Runnels

Runnels County

Updated on: January 11, 2022
Coordinates
31 49' 48" N, 99 58' 12" W (31.83, -99.97)
State
Texas
Region
Central West
County Seat:
Ballinger
Year Organized:
1858
Total Square Miles:
1057.096
1,051 square miles (2,720 km2) land
6.2 square miles (16 km2) water
Population:
10266 (2017)
Population: 10,501 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
10
Runnels County Website
http://www.co.runnels.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Taylor (N)
Coleman (E)
Concho (S)
Tom Green (SW)
Coke (W)
Nolan (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
10266
25 to 64 Years of Age:
48.59%
65 Years of Age and Older:
20.77%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$303.8 M
Labor Force:
4,628
Unemployment Rate:
3.10%

County Contact

600 Courthouse Square
County Courthouse
Ballinger, TX, 76821-5727

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

Runnels County in Texas is named for former Mississippi governor and Texas state legislator Hiram G. Runnels. It is found in the state’s westernmost corner. It lies to the NorthWest of Austin, close to 200 miles, and only 225 miles separate Dallas from Ballinger. Ballinger is both the county capital and the largest city in the county.

The center of the county seat is located at latitude 31°45′ N and longitude 99°58′ W. South-central Runnels County has a tiny piece of the Edwards Plateau. Wide, undulating plains cover more than a thousand square kilometers throughout the county.

Topography

Moro Mountain sits in the North-eastern part of the county and is the highest point in the county. The county’s elevation lies between 1,650 to 2,350 ft above sea level on average and runs from North to South across the southern section of the county.

At the Concho River’s mouth, it comes to a halt. Mustang, Oak, Elm, and Valley streams are just a few of the many that originate in the county’s northern section and make their way south to the Colorado River. Pony, Redbank, and Mule creeks may all be seen on the southern part of the county and end at the Concho River. A plethora of spring-fed streams bolster the area’s water supply.

Ground Cover

Three-quarters of Runnels County’s land is suitable for agricultural use. Liquid earth, red beds, or even limestone beds lie beneath the black waxy, sandy, loamy soil. These objects are buried under a layer of shallow to somewhat deep dirt. Earthy top layers and clayey bottom layers can be found in some soils. Bricks may be made from the clay, and the adjacent cities have reaped the benefits of the enormous limestone reserves.

A mesquite savanna covers the majority of the county’s topography. Shin oak, cedar, and post oak are among the other trees. Near streams, willow, hackberry, walnut, and pecan trees abound. A variety of grasses, including buffalo grass, purple triple-awn, and foxtails, may be found in the surrounding grasslands. Wet areas and rocks are good places to find Little Bluestem and other bunch grasses. A wide variety of wildflowers may be found all around the world. Clay, which may be used to produce bricks, and oil and gas are two examples of mineral resources in the area.

Climate

Its subtropical weather is characterized by mild winters and humid summers, ranging from 34° to 96° F. From March 30 to November 13, the typical growing season lasts 228 days. The last freeze occurs on March 30, and the first freeze on November 13 of each year.

The strongest winds, which are commonly associated with cold fronts, come not from where most of the wind is blowing, but from the other direction, north of where most of it is blowing. Two-thirds of the rain falls between April and September, averaging twenty-two inches.

Places of Interest

Runnels County Veterans Memorial

A monument honors Runnels County residents who served in the military and is located in front of the courthouse. Seven stones make up the monument. The primary component of the memorial has information about the memorial, while the two following pieces contain the names of those who perished in the battle.

The four final stones are inscribed with the terms of Runnels County residents who have served in the military. About 1,550 names are engraved on the memorial, and there is the capacity for another 700 names; donations helped build the memorial.

Runnels County Courthouse

Charles Willingham erected a stone,three-story home on the south bank of the Colorado River. The history of the building started on October 1, 1888 when the construction began. For $29,015, it was completed in October 1889. This three-story structure served the county well when it was constructed in 1889 and stood until 1941.

After realizing the need for extra room, a two-story wing was added to the courthouse on either side because of the remodeling. Inside, a new elevator has been installed as part of the building’s extensive renovations. The same quarry that was used for the stone in 1888 was leveraged for renovations.

Runnels County, Texas, contains one of the state’s largest courthouse plazas. A huge annual event, the state’s most famous ethnic festival, draws visitors from all around the state.

The Pioneer Plaza

The Pioneer Plaza was one of Ballinger’s ideas for the Bicentennial. Runnels County Courthouse is only a few blocks away from Ballinger’s Town Square. The plaza attracts a lot of tourists, featuring a gazebo, seats, and trees. During the evenings, a fountain nearby is illuminated. It has been meticulously restored to resemble the one from the 1907 era.

County Administration and Offices

The county judge handles County Government Courts and other legal affairs related to County Government Courts. The Runnels County Judge also governs local companies, and county government courts as they may also operate enterprises outside of Ballinger.

Runnels County judge is Julia Miller, and the physical address is 613 Hutchings Avenue, Room 103, Ballinger, TX 76821. The email is [email protected] or through phone at 325-365-2633 and Fax 325-365-3408

It is up to the county commissioner to make policy and budget choices regarding local transportation infrastructure. A quarter of the county’s people vote for four commissioners to serve their district each year.

They work closely with the county judge to ensure that the commissioners’ court is impartial and accomplishes the correct thing. It determines the county’s budget and tax rate, appoints new members to the board of commissioners, fills vacancies in elected and set posts, determines compensation and benefits, and signs contracts. Carl King heads Precinct 1, and the physical address to the office is 13802 US HWY 83 SOUTH, Ballinger, TX 76821

Phone: 325-365-3615, email  [email protected]. Precinct 2 Commissioner is Ronald Presley, and the address to the office is 401 CR 341, Winters, TX 79567. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 325-754-4025. Fax: 325-754-4405.

Brandon Poehls is Precinct 3 Commissioner, and the physical address is 1525 State Hwy 153, PO Box 222 Wingate, Texas 79566. He’s available through phone at 325-743-2566 or via email at [email protected]. Precinct 4 Commissioner is Juan Ornelas, and their address is P. O. Box 272, Miles, TX 76861. Through phone, he is available at 325-468-2551 or email [email protected].

If you need help settling an estate, you may need a probate clerk, often known as a courtroom officer educated in probate and estate administration. After a year on the job, a new probate clerk is appointed in the county.

Probate clerks labor nonstop for the most part. A point worth noting is that there are no probate judges in Runnels County, Texas. Hence, no probate clerks have the same authority as a judge. The probate clerk is available through the office line (325) 365-2720.