Hamilton County, Texas

Hamilton County, Texas
County
The Hamilton County Courthouse in Hamilton, Texas. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 1980.
The Hamilton County Courthouse in Hamilton, Texas. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 1980.
Map of Texas highlighting Hamilton County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Coordinates: 31°42′N 98°07′W / 31.7°N 98.11°W / 31.7; -98.11
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1858
Named afterJames Hamilton Jr.
SeatHamilton
Largest cityHamilton
Area
 • Total
836 sq mi (2,170 km2)
 • Land836 sq mi (2,170 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2)  0.06%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
8,222
 • Estimate 
(2025)
8,680 Increase
 • Density9.83/sq mi (3.80/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district31st
Websitewww.hamiltoncountytx.gov Edit this at Wikidata

Hamilton County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 8,222.[1] The county seat is Hamilton.[2] The county was created in 1858[3] and named for James Hamilton Jr.,[4] a former governor of South Carolina who gave financial aid to the Republic of Texas.

History

Indigenous peoples were the first inhabitants of the area. Later Native American tribes settled in the area, including Tawakoni, Tonkawa, Waco, and Comanche.[5] In 1821, shortly after Mexico claimed its independence from Spain, Anglo settlers from the north came to Texas, claiming Mexican citizenship.

Following Texas's independence from Mexico (1836) and its annexation by the United States (1845), Robert Carter and family became the first permanent White settlers in the county in 1854. The next year, settlers James Rice, Henry Standefer, Frederic Bookerman, William Beauchamp, and Asa Langford formed a community that later became the town of Hamilton. Asa Langford began Langford's Cove, which later grew into present-day Evant. In 1858, the Sixth Texas Legislature formed Hamilton County, named after James Hamilton Jr., from parts of Comanche, Bosque, and Lampasas Counties. In 1858, Hamilton was named the county seat.

Despite growing White settlements in Texas, Indian tribal presences remained. In 1867, Comanche raiders attacked a school where Ann Whitney was the teacher. She helped students escape before finally succumbing to 18 Comanche arrows.[6][7]

In 1882, the Hico community initiated the annual Hico Old Settlers' Reunion.[8]

By 1900, cotton cultivation had spread to almost 47,500 acres (192 km2) of county land. By 1907, the Stephenville North and South Texas Railway had connected Hamilton with Stephenville. The St. Louis Southwestern Railway of Texas connected Hamilton with Gatesville and Comanche in 1911.

In 1934, the Civil Works Administration's payroll included 747 Hamilton County men, who together earned about $2,000 per day.

In 1950, Ollie P. Roberts (also known as Ollie L. Roberts, "Brushy Bill" Roberts, or William Henry Roberts), a resident of Hico during the late 1940s, claimed to have been the outlaw Billy the Kid. The assertion is based on a legend that Patrick F. Garrett helped Billy fake his own death. Hico Chamber of Commerce responded by opening a Billy the Kid Museum.[9]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 836 square miles (2,170 km2), of which 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2) (0.06%) is covered by water.[10]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860489—
187073349.9%
18806,365768.3%
18906,313−0.8%
190013,520114.2%
191015,31513.3%
192014,676−4.2%
193013,523−7.9%
194013,303−1.6%
195010,660−19.9%
19608,488−20.4%
19707,198−15.2%
19808,29715.3%
19907,733−6.8%
20008,2296.4%
20108,5173.5%
20208,222−3.5%
2025 (est.)8,680[11] Increase5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1850–2010[13] 2010[14] 2020[15]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,222. The median age was 47.4 years, with 21.1% of residents under the age of 18 and 25.9% aged 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.2 males age 18 and over.[16]

The racial makeup of the county was 86.8% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.1% from some other race, and 7.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 12.7% of the population.[17]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[18]

There were 3,365 households in the county, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.4% were married-couple households, 17.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]

There were 4,331 housing units, of which 22.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.4% were owner-occupied and 25.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.9%.[16]

Racial and ethnic composition

Hamilton 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 1980[19] Pop 1990[20] Pop 2000[21] Pop 2010[14] Pop 2020[15] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 8,079 7,284 7,498 7,495 6,805 97.37% 94.19% 91.12% 88.00% 82.77%
Black or African American alone (NH) 0 2 11 38 32 0.00% 0.03% 0.13% 0.45% 0.39%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 13 19 34 31 37 0.16% 0.25% 0.41% 0.36% 0.45%
Asian alone (NH) 16 24 12 31 36 0.19% 0.31% 0.15% 0.36% 0.44%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [22] x [23] 4 1 2 x x 0.05% 0.01% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 12 1 1 3 17 0.14% 0.01% 0.01% 0.04% 0.21%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [24] x [25] 59 55 248 x x 0.72% 0.65% 3.02%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 177 403 610 863 1,045 2.13% 5.21% 7.41% 10.13% 12.71%
Total 8,297 7,733 8,229 8,517 8,222 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, about 2.9 same-sex couples per 1,000 households lived in the county.[26]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[27] 8,229 people, 3,374 households, and 2,324 families were residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). The 4,455 housing units had an average density of five per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 93.81% White, 0.15% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 4.36% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. About 7.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,374 households, 27.4% had children under 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were not families. About 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the age distribution was 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,150, and for a family was $39,494. Males had a median income of $26,703 versus $20,192 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,800. About 10.6% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under 18 and 13.8% of those 65 or over.

