Donley County, Texas

History

Donley County was established in 1876 from land given by the Bexar District. It is named for Stockton P. Donley, justice of the state supreme court.

Several historical sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Donley County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total land area of 933 sqmi, of which 5.6 sqmi (0.7%) are covered by water.

Major highways

• [[Image:I-40 (TX).svg|20px]] Interstate 40
• [[Image:US 287.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 287
• [[Image:Texas 70.svg|20px]] State Highway 70
• [[Image:Texas 273.svg|20px]] State Highway 273

Adjacent counties

• Gray County (north)
• Wheeler County (northeast)
• Collingsworth County (east)
• Hall County (south)
• Briscoe County (southwest)
• Armstrong County (west)
• Carson County (northwest)

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 3,258. The median age was 46.5 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.7 males age 18 and over.

As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the county was 81.3% White, 5.3% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian,

As of the 2020 census,

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,340 households in the county, of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.8% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,942 housing units, of which 31.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.0% were owner-occupied and 28.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.4%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 3,828 people, 1,578 households, and 1,057 families resided in the county. The population density was 4 /mi2. The 2,378 housing units averaged 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 91.41% White, 3.94% Black or African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 2.72% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. About 6.35% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,578 households, 24.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were not families. About 31.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was distributed as 22.40% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 20.60% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,006, and for a family was $37,287. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $18,882 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,958. About 10.50% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.90% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.

Culture

The Harold Dow Bugbee Ranch, formerly owned by the Western artist and his second wife, Olive Vandruff Bugbee, also an artist, is located in Donley County.

U.S. Highway 287, which passes through the county, has a modern rest area. The rest area also provides sanctuary from weather, offering a tornado shelter in the main building.

Communities

Cities

• Clarendon (county seat)
• Hedley
• Howardwick

Census-designated place

• Lelia Lake

Notable person

• U.S. Representative Mac Thornberry

Politics

Education

School districts include:

• Clarendon Independent School District
• Groom Independent School District
• Hedley Independent School District
• McLean Independent School District
• Memphis Independent School District

The Texas Legislature assigns all of Donley County to Clarendon College.

References

References

1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Donley County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Donley County, Texas".
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
4. (2008). "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". [[Newberry Library.
5. Alvarez, Elizabeth Cruce. (November 8, 2011). "Texas Almanac 2012–2013". Texas A&M University Press.
6. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
7. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". [[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 – Donley County, Texas". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Donley County, Texas".
12. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race Hispanic or Latino – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Donley 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. "Texas Safety Rest Area Program - Locations".
18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
19. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
20. Geography Division. (December 22, 2020). "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Donley County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
21. "Sec. 130.173. CLARENDON COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.". Government of Texas.