Lampasas County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Lampasas County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau
in the U.S. state
of Texas
. In 2000, its population was 17,762. Its seat
is Lampasas
. The county is named for the Lampasas River
.
Lampasas County is part of the Killeen
–Temple
–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, the county has a total area of 714 square miles (1,849.3 km²), of which 712 square miles (1,844.1 km²) are land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.27%) are covered by water.
of 2000, there were 17,762 people, 6,554 households, and 4,876 families residing in the county. The population density
was 25 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 7,601 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.75% White
, 3.10% Black
or African American
, 0.70% Native American
, 0.75% Asian
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 6.49% from other races
, and 2.15% from two or more races. About 15.07% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 6,554 households, of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples
living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were nonfamilies. About 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was distributed as 27.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,176, and the median income for a family was $41,395. Males had a median income of $30,320 versus $20,637 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,184. About 10.70% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.70% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.
Edwards Plateau
The Edwards Plateau is a region of west-central Texas which is bounded by the Balcones Fault to the south and east, the Llano Uplift and the Llano Estacado to the north, and the Pecos River and Chihuahuan Desert to the west. San Angelo, Austin, San Antonio and Del Rio roughly outline the area...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. In 2000, its population was 17,762. Its seat
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 Lampasas
Lampasas, Texas
Lampasas is a city in Lampasas County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,786 at the 2000 census. It is the seat of Lampasas County.Lampasas is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. The county is named for the Lampasas River
Lampasas River
The Lampasas River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas. The river originates near the city of Hamilton and travels southeast for seventy-five miles through central Texas to a man-made reservoir called Stillhouse Hollow Lake...
.
Lampasas County is part of the Killeen
Killeen, Texas
Killeen is a city in Bell County, Texas, The United States. The population was 86,911 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, Killeen had 119,510 people. In 2010 Killeen's population shot to 127,921...
–Temple
Temple, Texas
Temple is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. Located near the county seat of Belton, Temple lies in the region referred to as Central Texas. Located off Interstate 35, Temple is 65 miles north of Austin and 34 miles south of Waco. In the 2010 Census, Temple's population was 66,102, an...
–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area
Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metropolitan area
The Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in Central Texas that covers three counties - Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas...
.
History Timeline
- Indigenous peoplesIndigenous peoples of the AmericasThe indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
were the first inhabitants of the area. Later known tribes in the area included TonkawaTonkawaThe Tickanwa•tic Tribe , better known as the Tonkawa , are a Native American people indigenous to present-day Oklahoma and Texas. They once spoke the now-extinct Tonkawa language believed to have been a language isolate not related to any other indigenous tongues...
, Lipan Apache and ComancheComancheThe 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 Aguayo expedition is said to have passed through the county.
- 1853 Moses Hughes and his invalid wife, Hannah (Berry), became the first permanent settlers, seeking to take advantage of the medicinal springs.
- 1854 John Patterson was the first man to cultivate land in the county.
- 1855 Elizabeth and George W. Scott laid out the town of Burleson, named for her father. The town was later renamed LampasasLampasas, TexasLampasas is a city in Lampasas County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,786 at the 2000 census. It is the seat of Lampasas County.Lampasas is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, when it becomes the county seat. - 1856 The Sixth Texas Legislature formed Lampasas County, named after the Lampasas RiverLampasas RiverThe Lampasas River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas. The river originates near the city of Hamilton and travels southeast for seventy-five miles through central Texas to a man-made reservoir called Stillhouse Hollow Lake...
, from parts of 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...
, BellBell County, TexasBell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Bell County was founded in 1850. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2000, the county's population was 237,974; in 2010 the U.S. Census Bureau reported that its population had reached...
, and CoryellCoryell County, TexasCoryell County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 74,978. The county seat is Gatesville. Coryell County forms part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area...
Counties. Burleson, renamed Lampasas, is made the county seat. - 1858 The northeastern corner of Lampasas County became part of Hamilton County.
- 1859 The Lampasas Guards were organized to ward off Indian attacks.
- 1860 Lampasas County's population was 1,028. About 15 percent were slaves.
- 1861 Indian raids increased in Lampasas, as able-bodied men were off fighting in the war.
