Victoria is the seat of Victoria County in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 60,603. The Victoria metropolitan area had an estimated population of 221,417 in seven counties which is usually referred to as the "Golden Crescent". It is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria in Texas. Victoria is home to Victoria College, the University of Houston–Victoria, Music Artist Kristofuh and MLB players Doug Drabek and Ron Gant and WWE wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin. Victoria is currently one of the state's fastest growing cities.

Victoria is located at 28°49′1″N, 96°59′36″W (28.816866, -96.993462). It is one of the state's old, historic cities. The original colony founded in 1824 was named for the first president of Mexico, Don Guadalupe Victoria. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 85.8 km² (33.1 mi²). 85.4 km² (33.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.45%) is water. As of the 2005 mid-census report, there were 60,603 people in the city of Victoria, 22,129 households, and 15,755 families residing in the city. The population density was 709.7/km² (1,838.3/mi²). There were 24,192 housing units at an average density of 283.3/km² (733.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.18% White, 42.92% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 17.31% from other races, 7.59% African American, 2.35% from two or more races, 1.01% Asian, 0.51% Native American, and 0.04% Pacific Islander.