Gray County, Texas

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 929 sqmi, of which 926 sqmi are land and 3.4 sqmi (0.4%) are covered by water.

Major highways

• [[Image:I-40 (TX).svg|20px]] Interstate 40
• [[Image:US 60.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 60
• [[Image:Texas 70.svg|20px]] State Highway 70
• [[Image:Texas 152.svg|20px]] State Highway 152
• [[Image:Texas 273.svg|20px]] State Highway 273

Adjacent counties

• Roberts County (north)
• Hemphill County (northeast)
• Wheeler County (east)
• Collingsworth County (southeast)
• Donley County (south)
• Armstrong County (southwest)
• Carson County (west)

National protected area

• McClellan Creek National Grassland

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1850–1900 1910 1920 1930 1940

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 21,227. The median age was 39.2 years. 24.1% 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 111.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 111.7 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 68.9% White, 4.1% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian,

79.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 20.5% lived in rural areas.

There were 7,939 households in the county, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.9% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 9,996 housing units, of which 20.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.0% were owner-occupied and 27.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 19.6%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 22,744 people, 8,793 households, and 6,049 families were residing in the county. The population density was 24 /mi2. The 10,567 housing units averaged 11 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 82.15% White, 5.85% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 8.25% from other races, and 2.42% from two or more races. About 13.01% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 8,793 households, 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were not families. About 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the age distribution was 24.00% under 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,368, and for a family was $40,019. Males had a median income of $32,401 versus $20,158 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,702. About 11.20% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Pampa (county seat)

Towns

• Lefors
• McLean

[[Census-designated place]]

• Alanreed

Other unincorporated communities

• Back
• Hoover

Politics

Prior to 1952, Gray County was primarily Democratic similar to most of Texas and the Solid South. The county only gave a Republican presidential candidate a majority before 1952 in 1928, when Herbert Hoover won the county due to anti-Catholic sentiment towards Al Smith. Starting with the 1952 election, the county has become a Republican stronghold along with the rest of the Texas Panhandle. This level of Republican dominance has increased in recent years, as every Republican presidential candidate in the second millennium has racked up 80% of the county's vote. Additionally, after the 2008 election, Democrats Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden have failed to win even 1,000 votes total in the county.

Education

School districts include:

• Fort Elliott Consolidated Independent School District
• Grandview-Hopkins Independent School District
• Groom Independent School District
• Lefors Independent School District
• McLean Independent School District
• Miami Independent School District
• Pampa Independent School District
• Wheeler Independent School District
• White Deer Independent School District

According to state law, all of the county is in the service area of Clarendon College.

Notable people

• Phil Cates, state representative from 1971 to 1979, was born in Pampa in 1947.
• Tom Mechler, state Republican Party chairman since 2015, is a former Gray County Republican chairman.
• Kae T. Patrick, a native of Gray County, served in the Texas House of Representatives from San Antonio from 1981 to 1988.
• Trae Young, NBA player, was raised in Pampa while his father played pro-basketball overseas.

References

References

1. "Gray County, Texas".
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (2008). "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". [[Newberry Library.
4. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
5. "Coltexo, Texas". tshaonline.org.
6. "Clinton-Oklahoma-Western Railroad". tshaonline.org.
7. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Decennial Census by Decade". [[US Census Bureau]].
9. "1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions".
10. "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas".
11. "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
12. "1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
13. "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
14. "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
15. "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
16. "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
17. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
18. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
19. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
20. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
21. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Gray County, Texas". [[United States Census Bureau]].
22. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Gray County, Texas".
23. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Gray County, Texas".
24. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
25. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
26. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
27. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
28. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
29. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
30. Geography Division. (December 22, 2020). "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Gray County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
31. [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.173. Clarendon College District Service Area].
32. "Phil Cates". Texas Legislative Reference Library.