Texas

| Field | Information | |---|---| | Official Name | State of Texas | | Common Name | Texas | | Native Name(s) | _Data not readily available for this location._ | | Nicknames | The Lone Star State | | Motto | Friendship | | Geographic Level | State | | Country | United States | | State/Province | Texas | | Capital | Austin | | Government Type | U.S. state government with executive, legislative, and judicial branches | | Date Founded | Admitted to the Union on December 29, 1845 | | Time Zone | Central Time (most of state); Mountain Time in far western areas such as El Paso | | Latitude | Approximately 31.0° N | | Longitude | Approximately 100.0° W | | Elevation | Ranges from sea level on the Gulf Coast to 8,751 ft (2,667 m) at Guadalupe Peak | | Total Area | 268,596 sq mi (695,662 sq km) | | Population | About 30.5 million (2020 U.S. Census) | | Population Density | About 114 people per sq mi | | ZIP/Postal Codes | 75001-79999, 88510-88589 | | Area Codes | Multiple, including 210, 214, 254, 281, 325, 346, 361, 409, 430, 432, 469, 512, 682, 713, 726, 737, 806, 817, 830, 832, 903, 915, 936, 940, 945, 956, 972, 979 and others | | Official Languages | No official state language; English is the dominant language, and Spanish is widely spoken | | Currency | U.S. dollar (USD) | | Demonym | Texan |

Texas is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population, occupying a pivotal position between the American South, the Great Plains, the Southwest, and the Gulf of Mexico. Its scale shapes nearly every aspect of life there: Texas contains globally significant energy infrastructure, some of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas, major ports, extensive ranchlands, and a remarkably varied landscape ranging from coastal marshes to desert mountains.

The state is widely known for its distinctive political culture, the legacy of the Republic of Texas, cattle ranching, oil and gas, space exploration, live music, and a strong sense of regional identity. Cities such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, and El Paso each have very different historical and cultural personalities, reflecting influences from Indigenous nations, Spain, Mexico, the American South, the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, and international migration.

Texas matters economically far beyond its borders. If it were a sovereign country, its economy would rank among the largest in the world by GDP. Energy remains central, but modern Texas is also a leader in technology, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, higher education, and trade with Mexico and the wider world. Major institutions such as NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Texas Medical Center, and large public university systems give the state national and international significance.

For residents and visitors alike, Texas is notable for its regional diversity. East Texas pine forests, Hill Country springs, High Plains agriculture, South Texas brush country, Gulf Coast wetlands, and West Texas desert landscapes make it one of the most geographically varied states in the country.

Long before European colonization, the land now called Texas was home to many Indigenous peoples, including the Caddo, Karankawa, Coahuiltecan groups, Tonkawa, Apache, Comanche, Wichita, Jumano, and others. These communities developed distinct political systems, trade networks, and ways of life adapted to forests, prairies, coasts, and arid lands.

Spanish explorers reached the region in the 16th century, though permanent colonial settlement developed slowly. Spain established missions and presidios, particularly in East and South Texas, partly to counter French influence from Louisiana. San Antonio became a key colonial center in the early 18th century. French claims were brief but historically important in prompting Spain to consolidate control.

After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, Texas became part of the Mexican nation. Anglo-American settlers arrived in larger numbers under empresario contracts, especially through Stephen F. Austin’s colony, joining long-established Tejano communities. Tensions grew over governance, immigration, slavery, and the centralization policies of Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna.

The Texas Revolution unfolded in 1835-1836. Famous events included the Battle of the Alamo, the Goliad Massacre, and the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texan forces secured victory and Santa Anna was captured. Texas then existed as the independent Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845. It joined the United States in 1845, a move that contributed to tensions leading to the U.S.-Mexican War.

During the 19th century, Texas expanded through cotton agriculture, ranching, and migration. It joined the Confederacy during the American Civil War and underwent Reconstruction after the war. Railroads reshaped settlement and commerce in the late 1800s, while frontier conflict, dispossession of Indigenous peoples, and cattle drives became central to the popular mythology of Texas.

A transformative turning point came with the Spindletop oil gusher near Beaumont in 1901, which launched the modern Texas petroleum industry. Oil wealth accelerated urbanization, industrial growth, and global economic influence. Over the 20th century, Texas also grew through military investment, aerospace, higher education, and large-scale migration from other U.S. states and abroad.

The modern era has brought rapid metropolitan growth, demographic change, and a diversifying economy. Civil rights struggles, the political realignment of the late 20th century, and expanding ties with Latin America and Asia have all shaped contemporary Texas. Today the state combines powerful historical traditions with some of the fastest-growing urban regions in North America.

Texas spans a vast area in the south-central United States and borders New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. To the southeast, it meets the Gulf of Mexico. This position makes Texas both a border state and a coastal state, with major overland and maritime trade routes.

The state’s physical geography changes dramatically from east to west. East Texas includes pine forests and humid lowlands that connect ecologically to the American South. Central Texas features rolling prairies, limestone hills, springs, and river valleys, especially in the Hill Country and the Balcones Escarpment region. North Texas includes prairie and cross-timbers landscapes, while the Panhandle is part of the High Plains.

West Texas is much drier and more rugged, with basins, mesas, and mountain ranges associated with the Chihuahuan Desert and Basin and Range topography. The Trans-Pecos region includes dramatic landscapes such as the Guadalupe Mountains, Davis Mountains, and Big Bend along the Rio Grande. South Texas contains brush country and fertile river valleys, while the Gulf Coast includes bays, estuaries, barrier islands, marshes, and coastal plains.

Major rivers include the Rio Grande, Red River, Brazos, Colorado, Trinity, Sabine, and Pecos. Texas has extensive groundwater resources, including portions of the Edwards Aquifer and the Ogallala Aquifer. Natural resources include oil, natural gas, wind, solar potential, lignite, agricultural land, timber, and fisheries. Geologically, Texas contains coastal sedimentary basins, limestone uplands, volcanic remnants in parts of the west, and some of the most productive hydrocarbon formations in North America.

Texas has one of the most varied topographies of any U.S. state.

