Population overview
Cherokee County is home to roughly 53,337 people, making up about 0.17% of the total population of Texas. Within the East Texas region, it ranks #18 of 44 counties by population. The combination of 1,052 square miles of land and 53,337 residents yields a density of about 50.7 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 Cherokee County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Cherokee 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 Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County | 53,337 | — |
| East Texas region average | 64,981 | +22% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | -65% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +9359% |
Neighboring county populations
Cherokee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith County | Tyler | 252,549 | 272.1 |
| Henderson County | Athens | 88,595 | 101.4 |
| Angelina County | Lufkin | 88,154 | 109.9 |
| Nacogdoches County | Nacogdoches | 66,035 | 69.7 |
| Anderson County | Palestine | 59,805 | 55.8 |
| Rusk County | Henderson | 54,854 | 59.4 |
| Houston County | Crockett | 22,316 | 18.1 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Cherokee County, Texas?+
Cherokee County has an estimated population of 53,337 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Cherokee County?+
Cherokee County has a population density of approximately 50.7 people per square mile across its 1,052 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a small-town / exurban county.
Where does Cherokee County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Cherokee County ranks #72 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.17% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Cherokee County?+
Among the 7 counties bordering Cherokee, Smith County is the most populous with about 252,549 residents.
How is Cherokee 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.