Denton is a community in Denton County, Texas, United States, and county seat. It is the 24th most populous city in Texas, the 196th most populous city in the United States, and the 12th most populous city in the Dallas ? Fort Worth metroplex with an estimated population of 138,541. A Texas land grant led to Denton County being established in 1846, and the town was incorporated in 1866. All were named after John B. Denton, pioneer, and commander of the Texas militia.