These people traditionally occupied territory in what is now east Texas and Louisiana.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.4 square miles (22 km2), of which 8.4 sq mi (22 km2) are land and 0.12% is covered by water.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,640 people, 1,951 households, and 1,268 families residing in the town.

[12][13] Nearby West Livingston has the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Allan B. Polunsky Unit.

[16] A few miles outside of Livingston is the IAH Polk County Secure Adult Detention Center, which houses around 700 immigrant men daily who have been detained by federal agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Run by the private-prison company Community Education Centers, the facility has frequently been criticized for its subpar treatment of migrants.

It is ranked as one of the 10 worst detention centers in the nation, which are the subject of a nationwide campaign by activists to close them.

First National Bank has its main office on Highway 190 and branches in downtown Livingston and Onalaska.

[21] The Texas Legislature designated Polk County as within the boundary of Angelina College's district.

Cho-Yeh is also used by Texas A&M Galveston for their yearly Fish Camp to introduce TAMUG students to the traditions of the university system.

[24][citation needed] High-school basketball: Lake Livingston was featured on the third episode of the first season of the television show, River Monsters, which aired April 19, 2009, on Animal Planet.