Runnels County, Texas

Runnels County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 10,501.[1] Its county seat is Ballinger.[2] The county was created in 1858 and later organized in 1880.[3] It is named for Hiram G. Runnels, a Texas state legislator.

Runnels County
U.S. county
The Runnels County Courthouse in Ballinger
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°50′N 99°58′W
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1880
Named forHiram G. Runnels
SeatBallinger
Largest cityBallinger
Area
 • Total1,057 sq mi (2,740 km2)
 • Land1,051 sq mi (2,720 km2)
 • Water6.2 sq mi (16 km2)  0.6%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total10,501
 • Density10/sq mi (4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district11th
Websitewww.co.runnels.tx.us

History

The original inhabitants of the area were the Jumano, followed by the Comanche.[4] In 1683–84, Juan Domínguez de Mendoza established a short-lived mission.[5] Fort Chadbourne was established in 1852, as part of a chain of forts in West Texas.[6] Runnels County was formed from Bexar and Travis Counties. It was named in honor of Hiram G. Runnels. Runnels City was the original county seat.[7]

In 1862, Pickettville was established by Mr. and Mrs. John Guest and their three sons, Henry and Robert K. Wylie and their cowboys and a black servant, and Mrs. Felicia Gordon and her five sons.[8] Ballinger was settled by Richard Coffey and family.[9]

The county was organized in 1880, with a population of 980.[4] Ballinger, namesake of William Pitt Ballinger, was selected as the new county seat eight years later.[9] The stone county courthouse was erected in the Second Empire style soon after (1889). Architect Eugene T. Heiner designed the building.[10]

In 1899, the community of Pumphrey, originally named New Hope, was established by Wm. M Pumphrey.[11] The Santa Fe Depot was built in 1911 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. The Ballinger Carnegie Library in Ballinger was dedicated.[4] The Charles H. Noyes statue on the Ballinger Courthouse lawn, dedicated to the "Spirit of the Texas Cowboy", was sculptured by Pompeo Coppini in 1919.[12]

The MacMillan oil field was discovered near Ballinger in 1927.[4] Eighteen new oil fields were explored by 1949.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,057 square miles (2,740 km2), of which 1,051 square miles (2,720 km2) is land and 6.2 square miles (16 km2) (0.6%) is water.[13]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880980—
18903,193225.8%
19005,37968.5%
191020,858287.8%
192017,074−18.1%
193021,82127.8%
194018,903−13.4%
195016,771−11.3%
196015,016−10.5%
197012,108−19.4%
198011,872−1.9%
199011,294−4.9%
200011,4951.8%
201010,501−8.6%
2019 (est.)10,264[14]−2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1850–2010[16] 2010–2014[1]

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 11,495 people, 4,428 households, and 3,157 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km2). There were 5,400 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.44% White, 1.40% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 14.31% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. 29.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,428 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,806, and the median income for a family was $32,917. Males had a median income of $25,223 versus $18,988 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,577. About 14.90% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.10% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 85.9% 3,250 12.0% 453 2.1% 79
2012 84.6% 3,104 14.2% 519 1.2% 45
2008 80.6% 3,118 18.6% 720 0.8% 29
2004 80.0% 3,239 19.6% 792 0.4% 18
2000 74.6% 3,020 24.0% 969 1.4% 57
1996 51.6% 1,941 37.7% 1,417 10.8% 405
1992 38.1% 1,653 32.3% 1,401 29.6% 1,286
1988 58.3% 2,417 41.5% 1,720 0.2% 10
1984 71.1% 2,968 28.2% 1,179 0.7% 30
1980 59.8% 2,532 38.9% 1,648 1.3% 53
1976 51.5% 2,203 48.3% 2,068 0.3% 11
1972 78.8% 2,752 21.2% 739
1968 44.7% 1,707 37.9% 1,448 17.5% 668
1964 35.8% 1,480 64.0% 2,645 0.2% 7
1960 52.2% 2,128 47.6% 1,938 0.2% 9
1956 62.5% 2,416 37.3% 1,442 0.1% 5
1952 58.5% 2,622 41.4% 1,853 0.1% 5
1948 14.6% 526 81.7% 2,954 3.7% 135
1944 18.1% 685 70.2% 2,657 11.8% 445
1940 21.3% 835 78.6% 3,088 0.2% 6
1936 9.4% 313 90.0% 2,985 0.6% 19
1932 7.3% 235 92.4% 2,975 0.3% 10
1928 52.3% 1,645 47.5% 1,494 0.3% 9
1924 14.5% 458 81.1% 2,564 4.4% 140
1920 17.9% 332 64.5% 1,197 17.6% 326
1916 10.7% 195 81.7% 1,487 7.6% 139
1912 3.9% 56 76.8% 1,117 19.3% 281

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 23, 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. Pinkney, Katherine. "Runnels County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  5. Hundell, Ken and Sharon (2005). Spirits of the Border V: The History and Mystery of the Lone Star State. Omega Press. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-9626087-9-7.
  6. Aston, B W; Taylor, Ira Donathon (1997). Along the Texas Forts Trail. University of North Texas Press. pp. 51–56. ISBN 978-1-57441-035-8.
  7. "Runnels City". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  8. "Picketville". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  9. "Ballinger". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  10. "Runnels County Courthouse". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  11. "Pumphrey". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  12. "The Charles H. Noyes Statue". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  13. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  14. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  15. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  16. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

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