Borden County, Texas

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Borden County is a rural county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in West Texas and its county seat is Gail.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref>

As of the 2020 census, its population was 631,<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> making it the fifth-least populous county in Texas. Borden is one of four remaining prohibition or entirely dry counties in the state of Texas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1891.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gail and Borden County are named for Gail Borden Jr., businessman, publisher, surveyor, and pioneer of condensed milk.

History

Native Americans

Shoshone and the Penateka band of Comanches were early tribes in the area.<ref name="Borden County, Texas">Template:Cite web</ref>

County established

Borden County was created in 1876 from Bosque County and named for Gail Borden Jr., the inventor of condensed milk. Borden was publisher and editor of the Telegraph and Texas Register, as well as a political leader in the Republic of Texas. The county was organized in 1891, and Gail was made the county seat.<ref name="Gail, Texas">Template:Cite web</ref>

Farmers and ranchers settled the county, but the population remained relatively small. In 1902, Texas placed lands in the public domain and spurred a land rush in Borden County. Many of the newcomers grew cotton.<ref name="Borden County, Texas" />

Borden County has had two courthouses, one built in 1890. The current courthouse is of brick and concrete construction and was erected in 1939. The architect was David S. Castle Co.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Oil was discovered in the county in 1949. By 1991, more than Template:Convert of petroleum had been taken out of Borden County since its discovery.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert are land and Template:Convert (1.0%) are covered by water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Garza County (north)
Scurry County (east)
Mitchell County (southeast)
Howard County (south)
Martin County (southwest)
Dawson County (west)
Lynn County (northwest)

Demographics

Template:US Census population

**Borden County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition**
Template:Nobold
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop 2010<ref name="2010CensusP2">Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name="2020CensusP2">Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2000	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	624	539	528	85.60%	84.09%	83.68%
Black or African American alone (NH)	1	0	1	0.14%	0.00%	0.16%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	2	2	0	0.27%	0.31%	0.00%
Asian alone (NH)	0	1	0	0.00%	0.16%	0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	0	0	0	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Other race alone (NH)	0	0	1	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	15	4	15	2.06%	0.62%	2.38%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	87	95	86	11.93%	14.82%	13.63%
Total	729	641	631	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census<ref name="GR8">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, 729 people, 292 households, and 216 families resided in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. The 435 housing units averaged Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 90.53% White, 0.14% African American, 0.27% Native American, 6.31% from other races, and 2.74% from two or more races. About 11.93% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 292 households, 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were not families. Around 22.60% of all households consisted of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was distributed as 24.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,205, and for a family was $36,458. Males had a median income of $25,556 versus $21,607 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,364. About 14.00% of the population and 11.80% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total people living in poverty, 14.30% were under the age of 18 and 11.60% were 65 or older.

The county is served by nearby radio stations KBXJ (FM) and KPET (AM), and the various Midland and Odessa radio and TV stations.

The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Borden County are:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> · English – 17% · Irish – 15% · German – 12% · Mexican – 9% · French (except Basque) – 3% · Scotch-Irish – 3% · Other Hispanic or Latino – 3% · Scottish – 2% · Spanish – 1% · American Indian tribes, specified – 1%

Education

The county is served mostly by Borden County Independent School District, with remaining portions in the Sands Consolidated Independent School District.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>

The Texas Legislature designated the county as being in the Western Texas College District.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Media

The weekly newspaper, the Borden Star, covers events for the school and county.

Communities

Gail (county seat)
Mesquite (ghost town)
Plains

Gallery

Mushaway Peak viewed from Willow Valley Road
Abandoned schoolhouse in the ghost town of Mesquite
Frontal view of Borden County Courthouse
Coyote Country Store across from the courthouse is one of the few businesses in Borden County
Gail Mountain viewed from Willow Valley Road
First Baptist Church in Gail