Eastland County, Texas

Eastland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,297. It is named for William Mosby Eastland, a soldier during the Texas Revolution and the only officer to die as a result of the Black Bean executions. The county seat is Eastland.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 932 square miles (2,414 km²), of which, 926 square miles (2,398 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (16 km²) of it (0.63%) is water.

Major highways

• Interstate 20/U.S. Highway 80
• U.S. Highway 183
• State Highway 6
• State Highway 16
• State Highway 36
• State Highway 112

Adjacent counties

• Stephens County (north)
• Palo Pinto County (northeast)
• Erath County (east)
• Comanche County (southeast)
• Brown County (south)
• Callahan County (west)
• Shackelford County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,297 people, 7,321 households, and 5,036 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 9,547 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.03% White, 2.18% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.83% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 10.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,321 households out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.20% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 22.30% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,832, and the median income for a family was $33,562. Males had a median income of $25,598 versus $17,112 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,870. About 12.10% of families and 16.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.10% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Despite its small population, the county is home to two community colleges – Cisco Junior College and Ranger College, located in their respective towns.

Cities and towns

• Carbon
• Cisco
• Eastland
• Gorman
• Mangum
• Ranger
• Rising Star
• Romney

References

External links

• Eastland County government's website
• Eastland County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas