Brown County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Brown County is a county in West Central Texas. As of 2000, the population was 37,674. Its county seat
is Brownwood
. Brown is named for Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco
. Brown County was founded in 1856.
The Brownwood Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Brown County.
, the county has a total area of 957 square miles (2,478.6 km²), of which 944 square miles (2,444.9 km²) is land and 13 square miles (33.7 km²) (1.37%) is water.
of 2000, there were 37,674 people, 14,306 households, and 10,014 families residing in the county. The population density
was 40 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 17,889 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.35% White
, 4.01% Black
or African American
, 0.53% Native American
, 0.37% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 6.07% from other races
, and 1.66% from two or more races. 15.38% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 14,306 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples
living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,974, and the median income for a family was $37,725. Males had a median income of $30,169 versus $19,647 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,624. About 14.00% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.70% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.
is the local daily newspaper, an American Consolidated Media company that also serves media online through its website. Brown County is part of the Abilene
/Sweetwater
/Brownwood
Television media market. Area television stations include: KRBC-TV
, KTXS-TV
, KXVA
, KTAB-TV
, and KIDU-LP.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Brownwood
Brownwood, Texas
Brownwood is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, Texas, United States. The population was 18,813 at the 2000 census.-History:The original site of the Brown County seat of Brownwood was on the east of Pecan Bayou. A dispute arose over land and water rights, and the settlers were forced...
. Brown is named for Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco
Battle of Velasco
The Battle of Velasco, fought June 25–26, 1832, was the first true military conflict between Mexico and settlers in Texas. It began when Texan insurgents attacked Fort Velasco, located in what was then Velasco and what is now the present day city of Freeport...
. Brown County was founded in 1856.
The Brownwood Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Brown County.
History Timeline
- Among first inhabitants were the PentekaComancheThe Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
. - 1721 The Marqués de San Miguel de Aguayo expedition is said to have passed through the county.
- 1838 Land surveys are made of the area.
- 1856 MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
transplant Welcome W. Chandler becomes the first settler, arriving with his family, John H. Fowler, and 7 slaves. They built a log cabinLog cabinA log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
on Pecan Bayou. The county is formed from ComancheComanche County, TexasComanche County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 14,026. Comanche was founded in 1856. Comanche is named for the Comanche Native American tribe...
and TravisTravis County, TexasAs of 2009, the U.S. census estimates there were 1,026,158 people, 320,766 households, and 183,798 families residing in the county. The population density was 821 people per square mile . There were 335,881 housing units at an average density of 340 per square mile...
. It is named after pioneer from KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, Henry Stevenson Brown. - 1858 The county is organized. BrownwoodBrownwood, TexasBrownwood is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, Texas, United States. The population was 18,813 at the 2000 census.-History:The original site of the Brown County seat of Brownwood was on the east of Pecan Bayou. A dispute arose over land and water rights, and the settlers were forced...
is the county seat. - 1874 John Wesley HardinJohn Wesley HardinJohn Wesley Hardin was an American outlaw, gunfighter, and controversial folk hero of the Old West. He was born in Bonham, Texas. Hardin found himself in trouble with the law at an early age, and spent the majority of his life being pursued by both local lawmen and federal troops of the...
and gang celebrate his 21st birthday in Brown and Comanche counties. Deputy Charles Webb draws his gun provoking a gunfight that ends Webb’s life. A lynch mob is formed, but Hardin and his family are put into protective custody. The mob breaks into the jail and hang his brother Joe and two cousins. Hardin flees. - 1875 The Fort Worth-Brownwood stage is robbed five times in two months.
- 1879 Oil is discovered on the H. M. Barnes farm near Grosvenor.
- 1886 Texas RangersTexas Ranger DivisionThe Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
kill two fence cutters in the ongoing battle between farmers and ranchers over fencing open range. - 1890 Cotton becomes the county’s important crop.Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
author Katherine Ann Porter is born at Indian CreekIndian Creek, TexasIndian Creek is an unincorporated community in southern Brown County in the west central region of the U.S. state of Texas. It is built along the banks of Indian Creek. Annual rain fall is under 30". Howard Payne University was started in Indian Creek in 1889, but later relocated to Brownwood,...
