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King County, Texas

Coordinates: 33°37′N 100°15′W / 33.61°N 100.25°W / 33.61; -100.25
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King County
County
King County Courthouse in Guthrie
King County Courthouse in Guthrie
Map of Texas highlighting King County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°37′N 100°15′W / 33.61°N 100.25°W / 33.61; -100.25
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1891
Named forWilliam Philip King
SeatGuthrie
Largest communityGuthrie
Area
 • Total913 sq mi (2,360 km2)
 • Land911 sq mi (2,360 km2)
 • Water2.5 sq mi (6 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total265
 • Estimate 
(2022)
233 Decrease
 • Density0.29/sq mi (0.11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district13th
Websitewww.kingcountytexas.us

King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 265 at the 2020 census,[1] making it the second-least populated county in Texas and the third-least populated county in the United States. King County has no incorporated communities. Its county seat is the census-designated place (CDP) of Guthrie.[2] The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1891.[3] It is named for William Philip King, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.

History

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Native Americans

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The Apache and Comanche were early tribes in the area. The Red River War of 1874-1875 was a United States Army campaign to force the removal of Natives in Texas and their relocation to reservations, to open the region to white settlers.[4]

County established

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On August 21, 1876, the Texas legislature formed King County from Bexar County. By 1880 the United States Census counted forty residents in the county. In 1891, the county was organized. Guthrie was designated as the county seat.[4]

Early ranchers preserved water by damming canyons and draws to hold the heavy spring rains. In the 1890s windmills became the method of water preservation.[5] Some of the earliest settlers were Isom Lynn, A. C. Tackett, Brants Baker, and Bud Arnett. The Four Sixes Ranch was established in 1902 by Samuel Burk Burnett.[6] The formerly-named Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company was organized in 1883, and SMS ranches were established during the same time frame.[7] The 6666 (called Four Sixes Ranch), also founded in 1883, was managed from 1965 to 1986 by George Humphreys, who was also affiliated with the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock.

Dumont was formed in the late 19th century. By that time, farmers began to share the land with ranchers. Cotton was the leading crop for a time, followed by corn, sorghum, and fruit trees.[8]

Oil was discovered in the county in 1943. By January 1, 1991, almost 114,403,000 barrels (18,188,600 m3) of oil had been pumped from King County lands since the first wells were drilled.[4]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 913 square miles (2,360 km2), of which 911 square miles (2,360 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.3%) is water.[9]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188040—
1890173332.5%
1900490183.2%
191081065.3%
1920655−19.1%
19301,19382.1%
19401,066−10.6%
1950870−18.4%
1960640−26.4%
1970464−27.5%
1980425−8.4%
1990354−16.7%
20003560.6%
2010286−19.7%
2020265−7.3%
2022 (est.)233[10]−12.1%
=U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1850–2010[12] 2010-2020[1]
King 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) 315 242 230 88.48% 84.62% 86.79%
Black or African American alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 4 1 0 1.12% 0.35% 0.00%
Asian alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 4 0.00% 0.00% 1.51%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 3 4 6 0.84% 1.40% 2.26%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 34 39 25 9.55% 13.64% 9.43%
Total 356 286 265 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 356 people, 108 households, and 88 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.39 people per square mile (0.15 people/km2). There were 174 housing units at an average density of 0.19 units per square mile (0.073/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.10% White, 1.12% Native American, 3.09% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 9.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 108 households, out of which 41.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 79.60% were married couples living together, 1.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.60% were non-families. 16.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 33.70% under the age of 18, 3.70% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,625, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $21,389 versus $30,179 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,321. 20.70% of the population and 17.90% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 23.00% are under the age of 18 and 31.60% are 65 or older.

