List of counties in Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Counties of Texas
LocationState of Texas
Number254
Populations51 (Loving) – 4,780,913 (Harris) State Population 2022 30,029,572
Areas149 square miles (390 km2) (Rockwall) – 6,192 square miles (16,040 km2) (Brewster)
Government
Subdivisions

The U.S. state of Texas is divided into 254 counties, more than any other U.S. state.[1] While only about 20% of Texas counties are generally located within the Houston—Dallas—San Antonio—Austin areas, they serve a majority of the state's population with approximately 22,000,000 inhabitants.

Texas was originally divided into municipalities (municipios in Spanish), a unit of local government under Spanish and Mexican rule. When the Republic of Texas gained its independence in 1836, the 23 municipalities became the original Texas counties. Many of these were later divided into new counties. The last county to be initially created was Kenedy County in 1921, but Loving County is the newest organized county; it was first organized in 1893 in an apparent scheme to defraud, abolished in 1897, then reorganized in 1931. Most of these recent counties, especially near the northwest, were created from Bexar County during the 1870s.[2][3][4]

Each county is run by a commissioners' court, consisting of four elected commissioners (one from each of four precincts drawn based on population) and a county judge elected from all the voters of the county. In smaller counties, the county judge actually does perform judicial duties, but in larger counties, the county judge functions as the county's chief executive officer. Certain officials, such as the sheriff and tax collector, are elected separately by the voters, but the commissioners' court determines their office budgets, and sets overall county policy. All county elections are partisan; the one exception is the board of trustees of the Dallas County department of education (the Harris County trustees were elected on a nonpartisan basis until 1984).[5]

While the counties have eminent domain power and control all unincorporated land within their boundaries, they have neither home-rule authority nor zoning power. The county is responsible for providing essential services (except for fire and ambulance, which are often supplied by volunteer fire departments). Unlike other US states, Texas does not allow for consolidated city-county governments. Cities and counties (as well as other political entities) are permitted to enter "interlocal agreements" to share services (as an example, a city and a school district may enter into agreements with the county whereby the county bills for and collects property taxes for the city and school district; thus, only one tax bill is sent instead of three).[6] School districts are independent of county and city government (with the exception of the Stafford Municipal School District, which is city controlled).

The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, which is used by the United States government to uniquely identify states and counties, is provided with each entry.[7] Texas' code is 48, which when combined with any county code would be written in the form of 48XXX. The FIPS code for each county in the table links to census data for that county.

List[edit]

County
FIPS code[8] County seat[9] Est.[9] Origin Etymology Population[10] Area[9] Map
Anderson County 001 Palestine 1846 Houston County Kenneth Lewis Anderson (1805–1845), the last vice president of the Republic of Texas 58,064 1,071 sq mi
(2,774 km2)
State map highlighting Anderson County
Andrews County 003 Andrews 1876 Bexar County Richard Andrews (1800–1835), the first Texan soldier to die in the Texas Revolution 18,334 1,501 sq mi
(3,888 km2)
State map highlighting Andrews County
Angelina County 005 Lufkin 1846 Nacogdoches County A Hainai Native American woman who assisted early Spanish missionaries, whom they called "Little Angel" (Spanish:Angelina) 87,101 802 sq mi
(2,077 km2)
State map highlighting Angelina County
Aransas County 007 Rockport 1871 Refugio County Aransas Bay, named in turn for an early Spanish fort; this support was supposedly named in turn for a Spanish palace Aránzazu, possibly related to the Sanctuario de Aránzazu. (Arantzazu is Basque for "place of thorns") 24,944 252 sq mi
(653 km2)
State map highlighting Aransas County
Archer County 009 Archer City 1858 Fannin County Branch Tanner Archer, a commissioner for the Republic of Texas 8,835 910 sq mi
(2,357 km2)
State map highlighting Archer County
Armstrong County 011 Claude 1876 Bexar County One of several Texas pioneer families, although it is not certain which one 1,850 914 sq mi
(2,367 km2)
State map highlighting Armstrong County
Atascosa County 013 Jourdanton 1856 Bexar County The Spanish word for "boggy" 50,864 1,232 sq mi
(3,191 km2)
State map highlighting Atascosa County
Austin County 015 Bellville 1836 One of the original 23 counties Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836), known as the Father of Texas 31,097 653 sq mi
(1,691 km2)
State map highlighting Austin County
Bailey County 017 Muleshoe 1876 Bexar County Peter James Bailey III, a soldier and defender of the Alamo 6,779 827 sq mi
(2,142 km2)
State map highlighting Bailey County
Bandera County 019 Bandera 1856 Bexar County Bandera Pass, named in turn for the Spanish word for "flag" 22,115 792 sq mi
(2,051 km2)
State map highlighting Bandera County
Bastrop County 021 Bastrop 1836 One of the original 23 counties Baron Felipe Enrique Neri de Bastrop, the Dutch settler who provided essential help to Stephen F. Austin in obtaining his original land grants 106,188 888 sq mi
(2,300 km2)
State map highlighting Bastrop County
Baylor County 023 Seymour 1858 Fannin County Henry Weidner Baylor, a surgeon in the Texas Rangers during the Mexican–American War 3,466 871 sq mi
(2,256 km2)
State map highlighting Baylor County
Bee County 025 Beeville 1857 San Patricio County, Goliad County, Refugio County, Live Oak County, and Karnes County Barnard Elliott Bee, Sr. (1787–1853), a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas 30,394 880 sq mi
(2,279 km2)
State map highlighting Bee County
Bell County 027 Belton 1850 Milam County Peter Hansborough Bell, the third governor of Texas (1849–1853) 388,386 1,059 sq mi
(2,743 km2)
State map highlighting Bell County
Bexar County 029 San Antonio 1836 One of the original 23 counties San Antonio de Béxar, the major presidio in Mexican Texas, named in turn for the San Antonio River and the Spanish viceroy's family, who were Dukes of Béjar in Spain 2,059,530 1,247 sq mi
(3,230 km2)
State map highlighting Bexar County
Blanco County 031 Johnson City 1858 Burnet County, Comal County, Gillespie County and Hays County The Blanco River. (Blanco is Spanish for "white") 12,418 711 sq mi
(1,841 km2)
State map highlighting Blanco County
Borden County 033 Gail 1876 Bexar County Gail Borden, Jr. (1801–1874), businessman, publisher, surveyor, and inventor of condensed milk 585 899 sq mi
(2,328 km2)
State map highlighting Borden County
Bosque County 035 Meridian 1854 McLennan County The Bosque River. (Bosque is Spanish for "wooded") 18,697 989 sq mi
(2,561 km2)
State map highlighting Bosque County
Bowie County 037 New Boston 1840 Red River County James Bowie (1796–1836), the legendary knife fighter who died at the Battle of the Alamo 92,035 888 sq mi
