Most rural counties in Texas
A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Texas using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.
According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.
#50. San Augustine County
- Rural area: 100.0% (531 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 531 square miles
--- #236 largest county in state, #1,975 nationwide
- Population density: 15.6 people / square mile (8,260 residents)
--- #106 lowest density county in state, #758 nationwide
#49. Newton County
- Rural area: 100.0% (934 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 934 square miles
--- #94 largest county in state, #766 nationwide
- Population density: 14.8 people / square mile (13,788 residents)
--- #104 lowest density county in state, #729 nationwide
#48. Live Oak County
- Rural area: 100.0% (1,040 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,040 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #632 nationwide
- Population density: 11.7 people / square mile (12,175 residents)
--- #93 lowest density county in state, #627 nationwide
#47. Goliad County
- Rural area: 100.0% (852 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 852 square miles
--- #183 largest county in state, #976 nationwide
- Population density: 8.9 people / square mile (7,578 residents)
--- #77 lowest density county in state, #532 nationwide
#46. Mills County
- Rural area: 100.0% (748 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 748 square miles
--- #208 largest county in state, #1,178 nationwide
- Population density: 6.5 people / square mile (4,877 residents)
--- #67 lowest density county in state, #434 nationwide
#45. Crosby County
- Rural area: 100.0% (900 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 900 square miles
--- #146 largest county in state, #853 nationwide
- Population density: 6.4 people / square mile (5,753 residents)
--- #65 lowest density county in state, #429 nationwide
#44. Martin County
- Rural area: 100.0% (915 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 915 square miles
--- #115 largest county in state, #806 nationwide
- Population density: 6.2 people / square mile (5,676 residents)
--- #62 lowest density county in state, #420 nationwide
#43. Hardeman County
- Rural area: 100.0% (695 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 695 square miles
--- #217 largest county in state, #1,342 nationwide
- Population density: 5.7 people / square mile (3,958 residents)
--- #57 lowest density county in state, #398 nationwide
#42. Wheeler County
- Rural area: 100.0% (915 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 915 square miles
--- #116 largest county in state, #807 nationwide
- Population density: 5.7 people / square mile (5,187 residents)
--- #56 lowest density county in state, #397 nationwide
#41. Real County
- Rural area: 100.0% (699 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 699 square miles
--- #215 largest county in state, #1,326 nationwide
- Population density: 4.9 people / square mile (3,429 residents)
--- #53 lowest density county in state, #364 nationwide
#40. Mason County
- Rural area: 100.0% (929 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 929 square miles
--- #98 largest county in state, #775 nationwide
- Population density: 4.6 people / square mile (4,248 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #351 nationwide
#39. Knox County
- Rural area: 100.0% (851 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 851 square miles
--- #184 largest county in state, #978 nationwide
- Population density: 4.3 people / square mile (3,679 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #340 nationwide
#38. Fisher County
- Rural area: 100.0% (899 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 899 square miles
--- #151 largest county in state, #861 nationwide
- Population density: 4.3 people / square mile (3,827 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #333 nationwide
#37. Baylor County
- Rural area: 100.0% (867 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 867 square miles
--- #178 largest county in state, #947 nationwide
- Population density: 4.1 people / square mile (3,560 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #316 nationwide
#36. Cochran County
- Rural area: 100.0% (775 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 775 square miles
--- #204 largest county in state, #1,120 nationwide
- Population density: 3.7 people / square mile (2,860 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #287 nationwide
#35. Coke County
- Rural area: 100.0% (911 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 911 square miles
--- #122 largest county in state, #819 nationwide
- Population density: 3.6 people / square mile (3,298 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #281 nationwide
#34. Shackelford County
- Rural area: 100.0% (914 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 914 square miles
--- #118 largest county in state, #809 nationwide
- Population density: 3.6 people / square mile (3,291 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #280 nationwide
#33. Donley County
- Rural area: 100.0% (927 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 927 square miles
--- #100 largest county in state, #779 nationwide
- Population density: 3.6 people / square mile (3,317 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #277 nationwide
#32. Lipscomb County
- Rural area: 100.0% (932 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 932 square miles
--- #96 largest county in state, #769 nationwide
- Population density: 3.5 people / square mile (3,301 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #273 nationwide
#31. Hall County
- Rural area: 100.0% (883 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 883 square miles
--- #167 largest county in state, #904 nationwide
- Population density: 3.4 people / square mile (3,025 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #266 nationwide
#30. Sherman County
- Rural area: 100.0% (923 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 923 square miles
--- #107 largest county in state, #790 nationwide
- Population density: 3.3 people / square mile (3,046 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #260 nationwide
#29. Collingsworth County
- Rural area: 100.0% (918 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 918 square miles
--- #111 largest county in state, #799 nationwide
- Population density: 3.2 people / square mile (2,939 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #254 nationwide
#28. Concho County
- Rural area: 100.0% (984 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 984 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #698 nationwide
- Population density: 3.1 people / square mile (3,018 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #243 nationwide
#27. Upton County
- Rural area: 100.0% (1,241 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,241 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #491 nationwide
- Population density: 2.9 people / square mile (3,651 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #232 nationwide
#26. Dickens County
- Rural area: 100.0% (902 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 902 square miles
--- #140 largest county in state, #844 nationwide
