Population overview
Karnes County is home to roughly 15,018 people, making up about 0.05% of the total population of Texas. Within the Central Texas region, it ranks #51 of 76 counties by population. The combination of 750 square miles of land and 15,018 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 Karnes County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Karnes 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 Karnes |
|---|---|---|
| Karnes County | 15,018 | — |
| Central Texas region average | 81,016 | +439% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +26% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +33493% |
Neighboring county populations
Karnes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson County | Floresville | 56,139 | 69.6 |
| Atascosa County | Jourdanton | 53,590 | 43.5 |
| Bee County | Beeville | 32,515 | 36.9 |
| DeWitt County | Cuero | 20,309 | 22.3 |
| Gonzales County | Gonzales | 20,159 | 18.9 |
| Live Oak County | George West | 11,929 | 11.5 |
| Goliad County | Goliad | 7,208 | 8.4 |
What the numbers mean
Karnes 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.
Karnes County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 139th of 254; by land area it ranks 208th; and by density it ranks 135th. It punches above its size — more people than its land area alone would suggest.
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. Karnes 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 Karnes County, Texas?+
Karnes County has an estimated population of 15,018 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Karnes County?+
Karnes County has a population density of approximately 20.0 people per square mile across its 750 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Karnes County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Karnes County ranks #139 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.05% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Karnes County?+
Among the 7 counties bordering Karnes, Wilson County is the most populous with about 56,139 residents.
How is Karnes 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.