Shelby

Shelby County

Updated on: January 13, 2022
Coordinates
31° 47' 24" N, 94° 8' 24" W ( 31.79, -94.14)
State
Texas
Region
Central East
County Seat:
Center
Year Organized:
1836
Total Square Miles:
834.617
796 square miles (2,060 km2) land
39 square miles (100 km2) water
Population:
25513 (2017)
Population: 25,579 Est. (2016) 25,448 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
31
Shelby County Website
http://www.co.shelby.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Panola (N)
De Soto Parish, Louisiana (NE)
Sabine Parish, Louisiana (E)
San Augustine (S)
Nacogdoches (SW)
Rusk (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
25513
25 to 64 Years of Age:
48.54%
65 Years of Age and Older:
17.51%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$1.5 B
Labor Force:
11,089
Unemployment Rate:
4.30%

County Contact

200 San Augustine St Ste 6
County Courthouse
Center, TX, 75935-3959

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

It wasn’t until 1836 that Shelby officially became a County. They gave it that name for Isaac Shelby. Center is the official County seat. 

Other significant cities in Shelby County, Texas, include Tenaha, Timpson, Joaquin, and Huxley.  

The legislature named the County after Kentucky governor Isaack Shelby who fought in the American Revolution.  

Shelby County, Texas, boasts a total area of 835 square miles or 2163 square kilometers. Additionally, the 2021 US censor puts the total number of inhabitants in the County at 25208 

Shelby County has excellent geography, outstanding quality of life and remains the home to arguably, the world’s best airport. Besides, it boasts of a logistic infrastructure that remains unparalleled anywhere.  

Geography of Shelby County, Texas 

The County shares a border with Augustine and Sabine Counties in the south. In the West, it neighbors Rusk and Nacogdoches Counties. Similarly, in the north, it borders Panola County. 

Shelby County, located at the east boundary dividing Louisiana and Texas, thrived in large-scale agricultural production. Majorly, corn planting and livestock rearing took center stage. 

Additionally, the County’s transportation infrastructure depends on two Railroads. Timberrock railroad runs parallel to the US Highway 96 and the Union Pacific railroad along Highway 84. 

The area remains heavily forested and is home to various wood species like pine, cypress, and oak trees. Equally, the terrain varies from undulating to rolling, making for a sight to behold.  

Shelby County is 400 feet above sea level, and soil from sandy loam on the uplands to Dark-rich loam in the bottomlands. 

Shelby County has mineral resources such as coal, sand, oil, and gas.  

History of Shelby County, Texas 

Shelby County, Texas, enjoys a vibrant history. The Mexican government first organized it as Tenahaw Municipality. Also, Nashville, founded in 1824, remained its most famous town. 

In 1836, the Texas Republic Congress established Shelby County, naming it Isaac Shelby. Notably, Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky, was a hero of the American revolution. 

Significantly, the authorities renamed Nashville Shelbyville, and thus, Shelbyville became the County seat. However, in 1866, Congress moved the County seat to the city of the Center. 

The authorities designed a courthouse in Center City. Thus, it conducted all governments functions from this seat of power. 

In 1971, the Shelby County government added the Courthouse to the National registers of historic places. 

By 1984, the Courthouse still housed the activities of the County government.  

Shelby County Offices, Texas 

The Shelby County government comprises several County offices purposed to ensure its residents’ excellent services. These offices include the County Judge, Attorney, Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Auditor, and Sheriff. 

Allison Harbison reigns supreme as the Shelby County Judge. Residents may reach her at 936-598-3863. 

Judge Allison chairs the Commissioners Court that includes four other members: 

Roscoe McSwain occupies the Precinct 1 Commissioners office. You can reach Roscoe on 936-598-2667. 

Jimmy Lout sits as the Precinct 2 Commissioner. People can reach him at 936-591-2456. 

Stevie Smith Occupies the office of the Precinct 3 Commissioner. Residents can reach him at 936-591-4311. 

Tom Bellymyer sits as the Precinct 4 Commissioner. Citizens can contact him at 936-254-4571. 

Gary W.Rholes sits as the County Attorney. Residents can reach out to him via 936-598-6100. 

Jennifer Fountain occupies the office of the County Clerk. People may reach out to her via 936-598-6361.  

Ann Blackwell is the County Treasurer in Shelby County. County residents may reach her at 936-598-3581.  

Debora Riley remains the County Tax Collector. Citizens can contact her via:936-598-4441.  

Clint Porterfield sits as the County Auditor in Shelby County, Texas. County residents can contact Clint using the phone:936-598-3535. 

Kevin Windham is the County Sheriff in Shelby County. People can reach out to him using his phone: 936-598-5600. 

Cost of Living in Shelby County, Texas 

The cost of living in Shelby County remains relatively cheaper than in other US regions. Shelby County enjoys an overall cost of living index recorded at 77.4%. 

It means life in Shelby County, more so, grocery, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous remain affordable.  

The economy of Shelby County, Texas 

The Economy of Shelby County grew at a rate of 0.5% in the past year. Also, the ten-year job growth projection stands at a softer 14.1% compared to the average US growth rate of 33.5% over the same period.  

The Median earnings of residents in the County stand at $39623. Also, the civilian labour force is 53.8% of the population. The mean travel time is 25.5 minutes in a county with 18% of its population living in poverty. 

The economic sectors that thrive in Shelby County, Texas, remains; 

  • Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction
  • The Construction industry 
  • The Manufacturing industry 
  • Hotels and the hospitality industry.

Education in Shelby County, Texas 

Parents in Shelby County spend less on their children’s education than the US average. The average expenditure per pupil on education in Shelby County stands at $10,218 yearly to  $12,383, US average.  

The population of people with a high school education or higher stands at 68.7%. Still, residents who hold a Bachelors degree and higher remains 13.8%. 

Politics and Voting Patterns in Shelby County, Texas 

The politics in Shelby County heavily leans on the Republican party. The Shelby County voters have remained adherents of the Republican party for the past twenty years. 

In the last presidential election, the Republican candidate overwhelmingly won at 79.1% to the Democratic candidate’s 20.5%. Independents received a paltry 0.4% of the votes cast.  

Attraction Centers and Places to Visit in Shelby County, Texas 

Shelby County, Texas, boasts of rich culture and history. As a visitor or even a resident who wants to visit attraction places or engage in numerous activities, it’s the place to stay. 

You have an excellent opportunity to visit golf courses, historic courthouses, national forests and engage in scenic drives.  

Here is a sample of the tourist attraction centers in Shelby County, Texas; 

  • Couper lake fishing
  • Meadowbrook golf course
  • Wako lake trail
  • Black Mustang Ranch
  • Big bend ranch state park trails
  • Guadalupe mountains campings
  • Joe pool lake boating
  • Sam Rayburn wildlife viewing