Wichita

Wichita County

Updated on: January 12, 2022
Coordinates
33 59' 24" N, 98 42' 36" W (33.99, -98.71)
State
Texas
Region
North Central
County Seat:
Wichita Falls
Year Organized:
1858
Total Square Miles:
633.116
628 square miles (1,630 km2) land
5.3 square miles (14 km2) water
Population:
132000 (2017)
Population: 131,500 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
208
Wichita County Website
http://www.co.wichita.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Clay (E)
Tillman County, Oklahoma (N)
Cotton County, Oklahoma (NE)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
132000
25 to 64 Years of Age:
49.60%
65 Years of Age and Older:
14.72%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$5.5 B
Labor Force:
56,739
Unemployment Rate:
3.40%

County Contact

900 7Th St
County Courthouse
Wichita Falls, TX, 76301-2402

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

Wichita County, TX, is in the north-central portion of Texas. The county’s center lies on latitude 34 degrees north and 98.42 degrees west longitude. The 606 square miles county neighbors Oklahoma. Most of the county land lies in eastern central Texas, on the Rolling Red Plains.    

Wichita County’s capital is Wichita Falls. It’s the largest city in the county, located 141 miles SW Oklahoma City and 144 miles NW of Dallas. Here’s all you need to know about Wichita County, TX.  

Wichita County TX Flora Fauna Climate and Topography   

Wichita County’s extreme SE corner lies on the central Texas Rolling Red Prairies. 

The vegetation of the Rolling Plains entails tall to mid grasses, elm, hackberry, and cottonwood. Along the plain’s streams, you have pecan trees. Other trees include oak and mesquite.  

Typically, Wichita County has the usual wildlife found in Texas, including squirrels, snakes, opossums, raccoons, skunks, etc. With a wildlife infestation, you can contact the Texas animal and wildlife control.  

The temperatures of Wichita County range between 28 degrees in January and 98 degrees in July. The average yearly temperature is 63 degrees. The yearly rainfall average is 27 inches. Moreover, you can grow in 221 days, the yearly average growing season days. 

The terrain of Wichita County has rolling plains that have shallow and broad valleys, plus rounded slopes. The local Wichita County TX soils include clay, sandy, and black loams. Plus, the county elevation ranges between 900-1200 feet.  

Wichita County History 

In the 1700s, the Caddoan Indians who moved to Nebraska and Kansas occupied Wichita County, TX. They heavily relied on agriculture using the buffalo. These natives excelled in the horse mastery, introduced by Spanish explorers, which helped them master the buffalo. 

Anglo Americans and the Wichita Indians dominated the land in the 1800s after the Texas legislature established Wichita County as a county on 1858 February 1st. Cattle ranches became and remained a vital part of the county’s economy. Wichita County remained sparsely inhabited and unorganized.  

Wichita County Population Growth and Economic Development  

On June 21st, 1882, there were elections for county offices officials. Over the next decade, the population increased to 4,831 from below 500 settlers. Wichita Falls became the regional transportation center following the Denver City and Fort Worth railroad construction and the Wichita Falls Southern, Northwestern, and Wellington rail lines in 1911. By 1910, the county’s population grew to 8200, and by 1930, the population grew to 74,416. 

Railway development, oil discovery in 1901, and water improvements are the main causes of the population increase. These discoveries attracted industry, commerce, and people, especially in Wichita Falls, the capital.  

Corn, hay, and cattle remained significant, but by 1910, farmers ventured into cotton farming. The dislocations between the 1930s and 1940s due to World War 11 and the Great Depression resulted in a population decrease. Therefore, farming decreased by half.  

However, after the Wichita Valley Farm Project, the population rose from 73604 to 98 493 by 1950. Though hay and cotton production had fallen, agricultural production tripled. In the 1990s, the population had reached 122, 348 and according to the 2014 census, the county’s population was 132,355. The current Wichita County, TX population, is 133 076.  

The Anglos made 67.2%, Hispanic 17.9%, 10.7% African Americans, and 5% minorities. Agriculture remained significant in the 21st century. Of the $15, 829, 000 farmers gross income, $7, 694, 000 accounted for livestock sales. Oil production also remains significant, with over 800M barrels produced since 1910.  

Wichita County Offices 

First, you have the office of the county judge. The Current judge is Woodrow W. Gossom, jr. His office fax and phone are 940 766 8108 and 940 766 8289. Then you have the Criminal District Attorney’s office. John Gillespie currently occupies the office. The CIA office phone is 940 766 8113, while the fax is 940 766 8177. 

Also, you have the County Clerk, Treasurer, and District Clerk offices. The current occupants include Lori Bohannon, R. J Bob Hampton, and Pati Flores. For emergencies, you could contact 911. However, the Sheriff’s office number is 940766-8170, while the fax is 940 766-8102. David Duke is the current county sheriff.  

Also, you have the office of Wichita County tax assessor. The current assessor is Tommy smith; the chief appraiser is Lisa Stephens. Also, you have the commissioner’s court, that is the Justice of the Peace offices. The justice of the peace has five officials and four precincts.  

  • Precinct 1 Pl. 1 is James Hughes
  • Precinct 1 PL. 2 is Robert Woodruff
  • Precincts two, three, and four are Rodney Burchett, Robert Johnson, and Judy Baker.

Then you have the constable’s office, which has four precincts. The current precincts one through four are Mike Little, Jared Burchett, David W Blackerby, James Gowen, as the county has two county law courts. The county law Court has the first precinct as the court overseer. The current one is Gary Buttler, while County Court at Law 11 has precinct two as the overseer. Greg King is the current overseer. You can find Wichita County offices contacts details here.  

Wichita County Commissioners Court 

The county commissioner’s court entails an elected board of four precincts. The board oversees government functions of setting policies, budgets and overseeing executive functions. The commissioners have a four-year term which starts the second week after the election. Also, the board represents the Wichita county citizens. 

The Commissioners Court Wichita County, TX, has four Precincts. The First precinct is Mark A Beauchamp. Commissioners’ Court offices’ fax and phone are 940 766 8251 and 940 766 8106 for the four precinct offices. The second, third and fourth precincts are Mickey Fincannon, Barry Mahler and Jeff Watts.  

Wichita County Towns 

Wichita County, TX, has four major towns: Wichita Falls, Elektra, Lowa Park, and Burkburnett. Other towns are Haynesville, Pleasant Valley, and Cashion Community. Wichita Falls population is 104 279 while the city’ area is 186.6 km².  

Tourists in Wichita Falls enjoy visiting the Kell House Museum, Backdoor Theater, Kemp Art Center, Exhibitions at Jenny to Jet, the world’s smallest Skyscraper, Lucy’s Park, the Maniac mansion etc.