Population overview
San Saba County is home to roughly 5,787 people, making up about 0.02% of the total population of Texas. Within the Central Texas region, it ranks #64 of 76 counties by population. The combination of 1,134 square miles of land and 5,787 residents yields a density of about 5.1 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How San Saba County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, San Saba 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 San Saba |
|---|---|---|
| San Saba County | 5,787 | — |
| Central Texas region average | 81,016 | +1300% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +227% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +87079% |
Neighboring county populations
San Saba 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnet County | Burnet | 57,015 | 57.3 |
| Brown County | Brownwood | 38,711 | 41.0 |
| Lampasas County | Lampasas | 23,657 | 33.2 |
| Llano County | Llano | 23,353 | 25.0 |
| McCulloch County | Brady | 7,472 | 7.0 |
| Mills County | Goldthwaite | 4,580 | 6.1 |
| Mason County | Mason | 3,990 | 4.3 |
What the numbers mean
San Saba County's density of about 5.1 people per square mile is about 4% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 125 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.
San Saba County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 193rd of 254; by land area it ranks 44th; and by density it ranks 196th. 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. San Saba 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 San Saba County, Texas?+
San Saba County has an estimated population of 5,787 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of San Saba County?+
San Saba County has a population density of approximately 5.1 people per square mile across its 1,134 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does San Saba County rank among Texas counties by population?+
San Saba County ranks #193 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 San Saba County?+
Among the 7 counties bordering San Saba, Burnet County is the most populous with about 57,015 residents.
How is San Saba 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.