Stephens County, Texas

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 921 sqmi, of which 25 sqmi (2.7%) are covered by water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 180.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 180
• [[Image:US 183.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 183
• [[Image:Texas 67.svg|20px]] State Highway 67

Adjacent counties

• Young County (north)
• Palo Pinto County (east)
• Eastland County (south)
• Shackelford County (west)
• Throckmorton County (northwest)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1850–2010 2010 2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 9,101. The median age was 41.8 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 112.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 77.1% White, 2.7% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian,

59.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.1% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,463 households in the county, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.6% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 4,654 housing units, of which 25.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.3% were owner-occupied and 26.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 16.5%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 9,674 people, 3,661 households, and 2,591 families resided in the county. The population density was 11 /mi2. The 4,893 housing units averaged 6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 86.89% White, 2.92% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.15% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. About 14.66% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,661 households, 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were not families. Around 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was distributed as 24.40% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,583, and for a family was $35,293. Males had a median income of $26,421 versus $21,280 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,475. About 12.60% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.60% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Breckenridge (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Caddo
• Crystal Falls
• Eolian
• Frankell
• Gunsight
• Harpersville
• Ivan
• La Casa
• Necessity

Notable people

• Jack Cox, businessman and politician
• Rupert N. Richardson, historian and president of Hardin-Simmons University

Politics

Stephens County is a powerfully Republican county. In 2016, the Democrat for president, Hillary Clinton, received just 10% of the county's vote. The last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election was southerner Jimmy Carter, and the last Democrat to receive over 1,000 votes in the county was southerner Bill Clinton. The Democrat who has come closest to 1,000 votes since then is southerner Al Gore, who got 811 votes.

References

References

1. "Stephens 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 of Population and Housing by Decades". [[US Census Bureau]].
6. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010". Texas Almanac.
7. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
8. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
9. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
10. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Stephens County, Texas".
11. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stephens County, Texas".
12. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stephens County, Texas".
13. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
14. Mark Odintz. "Rupert N. Richardson". tshaonline.org.
15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
16. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".