King County, Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids King County
U.S. county
King County Courthouse in Guthrie
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Texas
Founded	1891
Named for	William Philip King
Seat	Guthrie
Largest community	Guthrie
Area
• Total	913 sq mi (2,360 km2)
• Land	911 sq mi (2,360 km2)
• Water	2.5 sq mi (6 km2)  0.3%
Population  (2020)
• Total	265
• Estimate  (2022)	233
• Density	0.29/sq mi (0.11/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	13th

King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 265 at the 2020 census, making it the second-least populated county in Texas and the third-least populated county in the United States. King County has no incorporated communities. Its county seat is the census-designated place (CDP) of Guthrie. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1891. It is named for William Philip King, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.

History

Native Americans

The Apache and Comanche were early tribes in the area. The Red River War of 1874-1875 was a United States Army campaign to force the removal of Natives in Texas and their relocation to reservations, to open the region to white settlers.

County established

On August 21, 1876, the Texas legislature formed King County from Bexar County. By 1880 the United States Census counted forty residents in the county. In 1891, the county was organized. Guthrie was designated as the county seat.

Early ranchers preserved water by damming canyons and draws to hold the heavy spring rains. In the 1890s windmills became the method of water preservation. Some of the earliest settlers were Isom Lynn, A. C. Tackett, Brants Baker, and Bud Arnett. The Four Sixes Ranch was established in 1902 by Samuel Burk Burnett. The formerly-named Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company was organized in 1883, and SMS ranches were established during the same time frame. The 6666 (called Four Sixes Ranch), also founded in 1883, was managed from 1965 to 1986 by George Humphreys, who was also affiliated with the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock.

Dumont was formed in the late 19th century. By that time, farmers began to share the land with ranchers. Cotton was the leading crop for a time, followed by corn, sorghum, and fruit trees.

Oil was discovered in the county in 1943. By January 1, 1991, almost 114,403,000 barrels (18,188,600 m³) of oil had been pumped from King County lands since the first wells were drilled.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 913 square miles (2,360 km²), of which 911 square miles (2,360 km²) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²) (0.3%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 82 / State Highway 114
• U.S. Highway 83
• State Highway 222

Adjacent counties

• Cottle County (north)
• Foard County (northeast)
• Knox County (east)
• Stonewall County (south)
• Dickens County (west)
• Haskell County (southeast)

Demographics

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.

As of the census of 2000, there were 356 people, 108 households, and 88 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.39 people per square mile (0.15 people/km²). There were 174 housing units at an average density of 0.19 units per square mile (0.073/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.10% White, 1.12% Native American, 3.09% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 9.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 108 households, out of which 41.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 79.60% were married couples living together, 1.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.60% were non-families. 16.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 33.70% under the age of 18, 3.70% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,625, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $21,389 versus $30,179 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,321. 20.70% of the population and 17.90% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 23.00% are under the age of 18 and 31.60% are 65 or older.

Economy

The primary industries are raising beef cattle (since the late 19th century), and oil production (since 1943). Corn and cotton are the leading planted farm crops.

Communities

• Dumont
• Finney
• Grow
• Guthrie (county seat; also a CDP)

Education

School districts serving sections of the county include:

• Crowell Independent School District
• Guthrie Common School District

The county is in the service area of Vernon College.

Gallery

• 

  1914 King County Courthouse

• 

  Monument off U.S. Highway 83 to George Preston Humphreys (1899-1979), the manager of the 6666 Ranch, who also served as King County sheriff from 1928 to 1948

• 

  King County Courthouse in August 2020

See also

In Spanish: Condado de King (Texas) para niños