Briscoe County, Texas

Tule Canyon

Mackenzie Reservoir formed after water on Tule Creek was impounded. In 1972 the project was begun, just east of the site of the slaughter of the Indian ponies by Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie's Fourth Cavalry in 1874.^[6]

Major highways

• State Highway 86
• State Highway 207

Adjacent counties

• Armstrong County (north)
• Donley County (northeast)
• Hall County (east)
• Motley County (southeast)
• Floyd County (south)
• Swisher County (west)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 1,435. The median age was 46.7 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.4 males age 18 and over.^[12]

The racial makeup of the county was 81.9% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, <0.1% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.8% from some other race, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 25.6% of the population.^[13]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[14]

There were 605 households in the county, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 55.9% were married-couple households, 19.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[12]

There were 874 housing units, of which 30.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.2% were owner-occupied and 19.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 21.5%.^[12]

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the census^[16] of 2000, there were 1,790 people, 724 households, and 511 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km²). There were 1,006 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.35% White, 2.29% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 11.45% from other races, and 2.46% from two or more races. 22.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 724 households, out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.00% 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 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 22.00% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,917, and the median income for a family was $35,326. Males had a median income of $25,854 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,218. About 11.50% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.00% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.