Map of Texas Counties

Texas Counties: Key Facts

County boundaries in Texas date back to the 19th century, formed as the state expanded west and populations grew. Today, Texas counties vary in both size and population, from rural areas to densely populated urban centers.

• Number of counties: 254 (most of any state)
• Largest county by area: Brewster County - 6,192 square miles (16,041 km²)
• Most populous county: Harris County (Houston) - about 4.7 million residents
• Least populous county: Loving County (Mentone) - 64 people (2020 Census)
• Smallest county by area: Rockwall County - 149 square miles (386 km²)
• Counties with major urban centers: Dallas (Dallas), Harris (Houston), Tarrant (Fort Worth), Bexar (San Antonio), Travis (Austin), El Paso (El Paso)
• Time zones: Central Time for most counties; Mountain Time in El Paso and Hudspeth
• Neighboring states: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana
• International border: 1,254 mi (2,018 km) with Mexico along the Rio Grande

The first Texas counties were formed in 1836 after independence from Mexico. County boundaries largely unchanged since 1931 (re-creation of Loving County).