Val Verde County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 29°53′N101°09′W / 29.89°N 101.15°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
Founded | 1885 |
Named for | Battle of Valverde |
Seat | Del Rio |
Largest city | Del Rio |
Area | |
• Total | 3,233 sq mi (8,370 km2) |
• Land | 3,145 sq mi (8,150 km2) |
• Water | 88 sq mi (230 km2) 2.7% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 47,586 |
• Density | 15/sq mi (5.7/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 23rd |
Website | www |
Val Verde County is a county located on the southern Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population is 47,586. [1] Its county seat is Del Rio. [2] The Del Rio micropolitan statistical area includes all of Val Verde County.
Val Verde, which means "green valley", [3] was named for a battle of the Civil War. In 1862, soldiers of Sibley's Brigade took part in the Texas invasion of New Mexico Territory, where they captured several artillery pieces at the Battle of Val Verde. The battle is memorialized both in the name of the county and a small settlement in Milam County.
The first inhabitants of what is now known as Val Verde County lived there some 6,000–10,000 years ago. Their descendants include such Native American peoples as the Lipan Apache, Coahuiltecan, Jumano, Tamaulipan and Comanche. [4] [5]
In 1590, Spanish explorer Gaspar Castaño de Sosa led a mining expedition of 170 who passed through Devils Draw. He referred to a stream by the name of Laxas, which is believed to be Devils River. [6] [7] [8]
In 1673, Juan Larios opened a mission school at a location between Del Rio and Eagle Pass. [5] [9]
In 1675, traveling Franciscan priests celebrated Mass at San Felipe Springs. [5] [9]
In 1736, Lt. Miguel de la Garza Falcón [10] led 100 soldiers along the Devils River [11] in pursuit of Apache natives.
During 1834, James Grant [12] and John Charles Beales [13] established a settlement on San Felipe Creek, [14] which became hazardous due to Indian attacks.
During the 1850s, military bases established to protect against Indian attacks included Camp Blake, [15] Camp Hudson [16] and Camp San Felipe. [17]
As of 1860, the county had a population of 2,874, including 108 blacks and 1,103 foreign-born. [5]
During 1868, the San Felipe Del Rio community is established on San Felipe Creek, next to Camp San Felipe. [5]
From 1869 through 1882, Seminole Negro Indian Scouts (mixed heritage Seminoles with African blood) under John Lapham Bullis, namesake of Camp Bullis, defend the Texas border against Indian attacks. [18] [19]
In 1883, the Galveston Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway was completed. [20] Italian immigrant Frank Qualia established Val Verde winery. [21] [22] [23]
In 1884, the Langtry community was established, named after George Langtry (an engineer and foreman). It has mistakenly been attributed to being named after British entertainer Lillie Langtry by Judge Roy Bean. [5] [24]
In 1885, Val Verde County was organized from Crockett, Kinney, and Pecos counties. Roy Bean was elected justice of the peace in Langtry, operating out of the Jersey Lily Saloon and becoming renowned as "the Law West of the Pecos". [5]
In 1886, the Juno and Devils River communities were established. [5]
In 1888, the Comstock community was established. [5] [25]
In 1889, the community of Norris was established. [5]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,233 sq mi (8,370 km2), of which 3,145 sq mi (8,150 km2) are land and 88 sq mi (230 km2) (2.7%) are covered by water. [33]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1890 | 2,874 | — | |
1900 | 5,263 | 83.1% | |
1910 | 8,613 | 63.7% | |
1920 | 12,706 | 47.5% | |
1930 | 14,924 | 17.5% | |
1940 | 15,453 | 3.5% | |
1950 | 16,635 | 7.6% | |
1960 | 24,461 | 47.0% | |
1970 | 27,471 | 12.3% | |
1980 | 35,910 | 30.7% | |
1990 | 38,721 | 7.8% | |
2000 | 44,856 | 15.8% | |
2010 | 48,879 | 9.0% | |
2020 | 47,586 | −2.6% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [34] 1850–2010 [35] 2010 [36] 2020 [37] |
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 [36] | Pop 2020 [37] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 8,548 | 7,836 | 17.49% | 16.47% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 563 | 538 | 1.15% | 1.13% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 86 | 57 | 0.18% | 0.12% |
Asian alone (NH) | 207 | 351 | 0.42% | 0.74% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 37 | 35 | 0.08% | 0.07% |
Other race alone (NH) | 29 | 85 | 0.06% | 0.18% |
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 210 | 477 | 0.43% | 1.00% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 39,199 | 38,207 | 80.20% | 80.29% |
Total | 48,879 | 47,586 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the census [38] of 2000, 44,856 people, 14,151 households, and 11,320 families resided in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). The 16,288 housing units averaged 5 units per square mile (1.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.36% White, 4.54% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 18.22% from other races, and 2.60% from two or more races. About 75.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 14,151 households, 42.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.00% were not families. About 17.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the county, the population was distributed as 32.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 19.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,376, and for a family was $31,434. Males had a median income of $26,485 versus $18,039 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,096. About 22.10% of families and 26.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.80% of those under age 18 and 26.40% of them age 65 or over.
