Stephens County, Texas

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Stephens County
U.S. county
The Stephens County Courthouse in Breckenridge
The Stephens County Courthouse in Breckenridge
Map of Texas highlighting Stephens County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°44′N 98°50′W / 32.74°N 98.84°W / 32.74; -98.84
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1876
Named forAlexander H. Stephens
SeatBreckenridge
Largest cityBreckenridge
Area
 • Total921 sq mi (2,390 km2)
 • Land897 sq mi (2,320 km2)
 • Water25 sq mi (60 km2)  2.7%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total9,630
 • Density11/sq mi (4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts11th, 19th
Websitewww.co.stephens.tx.us

Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 9,630.[1] Its county seat is Breckenridge.[2] The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1876.[3] It was originally named Buchanan County, after U.S. President James Buchanan, but was renamed in 1861 for Alexander H. Stephens, the vice president of the Confederate States of America.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 921 square miles (2,390 km2), of which 897 square miles (2,320 km2) are land and 25 square miles (65 km2) (2.7%) are covered by water.[4]

Major highways[]

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860230—
187033043.5%
18804,7251,331.8%
18904,9264.3%
19006,46631.3%
19107,98023.4%
192015,40393.0%
193016,5607.5%
194012,356−25.4%
195010,597−14.2%
19608,885−16.2%
19708,414−5.3%
19809,92618.0%
19909,010−9.2%
20009,6747.4%
20109,630−0.5%
2019 (est.)9,366[5]−2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1850–2010[7] 2010–2014[1]

As of the census[8] of 2000, 9,674 people, 3,661 households, and 2,591 families resided in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km2). The 4,893 housing units averaged 6 per square mile (2/km2). 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[]

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Caddo
  • Eolian
  • Gunsight
  • Harpersville
  • Ivan
  • Necessity
  • Reach
  • Wayland

Ghost town[]

Notable people[]

  • Jack Cox, businessman and politician
  • Rupert N. Richardson, historian and president of Hardin-Simmons University[9]

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.[10]

Presidential elections results

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  5. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  7. ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  9. ^ Mark Odintz. "Rupert N. Richardson". The Handbook of Texas. tshaonline.org. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  10. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  11. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-07-30.

External links[]

Media related to Stephens County, Texas at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 32°44′N 98°50′W / 32.74°N 98.84°W / 32.74; -98.84

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