Deaf Smith County, Texas
County in Texas, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Deaf Smith County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,583.[1][2] The county seat is Hereford,[3] which is known as the "Beef Capital of the World". The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1890.[4] The Hereford, TX Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Deaf Smith County.
Deaf Smith County, Texas | |
|---|---|
Deaf Smith County Courthouse in Hereford | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Texas | |
| Coordinates: 34°58′N 102°36′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Founded | 1890 |
| Named after | Erastus "Deaf" Smith |
| Seat | Hereford |
| Largest city | Hereford |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,498 sq mi (3,880 km2) |
| • Land | 1,497 sq mi (3,880 km2) |
| • Water | 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2) 0.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 18,583  |
| • Density | 12/sq mi (4.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 13th |
| Website | www |
History
In 1876, the state legislature defined and named the county, but it was not organized until 1890, with the town of La Plata as the original county seat. The county was named for Erastus "Deaf" Smith[5] (1787–1837), a partially deaf scout and soldier who served in the Texas Revolution, and was the first to reach the Alamo after its fall in 1836. The pronunciation of "Deaf", as used by Smith himself, is /diːf/ DEEF; however, most residents pronounce it /dɛf/ DEF.[citation needed]
Deaf Smith as he appears at the Deaf Smith County Museum
The Deaf Smith County Historical Museum in Hereford
The Deaf Smith County Library formerly housed the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame on the ground floor. The museum is now located in a new building in the Historic District of Fort Worth.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,498 sq mi (3,880 km2), of which 1,497 sq mi (3,880 km2) are land and 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2) (0.1%) are covered by water.[6]
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Oldham County (north)
- Potter County (northeast)
- Randall County (east)
- Castro County (southeast)
- Parmer County (south)
- Curry County, New Mexico (southwest/Mountain Time Zone)
- Quay County, New Mexico (west/Mountain Time Zone)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 38 | — | |
| 1890 | 179 | 371.1% | |
| 1900 | 843 | 370.9% | |
| 1910 | 3,942 | 367.6% | |
| 1920 | 3,747 | −4.9% | |
| 1930 | 5,979 | 59.6% | |
| 1940 | 6,056 | 1.3% | |
| 1950 | 9,111 | 50.4% | |
| 1960 | 13,187 | 44.7% | |
| 1970 | 18,999 | 44.1% | |
| 1980 | 21,165 | 11.4% | |
| 1990 | 19,153 | −9.5% | |
| 2000 | 18,561 | −3.1% | |
| 2010 | 19,372 | 4.4% | |
| 2020 | 18,583 | −4.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 18,495 | [7] | −0.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1850–2010[9] 2010[10] 2020[11] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 18,583. The median age was 33.0 years. 30.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.8 males age 18 and over.[12][13]
The racial makeup of the county was 48.7% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 24.2% from some other race, and 24.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 74.9% of the population.[13]
83.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 16.5% lived in rural areas.[14]
There were 6,263 households in the county, of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.3% were married-couple households, 18.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 6,974 housing units, of which 10.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.7% were owner-occupied and 37.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.5%.[12]
