Population overview
Montague County is home to roughly 21,966 people, making up about 0.07% of the total population of Texas. Within the North Texas region, it ranks #18 of 36 counties by population. The combination of 931 square miles of land and 21,966 residents yields a density of about 23.6 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Montague County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Montague County sits in the upper 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 Montague |
|---|---|---|
| Montague County | 21,966 | — |
| North Texas region average | 252,448 | +1049% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | -14% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +22867% |
Neighboring county populations
Montague 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise County | Decatur | 83,778 | 92.6 |
| Cooke County | Gainesville | 44,461 | 50.9 |
| Clay County | Henrietta | 10,764 | 9.8 |
| Jack County | Jacksboro | 9,563 | 10.4 |
What the numbers mean
Montague County's density of about 23.6 people per square mile is about 19% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 27 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.
Montague County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 112th of 254; by land area it ranks 99th; and by density it ranks 121st. 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. Montague 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 Montague County, Texas?+
Montague County has an estimated population of 21,966 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Montague County?+
Montague County has a population density of approximately 23.6 people per square mile across its 931 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Montague County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Montague County ranks #112 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.07% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Montague County?+
Among the 4 counties bordering Montague, Wise County is the most populous with about 83,778 residents.
How is Montague 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.