Upshur County
- Coordinates
- 32 43' 48"N, 94 56' 24" W (32.73, -94.94)
- State
- Texas
- Region
- Northeast
- County Seat:
- Gilmer
- Year Organized:
- 1846
- Total Square Miles:
-
592.599
583 square miles (1,510 km2) land
9.7 square miles (25 km2) water - Population:
-
41281 (2017)
Population: 40,969 est. (2016) 39,309 (2010) - Persons/Square Mile:
- 70
- Upshur County Website
- http://www.countyofupshur.com/
Contiguous Counties
Camp (N)Morris (NE)
Marion (E)
Harrison (SE)
Gregg (S)
Smith (SW)
Wood (W)
Upshur County Offices
County structure
- Government Type:
- County
- Authority:
- Dillon's Rule
- Legislative Body:
- Commisioners Court
- Size of Legislative Body:
- 5
Demographics
- 2018 Population:
- 41281
- 25 to 64 Years of Age:
- 50.30%
- 65 Years of Age and Older:
- 18.36%
Economy, 2018
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
- $845.2 M
- Labor Force:
- 17,841
- Unemployment Rate:
- 4.20%
Attractions in Upshur County, Texas
Lake Fork State Park – located just outside of town off Highway 87 has an abundance of wildlife and scenic beauty.
Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area – a large tract of open space located between Gilmer and Longview, offers excellent bird watching and deer viewing.
Longview National Fish Hatchery – one of the largest hatcheries in the country provides fish food for local residents and visitors alike.
Gilmer Historical Museum – located downtown, Gilmerc contains exhibits about life during the early days of Upshur County.
Museum of East Texas History – located in Longview features to display the region’s past.
Texas Heritage Center – located in Kilgore displays items related to the state’s heritage.
Lake Gladewater – this attraction consists of two dams and three reservoirs and visitors can take boat rides across the waterway.
Cities in Upshur County, Texas
There are five main cities in this county:
Gilmer – it is the county seat and contains the historical museum mentioned above( Gilmer Historical Museum.) The town is among the oldest settlements in Texas.
Big Sandy – it is a small community located north of Gilmer. It features a few restaurants, shops and you can also go horseback riding and swimming at the beach.
Ore City – this city is known for having the world’s longest covered bridge. This structure spans the Little Elm Bayou and is a tourist destination.
East Mountain City – has a population of over 2,000 people. It is best known for its annual rodeo held every July 4th weekend.
Union Grove – this city is home to Union College. It is named after the college president who founded the school.
The cities above have plenty of opportunities for business, nature, and culture. They offer something for everyone!
Economic Activities in Upshur County, Texas
There are three main economic activities in Upshur County. Agriculture, mining, and tourism
Many farmers in Upshur County practice agriculture. There are more than 100 farms within the county.
Most of them produce corn, wheat, cotton, soybeans, hay, cattle, and sheep. Farming is very important to the economy of Upshur County. Farmers sell their products to grocery stores, feed mills, oil companies, etc. Modern farming practices help increase crop yields.
Mining is another key industry. In fact, four mines are operating in the county. Two of them are coal mines. Coal is used as fuel for electricity generation. The other two mines extract limestone, which is used to make cement. Cement production helps support the construction sector of the economy.
Tourism plays a major role in the Upshur county economy. People come to see the beautiful scenery and natural resources found in the county. Tourists spend money visiting hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, resorts, spas, golf courses, wineries, art galleries, antique malls, shopping centers, etc.
Financial Transparency
Finances are key to the development of Upshur county, and transparency is essential. Transparency means that all financial information should be available to anyone who wants to know.
Financial data includes but is not limited to: budgets, expenditures, revenues, assets, liabilities, equity, profit/loss statements, balance sheets, income statements, cash flow analysis, debt rating, credit ratings, shareholder reports, etc.
All these numbers allow investors, businesses, or individuals to understand how well an organization is doing financially. For example, if you want to invest your savings into a company, you need to analyze whether the return on investment will exceed the risk taken.
If so, then you may decide to put your hard-earned money into that particular project. On the contrary, if the risks outweigh the returns, you may choose to keep your money under the mattress. Transparent finances lead to better decision-making during times of uncertainty.
Upshur County Offices
Todd Tefteller supervises the County Judge’s office. He ensures that the county operates efficiently and effectively while maintaining a high level of service to citizens. Contact the office at 903-843-4003.
County Auditor’s office is under Connie Williams. He handles audit records for county departments. Contact them at 903-843-4001.
County Clerk’s office is under Terri Ross. It handles various records in the county. Contact them at 903-843-4015.
The community Supervision office is under Trace Hudgins. Contact the office at 903-843-3006.
Juvenile Probation is under William McGee. he can be contacted at 903-843-4007.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Upshur county is one of the best counties to live and raise a family. It has beautiful scenery, great schools, good health care facilities, low crime rates, and many other things that make it an excellent place for families to call home. Plus, it has some of the most friendly people you will ever meet! If you are looking for a new home or just want to visit this area, I highly recommend visiting Upshur.