Population overview
Jeff Davis County is home to roughly 1,711 people, making up about 0.01% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #46 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 2,265 square miles of land and 1,711 residents yields a density of about 0.8 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Jeff Davis County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Jeff Davis 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 Jeff Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Davis County | 1,711 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +2450% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +1006% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +294758% |
Neighboring county populations
Jeff Davis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pecos County | Fort Stockton | 14,560 | 3.1 |
| Reeves County | Pecos | 12,138 | 4.6 |
| Brewster County | Alpine | 9,458 | 1.5 |
| Presidio County | Marfa | 5,433 | 1.4 |
| Hudspeth County | Sierra Blanca | 3,433 | 0.8 |
| Culberson County | Van Horn | 2,267 | 0.6 |
What the numbers mean
Jeff Davis County's density of about 0.8 people per square mile is about 1% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 847 acres of land for every resident.
Below about six people per square mile, a county is often described as "frontier." Residents may live many miles from a hospital or full-service grocery, and county government is a small operation where a few officials wear many hats.
Jeff Davis County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 235th of 254; by land area it ranks 11th; and by density it ranks 244th. 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. Jeff Davis 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 Jeff Davis County, Texas?+
Jeff Davis County has an estimated population of 1,711 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Jeff Davis County?+
Jeff Davis County has a population density of approximately 0.8 people per square mile across its 2,265 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Jeff Davis County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Jeff Davis County ranks #235 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.01% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Jeff Davis County?+
Among the 6 counties bordering Jeff Davis, Pecos County is the most populous with about 14,560 residents.
How is Jeff Davis 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.