Texas is the most populous state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. It also has a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico. Covering 268,596 square miles (695,660 km2) and housing over 30 million residents as of 2023, Texas ranks as the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population.
1900: Galveston hurricane
In 1900, Texas experienced the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history with the Galveston hurricane, which devastated the city and resulted in a significant loss of life.
January 10, 1901: Discovery of Spindletop oil well
On January 10, 1901, the first major oil well in Texas, known as Spindletop, was discovered south of Beaumont. This discovery marked the beginning of a significant oil boom in Texas.
1901: Poll tax and white primaries enacted
In 1901, the Texas legislature passed a bill requiring payment of a poll tax for voting and established white primaries, effectively disenfranchising most Black and many poor White and Latino people.
1911: Texas Leads Nation in Railroad Miles
In 1911, Texas became the leading state in terms of length of railroad miles. This marked the beginning of its dominance in the railway sector, a status it maintained for many years.
1912: Socialist Party becomes second-largest party in Texas
By 1912, the Socialist Party had become the second-largest party in Texas, coinciding with a larger socialist movement in the United States during that era.
1915: 1915 Galveston hurricane
The 1915 Galveston hurricane was one of the many devastating hurricanes that impacted Texas, further emphasizing the state's vulnerability to natural disasters.
1932: Peak of Texas Railway Length
In 1932, Texas's railway network reached its peak length at 17,078 miles. This was the highest extent of railroad miles within the state’s history.
1940: Texas demographics in 1940
In 1940, Texas's population was 74% White, 14.4% Black, and 11.5% Hispanic, reflecting the demographic shifts during the Great Migration and post-Depression era.
1948: First Texas freeway opens
In 1948, the Gulf Freeway opened in Houston, marking the first freeway in Texas.
1950: Phrase 'everything is bigger in Texas' in use
By 1950, the phrase 'everything is bigger in Texas' had become a regular saying, emphasizing the state's large size and the grand nature of its attributes.
1957: Hurricane Audrey
In 1957, Hurricane Audrey struck Texas, marking another significant and destructive hurricane in the state's history.
1959: Alaska surpasses Texas in size
In 1959, Texas was no longer the largest U.S. state as Alaska became a state, surpassing Texas in geographic size.
1961: Hurricane Carla
Hurricane Carla hit Texas in 1961, contributing to the state's history of severe and impactful hurricanes.
1967: Hurricane Beulah
Hurricane Beulah made landfall in Texas in 1967, adding to the list of destructive hurricanes that have impacted the state.
1972: Peak oil production in Texas
In 1972, Texas's oil production peaked, averaging three million barrels per day, marking a high point in the state's oil industry.
1976: Resumption of Capital Punishment
In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the resumption of capital punishment, and since then, Texas has carried out 40% of all U.S. executions, reflecting its strict criminal justice policies.
1979: Tropical Storm Claudette
Tropical Storm Claudette struck Texas in 1979, contributing to the state's history of impactful tropical storms.
1980: San Antonio becomes 'The Tejano Music Capital Of The World'
Since 1980, San Antonio has been celebrated as 'The Tejano Music Capital Of The World,' thanks to the Tejano Music Awards, which promote greater awareness and appreciation for Tejano music and culture.
1980: Shift to Republican Presidential Support
Since 1980, Texas voters have predominantly supported Republican presidential candidates, with major cities like Austin and Houston leaning Democratic in local elections.
1983: Hurricane Alicia
In 1983, Hurricane Alicia caused significant damage in Texas, demonstrating the state's ongoing struggle with severe hurricanes.
1984: Public highway mileage in Texas
By 1984, Texas had 71,000 miles (114,000 km) of public highways, reflecting the state's extensive transportation infrastructure.
1986: Launch of 'Don't Mess with Texas' campaign
In 1986, the slogan 'Don't Mess with Texas' began as an anti-littering advertisement. Over time, it has evolved into a statement symbolizing Texas pride and swagger.
1989: Tropical Storm Allison (1989)
Tropical Storm Allison in 1989 caused considerable damage in Texas, showcasing the impact of tropical storms in addition to hurricanes.
1990: Hispanics become largest minority group
By 1990, Hispanics and Latino Americans had overtaken Blacks to become the largest minority group in Texas, marking a significant demographic shift in the state.
1990: Islamic Population in 1990
In 1990, the Islamic population in Texas was approximately 140,000.
1994: Last Democrat Elected to Statewide Office
In 1994, Texas elected its last Democrat to a statewide office. Since then, the state has consistently favored Republican candidates in such elections.
