History of African Americans in Texas

African Americans in Texas
Total population
3,444,712 (2020)
Regions with significant populations
Ark-La-Tex, Central Texas, East Texas, Galveston, Greater Austin, Greater Houston, Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area, Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, Greater San Antonio, North Texas, Northeast Texas, Southeast Texas
Languages
Texan English, Texan Spanish, Southern American English, Louisiana Creole, African-American Vernacular English, African languages
Religion
Black Protestant, Roman Catholicism, Hoodoo (spirituality), Louisiana Voodoo

African American Texans or Black Texans are residents of the state of Texas who are of African ancestry and people that have origins as African-American slaves. African Americans formed a unique ethnic identity in Texas while facing the problems of societal and institutional discrimination as well as colorism for many years. The first person of African heritage to arrive in Texas was Estevanico, who came to Texas in 1528. Estevanico was originally from the city, Azamor. He voyaged along with three other Spaniards across Texas and Mexico, gaining popularity for being the first African to journey through Texas.

The earliest black residents in Texas were Afro-Spanish slaves brought by the Spanish.

A large majority of Black Texans live in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Galveston, Killeen, Houston and San Antonio metropolitan areas.

The 2020 U.S. Census identified the Black population alone, non-Hispanic population at 3,444,712, making Texas' Black population the largest of all states and territories in the United States.