Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in Texas
Counties with the highest COVID-19 death rate in Texas
The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises the majority of cases in the U.S.
Researchers around the world have reported that Omicron is more transmissible than Delta, making breakthrough and repeat infections more likely. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death rates—especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.
The United States as of Feb. 16 reached 926,680 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 78.1 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 64.5% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 43% have received booster doses.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest cumulative COVID-19 death rates in Texas using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Counties are ranked by the highest death rate per 100,000 residents as of Feb. 15, 2021.
Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 death rates in your state.
#50. Comanche County
--- 97.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #248 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,846 (3,115 total cases)
--- 2.5% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 220 (30 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
#49. Eastland County
--- 97.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #247 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 16.3 (3 new deaths, +200% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,858 (2,728 total cases)
--- 33.4% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 142 (26 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
#48. McCulloch County
--- 97.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #246 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 25.1 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,606 (1,246 total cases)
--- 30.0% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 150 (12 new cases, -50% change from previous week)
#47. Brown County
--- 97.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #241 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.2 (5 new deaths, -44% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,081 (10,254 total cases)
--- 21.5% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 584 (221 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
#46. Carson County
--- 99.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #230 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 33.7 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,317 (1,441 total cases)
--- 9.1% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 422 (25 new cases, -14% change from previous week)

#45. Potter County
--- 100.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #226 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.1 (6 new deaths, -54% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,765 (34,948 total cases)
--- 33.5% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 350 (411 new cases, -54% change from previous week)
#44. La Salle County
--- 100.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #224 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,976 (2,179 total cases)
--- 30.0% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 545 (41 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
#43. Val Verde County
--- 100.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #222 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 10.2 (5 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,838 (14,138 total cases)
--- 29.3% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 288 (141 new cases, -65% change from previous week)
#42. Menard County
--- 101.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #221 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,152 (495 total cases)
--- 3.8% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 561 (12 new cases, -29% change from previous week)
#41. Coke County
--- 101.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #220 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 29.5 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,417 (827 total cases)
--- 9.5% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 325 (11 new cases, +83% change from previous week)
#40. Deaf Smith County
--- 102.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #211 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,310 (4,323 total cases)
--- 4.5% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,267 (235 new cases, +447% change from previous week)
#39. Marion County
--- 103.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #207 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,217 (1,598 total cases)
--- 27.3% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 254 (25 new cases, -39% change from previous week)
#38. Fisher County
--- 105.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #201 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 52.2 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,535 (595 total cases)
--- 30.3% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 418 (16 new cases, +45% change from previous week)
#37. Wood County
--- 106.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #200 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.4 (2 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,339 (7,896 total cases)
--- 22.2% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 204 (93 new cases, -57% change from previous week)
#36. Willacy County
--- 106.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #198 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 9.4 (2 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,775 (6,573 total cases)
--- 38.0% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 496 (106 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
#35. Montague County
--- 111.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #174 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.1 (3 new deaths, -25% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,105 (4,579 total cases)
--- 3.6% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 378 (75 new cases, -40% change from previous week)
#34. Runnels County
--- 112.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #167 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,502 (2,207 total cases)
--- 3.6% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 58 (6 new cases, -79% change from previous week)
#33. Scurry County
--- 114.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #163 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 29.9 (5 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,462 (4,921 total cases)
--- 32.1% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 186 (31 new cases, -60% change from previous week)
#32. Duval County
--- 115.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #162 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 26.9 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,655 (3,197 total cases)
--- 28.5% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 762 (85 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
#31. Cass County
--- 116.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #158 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 13.3 (4 new deaths, -33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,481 (6,750 total cases)
--- 0.8% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,029 (309 new cases, +1% change from previous week)
#30. Lynn County
--- 116.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #154 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 33.6 (2 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,685 (1,350 total cases)
--- 1.7% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 319 (19 new cases, +58% change from previous week)
#29. Castro County
--- 119.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #142 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,721 (2,238 total cases)
--- 33.3% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 305 (23 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
#28. Hutchinson County
--- 119.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #139 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 19.1 (4 new deaths, +33% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,092 (6,510 total cases)
--- 39.5% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 392 (82 new cases, -47% change from previous week)
#27. Nolan County