. - 1889 Howard Payne CollegeHoward Payne UniversityHoward Payne University is a four-year private university located in Brownwood, Texas.Currently the university enrolls 1,400 full-time students. Howard Payne is known for the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom, its Music program and its Christian Studies program...
and Daniel Baker CollegeDaniel Baker CollegeDaniel Baker College was founded April 5, 1889 in Brownwood, Texas and was named in memory of the Rev. Dr. Daniel Baker, a Presbyterian circuit-riding minister, who helped organize the first presbytery in Texas in 1840 and Austin College in 1849....
are established in Brownwood. - 1892 The Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway is built to the county.
- 1895 The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe RailwayGulf, Colorado and Santa Fe RailwayThe Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway was a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in eastern Texas and to Purcell, Oklahoma.- Nineteenth Century :...
built into Brownwood. - 1903 The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe line extends the line to MenardMenard, TexasMenard is a city in and the county seat of Menard County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,653 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
. The county votes itself a dry county. Alcohol would not become legal again until the 1950s. - 1909 The boll weevilBoll weevilThe boll weevil is a beetle measuring an average length of six millimeters, which feeds on cotton buds and flowers. Thought to be native to Central America, it migrated into the United States from Mexico in the late 19th century and had infested all U.S. cotton-growing areas by the 1920s,...
moves into the county, destroying the cotton economy. - 1917 First commercial production of oil comes from the efforts of Jack Pippen at Brownwood.
- 1919 The first large field begins producing from a depth of 1100 feet (335.3 m) in 1919 near Cross Cut.
- 1926 An oil boom follows the success of the White well on Jim Ned Creek; some 600 wells are drilled in several fields in the county during this time.
- 1938 Lake Brownwood State Park opens to the public.
- 1940 Work begins on Camp BowieCamp BowieCamp Bowie is a United States National Guard training center located in west central Texas near the cities of Brownwood and Early.-History:Camp Bowie, in honor of the Texas patriot James Bowie, was a military training facility during World War II, and was the third camp in Texas to be so named...
. - 1943 The first GermanGermansThe Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
prisoners of warPrisoner of warA prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
arrive; many are members of Erwin RommelErwin RommelErwin Johannes Eugen Rommel , popularly known as the Desert Fox , was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought....
's Afrika Corps. - 1953 Howard Payne College and Daniel Baker College combine under the name Howard Payne College.
- 1991 More than 50561000 barrels (8,038,556,622.5 l) of oil had been taken from Brown County lands since 1917.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 957 square miles (2,478.6 km²), of which 944 square miles (2,444.9 km²) is land and 13 square miles (33.7 km²) (1.37%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 67
U.S. Highway 84
U.S. Highway 183
U.S. Highway 377
State Highway 279
Farm to Market Road 45Farm to Market Road 45Farm to Market Road 45, or FM 45, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Texas that runs from US 190 in Richland Springs north to US 377 about 5 miles south of Brownwood...
Adjacent counties
- Eastland CountyEastland County, Texas*Carbon*Cisco*Desdemona, a ghost town*Eastland*Gorman*Mangum*Olden*Ranger*Rising Star*Romney-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Eastland County, Texas*Santa Claus Bank Robbery-External links:** at the University of Texas*...
(north) - Comanche CountyComanche County, TexasComanche County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 14,026. Comanche was founded in 1856. Comanche is named for the Comanche Native American tribe...
(northeast) - Mills CountyMills County, TexasMills County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 5,151. Mills County is named for John T. Mills, a justice of the Texas Supreme Court...
(southeast) - San Saba CountySan Saba County, TexasSan Saba County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Western Central Texas. In 2010, its population was 6,131. Its county seat is San Saba. It is named for the San Saba River, which flows through the county.-History:...
(south) - McCulloch CountyMcCulloch County, TexasMcCulloch County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The geographical center of Texas lies within the county. In 2000, its population was 8,205. Its county seat is Brady. McCulloch is named for Benjamin McCulloch, a famous Texas Ranger and Confederate...
(southwest) - Coleman County (west)
- Callahan CountyCallahan County, Texas*Baird*Belle Plain*Callahan City*Clyde*Cottonwood*Cross Plains*Eula*Putnam-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Callahan County, Texas-External links:* at the University of Texas*...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 37,674 people, 14,306 households, and 10,014 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 40 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 17,889 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.35% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.01% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.53% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.37% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 6.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.66% from two or more races. 15.38% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 14,306 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,974, and the median income for a family was $37,725. Males had a median income of $30,169 versus $19,647 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $15,624. About 14.00% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.70% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.
