war between the United States and Mexico. Over time, Texas grew into an important place for business and culture in America.
Main article: History of Texas
Further information: Pre-Columbian Mexico and Native American tribes in Texas
Geography
Main article: Geography of Texas
Texas is the second-largest U.S. state by area, after Alaska. It is bigger than all of the states in the contiguous United States combined. If Texas were its own country, it would be the 39th-largest in the world.
Texas sits in the south central part of the United States. It shares borders with Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and four Mexican states: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. The Rio Grande forms a natural boundary with Mexico. Texas also has a coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.
The state has many different landscapes. In the southeast, you’ll find the Gulf Coastal Plains with thick pine forests. Central Texas has the Great Plains and Llano Estacado, which are mostly prairies and steppes. Far West Texas, called the “Trans-Pecos”, has deserts, mountains, and grasslands.
Texas has many rivers, with the Rio Grande being the longest. Other major rivers include the Brazos, Colorado, and Red River. Although Texas doesn’t have many natural lakes, people have built over a hundred artificial reservoirs.
The weather in Texas changes a lot. The Panhandle has cold winters, while the Gulf Coast stays mild. Some parts get a lot of rain—up to 64 inches a year—while places like El Paso get only about 9 inches. Snow is rare except in the Panhandle and West Texas mountains. Summers can be very hot, especially along the coast.
Texas sees many storms, especially thunderstorms and tornadoes. The state leads the U.S. in tornadoes. Hurricanes also hit Texas often. These storms can cause a lot of damage.
Texas has three big cities—Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas—each with over a million people. There are also many smaller cities and towns. The state is divided into 254 counties, the most of any state. Each county has its own government, led by a group of elected commissioners and a county judge.
| Location | August (°F) | August (°C) | January (°F) | January (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 94/75 | 34/24 | 63/54 | 17/12 |
| San Antonio | 96/74 | 35/23 | 63/40 | 17/5 |
| Dallas | 96/77 | 36/25 | 57/37 | 16/3 |
| Austin | 97/74 | 36/23 | 61/45 | 16/5 |
| El Paso | 92/67 | 33/21 | 57/32 | 14/0 |
| Laredo | 100/77 | 37/25 | 67/46 | 19/7 |
| Amarillo | 89/64 | 32/18 | 50/23 | 10/−4 |
| Brownsville | 94/76 | 34/24 | 70/51 | 21/11 |
| Largest city in Texas by year | |
|---|---|
| Year(s) | City |
| 1850–1870 | San Antonio |
| 1870–1890 | Galveston |
| 1890–1900 | Dallas |
| 1900–1930 | San Antonio |
| 1930–present | Houston |
Largest cities or towns in Texas 2022 U.S. Census Bureau Estimate | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name | County | Pop. | Rank | Name | County | Pop. | ||
| 1 | Houston | Harris | 2,302,878 | 11 | Laredo | Webb | 256,187 | ||
| 2 | San Antonio | Bexar | 1,472,909 | 12 | Irving | Dallas | 254,715 | ||
| 3 | Dallas | Dallas | 1,299,544 | 13 | Garland | Dallas | 240,854 | ||
| 4 | Austin | Travis | 974,447 | 14 | Frisco | Collin | 219,587 | ||
| 5 | Fort Worth | Tarrant | 956,709 | 15 | McKinney | Collin | 207,507 | ||
| 6 | El Paso | El Paso | 677,456 | 16 | Grand Prairie | Dallas | 201,843 | ||
| 7 | Arlington | Tarrant | 394,602 | 17 | Amarillo | Potter | 201,291 | ||
| 8 | Corpus Christi | Nueces | 316,239 | 18 | Brownsville | Cameron | 189,382 | ||
| 9 | Plano | Collin | 289,547 | 19 | Killeen | Bell | 159,172 | ||
| 10 | Lubbock | Lubbock | 263,930 | 20 | Denton | Denton | 150,353 | ||
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Texas
Texas is a big state with many people. In 2020, about 29 million people lived there. By 2024, this grew to around 31 million. It is the second most populous state in the United States, just after California.
Many people in Texas were born in other countries. In 2020, over 4 million people came from another country, mostly from Mexico. Texas also has people from India, El Salvador, Vietnam, and China. Some of these people are U.S. citizens, while others are still waiting to become citizens.
Texas has many different kinds of people. In 2020, about 40% of people were White, 12% were Black, 5% were Asian, and 40% were Hispanic or Latino. This means many different cultures and languages live together in Texas.
Race and ethnicity
In 2020, Texas had a mix of racial and ethnic groups. About 43% of the population was White (including both Hispanic and non-Hispanic), 12% was Black, 5% was Asian, and around 40% was Hispanic or Latino. This diversity makes Texas an interesting place to live.
Languages
People in Texas speak many languages. Most people, about 65%, speak only English at home. But many others speak Spanish, which is the second most common language. Some people also speak Vietnamese, Chinese, French, German, and many other languages. This shows how many different cultures live in Texas.
Religion
Texas has many different religions. Most people are Christian, with many belonging to Catholic or Protestant churches. There are also Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities, especially in big cities. Some people do not follow any religion at all. This variety means people in Texas have many ways to practice their beliefs.