(2,300 km2)
State map highlighting Bowie County
Brazoria County 039 Angleton 1836 One of the original 23 counties Brazoria, Texas, an early port on the Brazos River 388,181 1,387 sq mi
(3,592 km2)
State map highlighting Brazoria County
Brazos County 041 Bryan 1841 Washington County. Named Navasota County until 1842 The Brazos River (from Spanish Los Brazos de Dios, the arms of God) 242,014 586 sq mi
(1,518 km2)
State map highlighting Brazos County
Brewster County 043 Alpine 1887 Presidio County Henry Percy Brewster (1816–1884), a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas and soldier in the Civil War 9,343 6,193 sq mi
(16,040 km2)
State map highlighting Brewster County
Briscoe County 045 Silverton 1876 Bexar County Andrew Briscoe (1810–1849), a signatory of the Texan Declaration of Independence and soldier during the Texan Revolution 1,431 900 sq mi
(2,331 km2)
State map highlighting Briscoe County
Brooks County 047 Falfurrias 1911 Starr County James Abijah Brooks, a Texas Ranger and state legislator 6,906 943 sq mi
(2,442 km2)
State map highlighting Brooks County
Brown County 049 Brownwood 1856 Comanche County and Travis County Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco 38,373 944 sq mi
(2,445 km2)
State map highlighting Brown County
Burleson County 051 Caldwell 1846 Milam County Edward Burleson (1798–1851), a general of the Texas Revolution and Vice President of the Republic of Texas 18,657 666 sq mi
(1,725 km2)
State map highlighting Burleson County
Burnet County 053 Burnet 1852 Bell County, Travis County and Williamson County David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas (1836) 52,502 995 sq mi
(2,577 km2)
State map highlighting Burnet County
Caldwell County 055 Lockhart 1848 Bastrop County and Gonzales County Matthew Caldwell, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and soldier during the Texas Revolution 47,848 546 sq mi
(1,414 km2)
State map highlighting Caldwell County
Calhoun County 057 Port Lavaca 1846 Jackson County, Matagorda County and Victoria County John C. Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States (1825–1832) 19,706 512 sq mi
(1,326 km2)
State map highlighting Calhoun County
Callahan County 059 Baird 1858 Bexar County, Bosque County, and Travis County James Hughes Callahan, a soldier during the Texas Revolution 14,210 899 sq mi
(2,328 km2)
State map highlighting Callahan County
Cameron County 061 Brownsville 1848 Nueces County and lands ceded by Mexico Ewen Cameron, a soldier during the Texas Revolution killed during the Black Bean Episode 425,208 906 sq mi
(2,347 km2)
State map highlighting Cameron County
Camp County 063 Pittsburg 1874 Upshur County John Lafayette Camp (1828–1891), a Texas state senator 12,716 198 sq mi
(513 km2)
State map highlighting Camp County
Carson County 065 Panhandle 1876 Bexar County Samuel Price Carson, the first secretary of state of the Republic of Texas (1836–1838) 5,784 923 sq mi
(2,391 km2)
State map highlighting Carson County
Cass County 067 Linden 1846 Bowie County Lewis Cass (1782–1866), a senator from Michigan, who had favored the annexation of Texas to the United States.
Named Davis County 1861-1871
28,539 938 sq mi
(2,429 km2)
State map highlighting Cass County
Castro County 069 Dimmitt 1876 Bexar County Henri Castro (1786–1865), a French consul general for the Republic of Texas and founder of a colony in Texas 7,298 898 sq mi
(2,326 km2)
State map highlighting Castro County
Chambers County 071 Anahuac 1858 Jefferson County and Liberty County Thomas Jefferson Chambers, lawyer and surveyor who helped to resolve land disputes for Americans in Mexican Texas 51,288 599 sq mi
(1,551 km2)
State map highlighting Chambers County
Cherokee County 073 Rusk 1846 Nacogdoches County The Cherokee Native American tribe 51,645 1,052 sq mi
(2,725 km2)
State map highlighting Cherokee County
Childress County 075 Childress 1876 Bexar County George Campbell Childress (1804–1841), one of the authors of the Texas Declaration of Independence 6,809 710 sq mi
(1,839 km2)
State map highlighting Childress County
Clay County 077 Henrietta 1857 Cooke County Henry Clay, U.S. Senator from Kentucky and ninth secretary of state of the United States (1825–1829) 10,486 1,098 sq mi
(2,844 km2)
State map highlighting Clay County
Cochran County 079 Morton 1876 Bexar County Robert E. Cochran (1810–1836), a defender of the Alamo 2,526 775 sq mi
(2,007 km2)
State map highlighting Cochran County
Coke County 081 Robert Lee 1889 Tom Green County Richard Coke, the 15th governor of Texas (1874–1876) 3,333 899 sq mi
(2,328 km2)
State map highlighting Coke County
Coleman County 083 Coleman 1858 Brown County and Travis County Robert M. Coleman, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto 7,850 1,273 sq mi
(3,297 km2)
State map highlighting Coleman County
Collin County 085 McKinney 1846 Fannin County Collin McKinney (1766–1861), an author of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the oldest person to sign it 1,158,696 848 sq mi
(2,196 km2)
State map highlighting Collin County
Collingsworth County 087 Wellington 1876 Bexar County James Collinsworth, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and first chief justice of the Republic of Texas. (spelling differs due to an error in the bill creating the county) 2,568 919 sq mi
(2,380 km2)
State map highlighting Collingsworth County
Colorado County 089 Columbus 1836 One of the original 23 counties The Colorado River of Texas
(Colorado is Spanish for "colored")
20,754 963 sq mi
(2,494 km2)
State map highlighting Colorado County
Comal County 091 New Braunfels 1846 Bexar County The Comal River. (Comal is Spanish for "basin") 184,642 562 sq mi
(1,456 km2)
State map highlighting Comal County
Comanche County 093 Comanche 1856 Bosque County and Coryell County The Comanche Native American tribe 13,878 938 sq mi
(2,429 km2)
State map highlighting Comanche County
Concho County 095 Paint Rock 1858 Bexar County The Concho River. (Concho is Spanish for "shell") 3,340 992 sq mi
(2,569 km2)
State map highlighting Concho County
Cooke County 097 Gainesville 1848 Fannin County William Gordon Cooke, a soldier during the Texas Revolution 43,050 874 sq mi
(2,264 km2)
State map highlighting Cooke County
Coryell County 099 Gatesville 1854 Bell County James Coryell, a frontiersman and Texas Ranger who was killed by Native Americans 85,057 1,052 sq mi
(2,725 km2)
State map highlighting Coryell County
Cottle County 101 Paducah 1876 Fannin County George Washington Cottle, who died defending the Alamo 1,307 901 sq mi
(2,334 km2)
State map highlighting Cottle County
Crane County 103 Crane 1887 Tom Green County William Carey Crane, a president of Baylor University 4,546 786 sq mi
(2,036 km2)
State map highlighting Crane County
Crockett County 105 Ozona 1875 Bexar County David Crockett (1786–1836), the legendary frontiersman who died at the Battle of the Alamo 2,943 2,808 sq mi
(7,273 km2)
State map highlighting Crockett County
Crosby County 107 Crosbyton 1876 Bexar County Stephen Crosby, a Texas Land Commissioner 4,998 900 sq mi
(2,331 km2)
State map highlighting Crosby County
Culberson County 109 Van Horn 1911 El Paso County David Browning Culberson, a lawyer, U.S. Congressman, and soldier in the Civil War 2,155 3,813 sq mi
(9,876 km2)
State map highlighting Culberson County