- 1872 Townsen’s Mill was built by Perry and Jasper Townsen. This steam mill cut "rawhide" lumber and ground wheat and corn.
- 1874 Henry A. Chadwick and son Milam built a sawmill, flour mill and cotton gin.
- 1875 The Farmers' AllianceFarmers' AllianceThe Farmers Alliance was an organized agrarian economic movement amongst U.S. farmers that flourished in the 1880s. One of the goals of the organization was to end the adverse effects of the crop-lien system on farmers after the American Civil War...
was born in Lampasas in reaction against the cattle rustling and illegal land dealings prevalent in the county. - 1877 Gunfight at the Lampasas Saloon
- 1882 The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway extended its line west from Belton to Lampasas.
- 1885 The Texas Bankers Association, the oldest and largest in the United States, had its beginnings in Lampasas.
- 1887 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...
received northern and northwestern sections of Lampasas County. - 1892, April 20 – First state meeting of the Daughters of the Republic of TexasDaughters of the Republic of TexasThe Daughters of the Republic of Texas is a sororal association dedicated to perpetuating the memory of Texas pioneer families and soldiers of the Republic of Texas. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas is best known for its role as caretakers of The Alamo. They also operate a museum in Austin...
was held in Lampasas. - 1902 Pierian Club of Lampasas, a civic women's organization, was chartered.
- 1920’s Texas Power and Light Company arrived in Lampasas County.
- 1934 The Lower Colorado River AuthorityLower Colorado River AuthorityThe Lower Colorado River Authority or LCRA is a nonprofit public utility that was created in November 1934 by the Texas Legislature. LCRA's mission is to protect people, property and the environment by providing public services for more than one million people in Central and Southeast Texas...
brought electricity to the county. - 1935 Rollins-Brook Hospital opened near Lampasas.
- 1942 Fort Hood opened as a military training base. Hancock Park in Lampasas was temporarily turned over to the troops as a recreational area.
- 1949 Lone Star Gas established services in the county.
- Lampasas Mother's Day Flood
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 714 square miles (1,849.3 km²), of which 712 square miles (1,844.1 km²) are land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.27%) are covered by water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 183
U.S. Highway 190
U.S. Highway 281
Adjacent counties
- Hamilton County (north)
- Coryell CountyCoryell County, TexasCoryell County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 74,978. The county seat is Gatesville. Coryell County forms part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area...
(northeast) - Bell CountyBell County, TexasBell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Bell County was founded in 1850. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2000, the county's population was 237,974; in 2010 the U.S. Census Bureau reported that its population had reached...
(southeast) - Burnet CountyBurnet County, TexasBurnet County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 34,147. The 2008 Census Bureau Estimate was 44,488. Its county seat is Burnet. Burnet is named for David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas...
(south) - 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:...
(west) - 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...
(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 17,762 people, 6,554 households, and 4,876 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 25 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 7,601 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.75% 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...
, 3.10% 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...
, 0.70% 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...
, 0.75% 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...
, 0.06% 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...
, 6.49% 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 2.15% from two or more races. About 15.07% 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 6,554 households, of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% 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, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were nonfamilies. About 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was distributed as 27.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,176, and the median income for a family was $41,395. Males had a median income of $30,320 versus $20,637 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 $17,184. About 10.70% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.70% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- BendBend, TexasBend is an unincorporated community in Lampasas and San Saba Counties in Western Central Texas. It is located on Farm to Market Road 580 at a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River. The Lampasas County portion of Bend is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical...
(unincorporated; partly in San Saba County) - Copperas CoveCopperas Cove, TexasCopperas Cove is a city located in central Texas at the southern corner of Coryell County, with city limits extending into neighboring Bell and Lampasas Counties. Founded in 1879 as a small ranching and farming community, today the city is the largest in Coryell County, with more than 30,000...
(partly in Bell and Coryell Counties) - KempnerKempner, TexasKempner is a city in Lampasas County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,004 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- LampasasLampasas, TexasLampasas is a city in Lampasas County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,786 at the 2000 census. It is the seat of Lampasas County.Lampasas is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- LometaLometa, TexasLometa is a city in Lampasas County, Texas, United States. The population was 782 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Lometa is located at ....
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lampasas County, Texas