CENSUS DATA SHOWS POPULATION INCREASE IN WASHINGTON CO., MOST SURROUNDING COUNTIES
The U.S. Census Bureau has begun releasing population data for counties in Texas, and Washington County’s population grew by over 2,000 people over the past decade.
The 2020 census estimate for Washington County is 35,805 people, up 2,087 residents—or 6.2 percent—from 2010’s population estimate of 33,718. According to the estimate, the population total is 86th of the 254 counties in Texas.
All but one of Washington County’s surrounding counties rose in population in the past 10 years. Waller and Brazos counties saw the largest growth at 31.5 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Grimes County grew in population by 10 percent, Austin County rose by 6.2 percent, Lee County grew 5.2 percent and Burleson County saw 2.6 percent growth. Fayette County’s population declined by 0.5 percent.
Brenham’s 2020 census count was 17,369 people, up 10.5 percent from 2010’s count of 15,716. An estimated count for Burton in 2020 was 290 people, down 3.3 percent from the count of 300 a decade ago.
The racial makeup of Washington County has also changed over the past 10 years. The county’s white population is 65.1 percent, down from 74.2 percent in 2010. The Hispanic population has grown to 17.9 percent of the county, compared to 13.8 percent 10 years ago.
The county’s population is now 15.7 percent Black, down from 17.6 percent in 2010. The Asian population now makes up 1.6 percent of the county, up from 1.3 percent 10 years ago.