Swisher County, Texas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Swisher County
state = Texas

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map size = 250
founded = 1876
seat = Tulia | area_total_sq_mi =901
area_land_sq_mi =900
area_water_sq_mi =1
area percentage = 0.03%
census yr = 2000
pop = 8378
density_km2 =4
web = www.co.swisher.tx.us
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Swisher County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 8,378. Its seat is TuliaGR|6. The county is named for James G. Swisher, a soldier of the Texas Revolution and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Swisher County is one of 46 prohibition, or entirely dry, counties in the state of Texas.

At one time, the large JA Ranch, founded by Charles Goodnight and John George Adair, and later owned by Goodnight and Cornelia Adair, reached into six counties, including Swisher.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 901 square miles (2,333 km²), of which, 900 square miles (2,332 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.03%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

*Randall County (north)
*Armstrong County (northeast)
*Briscoe County (east)
*Floyd County (southeast)
*Hale County (south)
*Castro County (west)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 8,378 people, 2,925 households, and 2,152 families residing in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 3,315 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 71.75% White, 5.85% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 19.41% from other races, and 2.28% from two or more races. 35.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,925 households out of which 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 109.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,846, and the median income for a family was $34,444. Males had a median income of $25,164 versus $20,448 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,326. About 14.20% of families and 17.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.20% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Kress
*Tulia
*Happy

See also

*Dry counties

References

External links

* [http://www.co.swisher.tx.us/ Swisher County government’s website]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/SS/hcs18.html Swisher County in "Handbook of Texas Online"] at the University of Texas