Population overview
Baylor County is home to roughly 3,472 people, making up about 0.01% of the total population of Texas. Within the North Texas region, it ranks #26 of 36 counties by population. The combination of 871 square miles of land and 3,472 residents yields a density of about 4.0 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Baylor County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Baylor County sits in the bottom 25% 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 Baylor |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor County | 3,472 | — |
| North Texas region average | 252,448 | +7171% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +445% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +145206% |
Neighboring county populations
Baylor County shares borders with 5 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilbarger County | Vernon | 12,481 | 12.9 |
| Archer County | Archer City | 9,129 | 10.0 |
| Knox County | Benjamin | 3,192 | 3.7 |
| Throckmorton County | Throckmorton | 1,554 | 1.7 |
| Foard County | Crowell | 1,044 | 1.5 |
What the numbers mean
Baylor County's density of about 4.0 people per square mile is about 3% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 161 acres of land for every resident.
Below about six people per square mile, a county is often described as "frontier." Residents may live many miles from a hospital or full-service grocery, and county government is a small operation where a few officials wear many hats.
Baylor County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 211th of 254; by land area it ranks 178th; and by density it ranks 206th. 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. Baylor 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 Baylor County, Texas?+
Baylor County has an estimated population of 3,472 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Baylor County?+
Baylor County has a population density of approximately 4.0 people per square mile across its 871 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Baylor County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Baylor County ranks #211 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.01% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Baylor County?+
Among the 5 counties bordering Baylor, Wilbarger County is the most populous with about 12,481 residents.
How is Baylor 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.