Upton County, Texas

Native Americans

Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the area. Tribes present at the time of conquest included the Comanches and Apache.^[4]

Trails

One of the first routes bringing people through the area was the Chihuahua Trail^[5][6] connecting Mexico's state of Chihuahua with Santa Fe, New Mexico. The trail served as a trade route for nomadic tribes of Indians and Spaniards, as well as traders from both Mexico and Texas.

The Butterfield Overland Mail crossed the area from 1858 to 1861.^[7]

The Goodnight-Loving Trail served as a cattle-drive trail from 1866 to 1888. The trail began at Young County, Texas, and passed along the Pecos River to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, and into Colorado before ending in Cheyenne, Wyoming.^[8]

Establishment of the county

Upton was formed in 1887 from Tom Green County, Texas. The county was named after John C. Upton and his brother William F. Upton. of Tennessee.^[9] Cattleman George Elliott became the first to establish a homestead in Upton County in 1880.^[10] Beginning as open range, the land was shared with sheepmen by the 1890s. The United States Census counted 52 people living in the county in 1890, and only 48 in 1900; most of these were either members of three families, or were in their employ. The agricultural sector of the county has been outpaced by cattle and sheep ranching. In 1982, about 92% of the land in Upton County was in farms and ranches, but less than 1% of the county was considered prime farmland, and only 2% of the county was cultivated.^[4] In the fall of 1911, the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway reached the townsite of Rankin, and by January 1912, most of the people living in Upland had moved to Rankin.^[11]

Oil

Wildcatter George McCamey's Baker No. 1 in September 1925 opened up the McCamey Oil Field, established the town of McCamey and brought the subsequent oil boom to Upton County.^[12] The Yates Oil Field in Crockett and Pecos Counties resulted in a financial boon for the town of Rankin, which served as a supply and service center. The resulting financial windfall benefitted infrastructure in Rankin.^[13][14] In 1946, Mike Benedum began wildcatting in Upton County and opened up what would become known as the Benedum Oil Field.^[15] The Weir No. 1 gushed in 1961 and enabled Upton County to continue as an outstanding Texas production area.^[16]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 67
• U.S. Highway 385
• State Highway 329
• State Highway 349

Adjacent counties

• Midland County (north)
• Reagan County (east)
• Crockett County (south)
• Crane County (west)
• Ector County (northwest)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 3,308. The median age was 38.6 years; 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 106.6 males age 18 and over.^[26]

The racial makeup of the county was 55.9% White, 2.2% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 11.5% from some other race, and 29.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 54.3% of the population.^[27]

Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[28]

There were 1,222 households in the county, of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.0% were married-couple households, 22.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[26]

There were 1,523 housing units, of which 19.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.0% were owner-occupied and 25.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 17.1%.^[26]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 3,404 people, 1,256 households, and 934 families were residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km²). The 1,609 housing units averaged 1 units per square mile (0.39 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.79% White, 1.62% African American, 1.20% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 17.95% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. About 42.57% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[29]

Of the 1,256 households, 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.10% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were not families. Around 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68, and the average family size was 3.19.

In the county, the age distribution was 29.30% under 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,977, and for a family was $37,083. Males had a median income of $30,729 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,274. About 18.10% of families and 19.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.60% of those under age 18 and 13.50% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

• McCamey
• Rankin (county seat)

Unincorporated community

• Midkiff

Ghost towns

• Upland