Loving County

Loving County Offices

Loving County Town List

This region is one of Texas’ counties in the United States. It lies on the Permian Basin on the western side of the State. It borders Winkler County on the east, Ward County on the south, Reeves County and Pecos River, while Lea and Eddy’s counties are on its northern side.

Loving County covers an area of approximately 677 sq. mi of flat desert terrain.  The County is the smallest with a population of 64 residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau.

The County derives its name from an early Texas cattleman, Oliver Loving. He was mortally wounded by Indians in 1886 at Pecos while heading his herd on a ride. Its County seat is Mentone which also happens to be its only community.

The region is the only Texas County that was organized twice. First in 1887 and in 1931.

County Climatic Conditions

March, April, October are the County’s most pleasant months. The region has four comfortable months with temperatures ranging between 70-85°. The hottest month is June, with an average high temperature of 98.7°. This degree makes the County one of the hottest places in Texas.

The County has January as the snowiest month, with average snow of 4 inches annually. The area has an average rainfall of 12 inches per year.

Loving County is more comfortable than most places in Texas. It has an annual best place index of 6 (where 10 is the best) compared to the U.S. 7.8.

Soils in Loving County

Although the region is known for its 671 sq mi flat desert topography, it has a variety of soils. These include clays, chalk, loam, and besides the river, we have sand-supported desert shrubs, range grasses, cacti, and salt cedars.

County Wildlife

The County’s wildlife is plentiful. They include turtles, brine shrimp, killifish, rattlesnake, raccoons, opossums, skunks, armadillos, coyotes, bobcats, rabbits, javelinas, badgers, deer, quail, and waterfowl.

Loving County Towns

The region has six towns that include Hay flat, Juanita, Mentone, Porterville, Ramsey, and woody. Apart from Mentone, all the others are ghost towns.

Mentone lies seventy-five miles on the western side of Odessa, on the southwestern part of Loving County. The town is unincorporated and census-designated with a current population of 29 residents.

Race and Hispanic Origin

This County’s population comprises Whites (94.7%), Black Americans (3.6%), American Indian and Alaska Natives (0.6%), Asians (1.2%), and Hispanic or Latino (13.6%).

County Economy

Loving County has a median household income of $83,750. As per the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau report, the highest median household income of the County is Census Tract 9501, valuing $83,750.

The average income for females in Loving County is $49 245, while their male counterparts are 1.4 times higher ($68,707).

Thirty-three people earn a living from the County’s economy. The biggest employers include 12 people who work in the Wholesale Trade, 6 people in Rental & Leasing and Real Estate, 9 in the Oil & Gas Extraction, Quarrying, and Mining industries.

The highest paying industries are the Oil & Gas Extraction with $101,875 while Hunting & Fishing, Forestry, and Agriculture are second with $84, 583.

County Unemployment Rate

According to the United States Federal Reserve report, the County had an unemployment rate of 1.10% by September 2021. The region had the highest unemployment rate of 16.30% in 1999, while the lowest was in 1990 with 0.00.

The recent job growth of this County has been negative. Meaning the jobs have decreased. They have declined by 2.1%, while the average salary is $65,625.

County Offices

The County government of Loving County serves its citizens through the following offices.

County Judge: The Honorable Skeet Lee Jones is the officer in charge in this office. The physical address of this office is Courthouse, 100 Bell St. for any inquiries, contact the Judge through Phone: (432) 309 9500 Ext 5 or fax to 432-789-2194. You can also mail the office via Box 193, Mentone, Texas 79754.

County Attorney: The administrator of this office is Steve Simonsen. You can reach out for help from the office through P.O. Box 351 Mentone, TX 79754, Phone: (432) 309-9500 Ext. 7, or Fax: (432) 789 2194.

County Clerk: Mozelle Carr is Loving’s Clerk. You can contact the office through P.O. Box 194 Mentone, Texas 79754, Phone (432) 309 9500 Ext. 6, or Fax 432-789-2194.

County Treasurer: The office boss is Regina Wilkinson. You can reach out for help via Box 133 Mentone, TX 79754, Phone (432) 309-9500 Ext. 9, and Fax 432-789-2193.

Justice of the Peace: The head of this office is Judge Amber M. King. You can contact her through  P.O. Box 216114 W Collins Ave Mentone TX 79754,  Tel: 432-286-9544, or  Fax: 432-789-2196.

County Constable: Brandon W. Jones is the head of this office. You can reach the official through P.O. Box 217 Mentone TX 79754, office: 432-309-9500 Ext. 4, or cell: 432-215-0101.

Office of the Sheriff: The office administrator is Chris H. Busse. Use P.O. Box 104 Mentone, TX 79754, Phone: (432) 377-2411, Fax 432-897-1144.

County Auditor: The official in charge is Ellen Friar. Contact the office through Box 375 Mentone, Texas 79754, Phone (432) 309 9500 Ext 8, or Fax 432-789-2193.

County Tax Assessor-Collector: Sheriff Chris H Busse presides over the operations of this office. You can access the office via P.O. Box 365 114 W Collins Ave Mentone, TX 79754, Phone (432) 309 9292.

Chief Appraiser: Sherlene Burrows, RPA, RTA, CTA, is the administrative officer in this office. Contact details include P.O. Box 352 114 W. Collins Mentone, Tx 79754, Phone (432) 377 2201, Fax: 432-253-3622.

Water District: The water coordinator in Loving County is Josh Fitzwater. You can reach the office by calling 432-309-9500 x 1050. In case of an emergency, dial 432-236-3155.

Commissioners Court

Four commissioners serve in this court. These include  Harlan Hopper- Commissioner Precinct1(Box 121 Mentone, Texas 79754, Phone (432) 377-2261), Ysidro “Joe” Renteria- Commissioner Precinct 2 (Box 162 Mentone, Texas 79754, Phone (432) 448-5090), Raymond M. King –  Commissioner Precinct 3 (Box 118 Mentone, Texas 79754,  Phone (432) 940-3691), and Email Commissioner King), and Brad Cook- Commissioner Precinct 4 (Box 163 Mentone, Texas 79754, Phone (432) 209-2067, Email Commissioner Cook). You can also fax the office through Fax: 432-789-2194.