Demographics of Texas

Texas is the second largest state in population in the United States, just after California. As of 2023, Texas had a population of over 30 million people. This growth shows that many families and individuals have been moving to Texas over the years.

The state has many big cities and areas where lots of people live, such as Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. These cities are part of large spaces called metropolitan areas. Besides these big cities, Texas also has many smaller towns and rural areas where people live.

Because of its large population and many cities, Texas plays an important role in the United States. It has many jobs, schools, and places for people to live, making it a busy and lively place to be.

Population

Texas is the second-largest U.S. state by population, after California. It is also the most populous state in the South Central United States and the South. Between 2000 and 2010, Texas had the largest increase in population of any U.S. state.

At the 2020 United States census, Texas had a population of 29,145,505. This was a 15.9% increase from the 2010 U.S. census. By 2023, Texas had more than 30 million people, joining California as the only states with over 30 million residents. This growth came from people moving into the state from other U.S. states, from other countries, and from natural increases like births.

As of 2012, about 4.1 million people in Texas were born in another country, making up around 15% of the state's population at that time.

Net domestic migration

Race, ethnicity, and tribal affiliation

See also: Native American tribes in Texas, History of Mexican Americans in Texas, History of African Americans in Texas, History of Chinese Americans in Texas, Hispanics and Latinos in Texas, Czech Texans, German Texan, and Japanese in Texas

In 2021, about 40% of people in Texas were Hispanic or Latino. About 39% were white, and 12% were Black or African American. Smaller groups included American Indian, Asian, and Pacific Islander people. In 2020, the numbers were very similar.

Texas has always had many different kinds of people. In 1980, German, Irish, and English Americans were some of the largest groups. Today, many people in Texas come from Mexico. There are also communities of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Big cities like Houston and Dallas have people from many parts of the world.

African Americans are about 12% of Texas' population and live mainly in cities like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Native Americans are a very small group, less than 1% of the population. Asian Americans, including people from India, Vietnam, and China, are growing in number, especially in cities like Houston and Dallas.

German descendants live in many parts of Texas, and many families have been there for many generations. The state recognizes Native American tribes, such as the Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas. Over time, Texas has seen growth in many different communities, with people moving to the state for jobs and settling in cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

Vital statistics

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Since 2016, data for births of White Hispanic origin are not collected separately. They are included in the Hispanic group. People of Hispanic origin can be of any race.

Languages

People in Texas mainly speak a special kind of American English called Texan English. This mix comes from Southern and Western American English. Some people also speak Louisiana Creole, especially in Southeast Texas. Other common languages include Chicano English, African American Vernacular English, and General American English.

In 2010, many people in Texas spoke English at home. Some spoke Spanish. Small groups spoke Vietnamese, Chinese, German, Tagalog, and French. Today, most Texans speak only English, but many speak another language. Spanish is the most common language besides English.

Religion

In Texas, most people follow Christianity. Many Texans are Protestants or Catholics. Texas is part of the Bible Belt, where Christian beliefs are strong.

Some people in Texas follow other religions or have no religious beliefs at all. Small groups include Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. These groups are especially found in big cities.

Settlements

See also: List of cities in Texas, List of Texas metropolitan areas, List of cities in Texas by population, and List of United States cities by population

As of 2010, Texas had three big cities with more than one million people: Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. These cities are among the ten biggest cities in the United States. By 2020, six Texas cities had more than 600,000 people. Austin, Fort Worth, and El Paso are also among the twenty largest cities in the United States. Texas has four large areas called metropolitan areas with more than a million people: Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown, San Antonio–New Braunfels, and Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos.

Three major highways—I-35 to the west, I-45 to the east, and I-10 to the south—form what is called the Texas Triangle megaregion. This area covers about 60,000 square miles (160,000 km²) and includes most of the state's largest cities and nearly 75 percent of Texas's population. Houston and Dallas are considered important world cities. Texas has 254 counties, which is more than any other state.

Some rural areas in Texas, called colonias, often lack basic services. Hidalgo County had the most colonias.