• Highest point: Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 ft (2,667 m), in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
• Lowest point: Sea level along the Gulf Coast.
• Major mountain areas: Guadalupe Mountains, Davis Mountains, Chisos Mountains, and smaller Trans-Pecos ranges.
• Plateaus and uplands: The Edwards Plateau dominates much of Central Texas; the Llano Estacado forms a broad, elevated plain in the Panhandle and South Plains.
• Plains and prairies: Large parts of North and West Texas consist of prairie, rolling plains, and high plains landscapes.
• Hill systems: The Texas Hill Country is known for steep limestone ridges, springs, canyons, and river valleys.
• Coastal features: The Gulf Coastal Plain slopes gently toward the sea and includes bays, wetlands, estuaries, and barrier islands such as Padre Island.
• Flood plains: Major river systems create broad flood plains, especially along the Brazos, Trinity, Colorado, and lower Rio Grande.
• Canyons: Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle is one of the largest canyon systems in the United States.

Topographic variation affects settlement, agriculture, transportation, biodiversity, and climate. Mountainous and desert terrain dominate the far west, while flatter agricultural and urban corridors shape much of the center, north, and coast.

Texas has multiple climate zones because of its size. In broad terms, the east is humid, the center is transitional, the west is semi-arid to arid, and the Gulf Coast is subtropical. The state is commonly described as having humid subtropical conditions in the east and along much of the coast, while parts of West Texas fall into semi-arid steppe and desert classifications under the Köppen system.

Average temperatures vary widely by region. Summers are generally hot statewide, with many places frequently exceeding 90°F (32°C). South and Central Texas often experience prolonged heat. Winters are usually mild in the south and along the coast but cooler in North Texas and the Panhandle, where freezes, sleet, snow, and ice storms are more common. Mountain areas in the far west are cooler than surrounding lowlands.

Rainfall is heaviest in East Texas and the Gulf Coast, where annual totals are much higher than in western counties. West Texas is much drier, and drought is a recurring concern. Snowfall is generally light outside the Panhandle and far western high elevations, though rare major winter storms can affect a large part of the state.

Natural hazards include hurricanes and tropical storms on the Gulf Coast, inland flooding, tornadoes in many regions, severe thunderstorms, hail, drought, wildfires, extreme heat, and occasional winter storms. The best time to visit depends on destination, but spring and fall are often the most comfortable seasons in much of the state.

| Region | General Climate | |---|---| | Gulf Coast | Humid subtropical; hot summers, mild winters, hurricane risk | | East Texas | Humid, forested, relatively high rainfall | | Central Texas | Hot summers, variable rainfall, flash-flood risk | | North Texas | Four-season variation, severe storms possible | | Panhandle | Drier, windier, colder winters | | West Texas | Semi-arid to arid, hotter days and cooler nights |

Texas had a population of about 29.1 million in the 2020 U.S. Census, and subsequent estimates have shown continued rapid growth. It is the second-most populous state in the country. Growth has been driven by both natural increase and substantial domestic and international migration, especially into major metropolitan areas.

The population is highly urbanized, with large concentrations in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin metropolitan regions. At the same time, Texas still includes many rural counties, border communities, agricultural areas, and small cities with distinct local identities.

Texas is one of the most demographically diverse states in the United States. Large Hispanic or Latino communities are central to the state’s identity, especially in South Texas, the border region, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and many other areas. The state also has substantial non-Hispanic White, Black, and Asian populations, along with Native American communities and residents from many immigrant backgrounds. English is dominant in public life, but Spanish is widely used in homes, business, media, education, and government services.

Religious life is varied. Christianity is the largest faith tradition, including Protestant, Catholic, Evangelical, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, and non-denominational communities. There are also significant Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and nonreligious populations, especially in larger metropolitan areas.

Age, income, educational attainment, and employment vary significantly by region. Major metro areas tend to have higher concentrations of college-educated workers in technology, healthcare, finance, education, and professional services, while rural and industrial areas may rely more on agriculture, energy, logistics, or manufacturing.

_Data not readily available for this location._

Texas operates under the Constitution of 1876, which created a comparatively decentralized state government and a notably plural executive structure. Power is divided among executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with many key officials elected separately rather than appointed by the governor.

State government structure - Governor: The chief executive, elected statewide. - Lieutenant Governor: A powerful statewide officer who presides over the Texas Senate and has major influence over legislation. - Legislature: A bicameral body made up of the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives. - Judiciary: Includes the Supreme Court of Texas for civil matters and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal cases, along with lower courts.

Capital and administration - Capital city: Austin - State capitol: Texas State Capitol, seat of state government - Administrative divisions: 254 counties, more than any other U.S. state

Statewide leadership Because officeholders change over time, the most reliable source for current names is the official State of Texas website. As of the mid-2020s, the governor is Greg Abbott. Other major statewide offices include lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, and members of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Representation Texas sends members to the U.S. House of Representatives and is represented by two U.S. senators in Congress. Legislative and congressional districts are periodically redrawn following the census, and representation can shift as population grows.

Public services The state government oversees or helps coordinate: - Public education systems and universities - Highways and transportation planning - Public safety and emergency management - Health and human services - Water planning and environmental regulation - State parks, land management, and natural resources

Local government is handled through counties, municipalities, school districts, and numerous special districts. In practice, governance in Texas is a mix of strong local identity, broad state authority, and a large, complex administrative network.

Texas has one of the largest state economies in the United States and the world. By gross state product, it ranks among the top U.S. states and, if compared internationally, would stand among major national economies. Its economic strength comes from scale, energy production, a strategic location, large consumer markets, international trade, and continued population growth.

Energy remains a defining sector. Texas leads the nation in oil and natural gas production and is also a national leader in wind power, with rapidly growing solar capacity. The state’s refining, petrochemical, pipeline, and export infrastructure is especially important along the Gulf Coast.

Yet the Texas economy is far more diversified than its popular image suggests. Major sectors include advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, aerospace, logistics, healthcare, finance, construction, agriculture, and technology. Austin is a major tech center; Houston is a global energy and medical hub; Dallas-Fort Worth is a powerhouse in finance, telecom, logistics, and corporate headquarters; San Antonio is important in military, cybersecurity, healthcare, and tourism.

Trade is another major driver. Texas has some of the busiest ports of entry on the U.S.-Mexico border and major seaports such as the Port of Houston. This makes the state a central node in North American supply chains.

Cost of living varies greatly. Some smaller cities and rural areas remain relatively affordable by national standards, while housing costs in fast-growing metros such as Austin and parts of Dallas-Fort Worth have risen substantially. Income levels also vary widely across regions and industries.

