Donley County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donley County
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1890 Donley County Courthouse in Clarendon
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Location within the U.S. state of Texas
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 Texas's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Seat | Clarendon |
| Largest city | Clarendon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 933 sq mi (2,420 km2) |
| • Land | 927 sq mi (2,400 km2) |
| • Water | 6.2 sq mi (16 km2) 0.7% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,258 |
| • Density | 3.4920/sq mi (1.3483/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 13th |
Donley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 3,258. Its county seat is Clarendon. The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1882.
Contents
History
Donley County was established in 1876 from land given by the Bexar District. It is named for Stockton P. Donley, justice of the state supreme court.
There are several historical sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Donley County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 933 square miles (2,420 km2), of which 927 square miles (2,400 km2) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km2) (0.7%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 287
State Highway 70
State Highway 273
Adjacent counties
- Gray County (north)
- Collingsworth County (east)
- Hall County (south)
- Briscoe County (southwest)
- Armstrong County (west)
- Wheeler County (northeast)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 160 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,056 | 560.0% | |
| 1900 | 2,756 | 161.0% | |
| 1910 | 5,284 | 91.7% | |
| 1920 | 8,035 | 52.1% | |
| 1930 | 10,262 | 27.7% | |
| 1940 | 7,487 | −27.0% | |
| 1950 | 6,216 | −17.0% | |
| 1960 | 4,449 | −28.4% | |
| 1970 | 3,641 | −18.2% | |
| 1980 | 4,075 | 11.9% | |
| 1990 | 3,696 | −9.3% | |
| 2000 | 3,828 | 3.6% | |
| 2010 | 3,677 | −3.9% | |
| 2020 | 3,258 | −11.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–2010 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 3,136 | 2,537 | 85.29% | 77.87% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 163 | 167 | 4.43% | 5.13% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 15 | 27 | 0.41% | 0.83% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 9 | 10 | 0.24% | 0.31% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 2 | 1 | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 0 | 6 | 0.00% | 0.18% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 43 | 154 | 1.17% | 4.73% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 309 | 356 | 8.40% | 10.93% |
| Total | 3,677 | 3,258 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
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 can be of any race.
Culture
The Saints' Roost Museum in Clarendon is dedicated to the American West.
The Harold Dow Bugbee Ranch, formerly owned by the Western artist and his second wife, Olive Vandruff Bugbee, also an artist, is located in Donley County.
The legendary cattle baron Charles Goodnight spent his later years in Donley County. It was also the home of historian Harley True Burton, author of A History of the JA Ranch, which Goodnight formerly co-owned. Burton was president of Clarendon College and the mayor of Clarendon from 1955-1963. The JA Ranch is located in the counties of Donley, Hall, Briscoe, and Armstrong.
On U.S. Highway 287, which runs through the county, there is a modern rest area but no longer offers wi-fi. The rest area also offers sanctuary from weather offering a tornado shelter in the main building.
Communities
Cities
- Clarendon (county seat)
- Hedley
- Howardwick
Unincorporated community
- Lelia Lake
Notable residents
- U.S. Representative Mac Thornberry
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Donley para niños
