Population overview
Bailey County is home to roughly 6,963 people, making up about 0.02% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #26 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 827 square miles of land and 6,963 residents yields a density of about 8.4 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Bailey County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Bailey County sits in the lower half of the population distribution. It belongs to the smaller end of Texas counties by population — typical of West Texas, the Panhandle, and the Trans-Pecos.
| Comparison | Population | vs Bailey |
|---|---|---|
| Bailey County | 6,963 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +527% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +172% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +72355% |
Neighboring county populations
Bailey County shares borders with 3 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamb County | Littlefield | 12,579 | 12.4 |
| Parmer County | Farwell | 9,678 | 11.0 |
| Cochran County | Morton | 2,546 | 3.3 |
What the numbers mean
Bailey County's density of about 8.4 people per square mile is about 7% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 76 acres of land for every resident.
Rural density like this means long drives to services, small school districts that are often the heart of community life, and an economy closely tied to agriculture, energy or recreation.
Bailey County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 185th of 254; by land area it ranks 193rd; and by density it ranks 178th. Its population and land area rank fairly close together, a balanced profile for Texas.
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. Bailey County belongs to that large group of smaller counties.
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 Bailey County, Texas?+
Bailey County has an estimated population of 6,963 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Bailey County?+
Bailey County has a population density of approximately 8.4 people per square mile across its 827 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Bailey County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Bailey County ranks #185 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.02% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Bailey County?+
Among the 3 counties bordering Bailey, Lamb County is the most populous with about 12,579 residents.
How is Bailey 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.