Ward

Ward County

Updated on: January 14, 2022
Coordinates
31° 30' 36" N, 103° 6' 0" W (31.51, -103.1)
State
Texas
Region
West
County Seat:
Monahans
Year Organized:
1892
Total Square Miles:
835.843
836 square miles (2,170 km2) land
0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.03%) water
Population:
11472 (2017)
Population: 10,658 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
14
Ward County Website
http://www.co.ward.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Winkler (N)
Ector (NE)
Crane (E)
Pecos (S)
Reeves (W)
Loving (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
11472
25 to 64 Years of Age:
48.87%
65 Years of Age and Older:
13.96%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$4.6 B
Labor Force:
6,678
Unemployment Rate:
2.60%

County Contact

400 S Allen Ave
County Courthouse
Monahans, TX, 79756-4603

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

In the heart of Texas, you will find Ward County. The most recent census results in the County revealed that the County has 11,644 residents. The region’s county seat is located in Monahan’s city. Ward County was founded in 1887 and officially organized in 1892. The organizers named Ward County after Thomas W. Ward, a former soldier who participated in the Texas revolution. 

History  

Investigations conducted by archaeologists in the Northwest of the County revealed prehistoric humans in pictographs, petroglyphs, and debris. Evidence shows that several other tribes settled in the area, including Apache, Comanche, and Suma-Jumna. 

Ward County is known to have the most famous Historical Commission that consisted of the chairman Ellen Friar and Vice-chairman Arcadio Rivera. The secretary was  Bonnie Moore, and the treasurer was known as Camilla Blum. 

Geography  

Ward County sits on a total area of 836 square miles. The land covers 0.2 percent of 836 sq. miles, while water covers the remaining 0.03 percent. 

There are three major highways in the County, including the Texas 329.SVG State Highway 329, the State Highway 18, and the Texas 115.SVG State Highway 115. The County is also connected by Interstate 20. 

Ward is adjacent to various countries, including Winkler on the north, Loving on the northwest, and Ector County on the Northeast side. Crane is found in the East side of the ward, while Reeves is located in the west, and Crane County sits on the south side of Ward County. 

Demographics 

The first census exercise took place at Ward County in 1890. The findings showed that the County had only 77 residents living there at the time. One decade later, during the second census, the result revealed an impressive increase in the number of residents in the area to 1451 people.  

A millennium later, the County’s population had doubled and tripled in numbers, and as of 2020, the number of residents in Ward County had risen 10,909 people. The 2020 census findings revealed that the County had 3.964 households and 2,929 families.  

The County welcomes people from all walks of life, and below is the racial make-up; 

  • White 79.79% 
  • African-American 4.61%, 
  • Native American 0.66%,  
  • Asian 0.28% 
  • Hispanics and Latinos 41.98% 

A total of 36.60 percent of the 3,964 households in the County had underage children. 58.80 percent were married couples, 11.60 percent had female householders who were not married.  

Single people made up about 23.60 percent of all households, while the remaining 12.30 percent had someone living alone aged 65 years and above. The average family size in the County was 3.15 people. 

Statistics on Income 

The County’s median household income was $29,386, with a family’s median income at $36,014. The male gender had a median income amounting to $31,373. On the other hand, the females registered a median income total of $18,198. The County’s per capita income was $14,393. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that at least 15.80 percent of the families. In addition, 17.90 percent of the residents lived below the average income. 20.30 percent of those were below 18 years, while the remaining 20.10 percent were 65 years and above. 

Communities 

Cities 

Ward County is home to two major cities. The first is the Monahan’s, the Ward County seat. A portion of the city does, however, extend into Winkler County. The city boasts a population of 6,953 as of 2020.  

The other city is Barstow, and it’s a bit smaller than Monahan’s. The people in Barstow total 349 residents, a decrease compared to 2000 when the number of residents was 406. The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school serves the city of Barstow. The Monahans-Wickett-Pyote is in charge of public education in Monahans. 

Towns 

Ward County has four significant towns. Grandfalls Is the first, and it got its name from the grand fall formed by River Pecos located in the town. During the 2010 census exercise, the town had 360 residents living in this beautiful region.   

Pyote is another excellent town found in Ward County. By 2020 the town had 114 residents living in the area, which is a significant drop compared to the 131 residents living there in 2000, according to the national census Bureau. 

The third town on our list found in Ward County is Wickett. As of 2020, the census results revealed that the town was home to 498 more than 455 residents living in the town in 2000. 

Last but not least is Thornton Ville. It carries a population of 476 residents from mixed racial profiles. In 2000 the number was a little lower, totaling 442 as per the results of the census exercise. 

County Offices 

Sheriff Department  

Sheriff Frarin Valle is the head of the department in Ward County. The main functions of his office are policing any unincorporated area in Ward County, providing security in the county courts, and maintaining law and order in the County. The office’s physical location is at 300 East 4th, Monahans, TX 79756. You can contact the office through their official phone number, 432-943-6703, or send them a fax message to 432-943-6265. 

County Clerk 

Denise Valles is the current county clerk of Ward County. The office is tasked with safekeeping several improvement records like marriage, death, and birth certificates of residents. They also issue permits and other essential documents to the public.  

The department has several staff members working under Valles, including Lorna Hawkins, who works as Chief Deputy Clerk, while Espa Muniz and Gina Muniz work as the Deputy Clerks. The office’s physical location is 400 S Allen, Suite 101 Monahans, Texas 79756.  

You may call the office anytime from eight to four in the evening through their official number, 432-943-3294/3295. Another option is to send them a fax message through 432-943-6054. 

County Treasurer 

Carleigh Ennis is the Chief treasure of Ward County. Her office is in charge of distributing tax bills and collecting payments on behalf of the local government, to mention a few. Loretta Pipkin is the current assistant treasurer. The office is situated at 400 South Allen, Suite 302 in Monahans, TX. You may call the office on (432) 943-2841 during their working hours between eight and four in the evening Monday to Friday.