Notable person

Media

Hamilton County is currently listed as part of the Dallas-Fort Worth designated market area. Local media outlets include: KDFW-TV, KXAS-TV, WFAA-TV, KTVT-TV, KERA-TV, KTXA-TV, KDFI-TV, KDAF-TV, and KFWD-TV. Because the county is located in Central Texas and neighbors the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metropolitan statistical area, all of the Waco/Temple/Killeen market stations also provide coverage for Hamilton County. They include: KCEN-TV, KWTX-TV, KXXV-TV, KWKT-TV, KNCT (TV), and KAKW-DT.

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated place

  • Carlton

Unincorporated communities

  • Aleman
  • Fairy
  • Gentry's Mill
  • Indian Gap
  • Jonesboro (also in Coryell County)
  • Olin
  • Pottsville
  • Shive
  • Whiteway

Ghost Town

  • McGirk

Education

School districts include:[28]

  • Cranfills Gap Independent School District
  • Evant Independent School District
  • Goldthwaite Consolidated Independent School District
  • Hamilton Independent School District
  • Hico Independent School District
  • Jonesboro Independent School District

Hamilton County is in the service area, defined by the Texas Education Code, of Central Texas College.[29]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Hamilton County, Texas[30][31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1912 67 5.42% 992 80.26% 177 14.32%
1916 201 13.76% 1,231 84.26% 29 1.98%
1920 422 25.24% 1,075 64.29% 175 10.47%
1924 202 8.68% 2,035 87.45% 90 3.87%
1928 927 48.38% 989 51.62% 0 0.00%
1932 164 6.21% 2,474 93.64% 4 0.15%
1936 202 9.47% 1,929 90.48% 1 0.05%
1940 655 22.42% 2,263 77.45% 4 0.14%
1944 344 13.77% 1,790 71.63% 365 14.61%
1948 478 20.44% 1,725 73.75% 136 5.81%
1952 2,130 61.77% 1,313 38.08% 5 0.15%
1956 1,709 60.11% 1,124 39.54% 10 0.35%
1960 1,592 58.17% 1,136 41.51% 9 0.33%
1964 1,006 32.92% 2,048 67.02% 2 0.07%
1968 1,266 44.67% 1,116 39.38% 452 15.95%
1972 1,931 73.79% 685 26.18% 1 0.04%
1976 1,176 36.88% 1,981 62.12% 32 1.00%
1980 1,683 51.52% 1,526 46.71% 58 1.78%
1984 2,118 65.01% 1,130 34.68% 10 0.31%
1988 1,718 55.67% 1,355 43.91% 13 0.42%
1992 1,232 37.80% 1,100 33.75% 927 28.44%
1996 1,493 49.26% 1,200 39.59% 338 11.15%
2000 2,447 72.48% 878 26.01% 51 1.51%
2004 2,856 76.57% 845 22.65% 29 0.78%
2008 2,876 76.12% 863 22.84% 39 1.03%
2012 2,918 82.15% 591 16.64% 43 1.21%
2016 3,060 84.53% 479 13.23% 81 2.24%
2020 3,616 83.11% 641 14.73% 94 2.16%
2024 3,809 85.31% 625 14.00% 31 0.69%
United States Senate election results for Hamilton County, Texas1[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,699 82.68% 679 15.18% 96 2.15%
United States Senate election results for Hamilton County, Texas2[33]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,574 83.23% 594 13.83% 126 2.93%
Texas Gubernatorial election results for Hamilton County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2022 3,006 86.48% 433 12.46% 37 1.06%

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Hamilton County, Texas
  • Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Hamilton County

References

  1. ^ "Hamilton 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. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 148.
  5. ^ Handbook of Texas, Hamilton County
  6. ^ Texas Historical Markers, Ann Whitney Archived March 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Texas Escapes, Details of Comanche Attack
  8. ^ Hico Old Settlers' Reunion Archived March 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Billy The Kid Legend Archived March 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  12. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". 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 April 28, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hamilton County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hamilton County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  18. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  19. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- Texas - Table 15. Persons by Race and Table 16. Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 21-46. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2022.
  20. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- Texas - Table 3. Race and Hispanic Origin: 1990" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 29-138. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 3, 2026.
  21. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Hamilton County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  23. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  24. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  25. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  26. ^ "Where Same-Sex Couples Live", The New York Times, June 26, 2015, retrieved July 6, 2015
  27. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  28. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hamilton County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 24, 2024. - Text list
  29. ^ Texas Education Code, Section 130.171, "Central Texas College District Service Area".
  30. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  31. ^ Nelson, Jane (November 5, 2024). "PRESIDENT/VICE-PRESIDENT". Secretary of State of Texas. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  32. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Texas by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  33. ^ "Texas Senate Election Results 2020". NBCNews.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Hamilton County, Texas at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official website Edit this at Wikidata
  • Hamilton County from the Handbook of Texas Online

31°42′N 98°07′W / 31.70°N 98.11°W / 31.70; -98.11

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