McMullen

McMullen County

Updated on: December 20, 2021
Coordinates
28° 21' 0" N, 98° 34' 12" W (28.35, -98.57)
State
Texas
Region
South
County Seat:
Tilden
Year Organized:
1858
Total Square Miles:
1156.785
1,137 square miles (2,940 km2) land
17 square miles (44 km2) water
Population:
778 (2017)
Population: 707 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
1
McMullen County Website
http://www.mcmullencountytexas.us/

Contiguous Counties

Atascosa (N)
Live Oak (E)
Duval (S)
Webb (SW)
La Salle (W)
Frio (NW)

McMullen County Town List

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
778
25 to 64 Years of Age:
50.07%
65 Years of Age and Older:
24.03%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$3.7 B
Labor Force:
740
Unemployment Rate:
1.90%

County Contact

PO BOX 237
County Courthouse
Tilden, TX, 78072-0237

http://www.mcmullencounty.org/

Why is McMullen County so rich? Many people ask this question. The answer is simple; the county has a lot of oil and gas wells. Oil and gas are very important to McMullen County because it provides jobs for many people. If you want to find out why McMullen County is a good place to visit, live and work, then read on.

The county seat of McMullen County is Tilden; known for its brilliant weather and beautiful scenery. It is also home to the famous Fort Sill Indian reservation. President Grant established this reservation in 1872.

History of McMullen County Texas

McMullen county got its name from John McMullen, who came from Ireland in the early 1800s. He settled near what is now the town of Tilden. His first wife died soon after they arrived in Texas. After that, he married another woman named Mary Ann Moore.

They had two children together. Their son William McMullen became an officer in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He fought at Shiloh and Chickamauga. He was wounded at both battles.

Early settlers were the Comanches, Kiowas, Wichitas, and Lipans. In 1836, the first white man entered the county when James Fannin led his army into the area. There were about 50 soldiers with him. Indians attacked them and lost their lives.

Soon after, the Mexican government took over the land. When the United States annexed Mexico, the land was given to Coahuila y Tejas. Later, it was divided up among counties.

Indigenous tribes practiced agriculture and hunted game. They lived off the land until the coming of the Spanish explorers. The Spanish brought horses and cattle to the area. They also introduced crops like corn, wheat, and beans.

The indigenous tribes did not have any weapons other than stone clubs. They used these clubs to fight against each other or defend themselves if they were attacked.

Most of the early settlers were kicked out of the county in 1846. During the War Between the States, the Union troops invaded the county. They took control of the county and made it part of the state of Oklahoma. Later, the county was given back to Texas.

The Economy of McMullen County Texas

McMullen County, Texas, is one of the steady economies in the state. The county has a high percentage of agriculture, ranching, and oil production. It also has many small businesses involved with manufacturing and retail trade. There are also some large companies in the area.

Agriculture is practiced on large-scale farms and ranches. This includes cattle raising, cotton farming, grain farming, and vegetable growing. Large corporations do primarily ranching. These include Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, South Plains Cattle Feeders Association, and Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

Cotton farming is mainly done by family-owned operations. Vegetable farming is done mostly for home consumption.

Residents are employed in major industries such as petroleum, natural gas, chemical plants, fertilizer plants, paper mills, steel mills, food processing plants, cement plants, electronics assembly plants, and furniture factories.

People still own businesses and the government offers support in various ways, such as providing loans to start up new businesses or expanding existing ones.

Tourism is another way the county gets money from visitors. Many people visit the county to go fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, sightseeing, and shopping. Some come to see the wildlife and scenery. Others come to enjoy the fresh air and clean water.

There are several parks and recreation areas in the county. They provide opportunities for outdoor activities, including swimming, boating, picnicking, fishing, and horseback riding. A few have playgrounds, tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, and other facilities.

Emergency and Community Services

The county takes care of its people, and that’s why the emergency and community services programs are so important. Below are some emergencies and services currently in place.

911 Addressing is a program designed to provide an effective method for providing information about your location, name, and telephone number to emergency personnel when they need it most. It also provides you with a means of contacting emergency personnel if you have questions.

FloodPlain Management is another program that helps prevent flooding and erosion from occurring on land within McMullen County. The program works by monitoring flood plains, building dikes, levees, and other structures to help control water flow.

Rural Water Supply Program is a federally funded project that assists rural communities without access to safe drinking water. This includes those living in remote areas where no public water system may be available.

Public Works Department – Public Works handles road maintenance, street paving, drainage improvements, stormwater management, and construction projects. They also maintain all parks, trails, and recreation facilities.

Emergency Medical Service – EMS serves as the primary medical provider for residents in McMullen County. They respond to 911 calls and transport patients to hospitals throughout the state. They also provide basic life support at local fire departments.

Veteran Services – Veteran’s Affairs helps veterans and their families. These services include counseling, financial aid, benefits, and referrals to VA health care providers.

McMullen County Texas County Offices 

The county offices help citizens with a variety of services, including:

County Judge Office

It is under Judge James E. Teal. His role is to hear all cases in the Justice Court and handle civil matters. He also handles criminal cases. Call them at 361-274-3900.

County Clerk’s Office

The clerk’s office is responsible for processing and recording all documents. If you need a document in the county, contact the current clerk Mattie S. Sadovsky at 361-274-3215 or [email protected].

Treasurer’s Office

The office is under Jill Atkinson, who handles financial matters in the county. If you have concerns, call the office at 361-274-3685 or [email protected].

Tax Collector Office

The office collects property tax payments from residents and distributes funds to various agencies within McMullen County. The office can be reached by calling Bessilia “Bessie” Guerrero at 361-274-3314.

Sheriff’s Office

The sheriff’s office provides law enforcement services to the county. It is under Sheriff Emmett Shelton. Dial 911 in an emergency and 361-274-3311 for non-emergency issues.