Population overview
Deaf Smith County is home to roughly 18,626 people, making up about 0.06% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #14 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 1,497 square miles of land and 18,626 residents yields a density of about 12.4 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Deaf Smith County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Deaf Smith County sits in the lower 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 Deaf Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Deaf Smith County | 18,626 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +134% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +2% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +26986% |
Neighboring county populations
Deaf Smith County shares borders with 4 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randall County | Canyon | 152,351 | 166.7 |
| Parmer County | Farwell | 9,678 | 11.0 |
| Castro County | Dimmitt | 7,295 | 8.1 |
| Oldham County | Vega | 1,783 | 1.2 |
What the numbers mean
Deaf Smith County's density of about 12.4 people per square mile is about 10% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 51 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.
Deaf Smith County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 131st of 254; by land area it ranks 22nd; and by density it ranks 160th. 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. Deaf Smith 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 Deaf Smith County, Texas?+
Deaf Smith County has an estimated population of 18,626 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Deaf Smith County?+
Deaf Smith County has a population density of approximately 12.4 people per square mile across its 1,497 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Deaf Smith County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Deaf Smith County ranks #131 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.06% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Deaf Smith County?+
Among the 4 counties bordering Deaf Smith, Randall County is the most populous with about 152,351 residents.
How is Deaf Smith 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.