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 212,592 | — | |
| 1860 | 604,215 | 184.2% | |
| 1870 | 818,579 | 35.5% | |
| 1880 | 1,591,749 | 94.5% | |
| 1890 | 2,235,527 | 40.4% | |
| 1900 | 3,048,710 | 36.4% | |
| 1910 | 3,896,542 | 27.8% | |
| 1920 | 4,663,228 | 19.7% | |
| 1930 | 5,824,715 | 24.9% | |
| 1940 | 6,414,824 | 10.1% | |
| 1950 | 7,711,194 | 20.2% | |
| 1960 | 9,579,677 | 24.2% | |
| 1970 | 11,196,730 | 16.9% | |
| 1980 | 14,229,191 | 27.1% | |
| 1990 | 16,986,510 | 19.4% | |
| 2000 | 20,851,820 | 22.8% | |
| 2010 | 25,145,561 | 20.6% | |
| 2020 | 29,145,505 | 15.9% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 31,709,821 | 8.8% | |
| 1910–2020 | |||
| Race and ethnicity | Alone | |
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | — | 40.2% |
| Non-Hispanic White | 39.7% | 39.8% |
| African American | 11.8% | 12.8% |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.1% |
| Native American | 0.3% | 1.4% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Other | 0.4% | 1.0% |
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 10,933,313 | 11,397,345 | 11,584,597 | 52.43% | 45.33% | 39.75% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,364,255 | 2,886,825 | 3,444,712 | 11.34% | 11.48% | 11.82% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 68,859 | 80,586 | 85,425 | 0.33% | 0.32% | 0.29% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 554,445 | 948,426 | 1,561,518 | 2.66% | 3.77% | 5.36% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 10,757 | 17,920 | 27,857 | 0.05% | 0.07% | 0.10% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 19,958 | 33,980 | 113,584 | 0.10% | 0.14% | 0.39% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 230,567 | 319,558 | 886,095 | 1.11% | 1.27% | 3.04% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6,669,666 | 9,460,921 | 11,441,717 | 31.99% | 37.62% | 39.26% |
| Total | 20,851,820 | 25,145,561 | 29,145,505 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Economy
Main article: Economy of Texas
See also: Texas locations by per capita income and Texas Stock Exchange
Texas has a very big economy. As of 2024, its economy was worth $2.664 trillion, the second largest of any U.S. state. This is more than the entire economy of Brazil, which is the 8th largest in the world. Texas is home to many big businesses and has the second-highest number of Fortune 500 companies in the United States.
The state's economy is diverse. It has strong areas in farming, energy, technology, and transportation. Texas has many farms and leads the nation in livestock and cotton production. It is also a top producer of oil and natural gas. The state has many technology companies, especially in areas like Austin, known as the "Silicon Hills." Texas has important transportation networks, including many highways, airports, and ports, making it a key hub for moving goods across the country and to other countries.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Texas
See also: List of Texas symbols
Texas culture is a mix of Southern, Western, and Southwestern styles. Foods like the breakfast burrito show this mix, using ingredients from different traditions. People from many places have moved to Texas, adding to its rich culture.
Texas is famous for its cowboys and country music. The state is also known for its oil history and the slogan "Don't Mess with Texas," which began as an ad against littering. Texans often say "everything is bigger in Texas" to describe the state's large size and spirit.
Further information: Music of Texas
Houston has many important theaters and music groups. Dallas and Austin are known for their lively music scenes, especially jazz, blues, and country. San Antonio is famous for Tejano music.
Main article: Sports in Texas
Further information: List of University Interscholastic League events
Texas has many professional sports teams, including NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL teams. College football is very popular, with big rivalries between schools. Texans also love rodeos, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest in the world. The state also hosts big car races and has teams in other sports like lacrosse.
Education
Main article: Education in Texas
Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas, is called the “Father of Texas Education.” He set aside land for public schools and universities.
Texas has many school districts, all managed by the Texas Education Agency. Students take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) to check their skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Further information: List of colleges and universities in Texas
Texas is home to many famous universities. The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are two of the best-known schools in the state. Texas also has private universities, such as Rice University and Baylor University. The state has three presidential libraries on university campuses.
Healthcare
Main article: Healthcare in Texas
See also: List of hospitals in Texas
Texas has many top research medical centers. One of the biggest is the Texas Medical Center in Houston. It has many hospitals and research groups working together.
Texas has two special labs for very dangerous germs. One is at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and the other is at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio.
The state also has many medical schools and famous research places. These include the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the South Texas Medical Center in San Antonio. Dallas is home to the American Heart Association and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which has many teachers who have won a Nobel prize.
Government and politics
The current Texas Constitution was adopted in 1876. It helps keep powers separate and has more rights than the national government.
Texas has a plural executive branch where people vote for leaders separately. This includes the governor, lieutenant governor, and other important jobs. The bicameral Texas Legislature has a House of Representatives and a Senate. The judiciary of Texas has two main courts for different types of cases.
People in Texas usually vote for Republican leaders, especially in smaller towns and suburbs. But big cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso often vote for Democratic leaders. Texas is known for fiscal conservatism and socially conservative values.
Main article: Government of Texas
Further information: Law of Texas
See also: List of Texas state agencies
Main article: Politics of Texas
Further information: Political party strength in Texas
See also: Republican Party of Texas and Texas Democratic Party
Main article: Crime in Texas
Images
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