Somervell

Somervell County

Updated on: January 11, 2022
Coordinates
32 13' 12" N, 97 46' 12" W (32.22, -97.77)
State
Texas
Region
North Central
County Seat:
Glen Rose
Year Organized:
1875
Total Square Miles:
191.954
186 square miles (480 km2) land
5.5 square miles (14 km2) water
Population:
8845 (2017)
Population: 8,775 est. (2016) 8,490 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
46
Somervell County Website
http://www.somervell.co/

Contiguous Counties

Hood (N)
Johnson (E)
Bosque (S)
Erath (W)

Somervell County Town List

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
8845
25 to 64 Years of Age:
50.94%
65 Years of Age and Older:
18.91%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$1.2 B
Labor Force:
4,287
Unemployment Rate:
4.20%

County Contact

PO Box 1098
County Courthosue
Glen Rose, TX, 76043-1098

http://www.glenrose.org/

The US Congress passed legislation that founded Somervell County in 1875. The County, located on the Edwards plateau in Texas State, boasts Glen Rose as its largest city. 

Still, the Congress picked Glen Rose to serve as the Somervell County seat. The County has an area of 192 square miles or 500 square kilometers. 

According to the 2020 US censor, Somervell recorded an estimated 9226 inhabitants. It’s a growth of 1.07% from the previous year’s count. 

Interestingly, historians uncovered evidence showing that Dinosaurs inhabited this area and roomed freely 100 million years ago. It is a County that enjoys a rich cultural and historical past, and you’ll find lots of attraction centers to visit. 

Geography of Somerville County, Texas 

Located in north-central Texas, Somervell County is bisected by US Highway 67 and State Highway 144. It covers an estimated 192 square miles making it the second-smallest among the Texas Counties. 

Somervell County’s largest town and County seat, Glen Rose, features fifty miles southwest of Fort-Worth. At the same time, the County’s center lies at 37°14′ North latitude and 97°7′ West longitude. 

Additionally, the Eastern part of the County lies in the Grande Prairie region. At the same time, the western area is in the Cross Timbers. 

Primarily, the soil type consists of shallow and clayey soils in limestones. Also, loamy and alluvial soil abound, more so in river beds. 

Land usage is basically on range and pasture, with the most significant mineral resources being brick clay, road material, limestone, and a little natural gas. 

Significantly, the terrain remains generally rough, with numerous outcropping of limestone dominating it.  

History of Somervell County, Texas 

Historians trace the Tonkawas as the first significant tribe that settled in this area. Still, Historians believe they found archeological artifacts that point to the fact that dinosaurs roamed this area 100 million years ago. 

The Apaches and Comanches remain the other groups that periodically came into the area. More importantly, an Anglo settler called Charles E. Benard came in 1840 and established an Indian trading post in the area, spurring settlements. 

Charles came with his brother George, and people named George’s Creek after him. In 1860, another significant event occurred, the Benard’s Mill construction. It was the first building at the site, which we currently call Glen Rose.  

Today, the mill still stands in Glen Rose and is considered one of its leading historical sites by the government. 

In the 1850s and early 1860s, the Benard mill settlement remained part of Johnson County. 

In 1866, the authorities hived off the area from Johnson County to establish a new County; Hood County.  

The new County, Hood, continued to blossom until residents in the southern Hood and the northern Bosque petitioned the government for a new County. They argued the government had separated their areas from the seat of power and the market. 

In 1875, the authorities curved a new County entirely from Hood and named it Alexander Somervell in response. Alexander Somervell is honored for leading an expedition to Mexico under the Republic of Texas. 

Also, the authorities named Glen Rose, the County government seat of Somervell. 

Somervell County Offices, Texas  

The County Government of Somervell comprises several County offices staffed by males and females of the highest ethic and professional integrity. The County offices meant to provide services to the County’s residents include, among others, the County Judge, the Commissioners Court, Attorney, Tax collector, Treasurer, Auditor, and the Sheriff. 

Dany L. Chambers presides over as the Somervell County Judge. He remains the chief administrator of the County Government. Residents can reach out to him using his number: 254-897-7314. 

Dany L Chambers, the County Judge Chairs the Commissioner of Courts that consists of four other members; 

Jeff Harris occupies the office of the Precinct 1 Commissioner in Somervell County. People can reach him via the phone: 254-897-2206. 

Dawyne Johnson sits as the Precinct 2 Commissioner in the County. Residents can reach him via the phone: 254-897-2206. 

Tommy Ray sits as the Precinct 3 Commissioner in the County. Somervell residents may reach her via her phone:254-897-2206. 

Wade Busch occupies the office of the Precinct 4 Commissioner. Residents can reach him using his phone:254-897-2206. 

Andrew Lucas presides over as the Somervell County Attorney. County citizens can reach him using the phone: 254-897-2600. 

April Campos occupies the office of the County Tax Collector. County residents can reach her via her phone: 254-897-2419. 

Susanne Graves presides over as the Somervell County Treasurer. Residents can readily reach her using her phone: 254-897-4814. 

Nikki Weedon sits as the County Auditor. People can reach Nikki using the phone: 254-897-2923. 

Alan West reigns supreme in the office of the County Sheriff. People can reach out to him using the phone: 254-897-2242.  

The economy Somervell County, Texas 

The economy of Somervell remains relatively stable compared to the average of other US regions. The unemployment rate is a critical economic indicator at 6.7% to the US average at 6.0%. 

The job market increased by 2.7%. Also, the ten-year job growth projection stands at 35.7% to the US average of 33.5% over the same period. 

Additionally, the annual average income of residents stands at $26,708 county residents to the US average of $28,555. 

More importantly, the best performing economic sectors remain mining, quarrying, oil-gas extraction, construction, manufacturing, retail trade, transportation, utilities, healthcare services, education, and accommodation and food services. 

Cost of Living in Somervell County, Texas 

Living costs in Somervell County remain relatively higher to other parts of Texas and the larger USA. The living cost index, recorded at 105.8% to the average US figure of 100%, confirms this state of affairs. 

Only utilities will cost you less in Somervell to other parts of Texas and the US. Otherwise, expect to pay more for grocery, healthcare, housing, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.  

Education in Somervell County, Texas 

Education in Somervell County is an expensive endeavor. As a parent, you’ll spend an annual average of $19,845 for your child compared to the US yearly average of $12,383 per pupil. 

The County also provides: 

  • One teacher for every 13
  • A librarian for every 450
  • A counselor for 347

Commuting in Somervell County, Texas 

Generally, the commute time in the US has gotten longer since 2010. The average one-way commute takes 28.3 minutes from Somervell County to the US average of 26.4 minutes. 

How People Get to Work in Somervell County 

  • 9%- Drive their cars alone
  • 0% -Carpool with others
  • 4%-Work at home
  • 3%- Use mass transport

Attraction Centers and Places to Visit in Somervell County 

Attraction centers abound in Somervell County. Glen Rose has it all. You may go hunting for dinosaur footprints left 100 million years ago in the County or opt to play golf around the Squaw Valley. 

Also, you visit the Fossil rim wildlife center, among these significant attraction centers found in Somervell County; 

  • Big rock park
  • Creation evidence museum of Texas
  • Dinosaur valley state park
  • Dinosaur World Texas
  • Eagle eye ranch carriage company
  • Fossil rim wildlife center
  • Historic walking tour
  • Glen Rose historic courthouse square
  • Somervell county expo center
  • Somervell county museum
  • Square valley golf club
  • The promise
  • Wheeler branch park