Population overview
Briscoe County is home to roughly 1,474 people, making up about 0.00% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #47 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 900 square miles of land and 1,474 residents yields a density of about 1.6 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Briscoe County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Briscoe 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 Briscoe |
|---|---|---|
| Briscoe County | 1,474 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +2860% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +1183% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +342168% |
Neighboring county populations
Briscoe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swisher County | Tulia | 6,703 | 7.4 |
| Floyd County | Floydada | 4,881 | 4.9 |
| Donley County | Clarendon | 3,213 | 3.5 |
| Hall County | Memphis | 2,737 | 3.0 |
| Armstrong County | Claude | 1,843 | 2.0 |
| Motley County | Matador | 1,043 | 1.1 |
What the numbers mean
Briscoe County's density of about 1.6 people per square mile is about 1% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 391 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.
Briscoe County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 238th of 254; by land area it ranks 149th; and by density it ranks 231st. It has far more land than people compared with most Texas counties.
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. Briscoe 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 Briscoe County, Texas?+
Briscoe County has an estimated population of 1,474 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Briscoe County?+
Briscoe County has a population density of approximately 1.6 people per square mile across its 900 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Briscoe County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Briscoe County ranks #238 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.00% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Briscoe County?+
Among the 6 counties bordering Briscoe, Swisher County is the most populous with about 6,703 residents.
How is Briscoe 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.