Harris County Demographics

A map of Harris County's Population by Race

Harris County, Texas has an estimated population of 4,838,303, a slight increase from the 4,731,145 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 44.0% Hispanic, 26.6% White, 18.6% Black, 7.3% Asian, 3.0% Multiracial, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Harris County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Harris is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Texas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Harris County, that probability was 69.7% in 2020 and 69.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Harris County is ranked the most populous county in Texas, out of 254 counties. Harris County was ranked the 1st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Harris County's White Population

1,284,914 residents of Harris County, or 26.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Harris County is considerably lower than in Texas overall, where 39.1% of the population is White. Harris County ranks 228th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harris County's White population has declined by an estimated 1.9%. White residents' share of Harris County's population has decreased from 27.7% to 26.6%.

Harris County is less White than neighboring Montgomery County (58.7% White), Fort Bend County (28.7% White), Waller County (38.1% White), Liberty County (48.7% White), and Brazoria County (41.6% White).

Harris County's Black Population

900,450 residents of Harris County, or 18.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Harris County is higher than in Texas overall, where 11.9% of the population is Black. Harris County ranks 17th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harris County's Black population has grown by an estimated 1.7%. Black residents' share of Harris County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 18.6%.

Harris County is more Black than neighboring Montgomery County (6.1% Black), Liberty County (7.5% Black), and Brazoria County (15.9% Black). Harris County is less Black than neighboring Fort Bend County (20.6% Black), and Waller County (23.4% Black).

Harris County's Asian Population

351,368 residents of Harris County, or 7.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Harris County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 5.5% of the population is Asian. Harris County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harris County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 1.9%. Asian residents' share of Harris County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.3%.

Harris County is more Asian than neighboring Montgomery County (3.3% Asian), Waller County (2% Asian), and Liberty County (0.6% Asian). Harris County is less Asian than neighboring Fort Bend County (21.9% Asian), and Brazoria County (7.4% Asian).

Harris County's Hispanic Population

2,126,581 residents of Harris County, or 44.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Harris County is slightly higher than in Texas overall, where 39.7% of the population is Hispanic. Harris County ranks 75th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harris County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Harris County's population has increased from 43.0% to 44.0%.

Harris County is more Hispanic than neighboring Montgomery County (27.9% Hispanic), Fort Bend County (24.7% Hispanic), Waller County (33.5% Hispanic), Liberty County (39.6% Hispanic), and Brazoria County (31.6% Hispanic).

Harris County's Native American/Other Population

30,164 residents of Harris County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Harris County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Harris County ranks 104th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harris County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 13.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Harris County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Harris County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Waller County (0.3% Native American/Other), and Liberty County (0.3% Native American/Other).

Harris County's Multiracial Population

144,826 residents of Harris County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Harris County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Harris County ranks 152nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Harris County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 19.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Harris County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Harris County is more Multiracial than neighboring Waller County (2.6% Multiracial), and Brazoria County (2.9% Multiracial). Harris County is less Multiracial than neighboring Montgomery County (3.5% Multiracial), Fort Bend County (3.5% Multiracial), and Liberty County (3.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.