Dallam County 111 Dalhart 1876 Bexar County James Wilmer Dallam, a lawyer and newspaper publisher who had a close association with the Supreme Court of Texas 7,241 1,505 sq mi
(3,898 km2)
State map highlighting Dallam County
Dallas County 113 Dallas 1846 Nacogdoches County and Robertson County George Mifflin Dallas, the eleventh vice president of the United States (1845–1849)
(Disputed)
2,600,840 880 sq mi
(2,279 km2)
State map highlighting Dallas County
Dawson County 115 Lamesa 1876 Bexar County Nicholas Mosby Dawson, a soldier of the Texan Revolution and victim of the Dawson Massacre 12,130 902 sq mi
(2,336 km2)
State map highlighting Dawson County
Deaf Smith County 117 Hereford 1876 Bexar County Erastus "Deaf" Smith (1787–1837), a scout during the Texan Revolution 18,377 1,497 sq mi
(3,877 km2)
State map highlighting Deaf Smith County
Delta County 119 Cooper 1870 Hopkins County and Lamar County Its triangular shape, much like the Greek letter Delta 5,406 277 sq mi
(717 km2)
State map highlighting Delta County
Denton County 121 Denton 1846 Fannin County John Bunyan Denton (1806–1841), a preacher, lawyer, and soldier killed during a raid on a Native American camp 977,281 888 sq mi
(2,300 km2)
State map highlighting Denton County
DeWitt County 123 Cuero 1846 Goliad County, Gonzales County and Victoria County Green DeWitt, an empresario who founded an early colony in Texas 19,772 909 sq mi
(2,354 km2)
State map highlighting DeWitt County
Dickens County 125 Dickens 1876 Bexar County J.A. Dickens, who died at the Battle of the Alamo 1,726 904 sq mi
(2,341 km2)
State map highlighting Dickens County
Dimmit County 127 Carrizo Springs 1858 Bexar County, Maverick County, Uvalde County and Webb County Philip Dimmitt, a major figure in the Texas Revolution 8,387 1,331 sq mi
(3,447 km2)
State map highlighting Dimmit County
Donley County 129 Clarendon 1876 Bexar County Stockton P. Donley, a frontier lawyer and Texas Supreme Court justice 3,339 930 sq mi
(2,409 km2)
State map highlighting Donley County
Duval County 131 San Diego 1858 Live Oak County, Nueces County and Starr County Burr Harrison DuVal (1809–1836), a soldier in the Texas Revolution who died in the Goliad Massacre 9,888 1,793 sq mi
(4,644 km2)
State map highlighting Duval County
Eastland County 133 Eastland 1858 Bosque County, Coryell County and Travis County William Mosby Eastland, a soldier during the Texas Revolution 17,944 926 sq mi
(2,398 km2)
State map highlighting Eastland County
Ector County 135 Odessa 1887 Tom Green County Matthew Ector (1822–1879), a Confederate general during the Civil War 160,869 901 sq mi
(2,334 km2)
State map highlighting Ector County
Edwards County 137 Rocksprings 1858 Bexar County Haden Edwards (1771–1849), empresario and filibuster who led the Fredonian Rebellion 1,422 2,120 sq mi
(5,491 km2)
State map highlighting Edwards County
Ellis County 139 Waxahachie 1849 Navarro County Richard Ellis (1781–1846), president of the convention that produced the Texas Declaration of Independence 212,182 940 sq mi
(2,435 km2)
State map highlighting Ellis County
El Paso County 141 El Paso 1848 Santa Fe County Neighboring Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, formerly called El Paso del Norte as it served as the pass north from central Mexico to the settlements of New Mexico 868,763 1,013 sq mi
(2,624 km2)
State map highlighting El Paso County
Erath County 143 Stephenville 1856 Bosque County and Coryell County George Bernard Erath, an early surveyor and a soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto 43,895 1,086 sq mi
(2,813 km2)
State map highlighting Erath County
Falls County 145 Marlin 1850 Limestone County and Milam County The Falls on the Brazos 17,049 769 sq mi
(1,992 km2)
State map highlighting Falls County
Fannin County 147 Bonham 1837 Red River County James Walker Fannin, Jr. (1805–1836), the commander of the Texans killed in the Goliad Massacre 37,125 892 sq mi
(2,310 km2)
State map highlighting Fannin County
Fayette County 149 La Grange 1837 Bastrop County Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette (1757–1834), the French-born general and hero of the American Revolutionary War 24,913 950 sq mi
(2,460 km2)
State map highlighting Fayette County
Fisher County 151 Roby 1876 Bexar County Samuel Rhoads Fisher (1794–1839), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and secretary of the Navy under the Republic of Texas 3,622 901 sq mi
(2,334 km2)
State map highlighting Fisher County
Floyd County 153 Floydada 1876 Bexar County Dolphin Ward Floyd, who died defending the Alamo 5,235 992 sq mi
(2,569 km2)
State map highlighting Floyd County
Foard County 155 Crowell 1891 Cottle County, Hardeman County, King County and Knox County Robert Levi Foard, an attorney and Confederate major in the Civil War 1,057 707 sq mi
(1,831 km2)
State map highlighting Foard County
Fort Bend County 157 Richmond 1837 Austin County, Brazoria County and Harris County A blockhouse positioned in a bend of the Brazos River 889,146 875 sq mi
(2,266 km2)
State map highlighting Fort Bend County
Franklin County 159 Mount Vernon 1875 Titus County Benjamin Cromwell Franklin (1805–1873), a judge and Texas State Senator 10,618 286 sq mi
(741 km2)
State map highlighting Franklin County
Freestone County 161 Fairfield 1850 Limestone County A type of peach grown in the area[11] 19,950 885 sq mi
(2,292 km2)
State map highlighting Freestone County
Frio County 163 Pearsall 1858 Atascosa County, Bexar County and Uvalde County The Frio River
(Frío is Spanish for "cold")
17,815 1,133 sq mi
(2,934 km2)
State map highlighting Frio County
Gaines County 165 Seminole 1876 Bexar County James Gaines, merchant and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence 22,181 1,502 sq mi
(3,890 km2)
State map highlighting Gaines County
Galveston County 167 Galveston 1838 Brazoria County, Harris County and Liberty County Its county seat, named after Bernardo de Gálvez, Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory (1777–1785) 357,117 399 sq mi
(1,033 km2)
State map highlighting Galveston County
Garza County 169 Post 1876 Bexar County José Antonio de la Garza, pioneering settler and first Mayor of San Antonio 6,262 896 sq mi
(2,321 km2)
State map highlighting Garza County
Gillespie County 171 Fredericksburg 1848 Bexar County and Travis County Robert Addison Gillespie, a merchant, Mexican–American War soldier, and Texas Ranger 27,477 1,061 sq mi
(2,748 km2)
State map highlighting Gillespie County
Glasscock County 173 Garden City 1887 Tom Green County George Washington Glasscock (1810–1868), an early Texian settler, businessman, soldier, and state representative 1,164 901 sq mi
(2,334 km2)
State map highlighting Glasscock County
Goliad County 175 Goliad 1836 One of the original 23 counties Its county seat, named in turn as an anagram of Miguel Hidalgo, the inspirational figure behind the Mexican War of Independence 7,131 854 sq mi
(2,212 km2)
State map highlighting Goliad County
Gonzales County 177 Gonzales 1836 One of the original 23 counties Its county seat, named in turn for Coahuila y Tejas governor Rafael Gonzales 19,832 1,068 sq mi
(2,766 km2)
State map highlighting Gonzales County
Gray County 179 Pampa 1876 Bexar County Peter W. Gray (1819–1874), a lawyer, state senator, and soldier in the Civil War 21,015 928 sq mi
(2,404 km2)
State map highlighting Gray County
