Wilbarger County, Texas

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 978 sqmi, of which 971 sqmi are land and 7.0 sqmi (0.7%) are covered by water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 70.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 70
• [[Image:US 183.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 183
• [[Image:US 283.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 283
• [[Image:US 287.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 287

Adjacent counties

• Tillman County, Oklahoma (north)
• Wichita County (east)
• Baylor County (south)
• Foard County (west)
• Hardeman County (west)
• Jackson County, Oklahoma (northwest)

Demographics

Census-designated places

• Harrold
• Lockett
• Oklaunion

Population

|align-fn=center 1850–2010 2010 2020

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 12,887. The median age was 39.3 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.4 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 62.8% White, 8.2% Black or African American, 1.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.4% Asian,

73.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 26.1% lived in rural areas.

There were 4,944 households in the county, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.0% were married-couple households, 20.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 5,836 housing units, of which 15.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.6% were owner-occupied and 36.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.4%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census of 2000, 14,676 people, 5,537 households, and 3,748 families were residing in the county. The population density was 15 /mi2. The 6,371 housing units averaged 7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 78.17% White, 8.86% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 9.76% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. About 20.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 5,537 households, 32.20% had children under 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were not families. About 29.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.90% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the age distribution was 27.90% under 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males. The median income for a household in the county was $29,500, and for a family was $38,685. Males had a median income of $26,001 versus $19,620 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,520. About 9.00% of families and 13.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

County Seat

• Vernon (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Harrold
• Lockett
• Oklaunion

Unincorporated communities

• Odell

Education

School districts serving sections of the county include:

• Chillicothe Independent School District
• Harrold Independent School District
• Northside Independent School District
• Vernon Independent School District

The county is in the service area of Vernon College.

Notable people

• Clyde Gates, wide receiver for the New York Jets
• Jack English Hightower, Memphis, Texas, native; former member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature, and former U.S. Representative
• Roy Orbison, singer/songwriter, was born in Wilbarger County.
• Daryl Richardson, running back for the St. Louis Rams
• Bernard Scott, running back for the Cincinnati Bengals
• Jack Teagarden, bandleader and trombonist
• John Clay Wolfe, American radio personality who began his career in Wilbarger County on KSEY

Politics

References

References

1. "Wilbarger 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. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Wilbarger County, Texas". [[United States Census Bureau]].
8. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wilbarger County, Texas".
9. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wilbarger County, Texas".
10. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
12. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
13. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
14. "TSHA | Elliott, TX (Wilbarger County)".
15. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wilbarger County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
16. [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.207. VERNON REGIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA].
17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
18. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".