Cochran County, Texas

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 775 sqmi, of which 0.09 sqmi (0.01%) is covered by water. Cochran County lies on the high plains of the Llano Estacado. The western border of the county lies along the border of Texas and New Mexico.

Major highways

• [[File:Texas 114.svg|20px]] State Highway 114
• [[File:Texas 125.svg|20px]] State Highway 125
• [[File:Texas 214.svg|20px]] State Highway 214

Adjacent counties

• Bailey County (north)
• Lamb County (northeast)
• Hockley County (east)
• Terry County (southeast)
• Yoakum County (south)
• Lea County, New Mexico (southwest/Mountain Time Zone)
• Roosevelt County, New Mexico (northwest/Mountain Time Zone)

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 2,547, a median age of 36.0 years, and 28.7% of residents were under the age of 18 while 17.3% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 96.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.5 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 56.9% White, 2.8% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian,

There were 940 households in the county, of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 54.0% were married-couple households, 16.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,242 housing units, of which 24.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.4% were owner-occupied and 22.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.9%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 3,730 people, 1,309 households, and 1,017 families were living in the county. The population density was 5 /mi2. The 1,587 housing units had an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 64.48% White, 4.53% African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 27.35% from other races, and 2.55% from two or more races. About 44.13% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 1,309 households, 38.1% had children under 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were not families. Around 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the county, the age distribution was 31.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.10 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,525, and for a family was $31,163. Males had a median income of $25,064 versus $17,652 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,125. About 21.40% of families and 27.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.20% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

• Bledsoe
• Morton (county seat)
• Whiteface

Unincorporated communities

• Famuliner
• Griffith
• Lehman

Politics

As with other areas in the Solid South, Cochran County voted predominantly Democratic at the presidential level through 1968, except for 1928, then voted solidly Republican, except for 1976.

Education

School districts serving the county include:

• Morton Independent School District
• Sudan Independent School District
• Whiteface Consolidated Independent School District

Three Way Independent School District formerly served a part of Cochran County. It closed in 2002, becoming a part of Sudan ISD.

The county is in the service area of South Plains College.

References

References

1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cochran County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Cochran County, Texas".
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
4. (2008). "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". [[Newberry Library.
5. [http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/local_option_elections/index.asp Local Option Elections, TABC] {{webarchive. link. (May 16, 2014)
6. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
7. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". [[US Census Bureau]].
8. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010". Texas Almanac.
9. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cochran County, Texas".
10. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cochran County, Texas".
11. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cochran County, Texas".
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. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
17. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
18. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cochran County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
19. (March 11, 2001). "School Districts in Cochran County". [[Texas Education Agency]].
20. (February 3, 2002). "Three Way folds into Sudan district". [[Lubbock Avalanche-Journal]].
21. [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.198. SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.]