Bailey County

Bailey County Offices

Bailey County Town List

Bailey County, founded in 1918, is known for its outstanding agricultural economy and abundance of water. Muleshoe is its official County seat. Geographically, it covers an approximated area of 827 sq miles or 2142 km2. The county has a rich history dating back to the 1870s. The number of inhabitants in Bailey County stands at 7100.  

Bailey County administration put a lot of work into ensuring that the County develops into a modern city. 

Consequently, Bailey County boasts of a booming agricultural economy propelled by readily available water. The education sector is thriving, and they have successful tourist attraction centers. Therefore, making the county an excellent place to live in or visit. 

History of Bailey County 

Archivists trace the establishment of Bailey County, Texas, to 21st August 1876. The County got its name from an illustrious Kentucky who died fighting at the Texas independence war. His official name was Peter James Bailey. 

At its inception, Bailey town settled as an agricultural and cattle town. As the city developed, it was attached to Baylor County from 1876 to 1891. After that, in the pre-first World War era of 1892 to 1918, the authorities transferred it to Castro County. 

In 1918, the authorities officially established Bailey as a County in Texas with full administrative functions. After that, 16th January 1919 saw G. D. Gupton sworn in as Justice of Peace. 

April 1919 saw Muleshoe designated the official seat of Bailey County. 

Climatic Conditions in Bailey County 

Bailey County receives an average of 19 inches of rain or precipitation per year. This amount of rainfall remains only a half of the annual US average of 38 inches.  

While the US annual average of snowfall is 28 inches, Bailey County records a tiny 6 inches. Additionally, Bailey County enjoys an average of 54 days of rainfall and 262 sunny days annually. The annual US average is 205 sunny days. 

Safety and Security of Bailey County Texas 

Bailey County is safe as far as the rate of serious crimes is concerned. However, like in any other place globally, crime can only be minimized but not entirely eradicated. 

Crime statistics from the US government indicate that the violent crime rate in Bailey County stands at 3.68 per 1000 inhabitants during a typical year.   

Also, the crime rates recorded in the eastern neighborhoods of Bailey are considerably higher than in the western parts of the County. The Resident’s chances of falling prey to crime stand at a rate of 1 in 158 if you stay in the eastern parts of Bailey. 

Contrastingly, residents of the western neighborhoods are comparably safer at a rate of 1 in 701. Most of the 7136 residents of Bailey County don’t live near recreational places. 

Considerably, crime rates remain high in areas closer to recreational centers as most people visit these areas attracting criminal elements keen on taking advantage of crowds to conduct vices. 

Economic Activities in Bailey County 

Bailey County’s most significant economic activities are agriculture and farm supply, manufacturing of products, electric generating plants, and food processing and value addition plants. 

Unemployment rates in Bailey County stand at 4.9%. It is a figure that is favorable compared to the US average rate of 5.2%.   

Bailey County faces a significant decrease in the job market, at a figure paged at -0.6 over the past year. Additionally, the ten-year job growth projections are at 13.2% compared to a more positive US average rate of 33.5% over the same period. 

The average annual income of residents of Bailey County in Texas remains at $18,082, which is far below the average US figure of $28,555. 

Education in Bailey County 

Muleshoe’s independent school district extends its service beyond Bailey County. It offers its services to the neighboring Counties. 

The Sudan Independent School District and the Farewell Independent School District’s location borders Bailey County. Therefore, their services also spill over to Bailey County, offering the residents more education options. 

Attraction Centers in Bailey County  

As a County, Bailey offers residents, revelers, and travelers the opportunity to engage in touring places, participate in outdoor activities, get the best food and drinks, and enjoy shopping. 

Tours 

With its natural and exotic vegetation and vibrant hotel industry, Bailey County provides some of the best places people can enjoy visiting. The top attractions for visitors include;  

• Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge 
• Lake Alan Henry 
• Palo Duro Canyon State Park 
• Lake Mackenzie 
• Buffalo Spring Lake 
• Wildcat Bluff Nature Center 

Outdoor Activities 

There are numerous places people keen on engaging in outdoor activities may want to visit in Bailey. However, three sites stand out for their safety, hiking prospects, and scenery and landscape beauty. 

• Alpine Rental Team 
• Goose Creek Trail 
• TreeHouse Adventure Park 

Food and Drinks 

Eateries attract visitors to any tourist destination center. Luckily, Bailey County is home to some of the poshest hotels, offering the best services in Texas. 

Bailey hosts inhabitants from different countries of the world. Therefore, most hotels and restaurants specialize in certain types of food, and the visitor will undoubtedly find their food preference in Bailey County. 

Sample Bailey Hotels and Restaurants 

• Aurum Food and Wine Breckenridge 
• Smokin Dave’s BBQ & Brew 
• Guard and Grace 
• Claire Restaurant and Bar 
• Mile High Spirits 

Shopping in Bailey County 

Shopping in Bailey can be a fascinating proposition by the number of Shopping centers and giant malls widely found across the county. It allows shoppers to buy their preferred items from a mall or shopping center that serves their best interest. 

Museums in Bailey County 

Bailey County is home to Muleshoe Heritage Center. The museum remains a landmark heritage and tourist destination center in the county. Additionally, the museum offers tourists a glimpse of the ancient buildings found in the County. 

These unique buildings include the Jane Ranch House, the Virginia City Hotel, the Figure 4 Ranch House, and the Muleshoe Santa Fe Depot. 

Bailey County Offices 

The most significant offices in Bailey County include; 

The County Judge is the Chief Executive Officer of Bailey County. Thus, they remain responsible for the effective functioning of the entire County Administrative System. The judge also presides over the preparation of the County budget. 

Judge Sherri Harrison presides over as the Bailey County Judge. She can be reached through; 300 South 1st Street, Suite#100, Muleshoe, Texas 79347, and phone 806-272-3077.   

The County Clerk presides over both the County Court and County Commissioners Court. Additionally, they record necessary County instruments and deeds. Irene Espinoza is the Bailey County Clerk. You may reach her at; 300 South1st Street, Suite#200 Muleshoe, Texas 79347, and phone; 806-272-3044. 

The  Commissioners of Courts is made of the County Judge and four elected Commissioners.   

• Gary Don Gartin; phone 806-570-8926. 
• Mike Slayden; phone 806-946-7585. 
• Cody Black; phone 806-241-7877. 
• Jim Daniel; phone 806-315-1004. 

The board exercises executive powers to recruit and dismiss County departmental heads.  

The Commissioner of Courts presides over essential County functions such as controlling County land usage and environmental issues.   

The Bailey County Treasurer is responsible for the County’s financial function, essential more so the bonds generated in the county. Bailey County Treasurer is Shonda L. Black of address 316 South Main Muleshoe, Texas 79347, and phone 806-272-3239. 

Jackie R. Claborn II occupies the office of the Bailey County Attorney. They can be reached through 3006 West 2nd Street Muleshoe, Texas 79347, and phone 806-272-4205. The County Attorney, the legal advisor to the County, defends suits of interest to Bailey County. Furthermore, they are the state representative in the County Courts and the justice of the peace.  

Richard Wills; Phone 806-272-4268 occupies the office of the Bailey County Sheriff. The sheriff performs the duties of a magistrate in the County. Notably, he handles cases with disputes of up to $20,000.