Geography of Galveston County
Much of Galveston County's 399 square miles now functions as part of a larger metro area: its population of about 372,207 gives it a density well above the Texas county average.
It lies in the Gulf Coast region at about 29.40° N, 95.05° W and is one of the 25 smallest counties in Texas (243rd of 254 by area). The county fronts the Gulf of Mexico or its bays, so the coastline, wetlands and storm-surge planning are part of everyday life. Galveston County shares boundaries with 3 other Texas counties, and the closest major cities are Houston (about 32 miles away in a straight line) and Beaumont (about 72 miles).
The Gulf Coast region is low, flat and closely tied to the water — bays, barrier islands, rice fields and coastal prairie, along with ports, refineries and petrochemical plants that are central to the Texas economy. Hurricanes and flooding are real planning concerns here.
For a broader view of how Galveston County fits within the state, download our free Texas map with counties and cities PDF — a printable, high-resolution reference showing all 254 Texas counties labeled with their county seats.
Population & demographics
With approximately 372,207 residents across 399 square miles, Galveston County has a population density of about 932.8 people per square mile. It ranks among the more densely populated counties in Texas — a clear sign of metropolitan urbanization.
County seat: Galveston
County government for Galveston County is based in Galveston — one of several Texas county seats that carry the same name as their county. The commissioners court, made up of a county judge and four precinct commissioners, meets here and sets the county budget, roads policy and tax rate. As the county has grown, some offices have added annex locations closer to newer suburbs.
History & name origin
Galveston County was established in 1838 and was named for Its county seat, named after Bernardo de Gálvez, Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory (1777–1785). It was carved from territory previously part of Brazoria County, Harris County and Liberty County.
Galveston County, Texas — frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Galveston County geography, population, county seat, neighboring counties, and how to use the maps on this page. Figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau; answers are written and reviewed by the Texas County Map team.
Where is Galveston County, Texas located?+
Galveston County is located in the Gulf Coast region of Texas at approximately 29.399° N, 95.048° W. It is one of the 254 counties of Texas and carries U.S. Census FIPS code 48167. The interactive map on this page renders the official U.S. Census TIGER boundary for Galveston County over real-world OpenStreetMap, Esri satellite, and topographic basemaps.
How big is Galveston County in square miles?+
Galveston County covers approximately 399 square miles of land in the Gulf Coast region — a compact county by Texas standards. By land area it ranks 243rd out of 254 Texas counties. The full bounding box of the county is rendered to scale on the interactive map and matches the U.S. Census TIGER 2023 polygon.
What is the population of Galveston County, Texas?+
Galveston County has a population of approximately 372,207 residents. With 399 square miles of land, that works out to a population density of about 932.8 people per square mile, which is densely populated for a Texas county. That makes Galveston County the 16th most populous of the 254 counties in Texas.
What is the county seat of Galveston County?+
Galveston is the county seat of Galveston County, Texas, which was organized in 1838 and named for Its county seat, named after Bernardo de Gálvez, Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory (1777–1785). Galveston County was originally carved out of Brazoria County, Harris County and Liberty County. County government offices, courthouses, and most public records for Galveston County are located in Galveston.
Which Texas counties border Galveston County?+
Galveston County shares borders with Harris, Brazoria, and Chambers counties. These 3 neighboring counties are highlighted on the schematic boundary map and linked at the bottom of this page so you can quickly compare population, area, and county seats across the Gulf Coast region.
Where can I download or print a map of Galveston County?+
Use the "Download PDF" button below the Galveston County map on this page to save a letter-size PDF of the county boundary, neighboring counties and incorporated places, drawn from U.S. Census Bureau 2023 boundary files. The "Official TxDOT road map" button downloads the Texas Department of Transportation county road mapbook for Galveston County. Both files are stored on this site and download directly. Our free Texas map with counties and cities PDF shows all 254 counties on one sheet.
What is the FIPS code for Galveston County, Texas?+
The full 5-digit U.S. Census FIPS code for Galveston County is 48167, made up of Texas state code 48 and the 3-digit county code 167. This is the same FIPS code used by the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line files, the American Community Survey, and most federal datasets that key on county.