Lipscomb

Lipscomb County

Updated on: December 16, 2021
Coordinates
36 16' 48" N, 100 16' 12" W (36.28, -100.27)
State
Texas
Region
Panhandle
County Seat:
Lipscomb
Year Organized:
1876
Total Square Miles:
932.294
932 square miles (2,410 km2) land
0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.01%) water
Population:
3378 (2017)
Population: Est. 3,487 (2016) 3,302 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
4
Lipscomb County Website
http://www.co.lipscomb.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Hemphill (S)
Roberts (SW)
Ochiltree (W)

Lipscomb County Town List

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
3378
25 to 64 Years of Age:
48.58%
65 Years of Age and Older:
18.12%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$735.5 M
Labor Force:
1,657
Unemployment Rate:
2.70%

County Contact

PO BOX 69
County Courthouse
Lipscomb, TX, 79056-0069

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

Lipscomb County is a county found in the U.S, Texas. It is in the west-central part of the state. The county seat is Lipscomb and is located a few miles from the center of the county. Most of the government offices are in Lipscomb town, with many businesses also thriving in the same town.

If you are set to visit this county, then read ahead. We’ve shared more about the county’s background, offices, attractions, and economy, among other things.

Let’s get started!

About Lipscomb County

Perhaps you’re wondering how Lipscomb got its name or what it was named for. Well, there are several stories as to why the county was named that way. One story says that an early settler named John Lipscomb had two very beautiful daughters. He wanted them to be married, but they refused because he was not wealthy enough to support their families. So he decided to call his daughter “Lip” and her sister “Scob.”

In reality, the county was named for Judge Abner Smith Lipscomb, a secretary to Texas’s republic. The county was formed in 1876 from the Bexar District. In 1879, the county seat was moved from San Antonio to Lipscomb.

The county has always been known for its cattle ranches and oil fields. Early settlers enjoyed vast lands for cultivation and ranching. Many people still live on these landholdings today. Most hunted wild game and farmed cotton, corn, wheat, oats, barley, beans, melons, peaches, pears, plums, and watermelons.

Today, many people work at jobs outside their homes. Some work in local businesses, while others work in Dallas, Houston, Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio.

The Economy of Lipscomb County

Lipscomb is among the best places to live in Texas. Its economy is based on agriculture, manufacturing, retail trade, and tourism. Agriculture is one of the main industries in the area. Farmers grow cotton, corn, sorghum, hay, soybeans, peanuts, and other grains. They also raise hogs, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, and dairy cows.

Manufacturing includes food processing plants, chemical factories, lumber mills, and petroleum refineries. Retail trade is another important industry. There are many shopping centers in the county. These include Wal-Mart Supercenter, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, Best Buy, Sears, Kmart, Target, and Walmart.

Tourism is the third major industry in the county. Visitors come here to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. This includes hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, and golfing.

Some people run businesses since the government provides good working conditions. Others work for private companies.

Financial Transparency

The primary feature that makes Lipscomb County different is the transparency of its finances. All financial records are available online. You can find out all kinds of information about the county’s budget, taxes, spending, revenues, expenditures, debt, and much more.

You can also see the history of the county’s finances going back years. You’ll learn where the money comes from and where it goes. For example, you will know if the county spends more than it receives in revenue. If so, the county must borrow money to balance its books.

Some of the ways the county allows you to access financial transparency are as follows:

Budgets

Budgets are the annual reports that show the income and expenses of the county. The budgets are broken down into general revenue, capital improvements, debt service, and other expenses. The comptroller’s office prepares all budgets.

Taxes

Taxes are the amounts taxpayers pay to fund services provided by the county. Taxes are collected through ad valorem taxation. Taxpayers pay an amount equal to their share of the cost of providing services.

Treasurer Reports

This is another way through which the county shows transparency. It is a report prepared by the treasurer. The report shows how much money the county has received and spent during the year. It also shows what the county owes and what it owes to itself.

Financial Statements

These are reports prepared by the comptroller’s office. They show the county’s assets, liabilities, net worth, and cash flow.

Audits

An audit is a review conducted by an independent party to verify the accuracy of the financial statements. The county Auditor’s Office conducts audits.

Utility Reports

You get to know everything about your water, sewer, gas, electric, and phone bills through utility reports. You can even check whether or not your bill was accurate.

Attractions in Lipscomb County

Suppose you want to explore a county with amazing things; you’ll never get tired of Lipscomb county. Not only will you get affordable deals but also explore breathtaking sceneries throughout the county. Here are the top three attractions in this county.

Wolf Creek Heritage Museum

This museum is located on Highway 377 in San Angelo. The museum features exhibits about the history of the county. It also displays old photographs and documents. The museum is open every day except Sunday. It closes at 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Canadian River Historic Wagon Bridge

You’ll see amazing scenery when you visit the Canadian River. This bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in the state. You can take pictures of the river and the bridge. The bridge is near downtown San Angelo.

Museum of the Plains

This offers you an opportunity to view some of the best examples of Native American art. The museum is in downtown San Angelo. It opens daily except Monday. It closes at 4:30 pm on Thursdays.

County Offices

The county government has both appointed and elected officials. Here are some of the key offices and how to access them.

The County Judge’s office is under Judge Mickey Simpson. You can call the office at 806-862-4131 and submit your concerns.

Matthew D Bartosiewicz supervises the County Attorney’s office. Call them at 806-658-4545 during working days.

County Clerk’s office is under Kim Blau. To make inquiries, call  806-862-3091.

The County Treasurer’s office is under Kimberly L. Long. She is reachable at (806) 862-3821.

Lastly, the County Sheriff’s office is under Sheriff John Worthington. If you have concerns about your security, call them at 806-862-2611.

Verdict

Living in Lipscomb county will give you more than just a good time. It will also provide you with a great living environment. The county is home to many educational institutions. These include colleges and universities. Also, several hospitals offer quality healthcare.