Houston County, Texas

Houston County
The Houston County Courthouse in Crockett is located at the intersections of Texas State Highway 21 and U.S. Highway 287.
The Houston County Courthouse in Crockett is located at the intersections of Texas State Highway 21 and U.S. Highway 287.
Flag of Houston County
Map of Texas highlighting Houston County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°19′N 95°26′W / 31.32°N 95.43°W / 31.32; -95.43
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1837
Named forSam Houston
SeatCrockett
Largest cityCrockett
Area
 • Total1,237 sq mi (3,200 km2)
 • Land1,231 sq mi (3,190 km2)
 • Water5.7 sq mi (15 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total22,066
 • Density18/sq mi (6.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district17th
Websitewww.co.houston.tx.us

Houston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 22,066.[1] Its county seat is Crockett.[2] Houston County was one of 46 entirely dry counties in the state of Texas, until voters in a November 2007 special election legalized the sale of alcohol in the county.

Houston County was the first new county created under the nine-year Republic of Texas on June 12, 1837. The original boundaries of Houston County also included all of present-day Anderson and Trinity Counties, and portions of present-day Henderson and Polk Counties.

The county is named for Sam Houston, President of the Republic of Texas and Governor of Texas.[3] Other than being named for the same person, Houston County is not related to the City of Houston, which is located about 100 mi (160 km) to the south, in Harris County.

  1. ^ "Houston County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 161.