Willacy County Demographics

A map of Willacy County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	17,577	17,611	87.3%	87.3%
White	1,966	1,805	9.8%	9.0%
Black	307	445	1.5%	2.2%
Multiracial	257	60	1.3%	0.3%
Asian	32	160	0.2%	0.8%
Native American/Other	0	83	0.0%	0.4%

Willacy County, Texas has an estimated population of 20,139, a less than 1% change from the 20,164 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.3% Hispanic, 9.8% White, 1.5% Black, 1.3% Multiracial, 0.2% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Willacy County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Willacy 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 Willacy County, that probability was 22.9% in 2020 and 22.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Willacy County is ranked the 121st most populous county in Texas, out of 254 counties. Willacy County was ranked the 118th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Willacy County's White Population

1,966 residents of Willacy County, or 9.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Willacy County is significantly lower than in Texas overall, where 39.1% of the population is White. Willacy County ranks 246th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Willacy County's White population has grown by an estimated 8.9%. White residents' share of Willacy County's population has increased from 9.0% to 9.8%.

Willacy County is more White than neighboring Cameron County (8.7% White), Kenedy County (9% White), Hidalgo County (6% White), and Brooks County (7.2% White). Willacy County is less White than neighboring Kleberg County (20.8% White).

Willacy County's Black Population

307 residents of Willacy County, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Willacy County is considerably lower than in Texas overall, where 11.9% of the population is Black. Willacy County ranks 147th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Willacy County's Black population has declined by an estimated 31.0%. Black residents' share of Willacy County's population has decreased from 2.2% to 1.5%.

Willacy County is more Black than neighboring Cameron County (0.5% Black), Kenedy County (0.7% Black), Hidalgo County (0.6% Black), and Brooks County (0.6% Black). Willacy County is less Black than neighboring Kleberg County (3.6% Black).

Willacy County's Asian Population

32 residents of Willacy County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Willacy County is lower than in Texas overall, where 5.5% of the population is Asian. Willacy County ranks 74th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Willacy County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 80.0%. Asian residents' share of Willacy County's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.2%.

Willacy County is more Asian than neighboring Brooks County (0% Asian). Willacy County is less Asian than neighboring Cameron County (0.8% Asian), Kenedy County (0.7% Asian), Hidalgo County (1% Asian), and Kleberg County (1.3% Asian).

Willacy County's Hispanic Population

17,577 residents of Willacy County, or 87.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Willacy County is significantly higher than in Texas overall, where 39.7% of the population is Hispanic. Willacy County ranks 10th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Willacy County's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Willacy County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 87.3%.

Willacy County is more Hispanic than neighboring Kleberg County (71.4% Hispanic). Willacy County is less Hispanic than neighboring Cameron County (89.3% Hispanic), Kenedy County (88.3% Hispanic), Hidalgo County (91.9% Hispanic), and Brooks County (90.1% Hispanic).

Willacy County's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Willacy County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Willacy County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Willacy County ranks 211th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Willacy County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Willacy County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Willacy County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Cameron County (0.3% Native American/Other), Kenedy County (0.7% Native American/Other), Hidalgo County (0.2% Native American/Other), Brooks County (0.9% Native American/Other), and Kleberg County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Willacy County's Multiracial Population

257 residents of Willacy County, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Willacy County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Willacy County ranks 251st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Willacy County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 328.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Willacy County's population has increased from 0.3% to 1.3%.

Willacy County is more Multiracial than neighboring Cameron County (0.4% Multiracial), Kenedy County (0.7% Multiracial), Hidalgo County (0.3% Multiracial), and Brooks County (1.2% Multiracial). Willacy County is less Multiracial than neighboring Kleberg County (2.4% 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.