Texas is known for what? Here are 25 things Texans love about themselves (2024)

FAQs

What is Texas best known for? ›

Texas is known for its legendary cowboy culture, its large cities, its diverse landscapes, its delicious Tex-Mex cuisine, and its strong southern hospitality. It is also famous for its cattle and oil industry, its rodeos, its music, and its unique Texan culture.

The people, the landscapes, the sheer size: there are a whole host of reasons that Texans wear their state pride like a badge of honor. But perhaps the main reason that people from Texas are so darn proud is because of their state's unique and deep roots within American history.

Texans are often a little stubborn, but this is all part of their resilient nature. However, they never let their sometimes-stubborn nature interfere with their friendliness — friendship is the state motto, after all. It doesn't matter whether you've been a Texan for a week or your whole life.

Natural beauty and unique geography

Easy access to impressive scenic landscapes is one of the most invigorating benefits of living in Texas. No matter where you base yourself in the Lone Star State, home will never be far from towering canyons, impressive rivers and lakes, expansive forests, or rolling prairies.

Take a trip through the Lone Star State and sample classic dishes including pecan pie, chicken-fried steak, cowboy chili and plenty of barbecue.

The particular and complex culture and history of Texas has led to an extraordinarily strong sense of state level pride and individuality.

Texas is called The Friendly State, after all, but it's well-earned. Native Texans are the most genuinely friendly people you will ever meet.

Texas is where liberty lives. That's why the Lone Star State has led the nation in population growth over the last 18 years and continues to be a top state for job creation.

Texians were Anglo-American residents of Mexican Texas and, later, the Republic of Texas. Today, the term is used to identify early Anglo settlers of Texas, especially those who supported the Texas Revolution. Mexican settlers of that era are referred to as Tejanos, and residents of modern Texas are known as Texans.

Texans are a legendarily hardy people. But Texans are recognized far and wide for an assortment of other Texas-y traits too: pridefulness, bumptiousness, and mesquite stump–like stubbornness come to mind. And that trademark friendliness, of course (remember, “Friendship” is our state motto). And resilience.

What makes you a Texan? ›

There are two obvious parameters: place of birth and length of residence (most Texans fall into either the “born here” or “got here as quick as I could” categories). But things aren't always so black and white.

They like the food, and they like the diversity of its people, and many see positive aspects in its values and culture, as well as its economy and businesses. While many are critical of how things are going, more are positive about Texas than about the nation as a whole.

Texas boasts renowned personalities, memorable experiences, iconic landmarks, and unmatched state pride. If we had to narrow down a few defining features that make Texas famous, they would include its vastness, distinctive cuisine, rich history, and a strong sense of pride.

Today, chili is the official state dish. Texas is known for its variation of chili con carne. Texas chili is typically made with hot peppers and beef (or sometimes game meats like venison) and is sometimes served with pinto beans, either as a side dish or in the chili itself.

The Best State for Business ranking is determined in an annual survey conducted by Chief Executive magazine of CEOs' assessments of each state's business climate, workforce, and quality of life. Texas has topped the nation every year since Chief Executive began the ranking.