Crosby County, Texas
County in Texas, United States

County in Texas
Crosby County, Texas
County
Crosby County Courthouse in Crosbyton
Crosby County Courthouse in Crosbyton
Map of Texas highlighting Crosby County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Coordinates: 33°37′N 101°18′W / 33.61°N 101.3°W / 33.61; -101.3
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1886
Named afterStephen Crosby
SeatCrosbyton
Largest cityRalls
Area
 • Total
902 sq mi (2,340 km2)
 • Land900 sq mi (2,300 km2)
 • Water1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,133
 • Density5.7/sq mi (2.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district19th
Websitewww.co.crosby.tx.us

Crosby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,133.[1][2] The county seat is Crosbyton.[3] The county was founded in 1876 and later organized in 1886.[4] Both the county and its seat are named for Stephen Crosby, a land commissioner in Texas.

Crosby County, along with Lubbock and Lynn Counties, is part of the Lubbock metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The Lubbock MSA and Levelland micropolitan statistical area encompassing only Hockley County, form the larger Lubbock–Levelland combined statistical area.

Until the passage of a referendum to permit liquor sales, held on May 11, 2013, Crosby County had been one of 19 remaining prohibition or entirely dry counties within Texas.[5] That same day, voters in Denver City and Yoakum County also approved separate referendums to permit liquor sales. The number of prohibition counties in Texas at that time hence dropped to 17.[6] Part of the large Matador Ranch of West Texas extends into the county.[7]

History

Around 11,000 BC, Paleo-Indians were the first inhabitants. Archeological artifacts indicate hunter-gatherers hunted the mammoth, mastodon, saber-toothed cat, and giant ground sloth. Later Native American inhabitants included the Comanche.[8] In 1871, Ranald S. Mackenzie fought Quanah Parker and other Comanches at the Battle of Blanco Canyon. The campaign established the Mackenzie Trail used by the first settlers in Crosby County in the late 1870s.[9]

The Texas Legislature formed Crosby County from Young and Bexar districts in 1876.[8] Bavarian Heinrich Schmidtt (Henry “Hank” Clay Smith) and his wife Elizabeth Boyle and their six children became the first permanent settlers in the area in 1878; Hank was active in the county's organization.[10][11][12]

Confederate veteran Paris Cox first visited the Caprock Escarpment of the Llano Estacado with a group of buffalo hunters in 1879.[13] Estacado was named the county seat in 1886.[14] By 1900, the beef industry was thriving, supporting 30,618 head.[8]

The country and western song (Ghost) Riders in the Sky was inspired by a legend of a stampede that took place in Crosby County in 1889[15]

In 1908, the Bar-N-Bar Ranch began selling acreage to farmers.[8]

Crosbyton became the new county seat in 1910.[16] Some 45,400 acres (184 km2) in the county were planted in cotton, and 15,000 apple and peach trees were growing in the county in 1920.[8] By 1929, farmers owned 83,000 chickens and sold 395,000 dozen eggs that year.[8]

The first soil conservation district in the county was formed[8] in 1941. In 1955, oil was discovered in the county.[8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 902 square miles (2,340 km2), of which 900 square miles (2,300 km2) are land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) (0.2%) are covered by water.[17]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Geographic features

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188082—
1890346322.0%
1900788127.7%
19101,765124.0%
19206,084244.7%
193011,02381.2%
194010,046−8.9%
19509,582−4.6%
196010,3478.0%
19709,085−12.2%
19808,859−2.5%
19907,304−17.6%
20007,072−3.2%
20106,059−14.3%
20205,133−15.3%
2024 (est.)5,030[18]−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[19]
1850–2010[20] 2010[21] 2020[22]

Racial and ethnic composition

Crosby 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[23] Pop 2010[21] Pop 2020[22] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 3,301 2,625 2,076 46.68% 43.32% 40.44%
Black or African American alone (NH) 262 199 117 3.70% 3.28% 2.28%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 11 13 8 0.16% 0.21% 0.16%
Asian alone (NH) 2 4 12 0.03% 0.07% 0.23%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 5 2 0 0.07% 0.03% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 0 8 6 0.00% 0.13% 0.12%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 31 37 85 0.44% 0.61% 1.66%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,460 3,171 2,829 48.93% 52.34% 55.11%
Total 7,072 6,059 5,133 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,133. The median age was 42.0 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.5 males age 18 and over.[24][25]

The racial makeup of the county was 63.5% White, 2.9% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 17.2% from some other race, and 15.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 55.1% of the population.[25]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[26]

There were 1,984 households in the county, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.0% were married-couple households, 18.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[24]