Politics

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King County was once a strongly Democratic county even by Solid South standards. In 1948, 95.85 percent of voters supported Harry S. Truman,[17] in 1960 76.9 percent of voters chose John F. Kennedy[18] and in 1964, 84.1 percent of voters supported Lyndon Johnson.[19] The county also voted for Hubert Humphrey by a plurality in 1968, with 48.7 percent supporting Humphrey while 31.7 percent voted for George Wallace and a mere 19.6 percent voted for Richard Nixon.[20]

However, the county has shifted strongly Republican since the 1980s. The last Democratic presidential nominee to win over twenty percent of the vote in King County was Bill Clinton in 1996.[21] In 2016, by percentage of votes, it was the second most Republican county in the entire country, only being surpassed by Roberts County, Texas.

In the 2004 presidential election, 87.8 percent (137 votes) supported incumbent U.S. President George W. Bush, a Republican, whereas only 11.5 percent (18 votes) backed the Democratic challenger, U.S. Senator John Kerry.[22]

In the 2008 presidential election, 92.6 percent (151 votes) supported the Republican, Senator John McCain, whereas only 4.9 percent (8 votes) backed the Democrat, Senator Barack Obama. Of all United States counties, King had the largest percentage of support for McCain.[23]

In the 2012 presidential election, President Obama fared even worse in King County. His Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, received 139 votes in the county (amounting to 95.9% of the county's total votes in the presidential election), while President Obama received only 5 votes — amounting to 3.4 percent of the total.[24][25] That percentage was the smallest percentage that President Obama received in any county in the United States in 2012.[25]

In addition, in the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries (in which President Obama faced no serious opposition nationwide), King County was one of two counties that voted for Bob Ely over President Obama. There were only 7 votes cast in the Democratic presidential primary in King County that year. Ely won 4 of them, Obama won 1, and two other minor candidates won 1 each.[26]

In the 2016 presidential election, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continued the downward trend. Her Republican challenger, Donald Trump, received 149 votes in the county (93.7% of the county's total votes), while Secretary Clinton received only 5 votes — amounting to 3.1 percent of the total. Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson also received 5 votes.[27]

In 2020, Trump did even better, earning 95% of the vote while Joe Biden slightly improved on Clinton's margin, earning eight votes for 5%. There were no votes for third-party candidates. Biden's 5% of the vote was the highest percentage of the vote a Democrat has received in King County since 2004, when John Kerry took 11.5%. Kerry remains the last Democrat to receive at least a double-digit number of votes in the county.

In 2024, Trump improved his margins again, garnering 95.6% of the vote. This made King County the third most Republican county in Texas by vote share, narrowly behind Roberts and Borden.[28]

United States presidential election results for King County, Texas[28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 129 95.56% 6 4.44% 0 0.00%
2020 151 94.97% 8 5.03% 0 0.00%
2016 149 93.71% 5 3.14% 5 3.14%
2012 139 95.86% 5 3.45% 1 0.69%
2008 151 92.64% 8 4.91% 4 2.45%
2004 137 87.82% 18 11.54% 1 0.64%
2000 120 87.59% 14 10.22% 3 2.19%
1996 97 53.30% 46 25.27% 39 21.43%
1992 79 41.80% 54 28.57% 56 29.63%
1988 111 63.43% 64 36.57% 0 0.00%
1984 141 72.68% 53 27.32% 0 0.00%
1980 144 70.24% 55 26.83% 6 2.93%
1976 96 48.73% 100 50.76% 1 0.51%
1972 143 65.30% 75 34.25% 1 0.46%
1968 44 19.64% 109 48.66% 71 31.70%
1964 34 15.89% 180 84.11% 0 0.00%
1960 39 22.54% 133 76.88% 1 0.58%
1956 46 20.54% 177 79.02% 1 0.45%
1952 66 25.88% 189 74.12% 0 0.00%
1948 6 2.49% 231 95.85% 4 1.66%
1944 13 5.08% 228 89.06% 15 5.86%
1940 23 7.96% 266 92.04% 0 0.00%
1936 13 5.80% 211 94.20% 0 0.00%
1932 4 1.75% 224 98.25% 0 0.00%
1928 85 65.38% 45 34.62% 0 0.00%
1924 4 4.60% 83 95.40% 0 0.00%
1920 0 0.00% 157 98.13% 3 1.88%
1916 3 6.00% 47 94.00% 0 0.00%
1912 2 2.44% 77 93.90% 3 3.66%

