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Tom Green County, Texas facts for kids

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Tom Green County
Tom Green County Courthouse in San Angelo
Tom Green County Courthouse in San Angelo
Official seal of Tom Green County
Seal
Map of Texas highlighting Tom Green County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Texas
Founded 1875
Named for General Thomas Green
Seat San Angelo
Largest city San Angelo
Area
 • Total 1,541 sq mi (3,990 km2)
 • Land 1,522 sq mi (3,940 km2)
 • Water 19 sq mi (50 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 120,003 Increase
 • Density 78/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 11th
San Angelo September 2019 06 (Judge Michael D. Brown Justice Center)
The Judge Michael D. Brown Justice Center in San Angelo

Tom Green County is a county located in the state of Texas. It sits on a high flat area called the Edwards Plateau. In 2020, about 120,003 people lived here. The main city and county seat is San Angelo.

The county was created in 1874. It was named after Thomas Green, a lawyer and soldier. Tom Green County is part of the San Angelo metropolitan area. It is also home to Goodfellow Air Force Base and Angelo State University.

County History: How Tom Green County Began

Tom Green County was officially started by the Texas state government on March 13, 1874. It was named to honor Thomas Green. He was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. When it was first formed, the county was very large, covering over 60,000 square miles (155,000 square kilometers).

Early County Seat and a Big Flood

The first county seat was a town called Ben Ficklin. But in 1882, the Concho River flooded badly. The flood destroyed the town and sadly, 65 people lost their lives. After this disaster, the county seat was moved to a nearby town called Santa Angela.

In 1883, the U.S. Post Office officially changed Santa Angela's name to San Angelo.

Growth and Changes in San Angelo

The Santa Fe Railway was completed in 1888. This helped the county's cattle business grow a lot. Ranchers could now send many train cars full of cattle to other places. In 1889, San Angelo became an official city. Around the same time, Fort Concho, a military fort that had been open for 22 years, closed down.

The Unique Shape of Tom Green County

Tom Green County has a long, narrow strip of land that stretches to the west. This unusual shape exists because Reagan County, which is to the west, used to be part of Tom Green County. Texas law required that all counties have a continuous land path to their county seat. This small strip of land connected the two main parts. In 1903, people in the western section voted to form Reagan County. They also decided that the connecting strip would stay part of Tom Green County.

Weather Events in Tom Green County

Tom Green County has experienced several significant weather events. In February 2021, during Winter Storm Uri, San Angelo had very cold temperatures. It stayed at or below freezing for 152 hours straight. The county has also been affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, including:

Geography: Rivers, Lakes, and Land

Tom Green County covers a total area of about 1,541 square miles (3,991 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with about 19 square miles (49 square kilometers) covered by water.

Water Bodies and Parks

The county is home to several important water bodies. These include Lake Nasworthy, O.C. Fisher Reservoir, and Twin Buttes Reservoir. You can also find San Angelo State Park here, which is a great place for outdoor activities. The Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail is also in the county. The Concho River flows through the county, along with its branches, the North Concho River and the South Concho River. There is also a smaller stream called Kickapoo Creek.

Neighboring Counties

Tom Green County shares borders with several other counties:

People of Tom Green County: Demographics

The population of Tom Green County has grown steadily over the years. In 1880, there were 3,615 people. By 2020, the population had reached 120,003.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 3,615
1890 5,152 42.5%
1900 6,804 32.1%
1910 17,882 162.8%
1920 15,210 −14.9%
1930 36,033 136.9%
1940 39,302 9.1%
1950 58,929 49.9%
1960 64,630 9.7%
1970 71,047 9.9%
1980 84,784 19.3%
1990 98,458 16.1%
2000 104,010 5.6%
2010 110,224 6.0%
2020 120,003 8.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1850–2010 2010 2020

Population Makeup

In 2000, about 104,010 people lived in the county. The population density was about 68 people per square mile. The county's population is made up of people from many different backgrounds. About 30.71% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino origin. Many residents also reported German, American, English, and Irish ancestry.

Households and Families

There were about 39,503 households in 2000. About 33% of these households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.52 people, and the average family had 3.09 people.

Age and Income

The median age in the county was 34 years old. This means half the people were younger than 34 and half were older. The median income for a household was $33,148. For a family, it was $39,482. About 15.20% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Education: Schools and Colleges

U.S. Hwy. 87 north of San Angelo, TX IMG 1399
View from U.S. Highway 87 northwest of San Angelo in Tom Green County

Tom Green County offers various educational opportunities for its residents.

Colleges in the County

Public School Districts

Several public school districts serve the students of Tom Green County:

  • Christoval Independent School District
  • Grape Creek Independent School District
  • Miles Independent School District
  • San Angelo Independent School District
  • Veribest Independent School District
  • Wall Independent School District
  • Water Valley Independent School District

Transportation: Getting Around

Tom Green County is served by several major highways, making it easy to travel within and outside the county.

Major Highways

  • US 67.svg U.S. Highway 67
  • US 87.svg U.S. Highway 87
  • US 277.svg U.S. Highway 277
  • SH 208
  • Texas Loop 306.svg SH Loop 306

Communities: Towns and Places

San Angelo September 2019 13 (Texas Theatre)
The former Texas Theater in downtown San Angelo

Tom Green County has one main city and several smaller communities.

City

  • San Angelo (This is the county seat, where the main county government offices are located.)

Census-Designated Places (CDPs)

These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated as cities:

Unincorporated Communities

These are smaller communities that do not have their own local government:

Ghost Town

  • Ben Ficklin (This was the original county seat, but it was destroyed by a flood.)

Military Base

  • Goodfellow Air Force Base

Notable Person

  • August Pfluger is a politician and former military officer. He serves as the U.S. representative for Texas's 11th congressional district.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Tom Green para niños

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