Wood County

Wood County Offices

Wood County Town List

The legislature founded Wood County, Texas, in 1850. Congress named the county for George Tyler Wood, who governed Texas between 1847-1849. Although Mineola is the largest city in the county, Quitman remains the county seat.  

The county, in northeastern Texas, covers an estimated area of  1801.90 square kilometers. 

The US censors of 2019 put the total number of inhabitants in Wood County at 44,366.  

The county boasts an expansive geographical area with unique terrain and vast vegetation. Equally, its historical and cultural heritage is quite rich. 

The county consists of numerous tourist attraction centers. For sure, you won’t lack a place to explore when you visit Woods County, Texas.  

Geography of Woods County, Texas 

In northeastern Texas, Wood County has Mineola as its largest city. The legislature picked the town of Quitman as the seat of power. 

For vegetation, western and central parts have Oak. Additionally, the grass is prominent in Wood County. Also in existence are softwoods like loblolly, slash pine, shortleaf, and longleaf. 

River Sabine passes through the southern parts of the county, forming the southern boundary. 

Soils are sandy on the surface and clayey in the subsoils in the west. The terrain remains hilly with reddish soils with loamy textures and clayey subsoils in central parts of Wood County. 

Mineral resources abound in the county, with prominent sand, gravel, clay, oil, and natural gas features. 

History of Wood County, Texas 

Centuries before the first European settled in Wood County, Caddo Indians had settled in East Texas. Also, Pedro Vial explored the area of present-day Wood County in 1788. He traversed Natchitoches, Louisiana, and San Antonio. 

However, there were no significant European settlements in the county until after the Texas Revolution.   

In 1850, after settlements flourished, the legislature founded Wood County. It hived off parts of Van Zandt County and created and organized Wood County. 

The legislature established Quitman and made it the official Wood County seat.  

Woods County Offices, Texas 

Woods County, Texas, comprises several government offices that coordinate to provide the best services to citizens. Among the offices are County Judge, Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector, and Sheriff. 

Judge Lucy Hebron reigns supreme as the County Judge in Woods County, Texas. Citizens can contact her using her phone: 903-763-2716.  

Equally, Judge Lucy presides over the Commissioners Court. The Court comprises four other members, and it remains the highest decision-making organ in the county. 

Virgil Holand serves as the Precinct 1 Commissioner. Residents may reach him via the phone: 903-878-2238. 

Jerry Gaskill sits as the Precinct 2 Commissioner. People can reach Jerry using the phone: 903-569-6351.  

Mike Simmons serves as the Precinct Commissioner 3 in Woods County. People can contact him using the phone:903-857-2311. 

Russel Acker occupies the office of Precinct 4 Commissioner. Residents can contact him via the phone: 903-629-7317.  

Kelly Price sits as the County Clerk in Woods County, Texas. Citizens may contact Kelly using the phone: 903-763-2711. 

Kelly Cole serves as the County Sheriff. People can contact Kelly using the phone; 903-763-2201. 

Becky Burford remains the County Treasurer in Woods County, Texas. Residents can contact her using her phone:903-763-4186. 

Carol Taylor serves as the County Tax Collector. People can contact Carol via her phone:903-763-2261.  

Cost of Living in Wood County, Texas 

The overall cost of living in Wood County, Texas, remains relatively cheap compared to other parts of the United States of America. Significantly, the cost of living index stands at 83.2% to the average US figure of 100%. 

The cost of health services is expensive compared to other parts of the US. But, grocery, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous remains affordable. 

The Economy in Wood County, Texas 

The economy of Wood County, Texas, is moderately growing well. Economic indicators such as the unemployment rate and the job market growth in the past year read for a growing economy. 

The unemployment rate stands at 7.0% to the US average of 6.0%, while the job market grew by 1.5% in the past year. Still, the ten-year job market growth, projected at 35.5%, is higher than the US average of 33.5%. 

More importantly, the average yearly income per resident in Wood County stands at $23,658 to an average US figure of $28,555. 

Education in Wood County, Texas 

Education expenditure per student in Wood County is relatively cheaper than in other regions of the US. A parent spends an average of $9,992 on a child’s education to the US average of $12,383.  

At the same time, the county government provides; 

• A teacher per 12 pupils
• A librarian per 916 pupils
• A counselor per 1247 pupils

The Coronavirus Situation in Wood County, Texas 

The county government of Wood County, Texas state works with an open and transparent policy on the Covid-19 situation. County Judge Lucy Hebron periodically updates area residence on the state of the Coronavirus pandemic in the county. 

The county ensures that information about Covid-19 prevention measures is taken to the citizens. The Covid-19 spread statistics are equally available to the public to ensure enough public awareness.   

As such, the public is safe from the spread of the Coronavirus.  

Additionally, the county adjusted some of its operations to align them with the protection measures to curb the virus spread. 

The total number of Covid 19 cases recorded in Wood County stands at 7201. Sadly, the death toll is at 243. 

More significantly, the number of fully vaccinated people in the county remains at 19,035 (43.44%), while the partially vaccinated are 21,254. (48.51%). 

Politics and Voting Patterns in Wood County, Texas 

The political climate in Wood County remains largely conservative. The residents have voted for the Republican presidential flag-bearer since 2000. 

For example, in the last US presidential elections:

• 6% voted for the Republican party
• 4% voted for the Democratic party
• 0% voted Independent

Attraction Centers in Wood County, Texas 

There are several places you can visit and several things you can do while in Wood County, Texas. Depending on your preference, you may see attraction centers, hotels, and even shopping. 

Here are some of the top places you may visit while in Wood County, Texas:

• Dallas Arboretum and botanical gardens
• Mineola nature preserve
• The links at land’s end
• White Rock lakes park
• The Waldo way dairy farm
• Mineola deport and Railroad museum
• Lakeport resort
• Lake Fork Marina and motel
• Bargain and barn antiques
• 7-Eleven