Grayson County 181 Sherman 1846 Fannin County Peter Wagener Grayson, an attorney general of the Republic of Texas 143,131 934 sq mi
(2,419 km2)
State map highlighting Grayson County
Gregg County 183 Longview 1873 Upshur County John Gregg (1828–1864), a Confederate general during the Civil War 125,443 274 sq mi
(710 km2)
State map highlighting Gregg County
Grimes County 185 Anderson 1846 Montgomery County Jesse Grimes (1788–1866), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and early settler of the future county 30,754 794 sq mi
(2,056 km2)
State map highlighting Grimes County
Guadalupe County 187 Seguin 1846 Bexar County and Gonzales County The Guadalupe River, named in turn for the Mexican spiritual icon Our Lady of Guadalupe 182,760 711 sq mi
(1,841 km2)
State map highlighting Guadalupe County
Hale County 189 Plainview 1876 Bexar County John C. Hale, a lieutenant killed in action at the Battle of San Jacinto 31,827 1,005 sq mi
(2,603 km2)
State map highlighting Hale County
Hall County 191 Memphis 1876 Bexar County Warren DeWitt Clinton Hall, a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas (1836) 2,810 903 sq mi
(2,339 km2)
State map highlighting Hall County
Hamilton County 193 Hamilton 1856 Bosque County, Comanche County and Lampasas County James Hamilton Jr., governor of South Carolina (1830–1832) who gave financial aid to the Republic of Texas 8,298 836 sq mi
(2,165 km2)
State map highlighting Hamilton County
Hansford County 195 Spearman 1876 Bexar County John M. Hansford, a Texas state representative and judge 5,151 920 sq mi
(2,383 km2)
State map highlighting Hansford County
Hardeman County 197 Quanah 1858 Fannin County Bailey Hardeman, the first secretary of the treasury for the Republic of Texas, and his brother Thomas Jones Hardeman, state representative and judge 3,516 695 sq mi
(1,800 km2)
State map highlighting Hardeman County
Hardin County 199 Kountze 1858 Jefferson County and Liberty County The Hardin family, earliest settlers of Liberty County 57,811 894 sq mi
(2,315 km2)
State map highlighting Hardin County
Harris County 201 Houston 1836 One of the original 23 counties John Richardson Harris, early settler and founder of Harrisburg, Texas, which eventually became known as Houston
Named Harrisburg County until 1839
4,780,913 1,729 sq mi
(4,478 km2)
State map highlighting Harris County
Harrison County 203 Marshall 1839 Shelby County Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and soldier in the Texas Revolution 69,955 899 sq mi
(2,328 km2)
State map highlighting Harrison County
Hartley County 205 Channing 1876 Bexar County Oliver C. and Rufus K. Hartley, brothers and original reporters for the Texas Supreme Court 5,208 1,462 sq mi
(3,787 km2)
State map highlighting Hartley County
Haskell County 207 Haskell 1858 Fannin County and Milam County Charles Ready Haskell, Texas revolutionary soldier killed in the Goliad Massacre 5,403 903 sq mi
(2,339 km2)
State map highlighting Haskell County
Hays County 209 San Marcos 1848 Travis County John Coffee Hays (1817–1883), a leading Texas Ranger and Mexican–American War officer 269,225 678 sq mi
(1,756 km2)
State map highlighting Hays County
Hemphill County 211 Canadian 1876 Bexar County John Hemphill (1803–1862), U.S. Senator and Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court 3,217 910 sq mi
(2,357 km2)
State map highlighting Hemphill County
Henderson County 213 Athens 1846 Houston County and Nacogdoches County James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas (1846–1847) 84,511 874 sq mi
(2,264 km2)
State map highlighting Henderson County
Hidalgo County 215 Edinburg 1852 Cameron County Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811), the priest who raised the call for Mexico's independence from Spain 888,367 1,569 sq mi
(4,064 km2)
State map highlighting Hidalgo County
Hill County 217 Hillsboro 1853 Navarro County George Washington Hill, a secretary of war and secretary of the navy under the Republic of Texas 37,329 962 sq mi
(2,492 km2)
State map highlighting Hill County
Hockley County 219 Levelland 1876 Bexar County George Washington Hockley (1802–1854), Chief of Staff of the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution and secretary of war of the Republic of Texas 21,161 908 sq mi
(2,352 km2)
State map highlighting Hockley County
Hood County 221 Granbury 1866 Johnson County John Bell Hood (1831–1879), a Confederate lieutenant general and the commander of Hood's Texas Brigade 66,373 422 sq mi
(1,093 km2)
State map highlighting Hood County
Hopkins County 223 Sulphur Springs 1846 Lamar County and Nacogdoches County David Hopkins, an early settler in the future county 37,804 785 sq mi
(2,033 km2)
State map highlighting Hopkins County
Houston County 225 Crockett 1837 Nacogdoches County Sam Houston (1793–1863), general of the Texan Revolution, commander at the Battle of San Jacinto and later president of the Republic of Texas, U.S. Senator and governor of the state of Texas 21,950 1,231 sq mi
(3,188 km2)
State map highlighting Houston County
Howard County 227 Big Spring 1876 Bexar County Volney Eskine Howard, U.S. Representative from Texas (1849–1853) 33,672 903 sq mi
(2,339 km2)
State map highlighting Howard County
Hudspeth County 229 Sierra Blanca 1917 El Paso County Claude Benton Hudspeth, a U.S. Congressman (1919–1931), rancher, and newspaper publisher 3,432 4,571 sq mi
(11,839 km2)
State map highlighting Hudspeth County
Hunt County 231 Greenville 1846 Fannin County and Nacogdoches County Memucan Hunt, Jr. (1807–1856), a secretary of the navy under the Republic of Texas 108,282 841 sq mi
(2,178 km2)
State map highlighting Hunt County
Hutchinson County 233 Stinnett 1876 Bexar County Andrew Hutchinson, an early settler and attorney 20,215 887 sq mi
(2,297 km2)
State map highlighting Hutchinson County
Irion County 235 Mertzon 1889 Tom Green County Robert Anderson Irion (1804–1861), a secretary of state in the Republic of Texas 1,530 1,052 sq mi
(2,725 km2)
State map highlighting Irion County
Jack County 237 Jacksboro 1856 Cooke County Patrick and William Jack, brothers, participants in the Anahuac Disturbance, and veterans of the Texas Revolution 8,922 917 sq mi
(2,375 km2)
State map highlighting Jack County
Jackson County 239 Edna 1836 One of the original 23 counties Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans and the seventh president of the United States (1829–1837) 15,142 830 sq mi
(2,150 km2)
State map highlighting Jackson County
Jasper County 241 Jasper 1836 One of the original 23 counties William Jasper (1750–1779), an American Revolutionary War hero 32,484 938 sq mi
(2,429 km2)
State map highlighting Jasper County
Jeff Davis County 243 Fort Davis 1887 Presidio County Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America (1861–1865) 1,903 2,265 sq mi
(5,866 km2)
State map highlighting Jeff Davis County
Jefferson County 245 Beaumont 1836 One of the original 23 counties Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1801–1809) 250,830 904 sq mi
(2,341 km2)
State map highlighting Jefferson County
Jim Hogg County 247 Hebbronville 1913 Brooks County and Duval County James Stephen Hogg, the twentieth (and first native-born) governor of Texas (1891–1895) 4,763 1,136 sq mi
(2,942 km2)
State map highlighting Jim Hogg County
Jim Wells County 249 Alice 1911 Nueces County James Babbage Wells Jr., judge and Democratic party boss in southern Texas 38,826 865 sq mi
