Grayson

Grayson County

Updated on: November 18, 2021
Coordinates
33° 37' 12" N, 96° 40' 48" W (33.62, -96.68)
State
Texas
Region
Northeast
County Seat:
Sherman
Year Organized:
1846
Total Square Miles:
979.177
Population:
131140 (2017)
Population: 128,235 Est. (2016) 120,877 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
134
Grayson County Website
http://www.co.grayson.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Marshall County, Oklahoma (N)
Bryan County, Oklahoma (NE)
Fannin (E)
Collin (S)
Denton (SW)
Cooke (W)
Love County, Oklahoma (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
131140
25 to 64 Years of Age:
50.18%
65 Years of Age and Older:
17.63%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$4.7 B
Labor Force:
63,488
Unemployment Rate:
3.20%

County Contact

100 W Houston St
County Courthouse
Sherman, TX, 75090-6019

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

Grayson County is located in the state of Texas, North of Dallas. The population for this county was 48,454 at the 2019 census, which had a median household income of $137,400. This represented an increase from 2000 when it was $121,832 and a decrease from 2010 when it was $146,936.  

The county seat is Sherman which has most of the business and county buildings. 

Continue reading for more details about the Sherman. 

History of Grayson County Texas  

In 1846, Grayson County was established and named after Peter W. Grayson, an attorney of the Texas Republic. He also served as Secretary of State under President Sam Houston. In 1860 he became a member of the Confederate States Army during the Civil War.  

After the war ended, he returned to his law practice. During the Reconstruction period, he was elected to Congress but lost the election because of fraud committed by Democratic Party. Later he moved back to Texas, where he died on July 4th, 1870.   

His son William H. Grayson took over his father’s law firm and continued practicing until his death in 1893. At that time, his sons John A., James M., George C., Robert L., and Thomas E. inherited the family’s interest in the law firm. They were all lawyers who practiced together with their brother-in-law J.M. Collins.  

Early settlers were the Cherokee Indians who lived along the Red River before white men arrived. Their descendants still live there today. Other early settlers came from Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and other states.  

Many people immigrated to Texas because they wanted freedom from slavery or taxes. Some came here to escape religious persecution. Others came here to start new lives. Most immigrants settled near rivers so they could get water transportation.   

By 1850, many counties were formed, and Grayson County was one of them. It covered the land between Nacogdoches and Navasota Rivers. Its first courthouse was built in 1852. That same year, the first school district was organized. 

In 1880, the railroad reached Sherman. Soon after, businesses started growing around the town. People began moving into the area. There are now several towns within Grayson County, including Sherman, Denison, Spicewood, and Mount Pleasant. These towns have grown since then. 

Grayson County Economy 

Before, lands were vast and open spaces. Nowadays, much of the land is used for farming. Farmers grow corn, cotton, wheat, soybeans, sorghum, hay, oats, barley, rice, peanuts, pecans, sunflowers, and tomatoes.  

Also, cattle ranching is popular. Dairy farms produce milk and cheese. Because of the latest technology in farming, farmers can use irrigation systems to help crops grow better. 

The economy depends mainly on agriculture. However, some industries exist, such as manufacturing plants. Manufacturing companies make clothing, furniture, toys, shoes, machinery, chemicals, food processing equipment, farm implements, and office supplies.  

The population has significantly increased since 1900. Immigration mainly caused this increase. Today, more than half of the residents are foreign-born. About 30% of the total population speaks Spanish at home. English is spoken most often outside the house. 

Geography 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total land area of 1,906 square miles. Of this, 997 square miles is land, and 809 square miles is water. 

Major highways include Interstate 20/U.S. Highway 69 through the center of the county, which runs north-south, and US 287 runs east-west across the northern part of the county. I-20 connects Dallas and Austin while U.S. 69 leads westward toward San Antonio. Both routes connect to I-35E via S.H. 45. 

Two airports are serving Grayson County. One is Grayson Municipal Airport in Denison. Another airport is Lake Texoma Regional Airport, which serves both Tyler and Longview. 

The land terrain is flat with rolling hills. Much of it is prairie grassland that supports livestock grazing. In addition, there are also forests and wetlands. The highest point is Bald Mountain.  

The lowest points are found in the Sabine River Valley, where the river flows southward through the county’s eastern portion. 

Climate 

Grayson county’s climate is generally mild. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are usually cold but not severe. Rainfall varies throughout the year. Springtime brings warm days and cool nights.  

Summer months bring high temperatures and humidity. Fall weather tends to be dry. The Winter months are very windy. Snowstorms occasionally occur during winter. Average annual precipitation ranges from 10 inches in the county’s northeast corner to 15 inches near the western border. 

Because of this climate, many people live in mobile homes or trailers. Many families own their houses. Some people rent apartments because they cannot afford to buy one. Most people work full-time jobs. They spend all day working and come back home tired. Then, they go to bed early, so they will wake up early the next morning.   

County Offices 

Grayson county offices are in the central business district in downtown Sherman. All departments have an assigned space within the CBD. Each department maintains its telephone number. Below is a list of offices and how to reach them. 

Grayson County Judge’s Office is under Honorable Bill Magers. His role is to serve as a judge for the court system. He oversees the courts, including the Justice Court, Criminal District Court, Probate Court, and Civil District Courts. Contact the office at (903) 813-4228. 

Grayson County Sheriff’s Office is under Tom Watt. Their job is to protect citizens from crime. Suppose you need help, call 911. You can contact them at (903) 813-4200. 

Honorable Gayla Hawkins supervises Grayson County Treasurer’s Office. You can contact the office for help at (903) 813-4252. 

The County Clerks’ office is under Honorable Deana Patterson. You can contact the office at (903) 813-4200. 

Conclusion 

In summary, Grayson County has been snowballing over the past few years. It was once known as “the poor man’s Daviess County.” Now, more than ever before, it is becoming a place where people want to settle down and raise a family.   

There are plenty of opportunities here if you know what you’re doing. People who move here find out quickly that life isn’t always easy. But, when things get tough, they pull together and make something good happen. That’s why we say: “It takes a community to build a great city.”