In the 2012 U.S. Senate election, Republican candidate Ted Cruz received 117 votes (amounting to 95.9% of the county's total vote), while Democratic candidate Paul Sadler received 4 votes, or 3.3 percent of the total.[29]

In the 2014 U.S. Senate election, Republican incumbent Senator John Cornyn received 87 votes (amounting to 96.7% of the county's total vote), while Democratic candidate David Alameel received 1 vote or 1.1 percent of the total. Libertarian Party candidate Rebecca Paddock received 2 votes or 2.2 percent of the total.[30]

In the 2014 Texas gubernatorial election, Republican candidate Greg Abbott received 90 votes (amounting to 96.8% of the county's total vote), while Democratic candidate Wendy Davis received 1 vote or 1.1 percent of the total. Libertarian Party candidate Kathie Glass received 2 votes or 2.2 percent of the total.[31]

Republican James Frank, a businessman from Wichita Falls, has since January 2023 represented King County in the Texas House of Representatives as the representative for House District 69. [32] King County was previously represented by then-Representative (now Senator) Drew Springer, Jr., and briefly by David Spiller after Springer's successful election to the Texas Senate. Republican Charles Perry represents King County and Senate District 28.[33]

Economy

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The primary industries are raising beef cattle (since the late 19th century), and oil production (since 1943). Corn and cotton are the leading planted farm crops.

Communities

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Education

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School districts serving sections of the county include:[34]

The county is in the service area of Vernon College.[35]

[edit]
  • 1914 King County Courthouse
    1914 King County Courthouse
  • Monument off U.S. Highway 83 to George Preston Humphreys (1899-1979), the manager of the 6666 Ranch, who also served as King County sheriff from 1928 to 1948
    Monument off U.S. Highway 83 to George Preston Humphreys (1899-1979), the manager of the 6666 Ranch, who also served as King County sheriff from 1928 to 1948
  • King County Courthouse in August 2020
    King County Courthouse in August 2020

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Leffler, John (June 15, 2010). "King County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  5. ^ Coppedge, Clay. "Windmills". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  6. ^ Chiles, Jim (June 1980). "Who Owns Texas". Texas Monthly: 124.
  7. ^ Clayton, Lawrence; Salvant, J U (1997). Historic Ranches of Texas. University of Texas Press. pp. 55–60. ISBN 978-0-292-71189-1.
  8. ^ "Dumont, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Census.gov. Retrieved December 13, 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 May 2, 2015.
  13. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – King 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) – King 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) – King County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. ^ "David Leip's Presidential Election Atlas - 1948 statistics". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  18. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  19. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  20. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  21. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  22. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  23. ^ "America's Decision - Election Tracking Map". Fox News. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
  24. ^ 2012 Texas Presidential Election Results, from Politico. Retrieved on November 15, 2012.
  25. ^ a b CNN, Video: Visit the most anti-Obama county in the U.S., from YouTube. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  26. ^ King County Race Summary for the 2012 Democratic presidential primary election, from the Historical Election Results Archived January 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine section of the website of the Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved on September 18, 2013.
  27. ^ Texas results in the 2016 presidential election, from Politico. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  28. ^ a b Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  29. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  30. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  31. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  32. ^ "Current Texas House Districts" (PDF).
  33. ^ "Current Texas Senate Districts" (PDF).
  34. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: King County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022. - Text list
  35. ^ Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.207. VERNON REGIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
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33°37′N 100°15′W / 33.61°N 100.25°W / 33.61; -100.25

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