Sutton

Sutton County

Updated on: January 14, 2022
Coordinates
30 30' 0" N, 100 32' 24" W (30.5, -100.54)
State
Texas
Region
Central West
County Seat:
Sonora
Year Organized:
1887
Total Square Miles:
1454.419
1,454 square miles (3,770 km2) land
0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) water
Population:
3767 (2017)
Population: 3,869 est. (2016) 4,128 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
3
Sutton County Website
http://www.co.sutton.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Schleicher (N)
Kimble (E)
Edwards (S)
Val Verde (SW)
Crockett (W)
Menard (NE)

Sutton County Town List

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
3767
25 to 64 Years of Age:
50.08%
65 Years of Age and Older:
18.36%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$489.5 M
Labor Force:
1,469
Unemployment Rate:
3.80%

County Contact

300 E Oak St Ste 3
County Courthouse
Sonora, TX, 76950-2672

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

Congress established Sutton County in 1887 and organized it in 1890. Also, Congress named the County for John S.Sutton, a confederate army officer. 

Sutton County, located on Edward’s plateau in west Texas, covers 3770 square kilometers. 

According to 2019 US census, Sutton County had an estimated 3776 inhabitants. It reflects an 8.5% decrease from the 2010 census, which placed Sutton County’s population at 4128 people. 

The County seat is Sonora. Other significant towns in Sutton County include Camp Allison, Owensville, Wentworth, and Winkler’s Well. 

Geography of Sutton County, Texas 

Its located 135 miles northwest of San Antonio and 70 miles south of San Angelo. Also, the County borders a total of six neighbors, namely; 

  • Edwards County
  • Crockett County
  • Val Verde County
  • Kimble County
  • Menard County
  • Schleicher County.

Its located at an altitude of 2287 feet above sea level. Significantly, Sutton County’s soil is shallow and stony. However, you’ll find deep loam soil along watercourses. 

The major Highways in the County are Interstate 10 and the US Highway 277. 

A variety of game animals and predators freely roam the region. The likes of buffalos, antelopes, deers, quails, doves, wild turkeys, plovers, coyotes, wolves, and bobcats are prominent in Sutton County. 

History of Sutton County, Texas 

The Lipan Apache moved into the region, forcing the Tonkawas to central Texas. Initially, the Tonkawas roamed the area, conducting hunting and gathering activities. The Tonkawas was the group that first moved and settled into the Eastern plateau.  

The Comanches moved into the area in the mid-nineteenth century. Thus, bringing about a high competition for resources among the groups that had settled there. 

In 1852, the White settlers led by Lt.Col Henry Bainbridge built Fort Terrett to protect themselves from the fierce Comanches. They named the fortress after Lt.John Torrett, a soldier who perished in the Monterrey war. 

However, In 1870, the Anglo Americans started moving into the region. Their primary attraction was the availability of water along the Devils River. They drew ranches and took over the uninhabited land west of the plateau. 

In 1885, a Fort McKevett rancher found Sonora, Texas. He picked the name from a family servant from Sonora, Mexico. 

The increase in population made the Texas Legislature create Sutton County, carving it out of Eastern Crockett County. After, the legislature named the County for John S.Sutton. 

Sutton County Offices, Texas 

Sutton County government offers critical services to residents. To successfully achieve that goal, the County government established offices like County Judge, Commissioners Court, Auditor, Clerk, Sheriff, Tax Collector, and Treasurer. 

Rachel Chavez Duran reigns supreme as the County Judge in Sutton County. She remains the County Chief Administrator. Residents can reach her at 325-387-2711. 

Judge Rachel Chavez Duran chairs the Commissioners Court that has four other members. Additionally, the court serves as the top-level decision-making organ of the County. 

Lee C. Bloodworth serves as Commissioner Precinct 1 in Sutton County. Residents can reach him on the phone at 325-650-3674. 

Bob Brockman sits as the Commissioner Precinct 2. People may reach him via his phone:325-387-3370. 

Carl Teaff occupies the office of the Commissioner Precinct 3. Residents can reach out to him on 325-387-2773. 

Fred Perez sits as the Commissioner Precinct 4. Citizens can readily reach him on the phone: 325-387-4125. 

Maura Weingart occupies the office of the County Auditor. She ensures that all financial records are scrutinized and authenticated for propriety. People can reach her on the phone at 325-387-5380. 

Pam Thorp remains the County Clerk in Sutton County. People may reach her using her at 325-387-3815. 

Kathy Sanchez Marshall occupies the office of the County Tax Assessor/Collector. People can contact her on 325-387-2031. 

Oscar Chavez reigns supreme as the County Sheriff. Residents can reach him on the phone: 325-387-5245. 

Janell Martin sits as the County Treasurer in Sutton County. Residents can Janell through the phone at 325-387-2886. 

The Economy of Sutton County, Texas 

Sutton economy is not currently performing at its best. The unemployment rate stands at 10.3% to the US average of 6.0%. 

The employed population in Sutton County stood at 1752 in 2019. It reflects a decline of 9.6% of the working population from 2018. 

Additionally, the per capita income of residents in Sutton County in the past year stands at $26,904 while persons living in poverty are 11.7%. 

Types of workers in Sutton County ; 

  • Public sector-74%
  • Private sector-15%
  • Self-employment-10%
  • Family work (unpaid)-1%

The best performing economic sectors in Sutton County; 

  • The Mining industry
  • Farming and animal husbandry
  • Gas and oil industry
  • Hotels and hospitality.

Cost of Living in Sutton County, Texas 

The cost of living in Sutton County remains relatively cheaper to other US regions. Sutton’s cost of living index is 79.3%. 

 However, Healthcare services and utilities are expensive than in most other areas of the US.  

Education in Sutton County, Texas 

Education is relatively expensive in Sutton County to the average US cost. As a parent, you’ll spend $14,686 yearly for your child’s education compared to the US average of $12,383. 

Sutton County has five public schools making it one public school per square mile. Significantly, Sutton County ranks 23rd out of 254 Texas Counties in public schools per capita.  

The Weather Pattern in Sutton County, Texas 

October, April, and March remain the months with the most pleasant weather in Sutton County.   

Residents in Sutton enjoy hot and humid summers. Contrastingly, winters remain short, dry, windy, and cold.  

Temperatures vary from 34-94 degrees Fahrenheit and rarely reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Attraction Centers and Places to Visit in Sutton County, Texas 

Sutton County enjoys a famous cultural and historical heritage. As a visitor, you won’t lack places to visit.  

Furthermore, Sutton County boasts several exciting attraction centers like exhibition centers, museums, libraries, parks, Botanical gardens, religious sites, national parks, and historical sites.  

You may want to visit some of these attraction centers in Sutton County, Texas; 

  • Caverns of Sonora
  • Eaton hill nature center
  • Crockett County museum
  • Old ice house ranch museum
  • Fort mckavett state historic site
  • South Liana river state park.