Major employers include state government, large public university systems, school districts, healthcare systems, energy companies, aerospace firms, retailers, and military installations. The state’s future economic development is likely to be shaped by water availability, electric-grid resilience, semiconductor and advanced manufacturing investment, housing supply, and continued migration.

• Energy: Texas is the nation’s leading producer of oil and natural gas and a major center for refining, petrochemicals, pipelines, LNG, wind power, and growing solar generation.
• Technology: Austin and the Dallas-Fort Worth area are major hubs for software, semiconductors, data centers, telecommunications, and electronics manufacturing.
• Healthcare and life sciences: Houston’s Texas Medical Center is one of the world’s largest medical complexes, and healthcare is a major employer across all large metros.
• Manufacturing: Texas produces chemicals, petroleum products, electronics, machinery, food products, fabricated metals, and transportation equipment.
• Aerospace and defense: NASA’s Johnson Space Center, military installations, aircraft production, and private space activity make aerospace highly significant.
• Agriculture and ranching: The state leads in cattle and has major output in cotton, hay, sorghum, poultry, dairy, and specialty crops.
• Logistics and distribution: Its highway network, rail corridors, ports, and border crossings support warehousing, freight, and trade-related services.
• Construction and real estate: Rapid population growth fuels residential, commercial, and infrastructure construction.
• Tourism and hospitality: Visitors are drawn by San Antonio, Austin, national and state parks, Gulf beaches, sports, festivals, and business travel.
• Finance and professional services: Dallas and Houston in particular host major banks, insurance firms, legal services, consulting, and corporate headquarters.
• Education and research: Public universities, medical schools, and research institutions contribute significant employment and innovation.
• Retail: Large urban populations support extensive retail, grocery, automotive, and consumer-service sectors.

Texas has one of the largest and most diverse agricultural sectors in the United States. Ranching is especially central to the state’s identity and economy, but crop farming is also extensive and regionally varied.

Major agricultural products - Cattle and calves: Texas is widely recognized as the leading cattle-producing state. - Cotton: Especially important in the High Plains and other drier farming regions. - Hay and forage: Produced across many rural areas. - Sorghum, corn, and wheat: Major field crops in several regions. - Poultry and eggs: Particularly important in East Texas. - Dairy: Significant in parts of Central and North Texas. - Rice: Historically important in parts of the Gulf Coast region. - Citrus and vegetables: Notable in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. - Pecans: An important specialty crop.

Regional patterns - Panhandle and High Plains: Cotton, feed crops, cattle, and large-scale irrigated agriculture. - East Texas: Poultry, timber, cattle, and mixed farming. - Central Texas: Cattle, hay, grains, and specialty products. - South Texas and Rio Grande Valley: Vegetables, citrus, sugar-related historical production, and ranching. - Gulf Coast: Rice, cattle, and coastal fisheries.

Other primary sectors - Forestry: East Texas supports a significant timber and wood-products industry. - Fisheries: The Gulf Coast supports commercial and recreational fishing, including shrimp and finfish. - Organic and local food production: Growing but unevenly distributed, especially around larger cities with strong farmers market networks.

Water access, drought, aquifer depletion, export markets, labor supply, and weather volatility are major long-term factors affecting Texas agriculture.

Housing conditions in Texas vary sharply by metro area and region. Historically, the state was often seen as relatively affordable compared with coastal U.S. markets, but rapid population growth, strong job creation, and high in-migration have increased pressure on prices and rents in many cities.

General housing patterns - Major metros: Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio have seen strong demand for both ownership and rental housing. - Suburban expansion: Large master-planned communities and suburban single-family development remain a major feature of Texas growth. - Urban apartments and condominiums: Increasingly common in core districts of Austin, Dallas, Houston, and some parts of San Antonio and Fort Worth. - Rural and small-town housing: Often less expensive than big-city housing, though availability, quality, and infrastructure can vary.

Market themes - Rising home values in fast-growing metros, especially during the 2010s and early 2020s - Significant apartment construction in large urban areas - Property taxes that can be substantial compared with some other states - Ongoing concerns about affordability for teachers, service workers, seniors, and lower-income households - Exposure in some areas to flood risk, storm risk, or heat-related utility burdens

Housing types - Single-family homes: Dominant in suburban and many small-city markets - Multifamily apartments: Common in large metros and college towns - Condominiums and townhomes: Growing but still less dominant than in some denser U.S. regions - Manufactured housing: Important in some rural areas

Affordable housing policy is handled through a mix of local governments, housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Conditions can change quickly, so local market data is important for current pricing.

Because Texas is a state, the most useful equivalent to city neighborhoods is its major metropolitan areas and broad cultural regions.

Major metropolitan areas - Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex: The state’s largest metropolitan region, known for finance, logistics, telecom, corporate headquarters, higher education, and sprawling suburban growth. - Greater Houston: A globally important energy, medical, port, and immigrant gateway region with one of the nation’s most diverse urban populations. - Greater Austin: The capital region, known for state government, technology, live music, higher education, and rapid population growth. - Greater San Antonio: Known for military installations, tourism, healthcare, heritage sites, and a strong historic core. - El Paso: A major border metro with deep binational ties, military presence, manufacturing, and desert landscapes. - Corpus Christi: Coastal metro centered on port activity, energy, petrochemicals, and Gulf access. - Lubbock: South Plains regional center for agriculture, education, and healthcare. - McAllen-Edinburg-Mission / Rio Grande Valley: Fast-growing border region with strong cross-border commerce and cultural ties to Mexico.

Major cultural and geographic regions - East Texas: Pine forests, timber, smaller cities, and cultural links to the Deep South. - North Texas: Prairie landscapes, fast-growing suburbs, major business centers, and transportation hubs. - Central Texas: Includes Austin and surrounding Hill Country, known for springs, tourism, and mixed urban-rural growth. - Texas Hill Country: Scenic limestone uplands with wineries, rivers, small towns, and a strong tourism economy. - South Texas: Brush country, ranchlands, and strong Hispanic and borderland cultural traditions. - West Texas: Wide-open plains and desert country, energy production, ranching, and mountain scenery. - Panhandle: High Plains agriculture, wind energy, and canyon landscapes. - Gulf Coast: Ports, petrochemicals, wetlands, beaches, fisheries, and hurricane exposure.

