Borden County, Texas

History

Native Americans

Shoshone and the Penateka band of Comanches were early tribes in the area.

County established

Borden County was created in 1876 from Bosque County and named for Gail Borden Jr., the inventor of condensed milk. Borden was publisher and editor of the Telegraph and Texas Register, as well as a political leader in the Republic of Texas. The county was organized in 1891, and Gail was made the county seat.

Farmers and ranchers settled the county, but the population remained relatively small. In 1902, Texas placed lands in the public domain and spurred a land rush in Borden County. Many of the newcomers grew cotton.

Borden County has had two courthouses, one built in 1890. The current courthouse is of brick and concrete construction and was erected in 1939. The architect was David S. Castle Co.

Oil was discovered in the county in 1949. By 1991, more than 340000000 oilbbl of petroleum had been taken out of Borden County since its discovery.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 906 sqmi, of which 897 sqmi are land and 8.6 sqmi (1.0%) are covered by water.

Major highways

• [[File:US 180.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 180
• [[File:Texas FM 669.svg|20px]] Farm to Market Road 669

Adjacent counties

• Garza County (north)
• Scurry County (east)
• Mitchell County (southeast)
• Howard County (south)
• Martin County (southwest)
• Dawson County (west)
• Lynn County (northwest)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1850–2010

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 631 and a median age of 46.1 years; 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 91.3% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native,

There were 256 households in the county, of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.8% were married-couple households, 18.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 359 housing units, of which 28.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.7% were owner-occupied and 27.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 1.4%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 729 people, 292 households, and 216 families resided in the county. The population density was 0.80 /mi2. The 435 housing units averaged 0.48 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 90.53% White, 0.14% African American, 0.27% Native American, 6.31% from other races, and 2.74% from two or more races. About 11.93% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 292 households, 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were not families. Around 22.60% of all households consisted of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was distributed as 24.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,205, and for a family was $36,458. Males had a median income of $25,556 versus $21,607 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,364. About 14.00% of the population and 11.80% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total people living in poverty, 14.30% were under the age of 18 and 11.60% were 65 or older.

The county is served by nearby radio stations KBXJ (FM) and KPET (AM), and the various Midland and Odessa radio and TV stations.

The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Borden County are: · English – 17% · Irish – 15% · German – 12% · Mexican – 9% · French (except Basque) – 3% · Scotch-Irish – 3% · Other Hispanic or Latino – 3% · Scottish – 2% · Spanish – 1% · American Indian tribes, specified – 1%

Education

The county is served mostly by Borden County Independent School District, with remaining portions in the Sands Consolidated Independent School District.

The Texas Legislature designated the county as being in the Western Texas College District.

Media

The weekly newspaper, the Borden Star, covers events for the school and county.

Communities

• Gail (county seat)
• Mesquite (ghost town)
• Plains

Gallery

File:Mushaway Peak Borden County Texas 2010.jpg|Mushaway Peak viewed from Willow Valley Road File:Mesquite School Borden County Texas 2010.jpg|Abandoned schoolhouse in the ghost town of Mesquite File:Borden County, TX, Courthouse IMG_1787.JPG|Frontal view of Borden County Courthouse File:Coyote Country Store, Gail, TX IMG_1804.JPG|Coyote Country Store across from the courthouse is one of the few businesses in Borden County File:Gail Mountain Borden County Texas.jpg|Gail Mountain viewed from Willow Valley Road File:First Baptist Church, Gail, TX IMG 1812.JPG|First Baptist Church in Gail

Politics

Borden County was Donald Trump's second strongest county in 2020, only slightly edged out by Roberts County in the same state.

References

References

1. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
3. (June 1, 2023). "Wet/Dry Status of Texas Counties".
4. (2008). "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". [[Newberry Library.
5. Leffler, John. "Borden County, Texas". Texas State Historical Association.
6. Hunt, William R. "Gail, Texas". Texas State Historical Association.
7. "Borden County Courthouse". Blueprints For Travel, LLC.
8. Olien, Roger M. (2007). "Wildcatters: Texas Independent Oilmen". TAMU Press.
9. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
11. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010". Texas Almanac.
12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
14. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
15. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Borden County, Texas".
16. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Borden County, Texas".
17. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Borden County, Texas".
18. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. "Borden County, TX – Borden County, Texas – Ancestry & family history – ePodunk".
20. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Borden County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
21. "Sec. 130.210. WESTERN TEXAS COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.".
22. "Live election results: 2020 Texas results".
23. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
24. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".