There were 2,652 housing units, of which 25.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.7% were owner-occupied and 27.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.5%.[24]

2000 census

As of the census[27] of 2000, 7,072 people, 2,512 households, and 1,866 families resided in the county. The population density was eight people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). The 3,202 housing units averaged four units per square mile (1.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 63.77% White, 3.89% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 29.89% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. About 48.93% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 2,512 households, 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were not families. About 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the county, the population was distributed as 30.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,769, and for a family was $29,891. Males had a median income of $23,775 versus $17,229 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,445. About 22.6% of families and 28.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.6% of those under age 18 and 22.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Education

School districts serving the county include:[28]

The county is in the service area of South Plains College.[29]

Politics

Republican Drew Springer Jr., a businessman from Muenster in Cooke County, has since January 2013 represented Crosby County in the Texas House of Representatives.[30]

United States presidential election results for Crosby County, Texas[31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
1912 7 2.37% 247 83.73% 41 13.90%
1916 31 5.82% 456 85.55% 46 8.63%
1920 146 18.67% 572 73.15% 64 8.18%
1924 278 17.89% 1,242 79.92% 34 2.19%
1928 1,004 57.97% 728 42.03% 0 0.00%
1932 108 6.36% 1,590 93.64% 0 0.00%
1936 153 8.19% 1,711 91.64% 3 0.16%
1940 276 13.79% 1,720 85.91% 6 0.30%
1944 201 9.45% 1,691 79.50% 235 11.05%
1948 168 8.12% 1,731 83.66% 170 8.22%
1952 1,053 40.45% 1,550 59.55% 0 0.00%
1956 704 28.00% 1,804 71.76% 6 0.24%
1960 889 33.13% 1,783 66.46% 11 0.41%
1964 611 21.13% 2,278 78.77% 3 0.10%
1968 865 30.46% 1,574 55.42% 401 14.12%
1972 1,503 59.15% 1,021 40.18% 17 0.67%
1976 897 29.01% 2,176 70.38% 19 0.61%
1980 1,361 48.50% 1,408 50.18% 37 1.32%
1984 1,376 52.94% 1,212 46.63% 11 0.42%
1988 1,121 43.75% 1,435 56.01% 6 0.23%
1992 1,006 43.08% 1,010 43.25% 319 13.66%
1996 968 42.33% 1,122 49.06% 197 8.61%
2000 1,270 63.44% 705 35.21% 27 1.35%
2004 1,647 72.40% 622 27.34% 6 0.26%
2008 1,221 63.79% 684 35.74% 9 0.47%
2012 1,132 63.35% 639 35.76% 16 0.90%
2016 1,181 68.34% 468 27.08% 79 4.57%
2020 1,396 71.48% 527 26.98% 30 1.54%
2024 1,416 75.32% 451 23.99% 13 0.69%
United States Senate election results for Crosby County, Texas1[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
2024 1,370 73.66% 438 23.55% 52 2.80%

See also

References

  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Crosby County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  2. ^ "Crosby County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  5. ^ "TABC Local Option Elections General Information". Archived from the original on May 16, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  6. ^ "Voters approve sales of alcohol in three elections". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, May 12, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  7. ^ "Alyssa Dizon, "Cattle raisers honor Matador Ranch with rangeland management award"". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Leffler, John. "Crosby County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  9. ^ Gwynne, S. C. (2010). Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History. Scribner. pp. 10, 11. ISBN 978-1-4165-9105-4.
  10. ^ Rodenberger, Lou Halsell; Butler, Laura Payne; Kolosoy, Jacqueline (2005). "Elizabeth Boyle (Aunt Hank) Smith". Writing on the Wind: An Anthology Of West Texas Women Writers. Texas Tech University Press. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-89672-548-5.
  11. ^ "Smith, Henry Clay (1836–1912) – Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas". Texas Historical Markers. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  12. ^ Pearce, William M. "Henry Clay Smith". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  13. ^ Lively, Jeanne F. "Paris Cox". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  14. ^ "Estacado, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  15. ^ The Haunting Legend of ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’ is Based on a True Story
  16. ^ "Crosbyton, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  17. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  18. ^ "QuickFacts: Crosby County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  19. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". US Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  21. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Crosby County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Crosby County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Crosby County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  25. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  26. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  27. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  28. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Crosby County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022. - list
  29. ^ Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.198. SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  30. ^ "State Rep. Springer announces district tour July 30". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, July 16, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  31. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  32. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Texas by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  • Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
  • Crosby County government’s website
  • Crosby County, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
  • Crosby County Profile from the Texas Association of Counties
  • Photos of the Llano Estacado

33°37′N 101°18′W / 33.61°N 101.30°W / 33.61; -101.30

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