County · Texas
Cooke County, Texas
Cooke County, Texas. Cooke County had 44,461 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.7% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). It holds 11 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 48097.
Cooke County is the county of the Gainesville, TX micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
44,461
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 41,668 · ACS 2020-2024: 43,046
Median household income
$73,932
±$4,874 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$240,400
±$9,265 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,047
±$85 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Cooke County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 41,668 residents in Cooke County. The Census Bureau estimates 44,461 for July 1, 2025, up 6.7% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 43,046 over 875 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cooke County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 43,046 | 30,188,424 | +3,005 |
| Households | 16,528±353 | 10,992,816 | +1,177 |
| Average household size | 2.57±0.05 | 2.69 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,944±65 | 12,128,515 | +1,016 |
Cooke County's population since 2000
From 36,363 in 2000 to 44,461 in 2025: up 22.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cooke County?
Cooke County holds 11 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Gainesville with 18,528 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Gainesville | 17,394 | $58,809 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Kiowa | 2,254 | $125,956 |
| Muenster | 1,536 | $88,333 |
| Lindsay, Cooke County | 1,045 | $115,417 |
| Road Runner | 766 | $43,224 |
| Valley View | 737 | $67,303 |
| Callisburg | 321 | $46,023 |
| Oak Ridge (Cooke County)GEOID 4853154 | 242 | $50,104 |
| MyraGEOID 4850220 | 202 | $85,052 |
| Sanger | 8,839 | $91,075 |
| Pilot Point | 4,381 | $97,933 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cooke County?
The median resident of Cooke County is 40.5 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 71.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 20.9%. 7.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cooke County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5±0.5 | 35.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.2%±0.2 pts | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.9%±0.3 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 20.9% | 39.7% | +2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 71.3%±0.9 pts | 39.1% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.4 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±1.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.0%±1.2 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.9%±1.6 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±1.0 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 14.9%±1.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 16.1%±1.9 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.6%±1.5 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.7%±2.5 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.1%±1.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cooke County earn?
Half of Cooke County's 16,528 households earn less than $73,932 a year (±$4,874), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $74,090 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cooke County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,932±$4,874 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $100,815±$7,148 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,914±$2,725 | $40,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.5%±2.1 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.7%±5.5 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.4%±1.5 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.0%±2.2 pts | 91.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cooke County?
Owners occupy 71.8% of Cooke County's occupied homes and renters 28.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $240,400 by its owner (±$9,265). The median renter pays $1,047 a month including utilities, and 37.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cooke County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $240,400±$9,265 | $283,800 | +$42,135 |
| Median gross rent | $1,047±$85 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.7%±5.2 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,831±$91 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.8%±2.9 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,944±65 | 12,128,515 | +1,016 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.2 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.6%±2.5 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.5%±1.8 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7%±0.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.0%±1.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cooke County building?
Builders took permits for 69 new housing units across Cooke County in 2025 (69 single-family), 1.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cooke County get to work?
80.3% of Cooke County's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Cooke County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.5%±1.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±1.4 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.3%±2.8 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6%±2.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2%±1.5 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min±1.8 | 26.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Cooke County's census tracts?
Cooke County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $37,697 (Tract 5) to $119,115 (Tract 7.01).
| Tract 148097000100 | 6,713±666 | $74,219 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 248097000200 | 5,250±478 | $93,047 |
| Tract 448097000400 | 2,138±348 | $57,188 |
| Tract 548097000500 | 3,367±493 | $37,697 |
| Tract 648097000600 | 5,292±667 | $62,442 |
| Tract 7.0148097000701 | 4,554±460 | $119,115 |
| Tract 7.0248097000702 | 3,397±489 | $82,402 |
| Tract 948097000900 | 5,364±500 | $85,977 |
| Tract 1148097001100 | 6,971±697 | $68,325 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cooke County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 78th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 68th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 81st of 254 |
| Median household income | 57th of 253 |
| Median home value | 55th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 81st of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 138th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 83rd of 252 |
| Median age | 108th of 254 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cooke County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.