Population overview
Stephens County is home to roughly 9,380 people, making up about 0.03% of the total population of Texas. Within the Central Texas region, it ranks #57 of 76 counties by population. The combination of 895 square miles of land and 9,380 residents yields a density of about 10.5 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Stephens County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Stephens County sits in the lower half 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 Stephens |
|---|---|---|
| Stephens County | 9,380 | — |
| Central Texas region average | 81,016 | +764% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +102% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +53685% |
Neighboring county populations
Stephens County shares borders with 5 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Pinto County | Palo Pinto | 30,791 | 32.3 |
| Young County | Graham | 18,154 | 19.7 |
| Eastland County | Eastland | 18,143 | 19.6 |
| Shackelford County | Albany | 3,197 | 3.5 |
| Throckmorton County | Throckmorton | 1,554 | 1.7 |
What the numbers mean
Stephens County's density of about 10.5 people per square mile is about 9% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 61 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.
Stephens County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 170th of 254; by land area it ranks 161st; and by density it ranks 165th. 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. Stephens 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 Stephens County, Texas?+
Stephens County has an estimated population of 9,380 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Stephens County?+
Stephens County has a population density of approximately 10.5 people per square mile across its 895 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Stephens County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Stephens County ranks #170 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.03% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Stephens County?+
Among the 5 counties bordering Stephens, Palo Pinto County is the most populous with about 30,791 residents.
How is Stephens 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.