Population overview
Val Verde County is home to roughly 47,835 people, making up about 0.15% of the total population of Texas. Within the Big Bend region, it ranks #1 of 4 counties by population. The combination of 3,171 square miles of land and 47,835 residents yields a density of about 15.1 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Val Verde County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Val Verde 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 Val Verde |
|---|---|---|
| Val Verde County | 47,835 | — |
| Big Bend region average | 15,857 | -67% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | -60% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +10447% |
Neighboring county populations
Val Verde 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton County | Sonora | 3,203 | 2.2 |
| Kinney County | Brackettville | 3,128 | 2.3 |
| Crockett County | Ozona | 2,769 | 1.0 |
| Edwards County | Rocksprings | 1,370 | 0.6 |
| Terrell County | Sanderson | 702 | 0.3 |
What the numbers mean
Val Verde County's density of about 15.1 people per square mile is about 12% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 42 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.
Val Verde County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 76th of 254; by land area it ranks 7th; and by density it ranks 151st. 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. Val Verde County sits in the middle ground between the big metros and the rural majority.
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 Val Verde County, Texas?+
Val Verde County has an estimated population of 47,835 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Val Verde County?+
Val Verde County has a population density of approximately 15.1 people per square mile across its 3,171 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Val Verde County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Val Verde County ranks #76 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.15% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Val Verde County?+
Among the 5 counties bordering Val Verde, Sutton County is the most populous with about 3,203 residents.
How is Val Verde 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.