Ellis

Ellis County

Updated on: November 17, 2021
Coordinates
32° 21' 0" N, 96° 47' 24" W (32.35, -96.79)
State
Texas
Region
Northeast
County Seat:
Waxahachie
Year Organized:
1849
Total Square Miles:
951.748
Population:
173620 (2017)
Persons/Square Mile:
182
Ellis County Website
http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Dallas (N)
Kaufman (NE)
Henderson (E)
Navarro (SE)
Hill (SW)
Johnson (W)
Tarrant (NW)

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Dillon's Rule
Legislative Body:
Commisioners Court
Size of Legislative Body:
5

Demographics

2018 Population:
173620
25 to 64 Years of Age:
51.64%
65 Years of Age and Older:
12.81%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$5.3 B
Labor Force:
89,935
Unemployment Rate:
3.30%

County Contact

101 W Main St
County Courthouse
Waxahachie, TX, 75165-0405

http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/

Ellis County, Texas, is one of the most beautiful places in America. It’s a place where you can find peace, but also adventure and excitement. Ellis County dates back to 1846 when it was created from a piece of land that was part of Mexico.   

The county seat is Waxahachie. The county got its name from an early settler named Richard Ellis, who came here with his family in 1850. He settled on what would become known as Jacks Mill Road near present-day Waxahachie. 

History of Ellis County, Texas 

The early settlers of Ellis County, Texas, were mostly German immigrants. They brought their religion, language, customs, and traditions with them.  

Many of these families have lived in this area for generations. Today there are still many descendants living in Ellis County. Some of those people include: 

The Buehlers – This large German immigrant family has roots going back over 100 years. Their first home was built by William H. Buehler Sr., father of Walter E. Buehler. In 1911 they moved into a new house which stands today as the oldest building in Ellis County.  

The Kuesters – Another large German immigrant family whose ancestors arrived in Ellis County around 1880. They, too, live in a historic home called the Old Stone House. 

The Schmidts – A large German immigrant family which immigrated to Ellis County in 1890. They own several homes, including the old schoolhouse now used as a museum. 

The Wilsons – An American Indian tribe originally from Oklahoma migrated westward through Ellis County during the 1800s. They became known as the Wichita Indians because they traveled along the Wichita River. 

Currently, the county has more races like white, black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American. There are even some mixed-race individuals in Ellis County!

What Makes Ellis County Unique 

Ellis county has plenty of things that make it special. Here are just a few examples: 

Birdwell Lake State Park: Located between Waxahachie and New London, Birdwell lake offers fishing, boat rides, camping, swimming, and hiking. You will see lots of wildlife such as deer, turkeys, ducks, geese, turtles, snakes, and other reptiles. 

Waxahachie Heritage Museum: Founded in 1975, the Waxahachie Heritage Museum houses exhibits relating to local history. Items displayed range from pioneer tools to antique furniture. 

Old Town Waxahachie: Located downtown Waxahachie, this small town features shops, restaurants, museums, art galleries, and historical sites.  

Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area: Cedar creek runs through Ellis County and provides habitat for waterfowl, fish, and mammals. Visitors enjoy canoeing, bird watching, hunting, and fishing.  

Finally, there is Screams Halloween Theme Park & Amusement Center. With rides, games, food, and entertainment, visitors come from all over to experience the fun. 

The Economy of Ellis County 

People in Ellis county depend on agriculture, manufacturing, retail trade, health care services, government, transportation, and utilities. Agriculture accounts for almost half of the jobs in the county.  

Cotton farming remains very important in Ellis County. Other crops grown include corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, hay, sorghum, peanuts, and cottonseed. They also keep cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, and sell dairy products.  

Other economic activities in the county include construction, mining, logging, petroleum production, quarrying, sand, and gravel extraction. Others are tourism, finance, insurance, real estate development, wholesale trade, service industries, education, healthcare, and social help. 

People in the county are employed or self-employed. Luckily, the county government has incentives to attract new businesses. For example, if you build your business within 10 miles of an airport, you can get tax breaks.  

If you create at least 50 full-time positions, you may qualify for sales tax exemptions. The county also offers grants for start-up companies. In addition, the city of Waxahachie offers low-interest loans for commercial property owners. 

Education in Ellis county 

The schools of Ellis County are committed to providing quality educational opportunities for students. Students have access to public school districts, including Waxahachie Independent School District, Westside ISD, North East ISD, South Plains College, and Trinity Christian Academy.   

Others are Stonewall Jackson High School, Central Junior High School, and several private schools.   

The major university in Ellis county is the Southwestern Assemblies of God University. SAGU was founded by Dr. John Hagee, who wanted a Bible college that would be accessible to people living in rural areas.  

Today, it is one of the largest universities in the world, with more than 20,000 students enrolled each year. It has three campuses: Waxahachie, Temple, and Dallas/Fort Worth. 

Once students in the colleges and universities in Ellis County complete their studies, they can work in different professions as doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, accountants, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, architects, computer programmers, and scientists.   

Healthcare Services in Ellis County 

Healthcare is key for residents of Ellis County because many people live here for their entire lives. The county has hospitals and clinics offering medical services. Two major hospital systems are serving the area.  

One system includes Baptist Medical Center – Waxahachie, Methodist Hospital – Waxahachie, and Baylor Regional Health Care System – Waxahachie. 

You get all emergency services from these facilities. They offer 24-hour emergency rooms, intensive care units, operating suites, radiology departments, and cardiothoracic surgery, among others.  

Besides, hospitals accept insurance plans like Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare Plans, Workers Compensation Insurance, and Tricare. 

County Offices  

The Ellis county structure comprises elected members of the commissioners, district attorneys, clerks, constables, and treasurer. Each office holds four years terms.   

Commissioners serve on a part-time basis while other offices hold full-time jobs. All officials must file annual financial disclosure statements. 

The County Judge’s office is under Todd Little. You can reach the office at 972-825-5088. The County judge’s office handles civil cases and criminal matters. 

The County Clerk Office handles records management, marriage licenses, birth certificates, death certificates, deeds, mortgages, abstracts, land titles, probate files, and court filings. You can contact them at 972-825-5070. 

Another key office is the treasurer’s office. It handles accounting, payroll processing, purchasing supplies, maintaining equipment, and managing funds. You can reach the office at 972-825-5127.  

The tax collector’s office collects taxes and distributes tax bills. Contact them at 972-825-5150 or visit www.elliscountytx.gov/taxes. 

The sheriff’s office serves as a law enforcement agency within the county. You can call 911 if you need police assistance.   

Conclusion 

In summary, Ellis County is located in the Central Texas region, which means its climate is hot during the summer months but cold during winter. This place offers great opportunities for job seekers, especially those looking for healthcare careers.