The county seat is Coldspring. The largest town is Shepherd. A large portion of the county lies within the Sam Houston National Forest. Lake Livingston is a major recreational area in the county.
Timber is a major industry.
Monthly unemployment figures provide civilian labor force estimates, the number of persons employed, the number of persons unemployed, and the unemployment rate. Unemployment rates are calculated by the Local Area Unemployment Statistics unit of Labor Market Information. The unit is responsible for proper reporting of employment and wages for employers in Texas who pay Unemployment Insurance taxes. The employers are assigned an industrial code and county code, so that their employment can be accurately recorded. While the data from this program are the most detailed available, they are subject to a disclosure rule since no individual employer information can be released.