--- 121.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #133 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 6.8 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,348 (2,994 total cases)
--- 8.7% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 292 (43 new cases, -32% change from previous week)
#26. Knox County
--- 125.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #124 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 27.3 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,155 (482 total cases)
--- 41.0% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 55 (2 new cases, -67% change from previous week)
#25. Cottle County
--- 130.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #111 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,671 (275 total cases)
--- 11.8% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, -100% change from previous week)
#24. Culberson County
--- 131.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #108 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 46.1 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,353 (507 total cases)
--- 4.7% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 230 (5 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
#23. Wilbarger County
--- 133.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #101 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 31.3 (4 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,713 (3,411 total cases)
--- 19.8% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 196 (25 new cases, -40% change from previous week)
#22. Mills County
--- 135.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #94 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 41.0 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,571 (1,441 total cases)
--- 32.6% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 205 (10 new cases, -55% change from previous week)
#21. Terry County
--- 135.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #92 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,878 (2,329 total cases)
--- 15.3% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 608 (75 new cases, -46% change from previous week)
#20. Hockley County
--- 139.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #81 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,644 (7,515 total cases)
--- 46.4% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 300 (69 new cases, -40% change from previous week)
#19. Haskell County
--- 140.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #78 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 17.7 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,606 (883 total cases)
--- 30.0% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 53 (3 new cases, -67% change from previous week)
#18. Hale County
--- 146.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #66 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 15.0 (5 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,353 (6,465 total cases)
--- 13.2% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 168 (56 new cases, -48% change from previous week)
#17. Real County
--- 149.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #64 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 29.0 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,943 (792 total cases)
--- 2.9% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 232 (8 new cases, -64% change from previous week)
#16. Donley County
--- 151.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #61 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 30.5 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,018 (984 total cases)
--- 34.6% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 854 (28 new cases, -3% change from previous week)
#15. Brooks County
--- 152.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #58 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 14.1 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,994 (1,560 total cases)
--- 1.4% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 564 (40 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
#14. Hall County
--- 154.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #55 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 33.7 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,996 (978 total cases)
--- 48.0% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,822 (54 new cases, +184% change from previous week)
#13. Dawson County
--- 159.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #50 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 7.9 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,901 (2,533 total cases)
--- 10.7% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 849 (108 new cases, +731% change from previous week)
#12. Dickens County
--- 159.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #49 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 45.2 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,770 (415 total cases)
--- 15.8% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 136 (3 new cases, -67% change from previous week)
#11. Cochran County
--- 163.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #44 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,302 (836 total cases)
--- 31.4% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 491 (14 new cases, -22% change from previous week)
#10. Maverick County
--- 168.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #40 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 17.0 (10 new deaths, +400% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,537 (20,281 total cases)
--- 54.9% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 409 (240 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
#9. Crosby County
--- 174.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #37 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,689 (1,818 total cases)
--- 42.1% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 227 (13 new cases, -50% change from previous week)
#8. Sabine County
--- 175.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #36 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 28.5 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,563 (1,219 total cases)
--- 48.1% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 76 (8 new cases, -70% change from previous week)
#7. Floyd County
--- 188.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #23 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,843 (1,876 total cases)
--- 47.3% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 210 (12 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
#6. Coleman County
--- 193.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #20 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 24.5 (2 new deaths, +100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,168 (1,567 total cases)
--- 14.0% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 135 (11 new cases, -42% change from previous week)
#5. Foard County
--- 210.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #12 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,710 (193 total cases)
--- 25.1% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
#4. Lamb County
--- 211.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #10 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 38.8 (5 new deaths, +67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,832 (4,233 total cases)
--- 47.3% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 178 (23 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
#3. Baylor County
--- 216.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #8 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 85.5 (3 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,685 (796 total cases)
--- 1.7% more cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 228 (8 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
#2. Motley County
--- 258.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #4 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 83.3 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,083 (265 total cases)
--- 1.0% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 167 (2 new cases, -71% change from previous week)
#1. McMullen County
--- 286.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Texas
--- #2 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,073 (164 total cases)
--- 1.0% less cases per 100k residents than Texas
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 269 (2 new cases, -78% change from previous week)