Texas has one of the largest transportation systems in the United States, reflecting its size, population, freight economy, and border position.

Roads and highways - Extensive interstate network including I-10, I-20, I-35, I-37, I-45, and I-40 - Major U.S. routes and state highways connecting urban and rural regions - Large toll-road systems in parts of Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and other metros - Heavy automobile dependence in most parts of the state

Public transit Public transit service exists in major cities but varies in coverage and quality. - Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART): Bus and light rail in the Dallas region - Houston METRO: Bus, light rail, and paratransit - Capital Metro: Bus and rail service in the Austin area - VIA Metropolitan Transit: Bus service in San Antonio - Sun Metro: Transit in El Paso

Rail - Freight rail: Extensive national freight rail connections are vital to ports, industry, and agriculture. - Passenger rail: Amtrak serves limited routes, including services through cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso, depending on route.

Airports Texas has several major commercial airports, including: - Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - San Antonio International Airport (SAT) - William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) - El Paso International Airport (ELP)

Ports and water transport - Port of Houston: One of the busiest ports in the United States - Other important ports include Corpus Christi, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Brownsville, Galveston, and Texas City

Border and trade infrastructure Texas has numerous international bridges and land ports of entry that support major trade flows with Mexico, especially in Laredo, El Paso, Pharr, and Brownsville.

Active transportation and EVs Bicycle lanes, urban trails, and hike-and-bike systems are expanding in larger cities, though statewide transportation remains car-oriented. EV charging availability is increasing along major corridors and in metropolitan areas, but coverage is still uneven in some rural regions.

Texas has extensive infrastructure but also faces challenges associated with rapid growth, extreme weather, long distances, and uneven regional development.

Electricity - Operates a distinctive power system, with much of the state served by the ERCOT grid. - Texas is a national leader in electricity generation from natural gas and wind, with rapidly growing solar capacity. - Grid reliability and weather resilience became major public issues after severe winter outages in 2021.

Water - Water supply comes from rivers, reservoirs, aquifers, and local utility systems. - Key issues include drought, groundwater management, population growth, aging systems in some communities, and long-term water planning. - The Edwards Aquifer and Ogallala Aquifer are especially important in different parts of the state.

Sewer and stormwater - Urban and suburban areas generally have developed sewer systems, though aging pipes and drainage capacity are concerns in some places. - Some rural areas rely on septic systems. - Flood control and stormwater management are major issues, particularly in the Gulf Coast and flash-flood-prone central regions.

Internet and broadband - Broadband access is strong in major metropolitan areas and university centers. - Rural broadband remains uneven, with gaps in speed, affordability, and access in some counties. - Fiber expansion is ongoing in many fast-growing suburbs and cities.

Cellular service - Mobile coverage is generally good along highways, cities, and most populated regions. - Remote ranchlands, desert areas, and some mountainous or sparsely populated zones may have weaker service.

Other infrastructure themes - Large dam and reservoir systems support water storage and flood management. - Ports, pipelines, freight terminals, and industrial corridors are central to the state economy. - Fast growth has increased pressure on roads, schools, utilities, and public facilities in many metro regions.

Texas has one of the largest education systems in the United States, including major public universities, private universities, community colleges, independent school districts, and extensive library networks.

Major universities and colleges - The University of Texas at Austin — flagship public research university in the state capital. - Texas A&M University — major public research institution in College Station with strong engineering and agricultural programs. - University of Houston — large public research university in Houston. - Texas Tech University — major public university in Lubbock. - Rice University — highly regarded private research university in Houston. - Baylor University — prominent private university in Waco. - The University of North Texas — major public university in Denton. - Texas State University — large public university in San Marcos.

Additional notable institutions - University of Texas at Dallas - University of Texas at Arlington - University of Texas at San Antonio - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - Texas Southern University - Prairie View A&M University - Southern Methodist University - Texas Christian University

Community colleges Texas has a large community college sector, including systems such as: - Houston Community College - Dallas College - Austin Community College - Alamo Colleges District - Tarrant County College

K-12 education Public education is delivered through numerous independent school districts, among the largest of which include: - Houston Independent School District - Dallas Independent School District - Austin Independent School District - Fort Worth Independent School District - San Antonio Independent School District

Libraries and research resources - Texas State Library and Archives Commission - Major academic libraries at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Rice, and other universities - Extensive municipal and county public library systems in major cities

Texas education is shaped by rapid enrollment growth in many regions, strong research universities, large rural-school networks, bilingual education needs, and continuing debates over school finance, standards, and access.

Texas has one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States, anchored by major academic medical centers, large nonprofit hospital systems, county hospitals, and extensive rural health networks.

Major hospital systems and medical centers - Texas Medical Center (Houston) — the world’s largest medical complex, home to institutions including Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital, Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center, and major research facilities. - UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas) — a leading academic medical center with William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, research institutes, and specialty care. - Baylor Scott & White Health — one of the state’s largest nonprofit systems, with hospitals and clinics across Central, North, and East Texas; major facilities include Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple. - Memorial Hermann Health System — major Houston-based system with hospitals, trauma care, rehabilitation, and urgent care sites. - HCA Houston Healthcare and HCA Healthcare facilities in North Texas and South Texas — large private hospital presence. - CHRISTUS Health — significant system in East Texas and South Texas, with cross-border historical ties to Catholic healthcare. - Methodist Health System (Dallas) and Houston Methodist — distinct systems serving different metro regions. - University Health (San Antonio) — public academic health system tied to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. - Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas (Austin) — key teaching hospital and Level I trauma center in Central Texas. - John Peter Smith Hospital (Fort Worth) and Parkland Memorial Hospital (Dallas) — major public hospitals with trauma and safety-net roles. - MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) — internationally recognized cancer treatment and research center.

Academic and specialty care - Texas hosts major medical schools and health science centers in Houston, Dallas, Galveston, San Antonio, Lubbock, El Paso, College Station, Tyler, and the Rio Grande Valley. - Specialty strengths include: - Cancer care — MD Anderson and multiple regional oncology centers. - Pediatrics — Texas Children’s Hospital, Cook Children’s Medical Center, and Dell Children’s Medical Center. - Cardiovascular care — especially strong in Houston and Dallas. - Trauma care — major Level I centers in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, and other cities. - Rehabilitation and burn care — available through large urban systems.

