Crane

Crane County

Updated on: November 16, 2021
Coordinates
31 24' 36" N, 102 31' 12" W (31.41, -102.52)
State
Texas
Region
West
County Seat:
Crane
Year Organized:
1927
Total Square Miles:
785.724
785 square miles (2,030 km2) land
0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.08%) water
Population:
4740 (2017)
Population: 4,830 est. (2016) 4,375 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
6
Crane County Website
http://www.co.crane.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Upton (E)
Crockett (SE)
Ward (W)

Crane County Town List

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
4740
25 to 64 Years of Age:
49.23%
65 Years of Age and Older:
11.93%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$1.1 B
Labor Force:
1,796
Unemployment Rate:
3.80%

County Contact

PO BOX 1175
County Courthouse
Crane, TX, 79731-1175

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

Crane County was named after William Carey Crane, the founder of Baylor University. The county seat is Crane. It has most county government offices for easy access. Since its establishment in the 18th century, there is a rich history to learn from the county. 

In this article, we have put together everything you need to know about Crane County. As such, you can decide whether to move to the county. 

Keep reading. 

How Crane county was formed  

Crane County in Texas branched from Tom Green County on December 31st, 1876, by an act of Congress and became a part of the state of Texas. 

In 1879, the county seat moved from Waco to Crane. This happened because there were problems with the location of the courthouse in Waco. 

The county got its name from William Carey Crane, who founded Baylor University. He also donated land for the first schoolhouse, which later became the town hall. 

What makes Crane County Great 

Many things make Crane county great. For instance, there are several parks where one can go hiking, fishing, camping, etc. These include Lake Livingston State Park, Sam Houston National Forest, and Big Spring State Park. 

You will find some beautiful places around the area. Some of these include the Hill Country, the Trinity River Valley, and the Llano Estacado. 

If you love sports, then you should visit the Crane Sports Complex. Here you will watch baseball games, basketball games, football games, rodeo events, horse shows, and much more. 

Another factor that makes Crane county great is that it offers lots of opportunities for business owners. 

Excellent schools are available too. Schools like Crane High School, Crane Middle School, and Crane Elementary School offer an excellent education to students. 

And last but not least, Crane county is home to the largest shopping mall in Central Texas called Westgate Mall. You can shop for everything under the sun here! 

Also, if you want to enjoy nature, then you must come to Crane county. There are so many natural attractions, including lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, prairies, and even caves. 

Finally, Crane county is known for having a friendly community.  

County Demographics 

The county covers an area of  786 square miles and has a population of 4,797 people, according to the 2020 census. Its county seat is Crane, where most residents live. 

As far as race goes, the vast majority of the population is white, while only 3% are black. Hispanics account for 66% of the total population. 

In terms of gender, 51% of the population is male, while 49% is female. Education-wise, the county has two high schools, three middle schools, and five elementary schools. 

Health care services are provided at the Crane Regional Medical Center. Crime rates in the county are low compared to other counties.  

The overall violent crimes rate per 100,000 people is 0.2. This means that out of 1 million people living in the county, only 20 people commit a violent crime each year. 

On average, the median age of the residents is 37 years old. 

Key County Offices in Crane 

The County Judge’s office is under Judge Roy Hodges. It runs all court cases in the county. You can contact them at 432-558-1100. 

Mendy Nichols supervises the County Auditor office. The role of the office is to audit the financial statements of the county.  

They have their offices on Main Street in Crane. Their phone number is 432-558-1121, and email at [email protected]. 

The County Attorney is Austin Rawls. The Attorney’s office’s role is to represent the county’s interests before courts or other government agencies. Contact information: (432) 272-8954 . 

Sheriff Andrew Aguilar runs the sheriff’s office. He oversees law enforcement activities within the county. His office contact is 432-558-3571. 

Janie Macias is the county clerk. Her role is to maintain records related to elections, property tax payments, etc. She also handles marriage licenses and birth certificates.  

If you need any of these documents, she is your best bet. Phone Number:432-558-3581; Email Address: [email protected]. 

County Treasurer is under Sheila Pahl. Her roles include managing money received through grants and maintaining accounts. She works with the District Clerk’s Office to collect delinquent taxes. Contact Information: 432-558-3372.  

The County Tax Assessor-Collector office handles appraisals and collects real estate taxes from properties in the county. This includes residential homes, commercial buildings, farms, ranches, mobile homes, vacant land, etc. Contact info: 432-558-2622.   

Crane County Economy 

Oil and gas production is the largest segment of the economy in Crane. Oil wells dot the landscape around the county.  

There are over 2,500 active wells in the county. Oil production peaked in 1980, but it remains one of the top industries in the county. 

Other major employers in the county include Crane Regional Medical Center, Crane Independent School District, and several small businesses.  

There are no large manufacturing plants in the county. However, some medium-sized companies, such as Crane Manufacturing Company, make industrial equipment like cranes and conveyors. 

A lot of businesses operate in Crane because its location is near Interstate 35W. Many trucking firms use this highway for transporting goods across the country. 

Businesses receive support from the government through various programs, including low-interest loans offered by banks and local credit unions. These funds help business owners get started and grow into larger operations.  

Community Organised groups 

There are many community organizations in Crane. Some of these groups provide services to individuals, while others focus on supporting the entire community. Here is an example. 

Crane Area Chamber of Commerce – Helps new businesses that want to start-up in the area. It helps them find resources they may not know about.  

If someone wants to open an auto repair shop, the chamber can connect them with mechanics who work on cars. The group also organizes events throughout the year where people can meet each other and learn about the community. 

Conclusion 

In summary, Crane County is a quiet place with lots of space between houses. People here enjoy spending time outdoors doing things like fishing or hunting.  

They also love visiting nearby cities like Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, and Wichita Falls. 

If you have questions about living in Crane County, feel free to ask us!