Gaines County, Texas

Gaines County, Texas
Location in the state of Texas
Texas's location in the U.S.
Founded	1876
Seat	Seminole
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,503 sq mi (3,893 km²) 1,502 sq mi (3,890 km²) 1 sq mi (3 km²), 0.03%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	17,526 10/sq mi (4/km²)
Website	www.co.gaines.tx.us

Gaines County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 17,526. Gaines County is named for James Gaines, a merchant who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. The seat of the county is Seminole.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,503 square miles (3,892.8 km²), of which 1,502 square miles (3,890.2 km²) is land and 1 square mile (2.6 km²) (0.03%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 62
• U.S. Highway 180
• U.S. Highway 385
• State Highway 83
• State Highway 214

Adjacent counties

• Yoakum County (north)
• Terry County (north)
• Dawson County (east)
• Martin County (southeast)
• Andrews County (south)
• Lea County, New Mexico (west)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	8		—
1890	68		750.0%
1900	55		−19.1%
1910	1,255		2,181.8%
1920	1,018		−18.9%
1930	2,800		175.0%
1940	8,136		190.6%
1950	8,909		9.5%
1960	12,267		37.7%
1970	11,593		−5.5%
1980	13,150		13.4%
1990	14,123		7.4%
2000	14,467		2.4%
2010	17,526		21.1%
U.S. Decennial Census Texas Almanac: 1850-2010

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,467 people, 4,681 households, and 3,754 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 5,410 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.28% White, 2.28% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 14.17% from other races, and 2.35% from two or more races. 35.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,681 households out of which 45.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.70% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.80% were non-families. 18.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.53.

In the county, the population was spread out with 35.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 18.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,432, and the median income for a family was $34,046. Males had a median income of $29,580 versus $16,996 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,088. About 17.30% of families and 21.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.20% of those under age 18 and 15.70% of those age 65 or over.

The county is served by a twice-a-week newspaper publication, the Seminole Sentinel, as well as local radio stations KIKZ (AM) and KSEM-FM.

Cities and towns

• Denver City (mostly in Yoakum County)
• Loop (unincorporated)
• Seagraves
• Seminole

External links

• Gaines County government's website
• Gaines County from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Inventory of county records, Gaines County courthouse, Seminole, Texas, hosted by the Portal to Texas History