Houston County was the 51st county formed in Georgia and was created in 1821 through a treaty signed with the Creek Indians. The county was named for Governor John Houstoun and was originally spelled "Houstoun." Perry, the county seat and geographic center of the state of Georgia was incorporated in 1824 as Houston's first official town.

Houston County has grown in population from 105,808 in 1998 to a current population of 126,032. Eighteen public schools (K-12) have been recognized as Georgia Schools of Excellence and three schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools.