This county was established in 1846 by the Texas State Legislature. “Deaf Smith” came from General James Smith, an American soldier, and scout involved in the Texas revolution. James Smith died while fighting for Texas independence.

Deaf Smith County, Texas, is found on the westward sides of the Panhandle. To its west sits New Mexico, and towards its east is Randall County. Oldham County borders Deaf Smith county to the north, and Parmer and Castro’s counties border it to the south.

Deaf Smith county’s geology is composed of loamy soil, ideal for plant growth. The soil supports the growth of grass and other plants.

The county experiences its coldest spell in January. It averages 22° F. July experiences the hottest conditions with 93° Celsius temperatures. Rainfall in this county has an average fall count of 17.37 inches. This brings the growing season to an average of 185 growing days.

Deaf Smith County Offices

Deaf Smith County, Texas, has different offices established to serve the county residents. These county offices have a varied role to play in serving the county residents.

They include:

The county court office is under Judge D.J. Wagner. You can contact him by phone at 806-363-7000 or fax at 806-363-7022.
The county clerk’s office is another office in Deaf Smith county. The county clerk, Rachel Garman, heads this office. You can contact her by phone at 806-363-7077 or fax her at 806-363-7023.
The county treasurer is Brooke Fuentes. You can contact him by phone at 806-363-7088.
The Tax assessor office is in Hereford, Texas. Teresa Garth is the tax assessor/collector. You can contact her by phone at (806) 363-7044.
The county sheriff’s office is under Sheriff Dale Butler, who you can get by phone at 806-364-2311.
The Justice of the Peace office is in Hereford, Texas. Judge Karen Boren heads this office. You can reach the office by phone at (806) 364-0999 or fax at (806) 363-7037. You can also email the judge at [email protected].
The District Clerk of Deaf Smith County is Elaine Gerber. You can get in touch with the county clerk by phone at 806-364-3901 or fax at 806-363-7007. This office is open from eight in the morning to five in the evening. A break of one hour at noon is set aside for lunch break.

Deaf Smith County Economic Activities

Deaf Smith involves itself in various economic activities, including agricultural, manufacturing, meat processing, and offset printing.

Animal husbandry is another economic activity in Deaf Smith county. This began after the Indian natives were forced out from this region by the U.S between 1874 and 1875. Agricultural farming started as early as 1900. Major crops grown are sorghum, cotton, corn, and wheat. The county’s irrigation operations enhance agricultural activities.

Deaf Smith County Appraisal District

This section of Deaf Smith county governance comprises the appraisal review board, staff members, and board members. A board of directors heads the appraisal district. The taxing units appoint a team of five directors to govern the appraisal team. These directors, however, can not determine values.

The Appraisal review board has Randy Paetzold as the presiding officer, Raul Pesina as the secretary, and Joe Ward.

The Appraisal District Board of Directors is responsible for the appointment of the Appraisal Review Board. This board oversees and acts on the taxpayer’s protests. Their role is different from that of the appraisal office. The board is also responsible for resolving disputes emerging from the appraisal districts and the property owners.

The staff members consist of the Chief Appraiser, who heads the office. The appraisal district board of directors elects chief appraisers to work under them. The chief appraiser is also the tax assessor and tax collector in the county.

Towns in Deaf Smith County

The county contains several towns, which act as settlement hubs for residents and workers. Some of the most populated towns include Hereford, Dawn, Walcott, Ford, Bootleg, Westway, Simms, and Milo Center. Hereford is the county seat.

There are industries and other employment institutions within these towns that offer residents employment opportunities. Schools are also distributed across the cities, both lower-level institutions and tertiary institutions for higher learning.

Affordable rental units and owner-occupied accommodation facilities within the towns give its settlers a safe place they can reside.

Deaf County Demographics

The United States census bureau statistics indicate that Deaf Smith county had 18,583 residents in 2020. It had a population of 19,372 in 2010. The dependency ratio of Deaf Smith is high, with 13.1% of the population being 65 years and above. Also, individuals aged 18 years and below constitute 30.8% of the population.

There are 7,061 housing units in the county with 6,145 households. There is an average of three persons per household, and the median gross rent is $788.

65.4% of the population is employed in civil job setups, and the poverty rate is 17.0%.

Deaf Smith County Tourism Sector

The county has several historical sites that attract tourists. This includes the E.B black house, camp chapel, county museum, library, among others.

The E.B black family constructed the E.B. house in 1909. They later gave it to the history department in 1972. The house currently serves as a meeting point for private parties and organizations.

The Museum serves as a preservation of the county’s history. It reflects how the county’s early natives led their lives. Indian art features at the Museum. There are a lot of ancient tools and artifacts preserved in the Museum for tourist attraction.

How Can I Pay My Taxes?

Deaf Smith County residents and property owners can pay their taxes online. You’ll need to search your property first to confirm the one that is due. You can make your payments using a credit or debit card. This attracts a fee of 2.5% of the tax value.

You can also visit the tax appraiser’s office at Hereford to pay your taxes. Additionally, you can also make your payments through the phone at 806-364- 0625. Besides the debit card or the credit card, you can also pay your taxes using a visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express.

Individuals who are 65 years and above and those with physical disabilities can make their tax payments at home in quarters. Failure to pay the tax bill amount within the stipulated time frame will attract a penalty. The tax board can also file a suit against you, resulting in the sale of your property.

Conclusion

Deaf Smith County in Texas is a safe and sustainable place to live. The county has enhanced security protocols within its towns that safeguard the rights and safety of its residents. The county is also sustainable, with its diversity in economic developments.

The county also boasts of several attractions that boost its economic muscles through tourism activities.