Population overview
Terry County is home to roughly 11,720 people, making up about 0.04% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #19 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 890 square miles of land and 11,720 residents yields a density of about 13.2 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Terry County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Terry 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 Terry |
|---|---|---|
| Terry County | 11,720 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +272% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +61% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +42946% |
Neighboring county populations
Terry 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaines County | Seminole | 23,956 | 15.9 |
| Hockley County | Levelland | 21,600 | 23.8 |
| Dawson County | Lamesa | 11,776 | 13.1 |
| Yoakum County | Plains | 7,438 | 9.3 |
| Lynn County | Tahoka | 6,017 | 6.7 |
What the numbers mean
Terry County's density of about 13.2 people per square mile is about 11% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 49 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.
Terry County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 158th of 254; by land area it ranks 165th; and by density it ranks 155th. 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. Terry 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 Terry County, Texas?+
Terry County has an estimated population of 11,720 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Terry County?+
Terry County has a population density of approximately 13.2 people per square mile across its 890 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Terry County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Terry County ranks #158 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.04% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Terry County?+
Among the 5 counties bordering Terry, Gaines County is the most populous with about 23,956 residents.
How is Terry 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.