- Population density: 2.4 people / square mile (2,182 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #190 nationwide
#25. Menard County
- Rural area: 100.0% (902 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 902 square miles
--- #139 largest county in state, #842 nationwide
- Population density: 2.3 people / square mile (2,108 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #185 nationwide
#24. Schleicher County
- Rural area: 100.0% (1,311 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,311 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #456 nationwide
- Population density: 2.2 people / square mile (2,898 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #174 nationwide
#23. Armstrong County
- Rural area: 100.0% (909 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 909 square miles
--- #126 largest county in state, #824 nationwide
- Population density: 2.1 people / square mile (1,950 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #169 nationwide
#22. Cottle County
- Rural area: 100.0% (901 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 901 square miles
--- #142 largest county in state, #849 nationwide
- Population density: 1.8 people / square mile (1,624 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #139 nationwide
#21. Foard County
- Rural area: 100.0% (704 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 704 square miles
--- #214 largest county in state, #1,316 nationwide
- Population density: 1.7 people / square mile (1,207 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #128 nationwide
#20. Throckmorton County
- Rural area: 100.0% (913 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 913 square miles
--- #119 largest county in state, #814 nationwide
- Population density: 1.6 people / square mile (1,500 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #123 nationwide
#19. Glasscock County
- Rural area: 100.0% (900 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 900 square miles
--- #145 largest county in state, #852 nationwide
- Population density: 1.6 people / square mile (1,447 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #121 nationwide
#18. Stonewall County
- Rural area: 100.0% (916 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 916 square miles
--- #113 largest county in state, #802 nationwide
- Population density: 1.5 people / square mile (1,412 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #114 nationwide
#17. Briscoe County
- Rural area: 100.0% (900 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 900 square miles
--- #147 largest county in state, #855 nationwide
- Population density: 1.5 people / square mile (1,348 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #110 nationwide
#16. Irion County
- Rural area: 100.0% (1,052 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,052 square miles
--- #61 largest county in state, #621 nationwide
- Population density: 1.5 people / square mile (1,553 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #107 nationwide
#15. Oldham County
- Rural area: 100.0% (1,501 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,501 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #400 nationwide
- Population density: 1.4 people / square mile (2,110 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #101 nationwide
#14. Sterling County
- Rural area: 100.0% (923 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 923 square miles
--- #106 largest county in state, #789 nationwide
- Population density: 1.4 people / square mile (1,274 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #98 nationwide
#13. Motley County
- Rural area: 100.0% (990 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 990 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #693 nationwide
- Population density: 1.4 people / square mile (1,362 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #97 nationwide
#12. Hudspeth County
- Rural area: 100.0% (4,571 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 4,571 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #94 nationwide
- Population density: 1.0 people / square mile (4,687 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #71 nationwide
#11. Jeff Davis County
- Rural area: 100.0% (2,265 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,265 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #246 nationwide
- Population density: 1.0 people / square mile (2,245 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #67 nationwide
#10. Edwards County
- Rural area: 100.0% (2,118 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,118 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #263 nationwide
- Population density: 0.9 people / square mile (1,944 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #61 nationwide
#9. Roberts County
- Rural area: 100.0% (924 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 924 square miles
--- #104 largest county in state, #786 nationwide
- Population density: 0.8 people / square mile (784 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #54 nationwide
#8. Kent County
- Rural area: 100.0% (903 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 903 square miles
--- #138 largest county in state, #841 nationwide
- Population density: 0.8 people / square mile (704 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #47 nationwide
#7. Borden County
- Rural area: 100.0% (897 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 897 square miles
--- #153 largest county in state, #868 nationwide
- Population density: 0.7 people / square mile (653 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #44 nationwide
#6. McMullen County
- Rural area: 100.0% (1,139 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,139 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #546 nationwide
- Population density: 0.6 people / square mile (724 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #35 nationwide
#5. Culberson County
- Rural area: 100.0% (3,813 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 3,813 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #130 nationwide
- Population density: 0.6 people / square mile (2,183 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #31 nationwide
#4. Terrell County
- Rural area: 100.0% (2,358 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,358 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #236 nationwide
- Population density: 0.4 people / square mile (903 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #18 nationwide
#3. King County
- Rural area: 100.0% (911 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 911 square miles
--- #124 largest county in state, #821 nationwide
- Population density: 0.3 people / square mile (279 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #17 nationwide
#2. Kenedy County
- Rural area: 100.0% (1,458 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,458 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #410 nationwide
- Population density: 0.3 people / square mile (391 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #12 nationwide
#1. Loving County
- Rural area: 100.0% (669 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 669 square miles
--- #221 largest county in state, #1,407 nationwide
- Population density: 0.2 people / square mile (117 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #6 nationwide
