About the Magazine

Regarded as one of the best independent magazines in the nation, the Observer writes about issues ignored or underreported in the mainstream press and has a commitment to improving the lives of Texans through revelatory and engaging investigative reporting.

The Observer has led the state’s major dailies and national media, breaking many major stories. Our writers and their stories have been featured on 60 Minutes, 20/20, The Rachel Maddow Show, NPR and Democracy NOW!, and picked up by the New Yorker, Huffington Post, the New York Times, Daily Kos, Jezebel and Time Magazine. The Texas Observer, long famous for its witty and irreverent view of the great state of Texas, is read by progressives, conservatives, working people, professors, lobbyists, retirees, parents, students, legislators and policymakers from both sides of the aisle.

If you would like to advertise with the Texas Observer, contact [email protected] for web and print specifications and rates. We are pleased to work with you to create customized packages that best suit your needs and goals.

We’ve been recognized

  • 2013, 2014, and 2018 Finalist, Livingston Award for Young Journalists
  • 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi awards for distinguished service to the American people and the profession of journalism
  • 2016 Hillman Prize for Magazine Reporting
  • 2015 Emmy Award, New Approaches category
  • 2015 National Magazine Award, Multimedia category
  • 2013 and 2014 National Magazine Award Finalist, Reporting category
  • Pan American Health Organization, Excellence in Journalism Award
  • Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (42 awards)
  • Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors Excellence in State Government Reporting
  • Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award
  • James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism
  • Project Censored (8 awards)
  • State Bar of Texas Gavel Award three-time winner)
  • Utne Reader Best Political Magazine
  • Finalist, Investigative Reporters and Editors Award
  • The Society of Professional Journalists, SPJ Sigma De. Chi award
  • Texas Institute of Letters, Edwin “Bud” Shrake Award for Short Nonfiction

Book reviews, arts, culture

The Texas Observer devotes one third of each issue to literature and culture.

What They’re Saying

what-saying

Our Audience

Online reader profile
A strategic approach to our online readership has led to a stable, organic foundation that supports an upward trend of in-the-market web traffic: Our readers are young, geographically diverse and politically aware individuals. Our digital audience has a wide-ranging interest that includes arts and culture, technology, travel, and, of course, news and politics.

  • Roughly 40 percent of our online readers are under 45
  • We are on-track for roughly 4 million uniques by the end of CY 2019
  • 75% of online readers have a college degree
  • 27% of online readers have a graduate degree
  • 25% of online readers earn more than $100,000 annually
  • 11% of online readers earn more than $150,000 annually

18-24: 5%    45-54: 18%

25-34: 17%    55-64: 20%

35-44: 18%    65+: 20%

Male: 59%    Female: 41%

Print reader profile
The Texas Observer delivers an educated and affluent reader interested in deep-dive takes on the important issues shaping Texas. With a median household income of nearly $100,000, our readers who are highly likely to volunteer in their communities and donate to political causes and charities. Over half have visited or purchased from business that have advertised in the Observer. Readers interests’ include books and music, health and wellness and socially responsible investing. We’re pleased to report that a concerted effort in growing our print audience is, against national trends, succeeding.

18+: 12%  35+: 28%  55+: 60%

Male: 48%  Female: 52%