Schleicher County, Texas

Schleicher County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,451.[1] Its county seat is Eldorado.[2] The county was created in 1887 and organized in 1901.[3] It is named for Gustav Schleicher, a German immigrant who became a surveyor and politician.[4]

Schleicher County
County
Schleicher County Courthouse in Eldorado
Schleicher County Courthouse in Eldorado
Map of Texas highlighting Schleicher County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°54′N 100°32′W
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1901
Named forGustav Schleicher
SeatEldorado
Largest cityEldorado
Area
 • Total1,311 sq mi (3,400 km2)
 • Land1,311 sq mi (3,400 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)  0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,451
 • Density1.9/sq mi (0.72/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district23rd
Websitewww.co.schleicher.tx.us
FLDS Temple at the YFZ Ranch in Schleicher County
Schleicher County Public Library in Eldorado

History

Around 8000 BC, the first inhabitants in the area were probably Jumano Indians. Later inhabitants were Lipan Apaches and Comanches.[5] In 1632, Fray Juan de Salas and Father Juan de Ortega did missionary work among the Jumanos.[6] Soldier Francisco Amangual led an expedition across the area in 1808.[7] In 1882, Christopher Columbus Doty became the first permanent citizen of Schleicher County.[8]

The Texas Legislature established Schleicher County in April 1887 from Crockett County, and named it in honor of Gustav Schleicher.[5] By 1890, the population was 155, of whom 134 were listed as White, four were Black, and 17 were American Indian.[5]

In 1894, the county's first public school opened at Verand, and later moved to Eldorado.[5] The next year, W. B. Silliman founded the Eldorado community and named it after the mythical city. To populate it, he offered free town lots to residents of nearby Verand.[9] In 1930, the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railway Company resumed work on a previous railroad, making access possible to San Angelo and Sonora.[5] On February 27, 1941, the West Texas Woolen Mills plant in Eldorado held a grand opening, with a parade and BBQ lunch. About 5,000 people attended. Governor "Pappy" W. Lee O'Daniel was the guest speaker.[10]

Oilfield discoveries on school lands in the 1950s enabled Schleicher County to build new library and gymnasium facilities for its students.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,311 square miles (3,400 km2).[11]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890155—
1900515232.3%
19101,893267.6%
19201,851−2.2%
19303,16671.0%
19403,083−2.6%
19502,852−7.5%
19602,791−2.1%
19702,277−18.4%
19802,82023.8%
19902,9906.0%
20002,935−1.8%
20103,46117.9%
20202,451−29.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1850–2010[13] 2010[14] 2020[15]
Schleicher County, Texas - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[14] Pop 2020[15] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 1,872 1,102 54.09% 44.96%
Black or African American alone (NH) 32 15 0.92% 0.61%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1 4 0.03% 0.16%
Asian alone (NH) 4 7 0.12% 0.29%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 2 0.00% 0.08%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 0 10 0.00% 0.41%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 16 36 0.46% 1.47%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,536 1,275 44.38% 52.02%
Total 3,461 2,451 100.00% 100.00%

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 can be of any race.

As of the census[16] of 2000, 2,935 people, 1,115 households, and 817 families resided in the county. The population density was about two people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). The 1,371 housing units averaged about one units per square mile (0.39 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.59% White, 1.53% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 18.98% from other races, and 2.62% from two or more races. About 43.54% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,115 households, 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were not families; 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was distributed as 27.90% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,746, and for a family was $37,813. Males had a median income of $28,412 versus $22,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,969. About 16.00% of families and 21.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.00% of those under age 18 and 19.90% of those age 65 or over.

Between 2010 and 2020, the population of Schleicher County decreased to 2,451. The percentage decline in the population of 29.2 percent was the second largest among the 3,138 U.S. counties.[17]

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Politics
United States presidential election results for Schleicher County, Texas[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 940 81.10% 211 18.21% 8 0.69%
2016 821 77.53% 208 19.64% 30 2.83%
2012 787 77.38% 221 21.73% 9 0.88%
2008 970 74.39% 324 24.85% 10 0.77%
2004 1,012 76.15% 312 23.48% 5 0.38%
2000 826 70.42% 338 28.82% 9 0.77%
1996 587 48.67% 505 41.87% 114 9.45%
1992 452 36.72% 420 34.12% 359 29.16%
1988 653 56.44% 494 42.70% 10 0.86%
1984 854 71.95% 326 27.46% 7 0.59%
1980 672 59.42% 444 39.26% 15 1.33%
1976 516 51.96% 468 47.13% 9 0.91%
1972 630 71.51% 250 28.38% 1 0.11%
1968 396 41.60% 378 39.71% 178 18.70%
1964 388 42.97% 514 56.92% 1 0.11%
1960 455 56.24% 351 43.39% 3 0.37%
1956 471 58.08% 336 41.43% 4 0.49%
1952 628 59.87% 421 40.13% 0 0.00%
1948 107 16.59% 495 76.74% 43 6.67%
1944 84 12.09% 520 74.82% 91 13.09%
1940 117 16.30% 601 83.70% 0 0.00%
1936 78 14.23% 469 85.58% 1 0.18%
1932 76 12.84% 516 87.16% 0 0.00%
1928 227 62.36% 137 37.64% 0 0.00%
1924 118 32.33% 246 67.40% 1 0.27%
1920 81 26.64% 211 69.41% 12 3.95%
1916 10 5.65% 163 92.09% 4 2.26%
1912 3 2.03% 124 83.78% 21 14.19%

See also

References
  1. "Schleicher County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  4. Lyman Wight's Mormon Colony in Texas excerpt from "Mormon Trails" chapter in Hill Country travel guide by Richard Zelade. Accessed August 6, 2007.
  5. Smyrl, Vivian Elizabeth. "Schleicher County". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  6. Kessell, John L (1995). Kiva, Cross, & Crown: The Pecos Indians and New Mexico, 1540-1840. Southwest Parks & Monuments Association. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-877856-56-3.
  7. Kenner, Charles L (1994). The Comanchero Frontier: A History of New Mexican-Plains Indian Relations. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-8061-2670-8.
  8. Brown, Vanessa. "Doty, Christopher Columbus (1857–1944)". Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  9. "Eldorado, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  10. "West Texas Woolen Mills". Texas Historical Markers. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  11. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  12. "Decennial Census by Decade". US Census Bureau.
  13. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  14. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Schleicher 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) - Schleicher County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. "2020 Population and Housing Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 30, 2018.

30.90°N 100.54°W / 30.90; -100.54

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