Population overview
Brooks County is home to roughly 6,579 people, making up about 0.02% of the total population of Texas. Within the South Texas region, it ranks #20 of 26 counties by population. The combination of 943 square miles of land and 6,579 residents yields a density of about 7.0 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Brooks County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Brooks 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 Brooks |
|---|---|---|
| Brooks County | 6,579 | — |
| South Texas region average | 157,697 | +2297% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +188% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +76584% |
Neighboring county populations
Brooks County shares borders with 7 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo County | Edinburg | 921,549 | 587.3 |
| Starr County | Rio Grande City | 66,319 | 54.2 |
| Jim Wells County | Alice | 38,804 | 44.9 |
| Kleberg County | Kingsville | 30,315 | 34.8 |
| Duval County | San Diego | 9,402 | 5.2 |
| Jim Hogg County | Hebbronville | 4,555 | 4.0 |
| Kenedy County | Sarita | 319 | 0.2 |
What the numbers mean
Brooks County's density of about 7.0 people per square mile is about 6% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 92 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.
Brooks County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 189th of 254; by land area it ranks 88th; and by density it ranks 182nd. 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. Brooks 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 Brooks County, Texas?+
Brooks County has an estimated population of 6,579 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Brooks County?+
Brooks County has a population density of approximately 7.0 people per square mile across its 943 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Brooks County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Brooks County ranks #189 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 Brooks County?+
Among the 7 counties bordering Brooks, Hidalgo County is the most populous with about 921,549 residents.
How is Brooks 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.