1996: Launch of DART Light Rail System
In 1996, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) began operating the first light rail system in the Southwest United States, marking a significant development in public transit for the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
1996: Texas House Bill 588 and college admissions
In 1996, Texas implemented House Bill 588, guaranteeing automatic admission to state-funded universities for students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class, with a different standard for The University of Texas at Austin.
1997: Texas Motor Speedway hosts annual NASCAR and IndyCar races
Since 1997, the Texas Motor Speedway has hosted annual NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar Series auto races, making it a significant venue for motorsport events.
2000: Population growth by ethnicity 2000-2010
Between 2000 and 2010, Texas's total population grew by 20.6%, with Hispanics and Latino Americans growing by 65%.
2000: Decline in Texas Railway Length
By 2000, the length of Texas's railway had declined to 14,006 miles, reflecting a reduction from its peak in the early 20th century.
2000: Foreign-born residents in Texas 2000
In 2000, Texas had 2,899,642 foreign-born residents.
2001: Tropical Storm Allison (2001)
Texas was again hit by Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, resulting in significant damage and highlighting the recurring nature of such storms in the state.
2002: Texas leads in state export revenue
Since 2002, Texas has led the U.S. in state export revenue, showcasing its strong industrial and economic base.
2003: Controversial Texas Redistricting
In 2003, Texas underwent a contentious redistricting of Congressional districts led by Republican Tom DeLay. Despite efforts by Democratic legislators to prevent it, the legislature passed a map favoring Republicans.
2004: Texas as a major transportation hub
In 2004, Texas was recognized as a major transportation hub, with $298 billion worth of goods passing through its 33 foreign trade zones, the highest number in the nation.
2004: Hindu and Sikh Population in 2004
In 2004, there were approximately 146,000 adherents of religions such as Hinduism and Sikhism in Texas.
2004: Christmas Eve snowstorm
On Christmas Eve in 2004, a rare snowstorm brought 6 inches of snow as far south as Kingsville, where the average high temperature in December is typically 65°F.
2005: Expansion of public highways in Texas
As of 2005, Texas had expanded its public highways to 79,535 miles (127,999 km). To support this growth, the state had 17 toll roads with additional tollways proposed.
2005: Hurricane Rita
Hurricane Rita, which hit Texas in 2005, was another in a series of destructive hurricanes that have impacted the state over the years.
2005: Tax Donor State Status in 2005
In 2005, Texas was a 'tax donor state', receiving about $0.94 in federal benefits for every dollar paid in federal income taxes.
2005: Railroad Regulation Reassigned
In 2005, regulation duties for Texas railroads were reassigned from the Railroad Commission of Texas to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
2005: Urban Population and Economic Growth in 2005
In 2005, Texas's urban centers had grown to contain two-thirds of the state's population. The state's economic growth, driven by its large population, natural resources, and thriving cities, led to urban sprawl and its associated symptoms.
May 2006: Texas initiates 'code red' for healthcare
In May 2006, Texas initiated the 'code red' program in response to a report highlighting that 25.1 percent of the population lacked health insurance, the highest proportion in the nation.
2006: Texas spends on education below national average
Between 2006 and 2007, Texas spent $7,275 per pupil, which was below the national average of $9,389. The state's pupil/teacher ratio was 14.9, and teacher salaries averaged $41,744, also below the national average.
2006: Languages spoken in Texas 2006
In 2006, 34.2% of Texans aged five and older spoke a language other than English at home, with Spanish being the most common.
2006: Supreme Court Ruling on Redistricting
In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Texas in the case League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry, upholding the state's redistricting plan that was challenged for diluting minority votes.
2007: Texas education spending and teacher salaries below average
In 2007, Texas continued to spend $7,275 per pupil, which was below the national average of $9,389. The state's pupil/teacher ratio was 14.9, and teacher salaries averaged $41,744, also below the national average.
2007: Texas ranks low in regular exercise
In 2007, Texas ranked forty-second in the percentage of residents who engage in regular exercise, according to a study. The state also had a high adult obesity rate, with 27.2 percent of the population classified as obese.
2008: Jewish Population in 2008
In 2008, the Jewish population in Texas was around 128,000.
2008: Hurricane Ike
In 2008, Texas faced the devastation of Hurricane Ike, continuing the state's history of significant hurricane impacts.
2010: Texas population density in 2010
As of 2010, Texas had a population density of 96.3 people per square mile, slightly higher than the U.S. average.
