Culberson

Culberson County

Updated on: November 16, 2021
Coordinates
31° 27' 0" N, 104° 31' 12" W (31.45, -104.52)
State
Texas
Region
West
County Seat:
Van Horn
Year Organized:
1911
Total Square Miles:
3813.013
3,813 square miles (9,880 km2) land
0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) water
Population:
2231 (2017)
Population: 2,171 Est. (2019) 2,398 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
1
Culberson County Website
http://www.co.culberson.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Eddy County, New Mexico (N)
Reeves (E)
Jeff Davis (S)
Hudspeth (W)
Otero County, New Mexico (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
2231
25 to 64 Years of Age:
47.28%
65 Years of Age and Older:
21.46%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$1.6 B
Labor Force:
979
Unemployment Rate:
3.20%

County Contact

PO BOX 747
County Courthouse
Van Horn, TX, 79855-0747

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

Culberson County is in Trans-Pecos, West Texas. New Mexico, Hudspeth, Reeves, and Jeff Davis counties border Culberson. The county dates back to 1876 when it was created from the western part of Presidio County. 

The county seat is Van Horn, also known as “the Gateway to Big Bend National Park.” The area around Van Horn is rich with oil wells and natural gas fields. 

Culberson Population and Other Demographics 

Based on the statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau 2019, Culberson has 2171 people. The early settlers were mostly Anglo Americans who came by wagon train or overland trail during the late 1800s.  

They settled along the banks of the Rio Grande River, where they found a good climate for farming. Besides agriculture, ranching became an essential industry after 1900. Today there are still many ranches in this region.  

The male to female ratio is 49: 51%. There are more females than males because women have higher birth rates. In 2018, the median age was 37 years old.  

The household average size was 2.5 persons per house. Most houses had only one person living inside them. About 70% of households owned their own home while 30% rented. 

A large population speaks English at home. Other languages spoken included Spanish, French, Creole, and German. As such, you can move to the county and communicate with residents much easier if you speak these languages.   

Towns in Culberson County 

There are no cities in Culberson County but small towns like Van Horn, Marfa, Alpine, Piedras Negras, and Fort Stockton. These towns provide services, including schools, medical care, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, churches, etc. 

Van Horn is the largest town in the county. It is situated near the southern end of the county. Its economy depends heavily on tourism.  

Many tourists come here to visit the nearby national parks. Some visitors stay overnight in hotels or campgrounds. Others just stop by for lunch or dinner. 

Marfa is another popular tourist destination. Located about 50 miles north of Van Horn, it’s famous for its art galleries and museums. Visitors often take day trips into Big Bend National Park. 

Alpine is located about 20 miles south of Van Horn. It is named after the mountain range called the Sierra del Carmen. Like most places in the United States, Alpine has seen significant growth since 2000.  

More businesses opened up shop here. A new hospital was built in 2004. Also, several apartment complexes were constructed.  

Fort Stockton is the third biggest city in the county. It lies between two rivers – the Frio and Concho Rivers. Both rivers flow through the northern portion of the county. Fort Stockton is well connected to major highways. 

Economy in Culberson 

People depend on mining, cattle raising, and tourism for income. Mining accounts for almost 40 percent of the jobs in the county. Cattle ranchers make up nearly 25 percent of workers.   

Tourism provides employment opportunities for 10 percent of the workforce. Agriculture makes up less than 5 percent of the total number of jobs. 

Some of the major minerals in the county include Sulfur, talc, marble, and oil shale. Oil shale is used as fuel for heating homes and generating electricity.   

Talc is mined from quarries throughout the area. Marble comes from local mountains. Sulfur is extracted from underground mines. 

Tourism plays a significant role in the economic development of the county. There are many tourist attractions in the county. They attract people who want to enjoy nature.  

People also travel here to see historical sites. For example, they may go to the Chisos Mountains, where ancient ruins exist. Another attraction is the Guadalupe River which runs along the border with Mexico. 

Additionally, the Rio Grande river divides the state of New Mexico from the rest of the country. There are numerous recreational activities that appeal to all ages. 

These activities include fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, boating, hunting, bird watching, and rock climbing. Others are golfing, tennis, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, football, soccer, archery, bowling, and more.   

Culberson County News and Jobs 

The county communicates through its official website. The site contains information about government services such as health care, education, and public safety. People can find out what events will be held at community centers, libraries, schools, churches, and other locations.  

Additionally, there are news related to jobs available in the county. This includes job openings, career fairs, business expos, and others. These types of announcements help people get work or learn how to start their own business. 

Better yet, you can subscribe to the news alerts, so you never miss an update! 

Is Culberson a Safe County? 

Culberson is safe because it is part of the Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector. That means agents patrol this region 24 hours a day. If someone tries to cross illegally into the U.S., these officers will stop them.  

Agents have been trained to recognize suspicious behavior. Plus, the Sheriff’s department has its police force. Officers respond quickly when needed. 

People in this county are friendly and ready to assist anyone who needs help. However, if you do not follow directions, then you could end up getting arrested.  

You should always obey laws and rules. Otherwise, you risk being charged with crimes like trespassing, assault, theft, drug possession, DUI, etc.  

Culberson County Offices 

If you need any service in Culberson county, here are the offices that will help you through 

The County Judge Office is under Judge Carlos G. Urias. You can reach them at 432-283-2059. 

Stephen Mitchell supervises the County Attorney’s office. Call 432-283-2391 for more information. 

Linda McDonald manages the county Clerk. You can reach her at 432-283-2058. 

The County Treasurer office is under Adrian Hinojos, who is reachable at 432-283-1419. 

The County Tax Assessor-Collector Office is under Jose Morales. You can contact him at 432-283-2130. 

Sheriff Oscar Carrillo manages the county Sheriff’s Office. You can reach the office at 432-283-2060. 

Finally, there is the County Auditor’s office under Mark Cabezuela. The office is reachable at 432-283-1830. 

Conclusion 

In summary, Culberson county is one of the most beautiful counties in texas. It offers many opportunities for recreation and fun. Additionally, it provides excellent healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and businesses. All these factors make it a great place to live.