Clinics, urgent care, and rural health - Urban and suburban Texas has extensive access to: - primary care groups - urgent care chains - community clinics - retail clinics in pharmacies and big-box settings - Rural areas often rely on: - critical access hospitals - county hospitals - federally qualified health centers - telehealth and regional referral systems - Access disparities remain a major issue in parts of West Texas, the Panhandle, South Texas, and border communities.

Pharmacies - Common statewide pharmacy options include CVS, Walgreens, Walmart Pharmacy, HEB Pharmacy in many areas, supermarket pharmacies, and independent local drugstores.

Mental health and public health - Mental health services are provided through private providers, hospitals, local mental health authorities, and state-supported programs. - Major public agencies include the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and local health departments in larger counties and cities. - The state also has veterans’ healthcare through U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in cities such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Temple, and El Paso.

Long-term care - Texas has many nursing homes, assisted living communities, and rehabilitation centers, though quality and availability vary significantly by region.

Practical note - Healthcare quality in the largest metros is often nationally prominent, but affordability, insurance coverage, maternal health, and rural access are persistent statewide concerns.

Emergency services in Texas are organized through a mix of state agencies, county sheriffs, municipal police and fire departments, emergency medical services, and specialized disaster-response organizations.

Emergency phone number - Call 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies throughout Texas and the United States.

Law enforcement - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — statewide law enforcement agency overseeing the Texas Highway Patrol, criminal investigations, driver licensing functions, and public safety coordination. - Texas Rangers — historic investigative division within DPS. - Local policing is handled by: - municipal police departments - county sheriff’s offices - constables in some counties - university police agencies

Fire and rescue - Fire protection is provided by: - city fire departments in urban areas - emergency services districts - volunteer fire departments in many rural communities - Large city departments such as those in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth also provide rescue, hazmat, and in some cases EMS functions.

Ambulance and EMS - EMS provision varies by locality and may be operated by: - fire departments - city or county EMS agencies - hospital districts - private ambulance contractors - Major metro areas generally have advanced life support capability and trauma-network coordination with regional hospitals.

Disaster management - Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates disaster planning and response. - Texas regularly plans for and responds to: - hurricanes on the Gulf Coast - flooding and flash flooding - tornadoes and severe thunderstorms - drought and wildfire - winter storms and extreme heat - industrial and petrochemical incidents in some regions

Important preparedness notes - Residents in coastal and flood-prone areas are commonly advised to know local evacuation zones and shelter routes. - During hurricane season and severe weather periods, county emergency management offices and the National Weather Service are important information sources.

Other emergency resources - Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988

Texas has one of the largest and most diverse state economies in the U.S., with major strengths in energy, technology, manufacturing, aerospace, logistics, healthcare, finance, agriculture, and trade.

Major business regions - Houston — energy capital of the state, with strong petrochemicals, shipping, medical, engineering, and international trade sectors. - Dallas–Fort Worth — corporate headquarters hub with finance, telecom, defense, logistics, real estate, and technology. - Austin — center for software, semiconductors, startups, state government, and higher education. - San Antonio — military, cybersecurity, healthcare, bioscience, tourism, and financial services. - El Paso — logistics, manufacturing, military-related economy, and cross-border trade. - Rio Grande Valley — agriculture, trade, logistics, healthcare, and education. - Midland–Odessa — oil and gas production and field services.

Major employers and sectors - Large employers include: - public school systems and universities - healthcare systems - state government - energy companies - military installations - retailers and logistics firms - Strategic sectors: - Oil and gas — upstream, refining, petrochemicals, pipelines, services - Technology — Austin, North Texas, Houston, and growing secondary hubs - Semiconductors — especially around Austin and North Texas - Aerospace and defense — Lockheed Martin presence in Fort Worth, NASA-related activity in Houston - Agribusiness — cattle, cotton, grains, citrus, vegetables, and food processing - Ports and trade — especially via the Port of Houston, Gulf Coast terminals, and the Texas-Mexico border

Business districts and shopping - Notable commercial areas include: - Downtown Houston, Uptown/Galleria, Energy Corridor - Downtown Dallas, Uptown, Legacy/Plano-Frisco corridor - Downtown Austin, The Domain, Silicon Hills corridor - Downtown San Antonio, Medical Center area, North Central districts - Major shopping destinations include The Galleria (Houston), NorthPark Center (Dallas), The Domain (Austin), La Cantera (San Antonio), and numerous suburban retail corridors.

Entrepreneurship - Texas is a major startup state, especially in: - enterprise software - fintech - semiconductors - defense tech - energy technology - biotech - consumer brands - Austin is especially associated with venture-backed startups, while Houston and Dallas have deep strengths in industrial and B2B entrepreneurship.

Practical character of the business climate - Widely cited advantages include a large labor market, central U.S. geography, no state personal income tax, and strong transport infrastructure. - Common challenges include congestion, power-grid resilience concerns, water stress in some regions, and uneven growth between booming metros and rural counties.

Texas food culture is one of the most distinctive in the United States, shaped by Tex-Mex, barbecue, Southern cooking, Mexican regional cuisines, German and Czech traditions, Gulf seafood, ranching culture, and modern urban dining.

Signature foods - Texas barbecue — especially brisket, beef ribs, sausage, and smoked turkey. - Tex-Mex — enchiladas, fajitas, queso, breakfast tacos, nachos, and combination plates. - Chili — often served without beans in traditional Texas styles. - Chicken-fried steak — a classic comfort-food staple. - Kolaches and klobásníky — linked to Czech-Texan communities. - Breakfast tacos — especially associated with Central and South Texas. - Gulf Coast seafood — shrimp, oysters, crab, and redfish. - Steakhouses and burger culture — long-standing parts of the state’s culinary identity.

Notable food regions - Central Texas — famous for classic smoked barbecue in places such as Austin, Lockhart, Taylor, and surrounding towns. - Houston — one of the most diverse food cities in the U.S., known for Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Nigerian, Mexican, and fusion dining in addition to Gulf Coast fare. - San Antonio — deeply rooted Tex-Mex culture and puffy tacos. - Dallas–Fort Worth — broad dining scene including steakhouses, barbecue, upscale contemporary restaurants, and international food. - South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley — strong borderland food traditions and Mexican regional influences. - Gulf Coast — seafood houses, oyster bars, and Cajun-influenced spots.