2010: Languages spoken in Texas 2010
At the 2010 census, 65.8% of Texans spoke only English at home, while 29.2% spoke Spanish, and smaller percentages spoke Vietnamese, Chinese, German, Tagalog, and French.
2010: Birth statistics by ethnicity 2010
In 2010, 49% of all births in Texas were to Hispanics, 35% to non-Hispanic Whites, 11.5% to non-Hispanic Blacks, and 4.3% to Asians/Pacific Islanders.
2010: Business-Friendly Ranking in 2010
In 2010, Site Selection Magazine ranked Texas as the most business-friendly state in the U.S., in part due to the state's three-billion-dollar Texas Enterprise Fund. The state also had 346,000 millionaires, the second-largest population of millionaires in the nation.
2010: Rising maternal mortality rate
In 2010, Texas began to see a rise in its maternal mortality rate, which doubled by 2014 to 23.8 per 100,000, the highest rate in the developed world.
2010: Emission events in Texas
In 2010, Texas experienced 2,553 'emission events' that released 44.6 million pounds of contaminants into the atmosphere.
2010: Texas population in 2010 census
In 2010, Texas had a census population of 25,145,561, making it the second-most populous state in the U.S.
February 2011: Texas White population below 50%
Based on U.S. Census Bureau data released in February 2011, Texas's White population fell below 50%, with Hispanics growing to 38%.
2011: Colonias in Texas
In 2011, Texas had about 2,294 colonias, with Hidalgo County having the largest number. Approximately 500,000 people lived in these unincorporated rural settlements.
2011: High rate of school corporal punishment
In the 2011–2012 school year, Texas had a high rate of school corporal punishment, with 28,569 public school students paddled at least once. This rate was surpassed only by Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.
2011: STAAR test replaces TAKS
In the 2011–2012 school year, Texas replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test with the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) to evaluate students' skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.
2012: Continued use of corporal punishment in schools
In the 2011–2012 school year, Texas continued to see a high rate of school corporal punishment, with 28,569 public school students paddled at least once. This rate was surpassed only by Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.
2012: Austin's Circuit of the Americas hosts Formula 1
Since 2012, Austin's Circuit of the Americas has been a host venue for a round of the Formula 1 World Championship, enhancing Texas's presence in international motorsport.
2012: Islamic Population in 2012
By 2012, the number of Muslims in Texas had grown to between 350,000 and 400,000.
2012: First full year of STAAR testing
In 2012, Texas students underwent their first full year of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), which replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test in the 2011–2012 school year.
2012: Business Incentives in 2012
In 2012, Texas had incentive programs worth $19 billion per year to attract businesses, more than any other U.S. state.
2014: Tea Party Gains in Texas Elections
In the 2014 Texas elections, the Tea Party movement saw significant success, electing several key candidates including Dan Patrick as lieutenant governor and Greg Abbott as governor.
2014: Christian Denomination Statistics in 2014
In 2014, the Catholic Church was the largest Christian denomination in Texas, comprising 23% of the population according to the Pew Research Center. Protestants collectively represented 50% of the Christian population in Texas in 2014.
2014: Non-Christian Faiths and Religious Affiliations in 2014
In 2014, non-Christian faiths accounted for 4% of the religious population in Texas, with Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism being the second-largest religions. Additionally, 18% of the state's population were religiously unaffiliated, with 2% identifying as atheists and 3% as agnostic.
2014: Texas leads in wind power production
In 2014, Texas produced 10.6% of its consumed electricity from wind turbines, making it the leading state in the nation for wind power production. The Roscoe Wind Farm, with a 781.5 MW capacity, is one of the world's largest wind farms.
2014: Texas leads in electricity production
In 2014, Texas led the nation in total net electricity production, generating 437,236 MWh—89% more than Florida, the second-ranked state. Texas's power grid, the Texas Interconnection, operates independently from the rest of the nation. The state also has a deregulated electric service.
2014: Undocumented immigrants in Texas 2014
In 2014, Texas had an estimated 1.7 million undocumented immigrants, making up 35% of the total immigrant population and 6.1% of the total state population.
2014: Undocumented immigrants in Texas 2014
In 2014, Texas had an estimated 1.7 million undocumented immigrants, making up 35% of the total Texas immigrant population.
2014: Evangelical Protestant Population in 2014
In 2014, Evangelical Protestants made up 31% of Texas's population, with Baptists being the largest Evangelical tradition at 14%. Nondenominational and interdenominational Protestant Christians were the second-largest Evangelical group at 7%, followed by Pentecostals at 4%.