(2,240 km2)
State map highlighting Jim Wells County
Johnson County 251 Cleburne 1854 Ellis County, Hill County and Navarro County Middleton Tate Johnson, a Texas Ranger, soldier in the Mexican–American War, and senator for the Republic of Texas 195,506 729 sq mi
(1,888 km2)
State map highlighting Johnson County
Jones County 253 Anson 1854 Bexar County and Bosque County Anson Jones, the fifth president of the Republic of Texas (1844–1846) 19,935 931 sq mi
(2,411 km2)
State map highlighting Jones County
Karnes County 255 Karnes City 1854 Bexar County, DeWitt County, Goliad County, Gonzales County and San Patricio County Henry Karnes (1812–1840), a soldier in the Texas Revolution 14,836 750 sq mi
(1,942 km2)
State map highlighting Karnes County
Kaufman County 257 Kaufman 1848 Henderson County David Spangler Kaufman, a Jewish Texas state senator and the second Jewish member of the United States House of Representatives 172,366 786 sq mi
(2,036 km2)
State map highlighting Kaufman County
Kendall County 259 Boerne 1862 Blanco County and Kerr County George Wilkins Kendall, an early journalist and sheep rancher who gained national fame as a war correspondent during the Mexican–American War 48,973 662 sq mi
(1,715 km2)
State map highlighting Kendall County
Kenedy County 261 Sarita 1921 Hidalgo County and Willacy County (Due to a reorganization of Willacy County) Mifflin Kenedy, an early rancher and land speculator 358 1,457 sq mi
(3,774 km2)
State map highlighting Kenedy County
Kent County 263 Jayton 1876 Bexar County Andrew Kent, who died at the Battle of the Alamo 740 902 sq mi
(2,336 km2)
State map highlighting Kent County
Kerr County 265 Kerrville 1856 Bexar County James Kerr (1790–1850), an early colonist in Texas and soldier in the Texas Revolution 53,741 1,106 sq mi
(2,865 km2)
State map highlighting Kerr County
Kimble County 267 Junction 1858 Bexar County George C. Kimbell, who died at the Battle of the Alamo (spelling differs due to an error in the bill creating the county) 4,422 1,251 sq mi
(3,240 km2)
State map highlighting Kimble County
King County 269 Guthrie 1876 Bexar County William Phillip King, who died at the Battle of the Alamo 233 912 sq mi
(2,362 km2)
State map highlighting King County
Kinney County 271 Brackettville 1850 Bexar County Henry Lawrence Kinney, a Texas state senator and unsuccessful land speculator 3,128 1,364 sq mi
(3,533 km2)
State map highlighting Kinney County
Kleberg County 273 Kingsville 1913 Nueces County Robert Justus Kleberg (1803–1888), an early German settler and soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto 30,362 871 sq mi
(2,256 km2)
State map highlighting Kleberg County
Knox County 275 Benjamin 1858 Bexar County Henry Knox, the first secretary of war of the United States (1785–1794) 3,273 854 sq mi
(2,212 km2)
State map highlighting Knox County
Lamar County 277 Paris 1840 Red River County Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, the third president of the Republic of Texas (1838–1842) 50,484 917 sq mi
(2,375 km2)
State map highlighting Lamar County
Lamb County 279 Littlefield 1876 Bexar County George A. Lamb, who died at the Battle of San Jacinto 12,724 1,016 sq mi
(2,631 km2)
State map highlighting Lamb County
Lampasas County 281 Lampasas 1856 Bell County, Coryell County and Travis County The Lampasas River
(Lampasas is Spanish for "lilies")
22,785 712 sq mi
(1,844 km2)
State map highlighting Lampasas County
La Salle County 283 Cotulla 1858 Bexar County René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643–1687), the French explorer who traveled through Texas 6,604 1,489 sq mi
(3,856 km2)
State map highlighting La Salle County
Lavaca County 285 Hallettsville 1842 Colorado County, Fayette County, Gonzales County, Jackson County and Victoria County
Named La Buca County until 1846
The Lavaca River
(La vaca is Spanish for "the cow")
20,589 970 sq mi
(2,512 km2)
State map highlighting Lavaca County
Lee County 287 Giddings 1874 Bastrop County, Burleson County, Fayette County and Washington County Robert Edward Lee (1807–1870), the commanding general of the Confederate forces during the Civil War 17,954 629 sq mi
(1,629 km2)
State map highlighting Lee County
Leon County 289 Centerville 1846 Robertson County Disputed: Either Mexican empresario Martín De León, who founded Victoria, Texas;
or the león, a local variety of yellow wolf
16,209 1,072 sq mi
(2,776 km2)
State map highlighting Leon County
Liberty County 291 Liberty 1836 One of the original 23 counties Its county seat, which was named either for the recent success of the Mexican War of Independence or for Liberty, Mississippi 101,992 1,160 sq mi
(3,004 km2)
State map highlighting Liberty County
Limestone County 293 Groesbeck 1846 Robertson County The limestone deposits in the region 22,253 909 sq mi
(2,354 km2)
State map highlighting Limestone County
Lipscomb County 295 Lipscomb 1876 Bexar County Abner Smith Lipscomb, justice of the Texas Supreme Court (1846–1856) and secretary of state of the Republic of Texas (1840) 2,854 932 sq mi
(2,414 km2)
State map highlighting Lipscomb County
Live Oak County 297 George West 1856 Nueces County and San Patricio County The Texas live oak tree under which the petition for a new county was signed 11,428 1,036 sq mi
(2,683 km2)
State map highlighting Live Oak County
Llano County 299 Llano 1856 Bexar County, Gillespie County The Llano River
(Llano is Spanish for "plains")
22,540 935 sq mi
(2,422 km2)
State map highlighting Llano County
Loving County 301 Mentone 1887 Tom Green County (1891)
Reeves County (1931)
Oliver Loving (1812–1867), a cattle rancher and pioneer of the cattle drive who, with Charles Goodnight, developed the Goodnight–Loving Trail 51 673 sq mi
(1,743 km2)
State map highlighting Loving County
Lubbock County 303 Lubbock 1876 Bexar County Thomas Saltus Lubbock (1817–1862), a Texas Ranger and Confederate colonel during the Civil War 317,561 900 sq mi
(2,331 km2)
State map highlighting Lubbock County
Lynn County 305 Tahoka 1876 Bexar County William Lynn, a soldier in the Texas Revolution from Massachusetts who is believed to have died defending the Alamo 5,724 892 sq mi
(2,310 km2)
State map highlighting Lynn County
McCulloch County 307 Brady 1856 Bexar County Benjamin McCulloch (1811–1862), veteran of San Jacinto, Texas Ranger, and Confederate general 7,497 1,069 sq mi
(2,769 km2)
State map highlighting McCulloch County
McLennan County 309 Waco 1850 Limestone County and Milam County Neil McLennan, an early settler in the future county 266,836 1,042 sq mi
(2,699 km2)
State map highlighting McLennan County
McMullen County 311 Tilden 1858 Atascosa County, Bexar County and Live Oak County John McMullen (1832–1883), an Irish-born empresario in Texas 576 1,113 sq mi
(2,883 km2)
State map highlighting McMullen County
Madison County 313 Madisonville 1853 Grimes County, Leon County and Walker County James Madison, the fourth president of the United States (1809–1817) 13,661 470 sq mi
(1,217 km2)
State map highlighting Madison County
Marion County 315 Jefferson 1860 Cass County Francis Marion (1732–1795), American Revolutionary War general 9,560 381 sq mi
(987 km2)
State map highlighting Marion County
Martin County 317 Stanton 1876 Bexar County Wylie Martin, a Texas Revolutionary soldier and legislative representative for the Republic of Texas 5,217 915 sq mi
