thumb|Matagorda County Office Building
Matagorda County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 36,255. Its county seat is Bay City, not to be confused with the larger Baytown in Harris and Chambers Counties. Matagorda County is named for the canebrakes that once grew along the coast (matagorda is a Spanish word meaning "thick bush").
Matagorda County comprises the Bay City, TX micropolitan statistical area, which is also included in the Houston-The Woodlands, TX combined statistical area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which (32%) are covered by water. The water area includes Matagorda Bay. It borders the Gulf of Mexico.
Major highways
- 20px State Highway 35
- 20px State Highway 60
- 20px State Highway 71
- 20px State Highway 111
Adjacent counties
- Brazoria County (northeast)
- Calhoun County (southwest)
- Jackson County (west)
- Wharton County (northwest)
National protected areas
- Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge
- San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge (part)