Randall

Randall County

Updated on: January 11, 2022
Coordinates
34 58' 12" N, 101 54' 0" W (34.97, -101.9)
State
Texas
Region
Panhandle
County Seat:
Canyon
Year Organized:
1876
Total Square Miles:
922.429
912 square miles (2,360 km2) land
11 square miles (28 km2) water
Population:
134442 (2017)
Population: Est. 134,442 (2017) 120,725 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
146
Randall County Website
http://randallcounty.com/

Contiguous Counties

Potter (N)
Oldham (NW)
Armstrong (E)
Carson (NE)
Swisher (S)
Briscoe (SE)
Castro (SW)
Deaf Smith (W)

Randall County Town List

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
134442
25 to 64 Years of Age:
51.17%
65 Years of Age and Older:
15.07%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$3.5 B
Labor Force:
71,375
Unemployment Rate:
2.60%

County Contact

501 16th Street, Suite 304
County Courthouse
Canyon, TX, 79015-3823

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

Statewide, Randall County lies in the middle of the Panhandle. Its borders include Potter County in the north, and in the NorthWestern part lies Oldham. Canyon town is the county’s seat of government.  

The county was established in 1889, following its formation in 1876. The community takes its name after a Confederate brigadier general who was among the casualties in the Battle of Jenkins Ferry. The county also boasts of owning Palo Duro Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the US.  

Geographical Location 

The county center is located at the intersection of latitude 34°57′ N and longitude 101°54′ W. There are now 922 square miles of land in Randall County, Texas. Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River and two minor streams border the county. A wide range of canyon heights may be found between 3,000 and 3,800 feet above sea level. Rain falls an average of 20.16 times each year.  

A low of 23 degrees Fahrenheit is recorded in January, and a high of 92 degrees Fahrenheit occurs in July. The typical growing season is 195 days long. Easy-to-work Amarillo silty clay loam makes for a versatile soil that can support various crops.  

Buffalos and antelopes roamed freely through this area before humans arrived, thanks to its short grass and sparse tree covers, such as cedar and cottonwood trees. The Palo Duro and Cita canyons also contain fossilized remains of prehistoric creatures. 

History of Randall County 

The county’s primary source of wealth has traditionally been cattle ranching. By 1900, there were 35,000 registered Hereford cattle in the United States, and fences replaced the wide range. In agriculture, growth was slower. It wasn’t until 1888 that alfalfa was introduced as an early crop. In 1900, just 8,278 acres of land were devoted to cultivation. 

Advancements greatly influenced Randall County’s growth in transportation at the beginning of the century. From Amarillo, Pecos and Northern Texas Railway traversed the county and went to the western part of Texas in 1898. The Santa Fe Railway constructed the Llano Estacado Railway from Floydado to Canyon in 1910. This factor saw Randall County’s population grow by more than 300% between 1900 and 1910 to close to 3,312 persons. 

Putting into account the increased irrigation and government initiatives like the Civilian Conservation Corps, Randall County has weathered the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years. In the 1940s, a lot of people lived and worked there. Cattle and wheat occupied most of the land in the countryside, although farming was still essential to the economy. 

There haven’t been any significant mineral discoveries in the county. There were just a few manufacturing jobs in the county when it was last counted in 2000. 

Places to Visit 

Randall County Courthouse 

Canyon, the county seat of Randall County, was formerly the center of the Llano Estacado, the epicenter of Panhandle cowboy culture and the birthplace of great ranchers like Charles Goodnight, who founded the Goodnight Ranch. The 1980s-era Randall County courthouse has been transformed into a Wal-Mart in its current incarnation. At least three times in the last 30 years, Randall County’s historic courthouse has been threatened with destruction. 

New construction served as the setting for the event. It has a three-story high dome in the center of it. It is constructed of brick, stone, and clay. Heated by steam, it’s one of the most beautiful courthouses in the West and is exceptionally well-organized. Taking a closer look, it’s clear how dedicated the people of California’s most fabulous county are.  

One can see it from a distance in the center of the plaza. The enormous structure we’ve constructed in our county has awed visitors from other counties and states. They believe it indicates how swiftly we’ve progressed more than any other act as a country. Public buildings in this part of the state, and the entire Southland region, will benefit significantly from the addition of this beautiful, imposing, and enormous structure. 

Palo Duro Canyon State Park 

The second greatest canyon in the United States is located in Texas. The rugged beauty and fascinating history of Palo Duro Canyon State Park can only be experienced by visiting this park. 

You may travel into the canyon on foot, bike, horseback, or automobile to view it yourself. Trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding cover more than 30 km throughout the region. Camping, geocaching, animal research, and bird watching are viable options. Attend a performance of the Texas Outdoor Musical over the summer. 

Water and power are available at specific campgrounds. Tent, equestrian, and backpacker camping options are also available. There are three cottages and four Cow Camp huts at the foot of the canyon. One of our pavilions may be rented for weddings, reunions, and other events, such as company retreats. 

Randall County Offices 

Randall’s sheriff is an elected official responsible for ensuring that the county adheres to the law and maintains order. Sheriffs are responsible for the citizens of their county, their state’s constitution, the United States Constitution, and local laws. Sheriffs are police chiefs, but some have responsibility for groups that aren’t primarily involved in law enforcement. As part of their duties, many sheriffs are also responsible for the security of county prisons and local government facilities, which they manage. To contact the sheriff’s office, call 806-468-5800 or visit 9100 S Georgia, Amarillo, TX 79118. 

When it comes to governing counties in the United States, Randall County is currently using the system of the board of commissioners. A board of elected county commissioners oversees both the executive and legislative arms of government. In other words, they are in charge of making and enforcing local laws. Additionally, making and monitoring the budget, as well as the employment of new employees, are their responsibilities. Three to five persons are often on the commission. Supervisors are another term for this position. By phone, they may be contacted at 806-468-5650 in Amarillo, Texas. 

Randall’s County Housing Authority’s primary purpose is to aid people and families with financial constraints by providing them with secure, high-quality, and inexpensive public housing. They also connect them with programs that can assist with financial recovery. The Housing Authority oversees public housing in Randall County. Low and moderate-income families and disabled persons with disabilities are eligible for public housing assistance. They are located at 2617 8th Ave Canyon, TX 79015, and can be contacted via phone at 806-655-0673.