Famous and influential restaurants or food institutions - Franklin Barbecue (Austin) — widely known nationally for brisket. - Kreuz Market, Black’s Barbecue, Smitty’s Market — central names in historic barbecue traditions. - Pappas family restaurants (Houston-based) — long-running Texas restaurant group. - Mi Tierra Café y Panadería (San Antonio) — iconic Tex-Mex institution. - Whataburger — Texas-born fast-food chain with deep cultural recognition.

Markets and food festivals - Many cities host: - year-round farmers markets - food truck parks - taco festivals - barbecue cook-offs - rodeo food events - seafood festivals - The State Fair of Texas is especially known for highly visible fair food culture.

Dining character - Urban Texas offers everything from Michelin-recognized or nationally acclaimed restaurants to neighborhood taquerias and barbecue joints. - Small towns often center food life around diners, Mexican restaurants, smokehouses, bakeries, and church or festival meals.

Texas offers exceptionally varied tourism, from major cities and historic missions to beaches, desert parks, music venues, and space exploration landmarks.

Flagship attractions - The Alamo (San Antonio) — the state’s most famous historic site. - San Antonio Missions National Historical Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site. - River Walk (San Antonio) — major urban tourism district with dining, hotels, and cultural sites. - Texas State Capitol (Austin) — major civic landmark open for tours. - Space Center Houston — visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center. - The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (Dallas) — museum focused on President John F. Kennedy and the events of 1963. - Fort Worth Stockyards — historic livestock district with rodeo and western heritage programming. - The National Museum of the Pacific War (Fredericksburg) — major military history museum. - Big Bend National Park — one of the state’s most dramatic landscapes. - Padre Island National Seashore — long undeveloped Gulf barrier island environment.

Museums and landmarks - Houston Museum District — cluster including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and others. - Perot Museum of Nature and Science (Dallas) - Bullock Texas State History Museum (Austin) - Kimbell Art Museum (Fort Worth) - The Menil Collection (Houston) - State and local courthouses, missions, ranch sites, and historic downtowns across the state.

Scenic and regional travel - Texas Hill Country — scenic drives, wildflowers, wineries, rivers, and German heritage towns. - West Texas — desert scenery, mountain landscapes, Marfa, and dark skies. - Gulf Coast — beaches, birding, fishing, and coastal towns such as Galveston and Port Aransas. - Piney Woods of East Texas — forests, lakes, and outdoor recreation. - Panhandle — Palo Duro Canyon and Route 66 heritage in Amarillo.

Historic sites - Spanish colonial missions and presidios - battlefields and frontier forts - state historic sites linked to the Republic of Texas - civil rights, oil boom, railroad, and ranching history locations

Visitor profile - Texas tourism appeals to families, road trippers, history enthusiasts, music fans, outdoor travelers, convention visitors, beachgoers, and business travelers.

Recreation in Texas is wide-ranging because of the state’s scale and geography, from mountain hikes and desert camping to Gulf beaches, lakes, hunting lands, and urban sports facilities.

Outdoor recreation - Hiking — popular in Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains, Palo Duro Canyon, Hill Country parks, and urban greenbelts. - Camping — available in national parks, state parks, lakeside campgrounds, and private RV parks. - Fishing — freshwater and saltwater fishing are major recreational activities. - Boating — common on reservoirs, rivers, bays, and the Gulf Coast. - Birding — especially strong along the Gulf Coast, Rio Grande Valley, and migratory flyways. - Hunting — widely practiced on private ranches and some public lands, subject to licensing and regulation. - Cycling — road and mountain biking are popular in metros and in Hill Country routes.

Water-based recreation - Reservoirs such as Lake Travis, Lake Texoma, Lake Conroe, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Possum Kingdom Lake, and many others support boating, wake sports, and fishing. - River recreation is especially popular on the Guadalupe, Comal, San Marcos, Frio, and Brazos in different regions. - Gulf recreation includes swimming, surfing, paddling, beach camping, and offshore fishing.

Golf and organized leisure - Texas has many public and private golf courses, including notable resort courses in the Hill Country, DFW, Houston area, and coastal destinations. - Youth sports, adult leagues, rodeo facilities, equestrian centers, and municipal recreation centers are common statewide.

Winter sports and climate limits - Texas is not a major skiing state, though occasional small-scale winter recreation exists during rare snow events in some areas. - Heat is a major seasonal factor; summer recreation often shifts to early morning, evening, or water-based activities.

Urban recreation - Major cities offer trail networks, botanical gardens, zoos, climbing gyms, paddle trails, skate parks, and large municipal park systems.

Texas contains nationally significant desert, mountain, prairie, forest, and coastal ecosystems.

National parks and federal protected areas - Big Bend National Park — Chihuahuan Desert landscapes, Rio Grande canyons, mountain hikes, and dark-sky viewing. - Guadalupe Mountains National Park — home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. - Padre Island National Seashore — important barrier island habitat and sea turtle conservation area. - Big Thicket National Preserve — biologically rich Southeast Texas preserve known for biodiversity.

State parks and natural areas Texas has an extensive state park system managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Prominent sites include: - Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - Garner State Park - Pedernales Falls State Park - Colorado Bend State Park - Lost Maples State Natural Area - Caddo Lake State Park - Balmorhea State Park - Monahans Sandhills State Park

Major ecological regions - Gulf Coastal Plains — marshes, bays, beaches, estuaries. - Piney Woods — forested East Texas habitat. - Blackland Prairie — much reduced but ecologically important. - Hill Country — springs, limestone hills, oak-juniper woodlands. - South Texas Brush Country — important for bird and wildlife diversity. - High Plains and Panhandle — grasslands and canyon country. - Trans-Pecos — desert and mountain ecosystems.

Wildlife - Texas is known for: - white-tailed deer - pronghorn in some western areas - javelina in South and West Texas - alligators in parts of East Texas and the Gulf Coast - sea turtles on the coast - extensive bird migration routes - The state is especially important for birdwatching, including whooping crane habitat along the coast and rich avian diversity in the Rio Grande Valley.

Conservation notes - A large share of Texas land is privately owned, which shapes recreation and conservation access. - Habitat fragmentation, water scarcity, coastal erosion, wildfire risk, and rapid development are recurring environmental concerns.

Texas waterways include major rivers, vast reservoirs, Gulf beaches, coastal estuaries, and internationally important wetlands.