Local media
The Brownwood BulletinBrownwood Bulletin
Brownwood Bulletin is a daily newspaper based in Brownwood, Texas, USA. The Brownwood Bulletin traces its roots to two 19th century weeklies, the Brownwood Banner and the Brownwood Bulletin. Will Mayes, a Brownwood attorney, purchased the Bulletin in the 1880s and in the 1890s purchased the Banner...
is the local daily newspaper, an American Consolidated Media company that also serves media online through its website. Brown County is part of the Abilene
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
/Sweetwater
Sweetwater, Texas
Sweetwater is the county seat of Nolan County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,415 at the 2000 census.-History:Sweetwater received a U.S. post office in 1879. The Texas and Pacific Railway started service in 1881, with the first train arriving on March 12 of that year, beginning...
/Brownwood
Brownwood, Texas
Brownwood is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, Texas, United States. The population was 18,813 at the 2000 census.-History:The original site of the Brown County seat of Brownwood was on the east of Pecan Bayou. A dispute arose over land and water rights, and the settlers were forced...
Television media market. Area television stations include: KRBC-TV
KRBC-TV
KRBC-TV is the NBC Television Network affiliate for the Abilene-Sweetwater-Brownwood market area of Texas. KRBC is Abilene's first television station and airs on digital channel 29....
, KTXS-TV
KTXS-TV
KTXS-TV is the ABC television affiliate for the Abilene/Sweetwater/Brownwood market. The station is licensed to Sweetwater, and broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 20 from a broadcasting tower near Trent, Texas....
, KXVA
KXVA
KXVA FOX Abilene is a full-service television station in Abilene, Texas, broadcasting locally in digital on UHF channel 15 as an affiliate of the Fox network. Founded June 15, 2000, the station is owned by Bayou City Broadcasting...
, KTAB-TV
KTAB-TV
KTAB-TV is the CBS affiliate television station serving Abilene, Texas. It is owned by Nexstar Broadcasting Group and broadcasts on digital channel 24. KTAB is licensed in Abilene and broadcasts on a High Definition digital signal on UHF Channel 24....
, and KIDU-LP.
Cities and towns
- BangsBangs, TexasBangs is a city located in Brown County in West Central Texas. The population was 1,620 at the 2000 census. Bangs is the birthplace of Major League Baseball batting champion Debs Garms.-Geography:Bangs is located at ....
- BlanketBlanket, TexasBlanket is a city located in Brown County in West Central Texas. The eastern side of the city borders Comanche County. The population was 402 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blanket is located at ....
- BrookesmithBrookesmith, TexasBrookesmith is an unincorporated community in Brown County, Texas, United States.The Brookesmith Independent School District serves area students.-External links:...
(unincorporated) - BrownwoodBrownwood, TexasBrownwood is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, Texas, United States. The population was 18,813 at the 2000 census.-History:The original site of the Brown County seat of Brownwood was on the east of Pecan Bayou. A dispute arose over land and water rights, and the settlers were forced...
- Cross Cut (unincorporated)
- EarlyEarly, TexasEarly is a city located in Brown County in West Central Texas. The population was 2,588 at the 2000 census. It is named for Walter U. Early, who donated land for the schools. Home to Early ISD...
- Indian CreekIndian Creek, TexasIndian Creek is an unincorporated community in southern Brown County in the west central region of the U.S. state of Texas. It is built along the banks of Indian Creek. Annual rain fall is under 30". Howard Payne University was started in Indian Creek in 1889, but later relocated to Brownwood,...
(unincorporated) - Lake BrownwoodLake Brownwood, TexasLake Brownwood is a census-designated place located in Brown County in West Central Texas. The population was 1,694 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lake Brownwood is located at ....
(unincorporated) - MayMay, TexasMay is an unincorporated community in Brown County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 285 in 2000. Designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1981, Marker number 5377. -Geography:...
(unincorporated) - Owens (unincorporated)
- WinchellWinchell, TexasWinchell is an unincorporated community in Brown County, Texas, United States. It is located approximately 21 miles southwest of Brownwood along U.S. Highway 377 in southwestern Brown County, near the McCulloch County line.-External links:...
(unincorporated) - ZephyrZephyr, TexasZephyr is an unincorporated community located in Brown County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 198 in 2000.-Geography:...
(unincorporated)
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Brown County, Texas
External links
- Brown County, Texas
- Brown County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of TexasUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. - Brownwood News
- Brownwood Bulletin Newspaper