Val Verde County

Val Verde County Offices

Val Verde County Town List

The Texas Congress founded Val Verde County in 1885. Also, Congress located the County in the southern Edward plateau. Notably, the legislature named the County Val Verde “Green Valley” for the American Civil War battle.  

The largest city, Del Rio, became the official County seat. Also, the County’s location is in the Del Rio, Texas metropolitan area. 

It covers an estimated area of 3233 square miles or 8370 square kilometers. Additionally, the 2020 US population censors put the number of inhabitants in the County at 49025. 

Geography of Val Verde County, Texas 

Val Verde’s location is southwestern Texas, along the Mexican border. A section of the County extends west of Pecos River. However, two-thirds remain in the Edwards Plateau. 

Del Rio, the County seat of power, is 154 miles west of San Antonio. Its center is at 29⁰58’ North latitude and 101⁰09’ West longitude. Additionally, it comprises 3150 square miles of limestone, defining its geographical terrain. 

Still, soils are dark stony clays and clay loam with aquifers in the vast limestone formations supplying fresh water in the County.  

Vegetation in the western and central parts of Val Verde County includes desert shrub savanna. Conversely, the eastern parts consist of Juniper, Oak, and Mesquite Savanna. 

Elevation in the County ranges from a low of 2248 feet to 2925 feet above sea level. At the same time, temperatures range from 35 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 97 degrees Fahrenheit in July. 

More importantly, the growing season extends to 300 days making the County an excellent place to conduct agricultural activities. 

History of Val Verde County, Texas 

The first people to settle in Val Verde lived in rock shelters and caves of the Lower Pecos Canyon District 10000 years ago. 

In 1535, Spaniards passed through the future Val Verde, but they didn’t settle in the area. The subsequent settlers included Lipan Apaches, Tomaulipans, Coahuiltecans, and Jumanos. Later the Comanches joined the fray. 

In 1834, James Grant and John Charles Beales founded a settlement on San Felipe Creek. The area settlement didn’t succeed due to constant Indian attacks. Thus, in 1850,  the European settlers built a military base designed to help subdue the Indian aggression.  

Still, in 1868, the San Felipe Del Rio community came into existence in the area. And in 1885, the legislature organized the County of Val Verde.  

Val Verde County Offices, Texas 

Val Verde County offices comprise the office of the County Judge, Commissioners Court, Clerk, Auditor, Treasurer, Tax Collector, and the Sheriff, among others. These offices work in coordination to ensure County residents get top-level services. As such, top professionals work in these offices. 

Lewis Owens reigns supreme as the County Judge in Val Verde County, Texas. Residents seeking his services can contact him using the phone: 830-774-7501. 

Additionally, Judge Lewis Owens chairs the Commissioners Court that serves as the County governing board. Four other members sit with him in the Court. 

Martin Wardlaw serves as Commissioner Precinct 1 in Val Verde County. Residents can reach him via the phone: 830-774-7501.  

Juan Carlos Vazquez sits as Commissioner Precinct 2 in the County. People can contact him via his phone: 830-774-7656. 

Robert Beau Nettleton occupies the office of Commissioner Precinct 3. Residents can reach him using the phone: 830-774-7661. 

Gustavo “Gus” Flores serves as Commissioner Precinct 4. People can contact him via the phone: 830-774-7661. 

David E. Martinez is the County Attorney. People can reach him via the phone: 830-774-7571. 

Mathew Weingardt occupies the office of the County Auditor. Residents can contact him using his phone: 830-775-9198. 

Honorable Generosa (Janie) Gracia-Ramon sits as the County Clerk in Val Verde County. People can contact her using the phone: 830-774-7530.  

Aaron D. Rodriquez serves as the County Treasurer. Residents can reach him using the phone: 830-774-7587.  

Joe Frank Martinez occupies the office of the County Sheriff. People can contact him via the phone: 830-774-7513.  

Cost of Living in Val Verde County, Texas 

The overall cost of living index in Val Verde County stands at 134.5% of the US average of 100%. It means Val Verde County is an expensive place to live in compared to most areas of the USA. 

Additionally, grocery, housing, transportation, and miscellaneous are expensive in the County. Conversely, health services and utilities remain relatively affordable. 

The Economy in Val Verde County, Texas 

The Val Verde economy is doing relatively well. The unemployment rate is at 10.9% against the US average of 6.0. Still, the Job market increased by 0.7% in the past year.  

It is an indicator the County’s economy is improving. 

Also, the ten-year job-market growth projection stands at 33.7%, which remains slightly higher than the US average. 

The average yearly income per resident stands at $19,594 compared to the US average of $28,555. 

The most performing sectors of the economy; 

• Construction industry
• Manufacturing industry
• Wholesale trade
• Retail trade
• Information sector
• Administrative, support, and waste management
• Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Education in Val Verde County, Texas 

Education proves relatively cheaper for parents in the County of Val Verde. As a parent, expect to spend an average of $9262 yearly for your child’s education. It remains a lower expenditure than the US average of $12,383. 

Also, the County provides a teacher for every 21 pupils and a counselor for every 2862 pupils. 

Health in Val Verde County, Texas 

Covid 19 Situation 

The Val Verde County initiated a collaborative effort to keep Covid-19 at bay while at the same time updating the citizens on the Coronavirus situation. 

Initially, the campaign to stop the pandemic was characterized by awareness of prevention measures; however, after discovering vaccines, the strategy combines awareness creation and vaccinations to contain the virus. 

Notably, children under five years and older people are eligible to get Pfizer vaccinations. However, eighteen and older people are eligible for Moderna and Johnson and Johnson.  

People who recover from Coronavirus need to get vaccinated. It’s because immunity from the vaccinated lasts longer than the natural immunity you get if you have had Covid-19. 

Vaccine Booster 

CDC, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, authorizes and recommends particular groups to receive booster shots. Significantly, you may take the booster shots at least six months after the initial shots. 

To be eligible for the booster shot, you need to be; 

• People aged 65 years or older
• Those aged18 years or older and living in a long-term care environment
• People aged18 years and above with underlying medical conditions
• People aged 18 years or more senior working in high-risk conditions

The CDC has provided no booster recommendation on the three available Covid-19 vaccines in the US. Therefore, they left it upon eligible individuals to choose the vaccine booster. 

Attraction Centers in Val Verde County, Texas 

Val Verde County, Texas, is home to several types of attraction centers and activities you may want to undertake when you visit the County; 

• Exhibition centers
• Parks
• Museums
• Hotels
• Traditional/cultural experience
• Historic sites
• Nature
• Sightseeing
• Religious sites
• Sports

10 Top Things to do in Val Verde 

• Amistad expeditions
• Judge ray bean
• Del Rio council for arts at the firehouse gallery
• Kickapoo Cavern state park
• Devils river state natural area
• White Shaman cave
• Laughlin heritage foundation museum
• Val Verde winery
• Seminole canyon state park and historic site
• Whitehead memorial museum