Motley

Motley County

Updated on: January 10, 2022
Coordinates
34 4' 48" N, 100 47' 24" W (34.08, -100.79)
State
Texas
Region
Northwest
County Seat:
Matador
Year Organized:
1876
Total Square Miles:
989.81
990 square miles (2,600 km2) land
0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) water
Population:
1230 (2017)
Population: 1,160 est. (2016) 1,210 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
1
Motley County Website
http://www.co.motley.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Hall (N)
Cottle (E)
Dickens (S)
Floyd (W)
King (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
1230
25 to 64 Years of Age:
42.71%
65 Years of Age and Older:
30.31%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$41.5 M
Labor Force:
467
Unemployment Rate:
3.60%

County Contact

701 Dundee St
County Courthouse
Matador, TX, 79244-2040

http://www.motleycountytexas.us/

Motley County, Texas, was founded in 1981 and named for Junius William Mottley, who was a signer of the Texas declaration of independence. The county seat is Matador, the largest town in the county with a population of about 500 people. The county has an area of 989.56 square miles and a 2000 census population of about 1200 as per the U.S Census Bureau. 

Continue reading for more details about Motley County Texas  

History of Motley County Texas 

The early settlers began moving into the land that would become Motley County, Texas, in 1838, but it wasn’t until after the Civil War that the first permanent settlement took place. In 1871, there were only two counties in the state of Texas.  

That number grew to thirty-two by 1880 and then to sixty-five by 1890. At this time, the State Legislature split up all these new counties into smaller ones.  

Indian Comanches had been terrorizing the settlers since they arrived on the frontier. They attacked many settlements, including one at the mouth of the San Saba River. This attack led to the Battle of Plum Creek, where the Comanche forces defeated the Army troops. Afterward, the government gave the land to the settlers in the area. 

In 1879, the railroad came through the area and helped spur economic development. It also brought the need for a courthouse. A group of men met together and raised money to build a courthouse.  

Early settlers practiced subsistence farming and raising livestock. Some of them did some mining. There was no industry or commerce in the county until the 1950s, when oil was discovered near the county line. Today, there are still farms and ranches throughout the county. 

Attractions In Motley County 

When you visit Motley County for the first time, here are some things you see. 

Bob Wills Museum- Located in Bob Wills’ hometown of Gainesville, this museum is dedicated to his life and career. The museum includes exhibits about his childhood, music career, and later years. You can even take a tour of the home he lived in during his younger days. 

Comanchero Canyons Museum- If you enjoy history and art, you will love this museum in Fort Worth. It contains over 3,000 pieces of artwork from around the world. Many of the paintings depict scenes from the Old West. 

Fort Worth Stockyards- Located just outside of downtown Fort Worth, this stockyard is the oldest continuously operating stockyard in North America. It is open daily and offers tours. 

Caprock Canyons State Park- This park is located just south of the city limits of Canyon. It features hiking trails, campgrounds, and other activities. 

Canyon Lake State Park- Located north of Canyon, this park is known for its beautiful lakes, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. 

Canyon Lake Wildlife Management Area- Located just west of Canyon, this park provides access to fishing and camping. 

Motley County Offices 

If you want to get services or information from the county offices, you can find out where they are located by visiting their website. Here is a brief on how to contact them. 

The County Judge’s office is under Honorable James B. “Jim” Meador. You can contact the office at (806) 347-2334. 

D’anna Russell manages the County Clerk’s office. If you have a concern, call them at (806) 347-2621. 

The County Treasurer Office is another key office in the county. If you have issues with county finances, call Misty Jones at  (806) 347-2800. 

The County Attorney’s Office is under Tom Edwards. You can call them at 806-347-2333. 

The County Tax Assessor-Collector Office is under Ronda Miller. Their phone number is (806) 347-2252. 

Sheriff Robert Fisk supervises the Sheriff’s Office. You can contact them at (806) 347-2234 or call 911 in case of an emergency. 

The County Chief Appraiser office is under Jim Finley. Call them at  (806) 983-5256. 

The Justice of the Peace Office is under Chuck Ream. You can contact them at (806) 347-2204.  

Financial Transparency 

If you need financial transparency, you can check the details of the county budget online.  Here is how the county explores financial transparency. 

Budgets- The county has two budgets: one for operations and one for capital improvements. Both budgets include revenue sources such as property taxes, sales tax, fees, fines, court costs, etc. They also include salaries, benefits, equipment, supplies, etc. 

Reports- Both treasurer’s report and published annual reports detail all revenues and expenses. These reports are available online. 

Audits- Auditors perform audits every year to ensure the records’ accuracy and ensure everything is being done properly. 

Transparency- All public meetings are posted online so that citizens know what is happening. 

Public News and Notices 

The county government ensures that everyone knows about important events in the community. You can learn more about these events by visiting the official websites. You can visit the events calendar to find out when the next event occurs. 

Newsletters let you get updates on upcoming events and news. You can pick up your free copy at any of the county offices. You can also sign up for email alerts to stay informed. 

Notices- Important notices regarding changes in laws, regulations, and policies are sent to residents through mailings and emails. You can subscribe to receive notifications via text messages, e-mails, or voicemails. 

You can also view the notice board at the courthouse. This is where all notices are displayed. 

County Job Openings 

The county offers many job openings. You can get job opportunities on the county’s website with all guidelines listed. You can apply online or send in your resume. 

Some of the job openings include: 

  • Clerk/Court Reporter 
  • Court Records Custodian 
  • Custodian 
  • Deputy Clerk 
  • Driver 
  • Electronics Technician 
  • Finance Director 
  • Information Technology Coordinator 
  • Librarian 
  • Maintenance Supervisor 
  • Municipal Court 

Verdict 

If you want to move to Motley County, you need to find out more details about it. Some of the key things to consider are explained above. If you have more questions, feel free to ask. We hope this helped!