(2,370 km2)
State map highlighting Martin County
Mason County 319 Mason 1858 Gillespie County Fort Mason, which was named for either Lt. George T. Mason, killed during the Mexican–American War in fighting near Brownsville, or for Gen. Richard Barnes Mason, military governor of California 3,982 932 sq mi
(2,414 km2)
State map highlighting Mason County
Matagorda County 321 Bay City 1836 One of the original 23 counties The canebrakes which once grew along the coast
(Mata gorda is Spanish for "fat bush")
36,125 1,114 sq mi
(2,885 km2)
State map highlighting Matagorda County
Maverick County 323 Eagle Pass 1856 Kinney County Samuel Augustus Maverick (1803–1870), a rancher, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and representative in the Republic of Texas legislature 57,843 1,280 sq mi
(3,315 km2)
State map highlighting Maverick County
Medina County 325 Hondo 1848 Bexar County The Medina River, named for Spanish engineer Pedro de Medina 53,723 1,328 sq mi
(3,440 km2)
State map highlighting Medina County
Menard County 327 Menard 1858 Bexar County Michel Branamour Menard, the founder of Galveston, Texas 1,968 902 sq mi
(2,336 km2)
State map highlighting Menard County
Midland County 329 Midland 1885 Tom Green County Its county seat, which was named for its location halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso on the Texas and Pacific Railway (and "Midway, Texas", being already in use) 171,999 900 sq mi
(2,331 km2)
State map highlighting Midland County
Milam County 331 Cameron 1836 One of the original 23 counties Benjamin Rush Milam (1788–1835), an early Texas colonizer and soldier in the Texas Revolution 25,628 1,017 sq mi
(2,634 km2)
State map highlighting Milam County
Mills County 333 Goldthwaite 1887 Brown County, Comanche County, Hamilton County and Lampasas County John T. Mills (1817–1871), a Texas Supreme Court judge 4,500 748 sq mi
(1,937 km2)
State map highlighting Mills County
Mitchell County 335 Colorado City 1876 Bexar County Asa and Eli Mitchell, two early settlers and soldiers in the Texas Revolution 8,943 910 sq mi
(2,357 km2)
State map highlighting Mitchell County
Montague County 337 Montague 1857 Cooke County Daniel Montague, a state senator and early surveyor in the future county 21,063 931 sq mi
(2,411 km2)
State map highlighting Montague County
Montgomery County 339 Conroe 1837 Washington County Montgomery, Texas, which was named for Montgomery County, Alabama, which was named for Major Lemuel P. Montgomery, Sam Houston's commanding officer in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814) 678,490 1,044 sq mi
(2,704 km2)
State map highlighting Montgomery County
Moore County 341 Dumas 1876 Bexar County Edwin Ward Moore (1810–1865), commodore of the Texan Navy 20,996 900 sq mi
(2,331 km2)
State map highlighting Moore County
Morris County 343 Daingerfield 1875 Titus County William Wright Morris, a planter and state legislator 12,083 254 sq mi
(658 km2)
State map highlighting Morris County
Motley County 345 Matador 1876 Bexar County Junius William Mottley, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence 1,032 989 sq mi
(2,561 km2)
State map highlighting Motley County
Nacogdoches County 347 Nacogdoches 1836 One of the original 23 counties Its county seat, which was named for the Nacogdoche Native American tribe 64,862 947 sq mi
(2,453 km2)
State map highlighting Nacogdoches County
Navarro County 349 Corsicana 1846 Robertson County José Antonio Navarro (1795–1871), a leading Tejano participant in the Texan Revolution and signer of the Texan Declaration of Independence 54,636 1,071 sq mi
(2,774 km2)
State map highlighting Navarro County
Newton County 351 Newton 1846 Jasper County John Newton (1755–1780), a veteran of the Revolutionary War 12,052 933 sq mi
(2,416 km2)
State map highlighting Newton County
Nolan County 353 Sweetwater 1876 Bexar County Philip Nolan (1771–1801), a mustanger who was killed by Spanish troops while on a mission into Texas 14,473 912 sq mi
(2,362 km2)
State map highlighting Nolan County
Nueces County 355 Corpus Christi 1846 San Patricio County The Nueces River
(Nueces is Spanish for "nuts")
351,674 836 sq mi
(2,165 km2)
State map highlighting Nueces County
Ochiltree County 357 Perryton 1876 Bexar County William Beck Ochiltree (1811–1867), secretary of the treasury for the Republic of Texas and legislator for the state of Texas 9,606 918 sq mi
(2,378 km2)
State map highlighting Ochiltree County
Oldham County 359 Vega 1876 Bexar County Williamson Simpson Oldham, a Confederate Senator for Texas 1,752 1,501 sq mi
(3,888 km2)
State map highlighting Oldham County
Orange County 361 Orange 1852 Jefferson County An orange grove planted by early settlers at the mouth of the Sabine River 84,934 356 sq mi
(922 km2)
State map highlighting Orange County
Palo Pinto County 363 Palo Pinto 1856 Bosque County and Navarro County The Palo Pinto Creek
(Palo Pinto is Spanish for "painted stick")
29,239 953 sq mi
(2,468 km2)
State map highlighting Palo Pinto County
Panola County 365 Carthage 1846 Harrison County and Shelby County A Native American word for cotton. 22,677 801 sq mi
(2,075 km2)
State map highlighting Panola County
Parker County 367 Weatherford 1855 Bosque County and Navarro County Isaac Parker, legislator for both the Republic of Texas and the state of Texas 165,834 904 sq mi
(2,341 km2)
State map highlighting Parker County
Parmer County 369 Farwell 1876 Bexar County Martin Parmer (1778–1850), a Republic of Texas legislator, judge, and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence 9,620 882 sq mi
(2,284 km2)
State map highlighting Parmer County
Pecos County 371 Fort Stockton 1871 Presidio County The Pecos River, which was named for the Pecos Pueblo, which is of unknown etymology 14,735 4,764 sq mi
(12,339 km2)
State map highlighting Pecos County
Polk County 373 Livingston 1846 Liberty County James Knox Polk, the eleventh president of the United States (1845–1849) 53,255 1,057 sq mi
(2,738 km2)
State map highlighting Polk County
Potter County 375 Amarillo 1876 Bexar County Robert Potter (1800–1842), secretary of the navy for the Republic of Texas, and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence 115,645 909 sq mi
(2,354 km2)
State map highlighting Potter County
Presidio County 377 Marfa 1850 Santa Fe County Presidio del Norte, an eighteenth-century fort and settlement on the south side of the Rio Grande 5,939 3,856 sq mi
(9,987 km2)
State map highlighting Presidio County
Rains County 379 Emory 1870 Hopkins County, Hunt County and Wood County Emory Rains (1800–1878), a state senator and surveyor of the future county 12,823 259 sq mi
(671 km2)
State map highlighting Rains County
Randall County 381 Canyon 1876 Bexar County Horace Randal, a Confederate brigadier general in the Civil War 146,140 914 sq mi
(2,367 km2)
State map highlighting Randall County
Reagan County 383 Big Lake 1903 Tom Green County John H. Reagan (1818–1905), Confederate postmaster general, U.S. Congressman, and Governor of Texas 3,135 1,175 sq mi
(3,043 km2)
State map highlighting Reagan County
Real County 385 Leakey 1913 Bandera County, Edwards County and Kerr County Julius Real, a rancher and state senator 2,840 700 sq mi
(1,813 km2)
State map highlighting Real County
Red River County 387 Clarksville 1836 One of the original 23 counties The Red River of Texas 11,542 1,050 sq mi