2014: Central American migration crisis 2014
During the 2014 crisis, many Central Americans, including unaccompanied minors from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, crossed into Texas, overwhelming Border Patrol resources.
2014: Highest maternal mortality rate in Texas
By 2014, Texas had the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, with a rate of 23.8 per 100,000. This rate had doubled since 2010.
2014: Texas Muslim Population in 2014
As of 2014, Texas was the fifth-largest Muslim-populated state in the U.S.
2014: African American Christian Denominations in 2014
According to the Pew Research Center in 2014, the largest historically African American Christian denominations in Texas were the National Baptist Convention (USA) and the Church of God in Christ. Other Christians, including Black Methodists, made up less than 1% each of the Christian demographic.
2014: Oil Production Ranking in 2014
According to a 2014 study, if Texas were its own country, it would be the sixth-largest oil producer in the world.
2015: Foreign-born residents in Texas 2015
In 2015, Texas had 4.7 million foreign-born residents, accounting for about 17% of the population and 21.6% of the workforce.
2016: Undocumented immigrants in Texas 2016
By 2016, the number of undocumented immigrants in Texas had increased to 1,597,000.
2017: Texas emits most greenhouse gases in the U.S.
As of 2017, Texas emitted the most greenhouse gases in the U.S., with about 1,600 billion pounds of carbon dioxide annually. If Texas were an independent state, it would rank as the world's seventh-largest producer of greenhouse gases.
2017: Hurricane Harvey
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Rockport as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread flooding in the Greater Houston area and becoming the costliest hurricane worldwide with an estimated $198.6 billion in damage.
2018: High Incarceration Rates in Texas
As of 2018, Texas had the 8th highest incarceration rate in the United States, highlighting its reputation for harsh criminal punishments.
2018: Foreign-born residents in Texas 2018
As of 2018, the number of foreign-born residents in Texas increased to 4.9 million, representing 17.2% of the state population.
2018: Millionaire Households in 2018
In 2018, the number of millionaire households in Texas increased to 566,578.
2019: Undocumented immigrants in Texas 2019
According to 2019 estimates, Texas had 1,739,000 undocumented immigrants, a decrease of 103,000 since 2014.
2019: Texas's growth rate
In 2019, Texas was named the most popular state to move to for three consecutive years, with a growth rate of 1,000 people per day, driven by business relocations and regional headquarters from companies in California.
2019: Tropical Storm Imelda
In 2019, Tropical Storm Imelda caused significant damage in Texas, adding to the list of destructive storms that have impacted the state.
2019: Texas demographic shift 2019
In 2019, non-Hispanic Whites represented 41.2% of Texas's population, reflecting a national demographic shift.
March 4, 2020: First confirmed COVID-19 case in Texas
On March 4, 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Texas, marking the beginning of the state's battle with the pandemic.
April 27, 2020: Phase one of re-opening the economy
On April 27, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott announced phase one of re-opening the Texas economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 2020: Unemployment Rate During COVID-19 in May 2020
As of May 2020, the unemployment rate in Texas was 13% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 2020: Texas selected to test Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine distribution
In November 2020, Texas was selected as one of four U.S. states to test Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine distribution, as the state grappled with rising cases.
2020: Protestant Population Statistics in 2020
In 2020, the Association of Religion Data Archives determined that Southern Baptists numbered 3,319,962 in Texas, while non-denominational Protestants numbered 2,405,786. The United Methodists were the most numerous Protestant groups with 938,399 members.
2020: Texas population in 2020 census
The resident population of Texas was 29,145,505 in the 2020 census, marking a 15.9% increase since 2010.
2020: Religious Demographics in 2020
In 2020, the Association of Religion Data Archives estimated 313,209 Muslims in Texas, making it the fifth-largest Muslim-populated state. The Jewish population grew to over 176,000, with 43 Chabad synagogues, 17,513 Conservative Jews, 8,110 Orthodox Jews, and 31,378 Reform Jews.
2020: Racial and ethnic composition of Texas 2020
At the 2020 census, Texas's population was 42.5% White (39.8% non-Hispanic White), 11.8% Black, 5.4% Asian, and 40.2% Hispanic or Latino American.
2020: Texas universities ranked among the best
In 2020, The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University were ranked as the 21st and 41st best universities in the nation according to the Center for World University Rankings. The University of Houston and Texas Tech University were also considered tier one flagships.
