Moore County, Texas

History

About 100 million years ago, the land that Moore County encompasses was part of the Western Interior Seaway.

The people of the Antelope Creek phase inhabited the southeastern portion of Moore County in the Canadian River Valley, around 1200 to 1450 AD.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 910 sqmi, of which 9.9 sqmi (1.1%) are covered by water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 87.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 87
• [[Image:US 287.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 287
• [[Image:Texas 152.svg|20px]] State Highway 152
• [[Image:Texas 354.svg|20px]] State Highway 354

Adjacent counties

• Sherman County (north)
• Hutchinson County (east)
• Carson County (southeast)
• Potter County (south)
• Oldham County (southwest)
• Hartley County (west)
• Dallam County (northwest)

National protected area

• Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (part)

Demographics

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

1950 1960 1970

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 21,358. The median age was 31.9 years. 30.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.9 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 44.2% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 2.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.7% Asian,

68.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 31.5% lived in rural areas.

There were 7,258 households in the county, of which 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.4% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 8,188 housing units, of which 11.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.3% were owner-occupied and 36.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.2%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 Census

At the 2000 census, 20,121 people, 6,774 households, and 5,331 families were in the county. The population density was 22 /mi2. There were 7,478 housing units at an average density of 8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 63.93% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 31.20% from other races, and 2.62% from two or more races. 47.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 6,774 households 44.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.30% were non-families. 18.20% of households were one person and 8.30% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.36.

The age distribution was 33.60% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 18.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.

The median household income was $34,852 and the median family income was $37,985. Males had a median income of $29,843 versus $19,383 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,214. About 10.10% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Moore County is a strongly Republican county, having given Senator John McCain 78.76% of the vote, over only 20.65% for Barack Obama in 2008. It also gave George W. Bush (R) 81.75% over 17.93% John Kerry (D) in 2004.

Moore County is represented in the Texas House of Representatives by the Republican Walter Price, IV, elected on November 2, 2010. The district also includes the majority of neighboring Potter County — Amarillo. Moore County is represented in the US house of representatives by Ronny Jackson (R), as it is a part of Texas's 13th congressional district.

Communities

Cities

• Cactus
• Dumas (county seat)
• Fritch (mostly in Hutchinson County)
• Sunray

Unincorporated community

• Masterson

Education

School districts:

• Dumas Independent School District
• Sanford-Fritch Independent School District
• Sunray Independent School District

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

Gallery

Image:Edwin Ware Moore photo IMG 0572.JPG|Edwin Ward Moore (1810–1865) as depicted at his namesake Moore County Courthouse File:Map of states and counties affected by the Dust Bowl, sourced from US federal government dept. (NRCS SSRA-RAD).svg|Area affected by 1930s Dust Bowl

References

References

1. "Moore County, Texas".
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (2008). "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". [[Newberry Library.
4. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
5. "Decennial Census by Decade". [[US Census Bureau]].
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7. "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas".
8. "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
9. "1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
10. "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
11. "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
12. "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
13. "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
14. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
15. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
16. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
17. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
18. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
19. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
20. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
21. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Moore 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) – Moore County, Texas".
23. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Moore County, Texas".
24. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
25. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
26. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
27. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
28. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Moore County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
29. [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.164. AMARILLO COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.].