Irion County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irion County
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The Irion County Courthouse in Mertzon
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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 | 1889 |
| Named for | Robert Anderson Irion |
| Seat | Mertzon |
| Largest city | Mertzon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,052 sq mi (2,720 km2) |
| • Land | 1,052 sq mi (2,720 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.2 km2) 0.01% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,513 |
| • Density | 1.4382/sq mi (0.5553/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 11th |
Irion County (/ˈaɪriən/ eye-REE-ən) is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,513. Its county seat is Mertzon. The county is named for Robert Anderson Irion, a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas.
Irion County is included in the San Angelo metropolitan statistical area.
Contents
History
From 1858 to 1861, Butterfield Overland Mail crossed the region.
In 1876, John Arden brought the first flock of sheep from California, and Billy Childress established the Longhorn 7D Ranch.
The Texas Legislature formed Irion County from Tom Green County in 1889. Sherwood became the county seat.
Oil was discovered in Irion County in 1928.
In 1936, Mertzon became the county seat.
In 2020 Irion was the slowest county to comply with the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, forbidding the ban on same-sex marriages.
Currently, the Old Irion County Courthouse in Sherwood is the only property in the county listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,052 square miles (2,720 km2), of which 1,052 sq mi (2,720 km2) are land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) (0.01%) is covered by water. The Spraberry Trend, the third-largest oil field in the United States by remaining reserves, underlies much of the county.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 67
State Highway 163
Adjacent counties
- Tom Green County (north and east)
- Schleicher County (southeast)
- Crockett County (southwest)
- Reagan County (west)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 870 | — | |
| 1900 | 848 | −2.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,283 | 51.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,610 | 25.5% | |
| 1930 | 2,049 | 27.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,963 | −4.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,590 | −19.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,183 | −25.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,070 | −9.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,386 | 29.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,629 | 17.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,771 | 8.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,599 | −9.7% | |
| 2020 | 1,513 | −5.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–2010 2010 2020 |
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| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 1,321 | 1,153 | 1,112 | 74.59% | 72.11% | 73.50% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4 | 11 | 6 | 0.23% | 0.69% | 0.40% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 6 | 7 | 9 | 0.34% | 0.44% | 0.59% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.19% | 0.00% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 4 | 18 | 35 | 0.23% | 1.13% | 2.31% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 436 | 407 | 349 | 24.62% | 25.45% | 23.07% |
| Total | 1,771 | 1,599 | 1,513 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the census of 2000, 1,771 people, 694 households, and 523 were families residing in the county. The population density was two people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). The 914 housing units averaged one units per square mile (0.39 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.68% White, 0.40% African American, 0.79% Native American, 6.55% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. About 24.62% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 694 households, 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were not families. About 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55, and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the age distribution was 26.70% under 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,500, and for a family was $45,458. Males had a median income of $35,642 versus $20,395 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,515. About 8.30% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.20% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Notable native
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Irion para niños
