Matagorda County was one of Texas's first counties

Texas organized Matagorda County in 1836, making it one of the state's oldest counties. The town of Matagorda was the original county seat. The county's early economy depended on cotton and sugar plantations. It later shifted to cattle ranching and rice farming in the late 1800s.

The county covers about 1,612 square miles along the Gulf Coast. Elevations run from sea level up to about 70 feet. The Colorado River runs through the county on its way to Matagorda Bay. By the 2010s, the population was roughly 36,000, with a mix of Anglo, Hispanic, and African American residents.