Waller

Waller County

Updated on: January 13, 2022
Coordinates
30° 0' 36" N, 95° 58' 48" W (30.01, -95.98)
State
Texas
Region
Central East
County Seat:
Hempstead
Year Organized:
1873
Total Square Miles:
517.818
513 square miles (1,330 km2) land
4.4 square miles (11 km2) (0.8%) water
Population:
51307 (2017)
Population: 50,115 Est. (2016) 43,205 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
99
Waller County Website
http://www.co.waller.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Grimes (N)
Montgomery (NE)
Harris (E)
Fort Bend (S)
Austin (W)
Washington (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
51307
25 to 64 Years of Age:
43.67%
65 Years of Age and Older:
11.82%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$1.8 B
Labor Force:
22,763
Unemployment Rate:
4.30%

County Contact

836 Austin St Ste 316
County Courthouse
Hempstead, TX, 77445-4673

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

At the heart of Texas, you will find Waller County. The County is one of the densely populated regions in Texas, with 43,205 residents registered during the 2020 census. Waller County was named after the first mayor of Austin, Edwin Waller. The County was founded in 1873 and had Hempstead as its largest city. Waller County is known for one of the major universities in the region known as the University of Prairie View A&M. The county seat of Waller County is in Hempstead City. 

Geography of Waller County 

The United States Census Bureau finding shows that the entire region covered by Waller County measures 518 sq. miles. Waller County has six counties to its borders, including; Grimes County bordering to the north while Montgomery County Borders in the northeast region. Harris County borders Waller on the east side, Fort Bend from the south, Austin borders to the west, and Washington borders on the northwest side of Waller County. 

Demographics 

The first national Census conducted in 1880 in Waller County showed the County had 9024 residents. A decade later, the second Census findings showed that residents living in the area had impressively increased to 10,888. The number of residents continued to grow, and by the beginning of 1900, the number had risen to 14,246.  

As of 2000, the area had significantly developed. The number of people living there had tripled in numbers for the 1900s. The U.S Census Bureau reported that the residents living there as we entered the new millennium were 43,663 people. In terms of households, the County had 10,557 while the families totaled 7,748. The racial make-up of Waller County in 2010 was as follows; 

  • Whites only 57.83%
  • African American race 29.25%
  • Native Americans 0.49%
  • The Asian race 0.38%
  • The Pacific Islanders 0.02%
  • Hispanic and Latino residents 19.42%.

Out of the 10,557 households recorded in the 2020 census, 35.10% had underage children living in the homes. 13% were households run by single females, while 55.70% were married couples. 7.5% consisted of the senior citizens in the County. 

The County’s Economy 

Waller County is known for its industrialization and development efforts. Among the various industries in the County is Waller houses Igloo Corporation that manufactures portable cooling refrigeration products. The Company pushed Waller ahead as the most industrials Counties in 2004 when they announced that they would be consolidating the manufacture, distribution, corporation, and other operations in the County. 

Another renowned company is Goya Foods, with headquarters in Texas and has incorporated offices near Brookshire City. 

Education 

Waller County has various schools evenly distributed across the County to ensure all learners have a school in their district. Below is a list: 

  • Royal Independent School 
  • Hempstead Independent School 
  • Waller Independent School 
  • Katy Independent School 

Universities and colleges include Blinn Community College and Prairie View A&M University. 

Transport System 

The County has several major roads, including U.S. Highway 90 and US 290. SVG United States Highway 290 and the Texas 6.SVG State Highway six. Interstate 10 is also another road that connects various cities across the County. 

Waller has several airports that facilitate air transportation to and from the region. The first is Houston Executive Airport, situated in Katy and Brookshire cities. Another one is the Skydive Houston Airport, also known as the Skylake Airport, found on the south side of Waller County. One of the major Commercial airlines in the region includes the William P. Hobby Airport. Waller County is within the parameters of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It’s an international airport in Houston, Harris County. 

Law and Enforcement 

The police department in Waller was made official in 1981, replacing the town Marshal in charge of keeping law and order. The station has at least 19 officers working full time and five others working as reserves. 

The office has, however, had various cases. For instance, in 2007, Glenn Smith, the head of the police department, was suspended and given a six months probation with four other white officers. The allegations were that Glenn and the other officers exercised police brutality and racial discrimination while arresting a 35-year-old African-American. He was later fired in March of the following year by the Hempstead town council. 

County Offices 

Indigent Health 

The Indigent Health Care program for Waller County helps low-income residents who do not qualify for state and federal health care programs or other healthcare services in Texas. They issue residents with vaccines, physical examinations, laboratory and radiology services, and hospital visits for in and outpatients. If you want to enjoy any of their services, you can send them a letter to P.O. 4128, Bryan, in Texas. You can also call their offices at (979) 595-2800. 

County Attorney 

Elton Mathis is Waller’s County attorney responsible for providing advice and any legal matters in the local government. He also acts as the prosecutor and seeks justice on behalf of the local government. To reach out to his office, send them a letter to 645 12th Street, Hempstead, TX 77445. You may also call them at 979-826-7718 or send them a Fax message at 979-826-7722. 

The County Treasurer 

Joan Sargent works as the County treasurer in Waller County. Her department is in charge of sending out tax bills to the relevant departments, collecting funds, and overdue payments on behalf of the county government, among other tasks. The county treasurer’s office is at 836 Austin Street, Suite 316, Hempstead, TX 77445. Their official phone number is 979-826-7707. You can also send them by fax through 979-826-7709. 

Waller County Clerk 

Debbie Hollan is the current County clerk of Waller County. Her department ensures the safekeeping of all records relating to the Waller county population, including birth, death, and marriage certificates. The office is also in charge of issuing permits and responding to inquiries in their department. Send them a letter to their Waller County Courthouse office through 836 Austin Street, Suite 217, Texas. Call them during working hours on 979-826-7711. 

The department has another office at Waller County Annex, 32225 US Hwy 90 Business, and Brookshire, Texas 77423. You can call them through their official office number: Phone: 281-375-5233 ext. 6. Both offices are open to the public Monday to Friday from eight in the morning to four in the evening.