Major rivers - Rio Grande — forms much of the Texas-Mexico border and is central to West and South Texas geography. - Brazos River — one of the state’s longest and most historically significant rivers. - Colorado River of Texas — flows through Austin to the Gulf. - Trinity River — major North Texas river running through the Dallas area to the coast. - Red River — forms much of the northern boundary with Oklahoma. - Sabine River — forms much of the boundary with Louisiana. - Other important rivers include the Guadalupe, San Antonio, Nueces, Neches, Pecos, Frio, and San Marcos.

Lakes and reservoirs Texas has many reservoirs, important for water supply, recreation, and flood control. Well-known examples include: - Lake Texoma - Lake Travis - Sam Rayburn Reservoir - Toledo Bend Reservoir - Canyon Lake - Possum Kingdom Lake - Lake Conroe - Richland-Chambers Reservoir - Caddo Lake — unusual for its bayous and cypress wetlands.

Coast and bays - Texas has a long Gulf Coast with beaches and barrier islands. - Major bays and estuaries include: - Galveston Bay - Corpus Christi Bay - Matagorda Bay - San Antonio Bay - Aransas Bay - Laguna Madre - Coastal areas support fishing, shipping, birding, shrimping, petrochemical activity, and tourism.

Wetlands and springs - East Texas contains extensive wetland systems and bayous. - Central Texas is known for spring-fed waters such as San Marcos Springs and Comal Springs. - Wetlands are ecologically important but vulnerable to drought, development, and storm impacts.

Water issues - Water management is a major Texas policy issue because of rapid population growth, drought cycles, groundwater use, interstate and international water sharing, and flood risk.

Texas culture blends Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, Southern, Western, Black, German, Czech, and immigrant influences, producing one of the richest cultural landscapes in the U.S.

Museums and visual arts - Major museums include: - Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - The Menil Collection - Kimbell Art Museum - Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth - Dallas Museum of Art - Blanton Museum of Art (Austin) - Amon Carter Museum of American Art - Texas also has strong local museum networks covering ranching, oil, Tejano heritage, borderlands history, military history, and natural science.

Music - Texas is central to multiple music traditions: - country and western - blues - Tejano and conjunto - rock and indie music - hip-hop - gospel - Austin is widely branded as a live music capital, but Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and many smaller cities also have deep music scenes.

Theater and performance - Major performing arts institutions include: - Houston Grand Opera - Houston Ballet - Dallas Theater Center - AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas - Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth - The Long Center and many theaters in Austin - active symphonies and local companies in several cities

Heritage and identity - Cultural identity is strongly shaped by: - cowboy and ranch traditions - Mexican and Tejano heritage - African American history - oil boom wealth and industrial growth - military presence - immigration from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere - Architecture ranges from Spanish missions and Victorian courthouses to mid-century modernism and contemporary skyscrapers.

Festivals and cultural institutions - South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits are globally recognized. - Local festivals celebrate Juneteenth, rodeo, Czech and German heritage, mariachi, film, arts, and regional foodways.

Literary and scholarly life - Major universities support presses, archives, museums, and public humanities programs. - Texas has produced significant writers, journalists, historians, and folklorists.

Religion in Texas is diverse, with Christianity historically dominant but with substantial Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and nonreligious communities, especially in metropolitan areas.

Christian traditions - Evangelical Protestant traditions have long had a strong presence, including Southern Baptist, nondenominational, Pentecostal, and other churches. - Roman Catholicism is especially significant in South Texas, along the border, in historic mission communities, and across major cities. - Mainline Protestant and historically Black churches remain important parts of civic and community life. - The state also includes significant Latter-day Saint, Orthodox, and other Christian communities.

Other faith communities - Jewish communities are established in cities such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. - Muslim communities have major mosques and Islamic centers in large metro areas. - Hindu temples, Buddhist centers, Sikh gurdwaras, and interfaith organizations are present across major suburbs and cities. - Immigration has expanded religious diversity significantly in recent decades.

Notable religious sites and institutions - San Antonio Missions are historically central Catholic landmarks. - Lakewood Church (Houston) is one of the best-known megachurches in the U.S. - Large cathedrals, seminaries, and faith-based universities are found across the state. - Baylor University in Waco has historic Baptist roots; other faith-linked institutions also operate in Texas.

Religious life and public culture - Religion plays a visible role in community service, education, social conservatism in some regions, charity work, immigration support, and disaster response. - Patterns vary sharply by region: major urban areas are religiously diverse, while many small towns and suburban belts remain more heavily church-centered.

Texas is one of the most sports-focused states in the U.S., with major professional franchises, powerhouse college athletics, high school football traditions, and widespread youth participation.

Major professional teams - NFL — Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans - NBA — Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs - MLB — Texas Rangers, Houston Astros - NHL — Dallas Stars - MLS — FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo FC, Austin FC - WNBA — Dallas Wings - Texas also has minor league baseball, hockey, soccer, and indoor sports teams in many cities.

College sports - Texas is home to major NCAA programs including: - University of Texas at Austin - Texas A&M University - Texas Tech University - Baylor University - Texas Christian University - University of Houston - Southern Methodist University - Football is especially prominent, but basketball, baseball, softball, track, and volleyball are also strong.

High school sports - High school football is a major cultural institution, particularly in small towns and suburban districts. - Texas also has strong participation in high school marching band, cheer, baseball, basketball, wrestling, soccer, and track.

Stadiums and venues - AT&T Stadium (Arlington) - Globe Life Field (Arlington) - NRG Stadium (Houston) - Minute Maid Park / Daikin Park naming changes may apply (Houston Astros ballpark) - Toyota Center (Houston) - Frost Bank Center (San Antonio) - Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin) - Kyle Field (College Station)

Recreational sports - Golf, tennis, pickleball, swimming, rodeo, equestrian sports, fishing tournaments, hunting competitions, and youth baseball/softball are all widespread. - Texas is also a major state for rodeo, including school, collegiate, and professional circuits.

Texas has a year-round calendar of large-scale cultural, musical, agricultural, sporting, and civic events.

Major annual events - State Fair of Texas (Dallas) — one of the country’s largest state fairs. - South by Southwest (Austin) — major film, music, and tech festival. - Austin City Limits Music Festival — large contemporary music festival. - Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — one of the world’s best-known rodeo events. - San Antonio Fiesta — major citywide spring celebration. - Texas Book Festival (Austin) - Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo - Juneteenth celebrations — especially significant given Texas’s role in the holiday’s history.

