Population overview
Delta County is home to roughly 5,549 people, making up about 0.02% of the total population of Texas. Within the East Texas region, it ranks #44 of 44 counties by population. The combination of 277 square miles of land and 5,549 residents yields a density of about 20.0 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Delta County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Delta 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 Delta |
|---|---|---|
| Delta County | 5,549 | — |
| East Texas region average | 64,981 | +1071% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +241% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +90818% |
Neighboring county populations
Delta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt County | Greenville | 123,336 | 146.7 |
| Lamar County | Paris | 51,503 | 56.2 |
| Fannin County | Bonham | 39,265 | 44.0 |
| Hopkins County | Sulphur Springs | 39,063 | 49.8 |
| Red River County | Clarksville | 11,816 | 11.3 |
| Franklin County | Mount Vernon | 10,994 | 38.4 |
What the numbers mean
Delta County's density of about 20.0 people per square mile is about 17% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 32 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.
Delta County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 194th of 254; by land area it ranks 247th; and by density it ranks 134th. 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. Delta 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 Delta County, Texas?+
Delta County has an estimated population of 5,549 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Delta County?+
Delta County has a population density of approximately 20.0 people per square mile across its 277 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Delta County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Delta County ranks #194 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 Delta County?+
Among the 6 counties bordering Delta, Hunt County is the most populous with about 123,336 residents.
How is Delta 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.