Karnes County Demographics

A map of Karnes County's Population by Race

Karnes County, Texas has an estimated population of 14,968, a slight increase from the 14,710 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 53.4% Hispanic, 34.7% White, 9.3% Black, 2.2% Multiracial, 0.3% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Karnes County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Karnes is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less 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 Karnes County, that probability was 58.3% in 2020 and 58.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Karnes County is ranked the 139th most populous county in Texas, out of 254 counties. Karnes County was ranked the 142nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Karnes County's White Population

5,191 residents of Karnes County, or 34.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Karnes County is slightly lower than in Texas overall, where 39.1% of the population is White. Karnes County ranks 207th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Karnes County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.7%. White residents' share of Karnes County's population has decreased from 36.6% to 34.7%.

Karnes County is more White than neighboring Bee County (27.7% White). Karnes County is less White than neighboring Wilson County (54.8% White), Goliad County (60.4% White), DeWitt County (52.7% White), and Live Oak County (47.2% White).

Karnes County's Black Population

1,389 residents of Karnes County, or 9.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Karnes County is slightly lower than in Texas overall, where 11.9% of the population is Black. Karnes County ranks 71st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Karnes County's Black population has grown by an estimated 24.5%. Black residents' share of Karnes County's population has increased from 7.6% to 9.3%.

Karnes County is more Black than neighboring Wilson County (2% Black), Goliad County (4.8% Black), Bee County (7.3% Black), DeWitt County (6% Black), and Live Oak County (1.9% Black).

Karnes County's Asian Population

45 residents of Karnes County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Karnes County is lower than in Texas overall, where 5.5% of the population is Asian. Karnes County ranks 63rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Karnes County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 69.0%. Asian residents' share of Karnes County's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.3%.

Karnes County is more Asian than neighboring Goliad County (0% Asian). Karnes County is less Asian than neighboring Wilson County (0.6% Asian), Bee County (0.5% Asian), DeWitt County (0.7% Asian), and Live Oak County (0.7% Asian).

Karnes County's Hispanic Population

7,991 residents of Karnes County, or 53.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Karnes County is considerably higher than in Texas overall, where 39.7% of the population is Hispanic. Karnes County ranks 56th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Karnes County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Karnes County's population has increased from 52.6% to 53.4%.

Karnes County is more Hispanic than neighboring Wilson County (39.9% Hispanic), Goliad County (32.3% Hispanic), DeWitt County (35.7% Hispanic), and Live Oak County (42.3% Hispanic). Karnes County is less Hispanic than neighboring Bee County (61.8% Hispanic).

Karnes County's Native American/Other Population

16 residents of Karnes County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Karnes County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Karnes County ranks 158th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Karnes County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 81.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Karnes County's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.1%.

Karnes County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Wilson County (0.9% Native American/Other), Goliad County (0.4% Native American/Other), Bee County (0.3% Native American/Other), DeWitt County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Live Oak County (0.7% Native American/Other).

Karnes County's Multiracial Population

336 residents of Karnes County, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Karnes County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Karnes County ranks 211th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Karnes County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 40.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Karnes County's population has increased from 1.6% to 2.2%.

Karnes County is more Multiracial than neighboring Wilson County (1.8% Multiracial), and Goliad County (2% Multiracial). Karnes County is less Multiracial than neighboring Bee County (2.5% Multiracial), DeWitt County (4.4% Multiracial), and Live Oak County (7.3% 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.