(2,719 km2)
State map highlighting Red River County
Reeves County 389 Pecos 1883 Pecos County George Robertson Reeves, a Texas state representative and colonel in the Confederate army 12,905 2,636 sq mi
(6,827 km2)
State map highlighting Reeves County
Refugio County 391 Refugio 1836 One of the original 23 counties Its county seat, which was named for the Spanish mission Nuestra Señora del Refugio, "Our Lady of Refuge" 6,632 770 sq mi
(1,994 km2)
State map highlighting Refugio County
Roberts County 393 Miami 1876 Bexar County John S. Roberts, a signer of the Texan Declaration of Independence, and his brother Oran Milo Roberts, attorney general for the Republic of Texas and the seventeenth governor of Texas 803 924 sq mi
(2,393 km2)
State map highlighting Roberts County
Robertson County 395 Franklin 1837 Bexar County, Milam County and Nacogdoches County Sterling Clack Robertson, an empresario in Mexican Texas 17,153 855 sq mi
(2,214 km2)
State map highlighting Robertson County
Rockwall County 397 Rockwall 1873 Kaufman County Its county seat, which was named for a submerged stone wall found by its initial settlers 123,208 149 sq mi
(386 km2)
State map highlighting Rockwall County
Runnels County 399 Ballinger 1858 Bexar County and Travis County Hiram Runnels, the ninth governor of Mississippi (1833–1835) and planter in Texas 9,859 1,054 sq mi
(2,730 km2)
State map highlighting Runnels County
Rusk County 401 Henderson 1843 Nacogdoches County Thomas Jefferson Rusk (1803–1857), a general in the Texas Revolution 53,333 924 sq mi
(2,393 km2)
State map highlighting Rusk County
Sabine County 403 Hemphill 1836 One of the original 23 counties The Sabine River, which forms its eastern border
(Sabina is Spanish for "cypress")
10,048 490 sq mi
(1,269 km2)
State map highlighting Sabine County
San Augustine County 405 San Augustine 1836 One of the original 23 counties Presumably Augustine of Hippo (354–430) 7,857 528 sq mi
(1,368 km2)
State map highlighting San Augustine County
San Jacinto County 407 Coldspring 1870 Liberty County, Montgomery County, Polk County and Walker County The Battle of San Jacinto, which won Texas its independence from Mexico. San Jacinto is Spanish for Saint Hyacinth 28,348 571 sq mi
(1,479 km2)
State map highlighting San Jacinto County
San Patricio County 409 Sinton 1836 One of the original 23 counties Its former county seat San Patricio de Hibernia, an Irish colony named for Saint Patrick 69,954 692 sq mi
(1,792 km2)
State map highlighting San Patricio County
San Saba County 411 San Saba 1856 Bexar County The San Saba River, discovered on the Catholic feast of Saint Sabbas 5,824 1,134 sq mi
(2,937 km2)
State map highlighting San Saba County
Schleicher County 413 Eldorado 1887 Crockett County Gustav Schleicher, engineer and U.S. Congressman from Texas 2,357 1,311 sq mi
(3,395 km2)
State map highlighting Schleicher County
Scurry County 415 Snyder 1876 Bexar County William Read Scurry (1821–1864), a Texas state legislator and Confederate general 16,686 903 sq mi
(2,339 km2)
State map highlighting Scurry County
Shackelford County 417 Albany 1858 Bosque County Jack Shackelford, a soldier of the Texas Revolution 3,186 914 sq mi
(2,367 km2)
State map highlighting Shackelford County
Shelby County 419 Center 1836 One of the original 23 counties Isaac Shelby, a Revolutionary War soldier from Tennessee and governor of Kentucky (1792–1796) (1812–1816) 24,008 794 sq mi
(2,056 km2)
State map highlighting Shelby County
Sherman County 421 Stratford 1876 Bexar County Sidney Sherman (1805–1873), a soldier in the Texas Revolution 2,799 923 sq mi
(2,391 km2)
State map highlighting Sherman County
Smith County 423 Tyler 1846 Nacogdoches County James Smith, a general during the Texas Revolution 241,922 928 sq mi
(2,404 km2)
State map highlighting Smith County
Somervell County 425 Glen Rose 1875 Hood County Alexander Somervell, a soldier in the Texas Revolution and leader of the Somervell Expedition 9,757 187 sq mi
(484 km2)
State map highlighting Somervell County
Starr County 427 Rio Grande City 1848 Nueces County James Harper Starr (1809–1890), a treasurer for the Republic of Texas and Confederate official 65,728 1,223 sq mi
(3,168 km2)
State map highlighting Starr County
Stephens County 429 Breckenridge 1858 Bosque County
Named Buchanan County until 1861
Alexander Hamilton Stephens, the only vice-president of the Confederate States of America (1861–1865) 9,390 895 sq mi
(2,318 km2)
State map highlighting Stephens County
Sterling County 431 Sterling City 1891 Tom Green County W. S. Sterling, an early rancher, buffalo hunter, and Native American fighter 1,417 923 sq mi
(2,391 km2)
State map highlighting Sterling County
Stonewall County 433 Aspermont 1876 Bexar County Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (1824–1863), the famous Confederate General 1,182 919 sq mi
(2,380 km2)
State map highlighting Stonewall County
Sutton County 435 Sonora 1887 Crockett County John Schuyler Sutton, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Texas Revolution and Mexican–American War 3,217 1,454 sq mi
(3,766 km2)
State map highlighting Sutton County
Swisher County 437 Tulia 1876 Bexar County James Gibson Swisher, a soldier of the Texas Revolution 6,881 900 sq mi
(2,331 km2)
State map highlighting Swisher County
Tarrant County 439 Fort Worth 1849 Navarro County Edward H. Tarrant, a U.S. Army general who drove the Native Americans out of the future county 2,154,595 864 sq mi
(2,238 km2)
State map highlighting Tarrant County
Taylor County 441 Abilene 1858 Bexar County and Travis County Edward Taylor (1812–1836), George Taylor (1816–1836), and James Taylor (1814–1836), three brothers who died at the Alamo 145,163 916 sq mi
(2,372 km2)
State map highlighting Taylor County
Terrell County 443 Sanderson 1905 Pecos County Alexander Watkins Terrell, attorney, judge, state legislator, diplomat, and Confederate cavalry officer 693 2,358 sq mi
(6,107 km2)
State map highlighting Terrell County
Terry County 445 Brownfield 1876 Bexar County Frank Terry, a Confederate colonel and commander of Terry's Texas Rangers 11,567 890 sq mi
(2,305 km2)
State map highlighting Terry County
Throckmorton County 447 Throckmorton 1858 Fannin County William Edward Throckmorton, an early Collin County settler 1,550 912 sq mi
(2,362 km2)
State map highlighting Throckmorton County
Titus County 449 Mount Pleasant 1846 Bowie County Andrew Jackson Titus, planter and Texas state representative 31,208 411 sq mi
(1,064 km2)
State map highlighting Titus County
Tom Green County 451 San Angelo 1874 Bexar County Thomas Green (1814–1864), a Confederate brigadier general 118,892 1,522 sq mi
(3,942 km2)
State map highlighting Tom Green County
Travis County 453 Austin 1840 Bastrop County William Barret Travis (1809–1836), the commander of the Texan forces at the Alamo 1,326,436 989 sq mi
(2,561 km2)
State map highlighting Travis County
Trinity County 455 Groveton 1850 Houston County The Trinity River, named for the spiritual concept of the Trinity 13,996 693 sq mi
(1,795 km2)
State map highlighting Trinity County
Tyler County 457 Woodville 1846 Liberty County John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States (1841–1845) 20,030 923 sq mi
(2,391 km2)
State map highlighting Tyler County
Upshur County 459 Gilmer 1846 Harrison County Abel Parker Upshur, the fifteenth secretary of state of the United States (1843–1844) 42,488 588 sq mi
