Borden County, Texas

Borden County
County
Borden County Courthouse in Gail
Borden County Courthouse in Gail
Map of Texas highlighting Borden 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 101°26′W / 32.74°N 101.43°W / 32.74; -101.43
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1876
Named forGail Borden Jr.
SeatGail
Largest communityGail
Area
 • Total906 sq mi (2,350 km2)
 • Land897 sq mi (2,320 km2)
 • Water8.6 sq mi (22 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total631
 • Estimate 
(2022)
585 Decrease
 • Density0.70/sq mi (0.27/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district19th
Websitewww.co.borden.tx.us

Borden County is a rural county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in West Texas and its county seat is Gail.[1]

As of the 2020 census, its population was 631,[2] making it the fifth-least populous county in Texas. Borden is one of four remaining prohibition or entirely dry counties in the state of Texas.[3]

The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1891.[4] Gail and Borden County are named for Gail Borden Jr., businessman, publisher, surveyor, and pioneer of condensed milk.

History

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Native Americans

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Shoshone and the Penateka band of Comanches were early tribes in the area.[5]

County established

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Borden County was created in 1876 from Bosque County and named for Gail Borden Jr., the inventor of condensed milk. Borden was publisher and editor of the Telegraph and Texas Register, as well as a political leader in the Republic of Texas. The county was organized in 1891, and Gail was made the county seat.[6]

Farmers and ranchers settled the county, but the population remained relatively small. In 1902, Texas placed lands in the public domain and spurred a land rush in Borden County. Many of the newcomers grew cotton.[5]

Borden County has had two courthouses, one built in 1890. The current courthouse is of brick and concrete construction and was erected in 1939. The architect was David S. Castle Co.[7]

Oil was discovered in the county in 1949. By 1991, more than 340,000,000 barrels (54,000,000 m3) of petroleum had been taken out of Borden County since its discovery.[8]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 897 square miles (2,320 km2) are land and 8.6 square miles (22 km2) (1.0%) are covered by water.[9]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188035—
1890222534.3%
1900776249.5%
19101,38678.6%
1920965−30.4%
19301,50556.0%
19401,396−7.2%
19501,106−20.8%
19601,076−2.7%
1970888−17.5%
1980859−3.3%
1990799−7.0%
2000729−8.8%
2010641−12.1%
2020631−1.6%
2022 (est.)585[10]−7.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1850–2010[12] 2010-2020[2]
Borden County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[13] Pop 2010[14] Pop 2020[15] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 624 539 528 85.60% 84.09% 83.68%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1 0 1 0.14% 0.00% 0.16%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 2 2 0 0.27% 0.31% 0.00%
Asian alone (NH) 0 1 0 0.00% 0.16% 0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0 1 0.00% 0.00% 0.16%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 15 4 15 2.06% 0.62% 2.38%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 87 95 86 11.93% 14.82% 13.63%
Total 729 641 631 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census[16] of 2000, 729 people, 292 households, and 216 families resided in the county. The population density was 0.80 people per square mile (0.31 people/km2). The 435 housing units averaged 0.48 units per square mile (0.19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.53% White, 0.14% African American, 0.27% Native American, 6.31% from other races, and 2.74% from two or more races. About 11.93% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 292 households, 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were not families. Around 22.60% of all households consisted of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was distributed as 24.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,205, and for a family was $36,458. Males had a median income of $25,556 versus $21,607 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,364. About 14.00% of the population and 11.80% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total people living in poverty, 14.30% were under the age of 18 and 11.60% were 65 or older.

The county is served by nearby radio stations KBXJ (FM) and KPET (AM), and the various Midland and Odessa radio and TV stations.

The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Borden County are:[17] · English – 17% · Irish – 15% · German – 12% · Mexican – 9% · French (except Basque) – 3% · Scotch-Irish – 3% · Other Hispanic or Latino – 3% · Scottish – 2% · Spanish – 1% · American Indian tribes, specified – 1%

Education

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The county is served mostly by Borden County Independent School District, with remaining portions in the Sands Consolidated Independent School District.[18]

The Texas Legislature designated the county as being in the Western Texas College District.[19]

Media

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The weekly newspaper, the Borden Star, covers events for the school and county.

Communities

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[edit]
  • Mushaway Peak viewed from Willow Valley Road
    Mushaway Peak viewed from Willow Valley Road
  • Abandoned schoolhouse in the ghost town of Mesquite
    Abandoned schoolhouse in the ghost town of Mesquite
  • Frontal view of Borden County Courthouse
    Frontal view of Borden County Courthouse
  • Coyote Country Store across from the courthouse is one of the few businesses in Borden County
    Coyote Country Store across from the courthouse is one of the few businesses in Borden County
  • Gail Mountain viewed from Willow Valley Road
    Gail Mountain viewed from Willow Valley Road
  • First Baptist Church in Gail
    First Baptist Church in Gail

Politics

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Borden County was Donald Trump's second strongest county in 2020, only slightly edged out by Roberts County in the same state.[20]

United States presidential election results for Borden County, Texas[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 397 95.43% 16 3.85% 3 0.72%
2016 330 90.41% 31 8.49% 4 1.10%
2012 324 89.26% 32 8.82% 7 1.93%
2008 316 87.53% 40 11.08% 5 1.39%
2004 303 84.40% 55 15.32% 1 0.28%
2000 283 80.17% 62 17.56% 8 2.27%
1996 194 58.08% 93 27.84% 47 14.07%
1992 184 48.68% 106 28.04% 88 23.28%
1988 283 62.33% 169 37.22% 2 0.44%
1984 325 69.44% 140 29.91% 3 0.64%
1980 279 67.23% 131 31.57% 5 1.20%
1976 150 38.46% 234 60.00% 6 1.54%
1972 330 76.21% 96 22.17% 7 1.62%
1968 117 30.31% 157 40.67% 112 29.02%
1964 152 36.28% 266 63.48% 1 0.24%
1960 166 40.39% 230 55.96% 15 3.65%
1956 127 34.51% 240 65.22% 1 0.27%
1952 182 46.43% 210 53.57% 0 0.00%
1948 18 7.73% 203 87.12% 12 5.15%
1944 34 11.04% 237 76.95% 37 12.01%
1940 44 10.50% 375 89.50% 0 0.00%
1936 26 10.48% 220 88.71% 2 0.81%
1932 7 2.81% 242 97.19% 0 0.00%
1928 98 57.31% 73 42.69% 0 0.00%
1924 10 10.42% 86 89.58% 0 0.00%
1920 4 3.81% 89 84.76% 12 11.43%
1916 1 1.10% 84 92.31% 6 6.59%
1912 1 0.76% 128 97.71% 2 1.53%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  3. ^ "Wet/Dry Status of Texas Counties". June 1, 2023.
  4. ^ "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Leffler, John; Hunt, William R. "Borden County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  6. ^ Hunt, William R. "Gail, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  7. ^ "Borden County Courthouse". Texas Escapes. Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  8. ^ Olien, Roger M; Hinton, Diana Davids (2007). Wildcatters: Texas Independent Oilmen. TAMU Press. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-58544-606-3.
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  12. ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  13. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Borden County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Borden County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Borden County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. ^ "Borden County, TX – Borden County, Texas – Ancestry & family history – ePodunk". epodunk.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Borden County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 22, 2024. - Text list
  19. ^ "Sec. 130.210. WESTERN TEXAS COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA". Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Live election results: 2020 Texas results". Politico election results- Texas. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
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32°44′N 101°26′W / 32.74°N 101.43°W / 32.74; -101.43

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