What is the Texas Open Data Portal?
The Texas Open Data Portal is the official central repository for publicly accessible data published by Texas state agencies.
About the portal
The Texas Open Data Portal (data.texas.gov) is managed by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). It was established under Senate Bill 279 (2013), which required state agencies to submit descriptions and links to their high-value datasets to DIR. In 2019, Senate Bill 819 further required each state agency to prioritize the portal for publishing open data to increase government transparency and data sharing efficiency.
High-value datasets are data critical to the financial and programmatic functions of state agencies. Topics covered include business and economy, education, energy and environment, government and taxes, public safety, social services, transportation, agriculture, and more.
Browsing, searching, and downloading data is free for everyone. You do not need an account to access public datasets.
It’s free and open to everyone
All data on the Texas Open Data Portal is free to access, browse, and download — no registration required. Create a free account to save filtered views, build visualizations, and receive dataset update notifications.
How to use the Texas Open Data Portal
Search, filter, and download thousands of datasets from Texas state agencies.
Search and explore datasets
Go to data.texas.gov and use the search bar or browse by category to find datasets. Each dataset page shows a preview of the data, its source agency, last updated date, and available download formats.
You can filter, sort, and create custom views of any dataset directly in the browser — no software required. Data stories published by agencies combine text, maps, and visualizations to provide context around key datasets.
Download or connect via API
Download datasets in CSV, JSON, Excel, and other formats directly from the dataset page. Developers can connect to datasets programmatically using the Socrata Open Data API (SODA) — useful for building apps, dashboards, and automated data pipelines.
Create a free account to save filtered views, subscribe to dataset updates, and build shareable visualizations.
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How to submit data to the Texas Open Data Portal
Texas state agencies and governmental entities can publish open data to the portal through DIR.
Understand the requirements
Texas state agencies are required by Senate Bill 819 (2019) to prioritize publishing open data through the Texas Open Data Portal. Senate Bill 279 (2013) requires agencies to submit descriptions and links to their high-value datasets to DIR.
The portal is a free service provided by DIR to Texas governmental entities. There are no fees to submit or host datasets.
Prepare your data
Before publishing, review the Texas Open Data Portal Resource Guide (2025) for guidance on data governance, creating an open data inventory, and formatting datasets for publication. Ensure your data does not contain confidential, sensitive, or personally identifiable information before submitting.
Free for governmental entities
Publishing data to the Texas Open Data Portal is a free service provided by DIR to Texas state agencies and governmental entities. There are no fees to submit or host datasets on the portal.
Contact DIR to publish
To publish your agency’s data to the Texas Open Data Portal, contact the DIR Office of the Chief Data Officer. DIR will provide access and publishing guidance for your agency.
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Other Texas data and public information
The Open Data Portal is the central repository, but several agencies maintain specialized data hubs — and the Public Information Act gives you the right to request records that aren’t publicly posted.
Explore specialized data hubs
In addition to the Texas Open Data Portal, these state resources offer specialized data on specific topics.
Request records under the Public Information Act
If the data you need isn’t on the portal, the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) gives you the right to request records from any governmental body. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. You do not need to explain why you want the records.
Submit your request in writing — by mail, fax, email, or in person — to the governmental body that holds the information. The body must respond within 10 business days.
Public Information Act fees
Inspecting records in person is most often free. Charges may apply when copies are made or when significant labor is needed to locate, compile, or redact information.
- Standard paper copy: $0.10 per page.
- Labor: $15–$28.50 per hour — only charged for requests over 50 pages or records stored in multiple locations. If estimated costs exceed $40, the governmental body must send you a written estimate before starting work. Agencies may waive fees if releasing the information primarily benefits the public.
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