Population overview
Austin County is home to roughly 33,625 people, making up about 0.11% of the total population of Texas. Within the Central Texas region, it ranks #24 of 76 counties by population. The combination of 653 square miles of land and 33,625 residents yields a density of about 51.5 people per square mile — characteristic of small-town and exurban Texas, where towns are anchored by a county seat surrounded by working farmland and ranches.
How Austin County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Austin County sits in the upper half of the population distribution. It represents the broad middle of Texas — small to mid-sized counties with a clear county seat and a regionally rooted economy.
| Comparison | Population | vs Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Austin County | 33,625 | — |
| Central Texas region average | 81,016 | +141% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | -44% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +14904% |
Neighboring county populations
Austin County shares borders with 6 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Bend County | Richmond | 975,191 | 1114.5 |
| Waller County | Hempstead | 69,858 | 135.9 |
| Wharton County | Wharton | 42,060 | 38.6 |
| Washington County | Brenham | 38,288 | 62.9 |
| Fayette County | La Grange | 25,459 | 26.8 |
| Colorado County | Columbus | 21,439 | 22.3 |
What the numbers mean
Austin County's density of about 51.5 people per square mile is about 43% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 12 acres of land for every resident.
At this density the county is anchored by one or two real towns, with farms and ranches between them. Hospitals, school districts and retail tend to concentrate in Bellville, which draws shoppers and workers from surrounding rural areas.
Austin County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 89th of 254; by land area it ranks 224th; and by density it ranks 78th. It punches above its size — more people than its land area alone would suggest.
Texas's population is extremely concentrated: the ten largest counties hold well over half of all Texans, while more than 150 counties have fewer than 30,000 residents. Austin County sits in the middle ground between the big metros and the rural majority.
About the data
Population figures on this page come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The decennial census provides the official count every ten years, and the Bureau's annual Population Estimates Program updates county totals between censuses. Land area comes from the Census Gazetteer and excludes water. Figures are rounded and may differ slightly from county or school district estimates that use other methods. See our methodology page for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Austin County, Texas?+
Austin County has an estimated population of 33,625 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Austin County?+
Austin County has a population density of approximately 51.5 people per square mile across its 653 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a small-town / exurban county.
Where does Austin County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Austin County ranks #89 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.11% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Austin County?+
Among the 6 counties bordering Austin, Fort Bend County is the most populous with about 975,191 residents.
How is Austin County's population measured?+
Population figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau — the decennial census and annual American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates. See our methodology for full sourcing.