Regional and local traditions - rodeos and county fairs - German heritage festivals such as Wurstfest in New Braunfels - Czech heritage festivals in Central Texas communities - mariachi and Tejano celebrations - wildflower festivals - shrimp, oyster, and seafood festivals on the coast - pride festivals in major cities - holiday parades and light displays

Sports and spectator events - college football weekends are major social events across the state - marathons, triathlons, NASCAR-related events, golf tournaments, and fishing tournaments occur throughout the year

Markets and community gatherings - Farmers markets are common in cities and many small towns. - Music series, art walks, and downtown street festivals are a staple of local civic life.

Seasonal note - Event schedules are often shaped by climate, with major outdoor programming concentrated in spring, fall, and milder winter periods.

Texas has one of the largest media landscapes in the U.S., with major daily newspapers, television markets, radio networks, Spanish-language media, public broadcasting, and digital outlets.

Newspapers - The Dallas Morning News - Houston Chronicle - San Antonio Express-News - Austin American-Statesman - Fort Worth Star-Telegram - El Paso Times - Many regional and community newspapers serve smaller cities and counties.

Television - Texas contains several major TV markets, especially: - Dallas–Fort Worth - Houston - San Antonio - Austin - El Paso - Rio Grande Valley - Affiliates of major U.S. networks operate across the state, along with local news channels and Spanish-language broadcasters such as Univision and Telemundo affiliates.

Radio - Strong commercial radio presence in country, Tejano, regional Mexican, news/talk, hip-hop, rock, religious broadcasting, and public radio. - Public radio stations connected to universities and nonprofit networks are important in larger metros.

Public and nonprofit media - Texas Public Radio (San Antonio) - KUT/KUTX and other public stations in Austin - Houston Public Media - KERA in North Texas - Texas Tribune — major nonprofit digital news organization covering state politics and public policy.

Digital media and language diversity - Texas has a substantial bilingual and Spanish-language media ecosystem. - Political reporting, energy coverage, border reporting, sports media, and local lifestyle journalism are especially prominent.

• Sam Houston — statesman and military leader central to Texas independence and the early Republic of Texas.
• Lyndon B. Johnson — 36th U.S. president, born in Texas and closely associated with the Hill Country.
• Barbara Jordan — pioneering Houston politician and civil rights figure, first Black woman from the South elected to the U.S. House in the 20th century.
• Ann Richards — former governor remembered for her national political profile and wit.
• George H. W. Bush — U.S. president long associated with Houston.
• George W. Bush — former Texas governor and later U.S. president.
• Bessie Coleman — pioneering aviator from Texas and the first African American woman to hold a pilot license.
• Michael Dell — founder of Dell Technologies, closely linked to Austin’s tech rise.
• Howard Hughes — industrialist and aviator with strong ties to Houston’s aerospace-era identity.
• Beyoncé — globally influential singer and performer from Houston.
• Willie Nelson — iconic country songwriter and performer associated with Texas music culture.
• Stevie Ray Vaughan — influential blues guitarist from Dallas.
• Selena Quintanilla-Pérez — Tejano music star from Corpus Christi, still deeply influential.
• Janis Joplin — rock singer from Port Arthur.
• Buddy Holly — pioneering rock-and-roll musician from Lubbock.
• ZZ Top — Texas rock band strongly identified with the state’s musical image.
• Cormac McCarthy — major American novelist who spent formative years in Texas settings and themes, though his ties are broader than one city.
• Larry McMurtry — novelist and screenwriter associated with Archer City and Texas literature.
• Sandra Cisneros — acclaimed writer closely associated with San Antonio and Chicana literature.
• Horton Foote — Pulitzer-winning playwright from Wharton.
• Nolan Ryan — Hall of Fame baseball pitcher and enduring Texas sports figure.
• Earl Campbell — legendary football running back from Tyler.
• Babe Didrikson Zaharias — multi-sport athlete from Beaumont, among the greatest athletes in U.S. history.
• Hakeem Olajuwon — basketball great strongly associated with Houston.
• B.J. Thomas, Townes Van Zandt, George Strait, and Megan Thee Stallion — additional examples of widely known Texas-linked performers from different eras and genres.

Texas is home to many major public and private companies, including long-established energy giants and newer technology leaders.

Notable Texas-headquartered companies - ExxonMobil — major oil and gas company headquartered in the Houston area. - Phillips 66 — energy manufacturing and logistics company in Houston. - ConocoPhillips — major energy company in Houston. - Valero Energy — refining company headquartered in San Antonio. - Tesla — corporate headquarters moved to Austin in the 2020s. - Dell Technologies — Round Rock-based technology company. - Oracle — moved corporate headquarters to Austin. - AT&T — long headquartered in Dallas. - American Airlines — Fort Worth-based airline. - Southwest Airlines — major Dallas-based airline. - Texas Instruments — Dallas-based semiconductor company. - Waste Management — headquartered in the Houston area. - Sysco — major food distribution company headquartered in Houston. - CBRE Group — Dallas-based commercial real estate services company. - Dr Pepper — corporate identity strongly linked to Texas, though ownership structures and headquarters arrangements have changed over time.

Other major employers and corporate presences - Lockheed Martin — major aerospace and defense presence in Fort Worth. - H-E-B — important Texas grocery company based in San Antonio. - USAA — San Antonio-based financial services company serving military members and families. - Halliburton and Baker Hughes — major energy-service companies with major Texas operations. - Toyota Motor North America — headquarters in Plano. - Charles Schwab — major North Texas corporate presence. - Energy Transfer — Dallas-based pipeline company.

Startup and innovation landscape - Austin remains the most visible startup hub, with software, AI, semiconductor, and consumer brands. - Houston has strong entrepreneurship in energy transition, health tech, and industrial technology. - Dallas–Fort Worth and San Antonio also support growing startup ecosystems.

Texas is a state rather than a municipality, so sister city relationships are usually maintained by individual Texas cities rather than by the state as a whole.

• Many Texas cities, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, and Corpus Christi, participate in international sister-city programs.
• Statewide twin-city designations are not commonly referenced in the same formal way as city-level partnerships.
• For a precise list, it is best to consult the relevant city government or Sister Cities International entries for each Texas municipality.