Texas shares its borders with four states. Each border has its own unique features, from rivers and forests to cultural regions that connect Texas with its neighbors. For example, the Red River shapes the long northern border with Oklahoma, while the city of Texarkana sits on the edge of Texas and Arkansas, blending communities from both states.
Below is a list of the states that border Texas, along with key facts about their capitals, the length of their shared borders, and their populations as of 2023.
Capital City This column shows the capital city of each neighboring state, identifying its political center.
Border Length (km) This number tells you how many kilometers of border the state shares with Texas, highlighting the scale of their shared boundary.
Population (2023) This shows the estimated number of people living in each state as of 2023, giving an idea of the size of its population.
states that border texas
| State Name | Capital City | Border Length (km) | Population (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | Santa Fe | 335 | 2,114,371 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma City | 1,411 | 4,053,824 |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | 172 | 3,067,732 |
| Louisiana | Baton Rouge | 679 | 4,573,749 |
Descriptions
New Mexico
Sharing a high-desert border with West Texas, New Mexico is defined by dramatic landscapes and rich cultures. The border region includes Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which straddles the state line, connecting the two states through shared natural beauty and rugged terrain.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma forms Texas’s long northern border, with the Red River carving the boundary for hundreds of miles. This shared border has a rich history of cattle drives and cultural exchange, linking the plains of Texas to the rolling hills and prairies of its northern neighbor.
Arkansas
Arkansas shares a border with northeastern Texas, characterized by dense pine forests and the city of Texarkana, which uniquely straddles the state line. This region, often called the Ark-La-Tex, highlights the deep economic and cultural connections between these two southern states.
Louisiana
Louisiana marks Texas’s eastern boundary, defined largely by the Sabine River. This border area is known for its Cajun cultural influences, swamplands, and shared energy industry, connecting East Texas to the bayous of Louisiana.
