Castro County, Texas

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 899 sqmi, of which 4.9 sqmi (0.5%) are covered by water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 60.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 60
• [[Image:US 385.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 385
• [[Image:Texas 86.svg|20px]] State Highway 86
• [[Image:Texas 194.svg|20px]] State Highway 194

Adjacent counties

• Deaf Smith County (north)
• Randall County (northeast)
• Swisher County (east)
• Hale County (southeast)
• Lamb County (south)
• Parmer County (west)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1850–2010 2010 2020

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,371. The median age was 36.1 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.7 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 49.9% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 20.8% from some other race, and 26.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 64.9% of the population.

There were 2,576 households in the county, of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.6% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,016 housing units, of which 14.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.6% were owner-occupied and 32.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 8,285 people, 2,761 households, and 2,159 families were residing in the county. The population density was 9 /mi2. The 3,198 housing units averaged 4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 75.35% White, 2.27% African American, 1.17% Native American, 19.15% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. About 51.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 2,761 households, 40.90% had children under 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.80% were not families. About 20.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.98, and the average family size was 3.45.

In the county, the age distribution was 33.10% under 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,619, and for a family was $35,422. Males had a median income of $25,379 versus $20,433 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,457. About 15.70% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.30% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Communities

Cities

• Dimmitt (county seat)
• Hart
• Nazareth

CDP

• Summerfield

Unincorporated communities

• Dodd
• Easter
• Flagg
• Frio
• Hilburn
• Sunnyside

Ghost towns

• Arney
• Big Square

Education

School districts:

• Dimmitt Independent School District
• Happy Independent School District
• Hart Independent School District
• Hereford Independent School District
• Lazbuddie Independent School District
• Nazareth Independent School District
• Springlake-Earth Independent School District

All of the county is in the service area of Amarillo College.

References

References

1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Castro County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Castro County, Texas".
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
4. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
5. (2008). "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". [[Newberry Library.
6. Rick Jervis. (January 3, 2024). "Cloud still hangs over Texas dairy disaster". USA Today.
7. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". [[US Census Bureau]].
9. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010". Texas Almanac.
10. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Castro County, Texas".
11. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Castro County, Texas".
12. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Castro County, Texas".
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
14. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
15. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
16. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
18. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
19. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Castro County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
20. [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.164. AMARILLO COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.].