Waskom, Texas
Waskom is a small town in Harrison County, Texas, in East Texas, about 19 miles west of Shreveport, LA as the crow flies, with a population of about 1,942.
Harrison
County
1,942
Population
East Texas
Region
2.7 sq mi
Land Area
19 mi
straight line to Shreveport
Updated October 2026 · Population: U.S. Census Bureau estimate for July 1, 2024. Land area and coordinates: U.S. Census Bureau. · Waskom on Wikipedia
Waskom City Limits
The official city boundary and the major highways through Waskom.
Major roads: FM 9 · I-20 · State Loop 156 · US Hwy 80
Boundary & roads: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line).
Waskom from our research
What we've verified about Waskom, one line per topic. Each links to the full page and its sources.
- History
- Founded around 1850 as Powell Town, renamed for railroad director J. M. Waskom in 1881, and shaped by the railroad, timber, and 1920s oil. Details →
- Dining
- 9 verified places to eat and drink; most common: Coffee, Sweets & Bakery · Mexican & Tex-Mex · Burgers & American. Details → Source: Texas Comptroller sales-tax permit records, checked place by place
- Schools
- 6 public schools within 12 miles, in Elysian Fields ISD and Waskom ISD. Details → Source: Texas Education Agency AskTED directory — open campuses, enrollment as of Oct 2025
- Utilities
- SWEPCO electricity (regulated, no plan shopping), CenterPoint gas, City of Waskom water and trash, and internet at the Texas–Louisiana line. Details →
- Outdoors
- Nearest state parks: Caddo Lake (16 mi), Martin Creek Lake (32 mi), Daingerfield (52 mi). Nearest lakes: Caddo Lake (18 mi). Details → Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
- Contractors
- 2 licensed HVAC contractors and 3 licensed electricians serve Waskom. Details → Source: TDLR license records, checked business by business
FAQ: Waskom, Texas
Harrison County. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 place-by-county list places all of Waskom in Harrison County.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Waskom in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Moving to East Texas: What You Need to Know
Thinking about moving to East Texas? A fact-checked guide to healthcare, schools, getting around, weather, and daily life in Tyler, Jacksonville, and the towns around them.
Read Guide →Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →Cost of Living in East Texas
What it costs to live in East Texas, using Census figures: home values and rents in Tyler, Jacksonville and Athens compared with Texas and the big metros, plus taxes, utilities, healthcare and driving.
Read Guide →Retiring in East Texas: Why Retirees Love It Here
Retiring in East Texas: Tyler's trauma-designated hospitals, Texas 65+ school-tax exemptions, lake towns like Gun Barrel City and Hideaway, and sourced drive times and weather.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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