2020: Christian Denomination Statistics in 2020
By 2020, the Catholic Church's membership in Texas had increased to 28% of the population identifying with a religious or spiritual belief, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. The Association of Religion Data Archives study recorded 5,905,142 Catholics in the state in 2020.
2020: Non-Christian Faiths and Religious Affiliations in 2020
By 2020, non-Christian faiths in Texas accounted for 5% of the population. The largest non-Christian groups were the irreligious (20%), Judaism (1%), Islam (1%), Buddhism (1%), and Hinduism, each constituting less than 1%.
2020: Language diversity in Texas 2020
At the 2020 American Community Survey, 64.9% of Texans spoke only English, while 35.1% spoke another language, with Spanish being the most common.
2020: Religious affiliation in Texas 2020
According to the Public Religion Research Institute in 2020, 75.5% of Texas's population identified as Christian.
2020: Protestant Population Decline in 2020
In 2020, Protestants in Texas declined to 47% of the population according to the Public Religion Research Institute. Predominantly-white Evangelical Protestantism decreased to 14%, while Mainline Protestants made up 15% of the Protestant population. Hispanic or Latino American-dominated Protestant churches and historically Black or African American Protestantism collectively grew to 13%.
January 1, 2021: Petroleum and Natural Gas Reserves in 2021
As of January 1, 2021, Texas had about 15.6 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, accounting for 44% of the known U.S. reserves, and 9.5 billion barrels of natural gas liquids. The state's refineries process 5.95 million barrels of oil daily, with the Port Arthur Refinery being the largest in the U.S. Texas also leads in natural gas production, with 28.8 billion cubic feet per day, holding 23% of the nation's reserves.
February 2, 2021: COVID-19 impact on Texas
By February 2, 2021, Texas had reported over 2.4 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and at least 37,417 deaths, highlighting the severe impact of the pandemic on the state.
May 2021: Passage of Texas Heartbeat Act
In May 2021, the Texas legislature passed the Texas Heartbeat Act, which banned abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy, except to save the mother's life. The Act allows private citizens to sue abortion providers and others involved.
2021: Panther City Lacrosse Club inaugural season
In the 2021–2022 season, the Panther City Lacrosse Club began playing professional lacrosse matches at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, marking their inaugural season.
2021: Texas power crisis during Winter Storm Uri
The February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm, also known as Winter Storm Uri, brought arctic air masses to Texas, causing a power crisis as the state's power grid was overwhelmed.
2021: Winter Storm Uri causes power crisis
In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri hit Texas, causing high power usage and rolling blackouts across the state. Over 3 million Texans were without power, and over 4 million were under boil-water notices.
2021: Languages spoken in Texas 2021
By 2021, approximately 50,546 Texans spoke French or a French-creole language, and other languages included German, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Arabic.
July 2, 2022: Texas population surpasses 30 million
As of July 2, 2022, Texas became the second U.S. state to surpass a total estimated population of 30 million.
August 25, 2022: Stricter abortion law takes effect
On August 25, 2022, a new law took effect in Texas making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy, punishable by life in prison.
2022: Homeless population in Texas 2022
According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 24,432 homeless people in Texas.
2022: Hispanics become largest demographic group
As of 2022, Hispanics and Latinos of any race replaced the non-Hispanic White population as the largest share of Texas's population.
2022: Texas Gross State Product in 2022
As of 2022, Texas had a gross state product (GSP) of $2.4 trillion, the second highest in the U.S. The state's GSP exceeded the GDP of Italy, the world's 8th-largest economy, and its economy ranked as the second-largest of any country subdivision globally.
2022: Fortune 500 Headquarters in 2022
As of 2022, Texas had the highest number of Fortune 500 company headquarters in the United States.
2022: Texas leads in Fortune 500 headquarters
As of 2022, Texas had the most Fortune 500 company headquarters in the United States with a total of 53, highlighting its diversified and robust economy.
2022: Republican Dominance in Texas Representation
As of the 2022 midterm elections, the majority of Texas's U.S. House delegation and both U.S. Senators are Republicans. The state has not elected a Democrat to a statewide office since 1994.
2022: Panther City Lacrosse Club's continued matches
In 2022, the Panther City Lacrosse Club continued to play local matches at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, building on their inaugural 2021–2022 season.
July 1, 2023: Texas Population Estimate 2023
On July 1, 2023, the Texas Population Estimate program estimated that the state's population was 30,503,301.
2023: Texas population reaches 30 million
In 2023, Texas reached a population of over 30 million residents, reinforcing its status as the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population.