(1,523 km2)
State map highlighting Upshur County
Upton County 461 Rankin 1887 Tom Green County John C. & William F. Upton, brothers and lieutenant colonels in the Confederate army during the Civil War 3,152 1,242 sq mi
(3,217 km2)
State map highlighting Upton County
Uvalde County 463 Uvalde 1850 Bexar County The Cañón de Ugalde, a nearby battlefield where Spanish General Juan de Ugalde was victorious in a skirmish with over 300 Apaches 24,940 1,557 sq mi
(4,033 km2)
State map highlighting Uvalde County
Val Verde County 465 Del Rio 1885 Crockett County, Kinney County and Pecos County Civil War Battle of Val Verde
(Val Verde is Spanish for "green valley")
47,606 3,171 sq mi
(8,213 km2)
State map highlighting Val Verde County
Van Zandt County 467 Canton 1848 Henderson County Isaac Van Zandt (1813–1847), attorney, Texas state representative, and diplomat 62,859 849 sq mi
(2,199 km2)
State map highlighting Van Zandt County
Victoria County 469 Victoria 1836 One of the original 23 counties Its county seat, which was named for Guadalupe Victoria, Mexican revolutionary and its first president (1824–1829) 91,065 883 sq mi
(2,287 km2)
State map highlighting Victoria County
Walker County 471 Huntsville 1846 Montgomery County Robert J. Walker (1801–1869); officially renamed after Samuel Hamilton Walker (no relation) (1815–1847), a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Mexican–American War 78,870 788 sq mi
(2,041 km2)
State map highlighting Walker County
Waller County 473 Hempstead 1873 Austin County and Grimes County Edwin Waller (1800–1881), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first mayor of Austin, Texas 61,894 514 sq mi
(1,331 km2)
State map highlighting Waller County
Ward County 475 Monahans 1887 Tom Green County Thomas William Ward, a commissioner for the General Land Office of Texas and mayor of Austin, Texas 10,964 836 sq mi
(2,165 km2)
State map highlighting Ward County
Washington County 477 Brenham 1836 One of the original 23 counties George Washington, the first president of the United States (1789–1797) 36,159 609 sq mi
(1,577 km2)
State map highlighting Washington County
Webb County 479 Laredo 1848 Nueces County James Webb, who served as secretary of the Treasury, secretary of State, and Attorney General of the Republic of Texas 267,780 3,357 sq mi
(8,695 km2)
State map highlighting Webb County
Wharton County 481 Wharton 1846 Colorado County, Jackson County and Matagorda County William Harris Wharton (1802–1839) and John Austin Wharton (1806–1838), brothers and officers in the Texas Revolution 41,824 1,090 sq mi
(2,823 km2)
State map highlighting Wharton County
Wheeler County 483 Wheeler 1876 Bexar County Royal Tyler Wheeler, the second Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court 4,807 914 sq mi
(2,367 km2)
State map highlighting Wheeler County
Wichita County 485 Wichita Falls 1858 Cooke County The Wichita Native American tribe 129,978 628 sq mi
(1,627 km2)
State map highlighting Wichita County
Wilbarger County 487 Vernon 1858 Bexar County Josiah P. (1801–1845) and Mathias Wilbarger, brothers and early settlers; Josiah became a mythical figure for living 11 years after being scalped 12,491 971 sq mi
(2,515 km2)
State map highlighting Wilbarger County
Willacy County 489 Raymondville 1911 Cameron County and Hidalgo County John G. Willacy, Texas state senator who was the author of the bill that established the county 20,143 597 sq mi
(1,546 km2)
State map highlighting Willacy County
Williamson County 491 Georgetown 1848 Milam County Robert McAlpin Williamson, a leader and veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto 671,418 1,124 sq mi
(2,911 km2)
State map highlighting Williamson County
Wilson County 493 Floresville 1860 Bexar County, Guadalupe County and Karnes County James Charles Wilson, a Texas state senator (1851–1853) 52,735 807 sq mi
(2,090 km2)
State map highlighting Wilson County
Winkler County 495 Kermit 1887 Tom Green County Clinton Winkler, an appeals court judge, Texas state representative, and Confederate colonel 7,306 841 sq mi
(2,178 km2)
State map highlighting Winkler County
Wise County 497 Decatur 1856 Cooke County Henry Alexander Wise, the U.S. Congressman and future thirty-eighth governor of Virginia (1856–1860) who supported the annexation of Texas 74,895 905 sq mi
(2,344 km2)
State map highlighting Wise County
Wood County 499 Quitman 1850 Van Zandt County George Tyler Wood, the second governor of Texas (1847–1849) 46,857 650 sq mi
(1,683 km2)
State map highlighting Wood County
Yoakum County 501 Plains 1876 Bexar County Henderson King Yoakum (1810–1856), soldier, attorney, and Texas historian 7,451 800 sq mi
(2,072 km2)
State map highlighting Yoakum County
Young County 503 Graham 1856 Bosque County and Fannin County William Cocke Young, early Texas settler, attorney, sheriff, and United States Marshal 17,962 922 sq mi
(2,388 km2)
State map highlighting Young County
Zapata County 505 Zapata 1858 Starr County and Webb County José Antonio Zapata, a local rancher and colonel of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande 13,849 997 sq mi
(2,582 km2)
State map highlighting Zapata County
Zavala County 507 Crystal City 1846 Maverick County Lorenzo de Zavala (1788–1836), signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first Vice-President of the Republic of Texas 9,377 1,299 sq mi
(3,364 km2)
State map highlighting Zavala County

Defunct counties[edit]

There have been at least thirty-two counties established by Texas law that no longer exist. These fall into five categories: judicial counties; counties established by the Constitutional Convention of 1868–69; counties never organized which were abolished by legislative act; counties whose territory is no longer considered part of the state; and counties whose names have been changed.[12]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "How Many Counties are in Your State?". Click and Learn. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
  2. ^ "TSHA: County organization". The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  3. ^ "TSHA: Kenedy County". The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  4. ^ "TSHA: Loving County". The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  5. ^ "County government structure". Texas Association of Counties. Archived from the original on April 8, 2007. Retrieved April 27, 2007.
  6. ^ "County official information". Texas Association of Counties. Archived from the original on April 6, 2007. Retrieved April 27, 2007.
  7. ^ "FIPS Publish 6-4". National Institute of Standards and Technology. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
  8. ^ "EPA County FIPS Code Listing". EPA. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
  9. ^ a b c National Association of Counties. "NACo - Find a county". Archived from the original on February 13, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Texas". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "Texas Association of Counties facts". Texas Association of Counties. Archived from the original on April 8, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
  12. ^ "TSHA Defunct Counties". The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved April 20, 2007.

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]