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[10] | Pop 2020[11] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 7,491 | 5,939 | 4,233 | 40.36% | 30.66% | 22.78% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 247 | 158 | 107 | 1.33% | 0.82% | 0.58% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 61 | 52 | 47 | 0.33% | 0.27% | 0.25% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 37 | 56 | 44 | 0.20% | 0.29% | 0.24% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 7 | 29 | 40 | 0.04% | 0.15% | 0.22% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 60 | 97 | 187 | 0.32% | 0.50% | 1.01% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10,654 | 13,039 | 13,925 | 57.40% | 67.31% | 74.93% |
| Total | 18,561 | 19,372 | 18,583 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, 18,561 people, 6,180 households, and 4,832 families resided in the county. The population density was 12 people/mi2 (4.6 people/km2). The 6,914 housing units averaged 5 per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.28% White, 1.51% African American, 0.80% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 22.92% from other races, and 2.11% from two or more races. About 57.40% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.[16]
Of the 6,180 households, 41.00% had children under 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.80% were not families. Around 19.70% of all households was made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.41.[16]
In the county, the age distribution was 33.30% under 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.[16]
The median income for a household was $29,601, and for a family was $32,391. Males had a median income of $26,090 versus $19,113 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,119. About 19.30% of families and 20.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.30% of those under age 18 and 15.70% of those age 65 or over.[16]
Infrastructure
The headquarters of the Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative are located in Hereford. The cooperative provides electricity for Deaf Smith, as well as Castro, Parmer, and Oldham Counties.[17]
Communities
Politics
Deaf Smith County is located within District 86 of the Texas House of Representatives. Deaf Smith County is located within District 31 of the Texas Senate.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 21 | 7.81% | 221 | 82.16% | 27 | 10.04% |
| 1916 | 77 | 17.04% | 356 | 78.76% | 19 | 4.20% |
| 1920 | 205 | 30.78% | 459 | 68.92% | 2 | 0.30% |
| 1924 | 192 | 25.16% | 538 | 70.51% | 33 | 4.33% |
| 1928 | 570 | 58.10% | 411 | 41.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 198 | 13.16% | 1,307 | 86.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 142 | 10.24% | 1,236 | 89.11% | 9 | 0.65% |
| 1940 | 423 | 25.68% | 1,219 | 74.01% | 5 | 0.30% |
| 1944 | 508 | 28.14% | 1,117 | 61.88% | 180 | 9.97% |
| 1948 | 535 | 25.61% | 1,496 | 71.61% | 58 | 2.78% |
| 1952 | 2,468 | 70.86% | 1,006 | 28.88% | 9 | 0.26% |
| 1956 | 1,685 | 55.16% | 1,361 | 44.55% | 9 | 0.29% |
| 1960 | 2,024 | 60.44% | 1,299 | 38.79% | 26 | 0.78% |
| 1964 | 1,793 | 46.01% | 2,094 | 53.73% | 10 | 0.26% |
| 1968 | 2,474 | 52.49% | 1,545 | 32.78% | 694 | 14.73% |
| 1972 | 3,690 | 73.67% | 1,240 | 24.76% | 79 | 1.58% |
| 1976 | 2,776 | 51.08% | 2,613 | 48.08% | 46 | 0.85% |
| 1980 | 4,073 | 69.46% | 1,666 | 28.41% | 125 | 2.13% |
| 1984 | 4,762 | 75.79% | 1,485 | 23.64% | 36 | 0.57% |
| 1988 | 3,744 | 65.39% | 1,930 | 33.71% | 52 | 0.91% |
| 1992 | 3,137 | 56.43% | 1,642 | 29.54% | 780 | 14.03% |
| 1996 | 3,051 | 60.44% | 1,655 | 32.79% | 342 | 6.77% |
| 2000 | 3,687 | 73.98% | 1,240 | 24.88% | 57 | 1.14% |
| 2004 | 4,139 | 78.23% | 1,133 | 21.41% | 19 | 0.36% |
| 2008 | 3,466 | 73.06% | 1,247 | 26.29% | 31 | 0.65% |
| 2012 | 3,042 | 70.60% | 1,239 | 28.75% | 28 | 0.65% |
| 2016 | 2,911 | 69.05% | 1,185 | 28.11% | 120 | 2.85% |
| 2020 | 3,294 | 71.45% | 1,264 | 27.42% | 52 | 1.13% |
| 2024 | 3,233 | 75.43% | 1,019 | 23.78% | 34 | 0.79% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 3,113 | 73.68% | 1,025 | 24.26% | 87 | 2.06% |
Education
School districts:[20]
- Adrian Independent School District
- Friona Independent School District
- Hereford Independent School District
- Vega Independent School District
- Walcott Independent School District
- Wildorado Independent School District
All of the county is in the service area of Amarillo College.[21]