School districts include: [39]
Sometime prior to 1976 the Comstock district absorbed the Langtry and Pandale common school districts. [40] The former Juno Common School District consolidated into Comstock ISD in 1992. [41] There was formerly a Star Route School on Miers Ranch. In 1964 the school had 13 students. [42]
Southwest Texas Junior College is the designated community college for the county. [43]
The Val Verde County Library in Del Rio serves the county. [44]
Val Verde County government is led by a four-member board of county commissioners, each commissioner representing one of four districts. The county commission appoints a county administrator as chief administrative officer of the county. The chief law-enforcement authority of Val Verde is the Val Verde County Sheriff's Office. Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office. The fire-protection arm of the Val Verde is the Val Verde County Fire Rescue. Val Verde County Fire Rescue.
One county commissioner is elected from each district to serve a 4-year term. Commissioners are chosen in partisan elections by voters from the districts in which they live. The board appoints a county judge to be chief administrative officer of the county, responsible to the commission for the orderly operations of matters within the board's jurisdiction. The current office holders are:
Val Verde County has been a longtime swing county, having voted for both Republicans and Democrats throughout its history.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 8,284 | 54.21% | 6,771 | 44.31% | 225 | 1.47% |
2016 | 5,890 | 43.25% | 6,964 | 51.14% | 763 | 5.60% |
2012 | 5,635 | 46.64% | 6,285 | 52.02% | 161 | 1.33% |
2008 | 5,752 | 44.87% | 6,982 | 54.46% | 86 | 0.67% |
2004 | 6,968 | 59.08% | 4,757 | 40.33% | 70 | 0.59% |
2000 | 6,223 | 54.24% | 5,056 | 44.06% | 195 | 1.70% |
1996 | 4,357 | 41.10% | 5,623 | 53.05% | 620 | 5.85% |
1992 | 4,102 | 37.30% | 4,748 | 43.18% | 2,146 | 19.52% |
1988 | 5,109 | 50.03% | 5,044 | 49.40% | 58 | 0.57% |
1984 | 5,909 | 60.38% | 3,857 | 39.41% | 21 | 0.21% |
1980 | 5,055 | 54.05% | 4,116 | 44.01% | 182 | 1.95% |
1976 | 3,476 | 42.64% | 4,603 | 56.46% | 73 | 0.90% |
1972 | 4,052 | 66.17% | 2,049 | 33.46% | 23 | 0.38% |
1968 | 1,914 | 33.59% | 3,205 | 56.25% | 579 | 10.16% |
1964 | 1,346 | 27.46% | 3,555 | 72.52% | 1 | 0.02% |
1960 | 1,551 | 43.05% | 2,049 | 56.87% | 3 | 0.08% |
1956 | 1,660 | 50.81% | 1,598 | 48.91% | 9 | 0.28% |
1952 | 1,725 | 51.14% | 1,647 | 48.83% | 1 | 0.03% |
1948 | 672 | 33.97% | 1,242 | 62.79% | 64 | 3.24% |
1944 | 676 | 34.06% | 1,210 | 60.96% | 99 | 4.99% |
1940 | 616 | 27.41% | 1,628 | 72.45% | 3 | 0.13% |
1936 | 504 | 28.46% | 1,262 | 71.26% | 5 | 0.28% |
1932 | 421 | 22.94% | 1,412 | 76.95% | 2 | 0.11% |
1928 | 854 | 57.94% | 620 | 42.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 457 | 45.79% | 434 | 43.49% | 107 | 10.72% |
1920 | 296 | 41.23% | 418 | 58.22% | 4 | 0.56% |
1916 | 135 | 22.96% | 446 | 75.85% | 7 | 1.19% |
1912 | 196 | 30.06% | 298 | 45.71% | 158 | 24.23% |
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Del Rio is a city in and the county seat of Val Verde County in southwestern Texas, United States. As of 2020, Del Rio had a population of 34,673.
Langtry is an unincorporated community in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. The community is notable as the place where Judge Roy Bean, the "Law West of the Pecos", had his saloon and practiced law.
Amistad Reservoir is a reservoir on the Rio Grande at its confluence with the Devils River 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Del Rio, Texas. The lake is bounded by Val Verde County on the United States side of the international border and by the state of Coahuila on the Mexican side of the border; the American shoreline forms the Amistad National Recreation Area. The reservoir was formed in 1969 by the construction of Amistad Dam. The dam and lake are managed jointly by the governments of the United States and Mexico through the International Boundary and Water Commission. The name of the dam and lake is the Spanish word for "friendship". The reservoir is also known as Lake Amistad.
San Felipe-Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District (SFDR-CISD) is a school district based in Del Rio, Texas (USA).
Comstock Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Comstock, Texas, United States. The district consists of a single K-12 school located in Comstock.
Pandale is a remote desert hamlet in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. Its current population is smaller than in some previous years. It has been used as a starting point for canoeing and kayaking expeditions on the Pecos River. There are no businesses or services in Pandale.
Juno was a small unincorporated community in Val Verde County, Texas, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. Its last business closed in 1984, and the only remnant of Juno now is a lone ranch. What remains of the village was, by 2013, situated on private ranch land.
Amistad is a census-designated place (CDP) in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. The population was 53 at the 2010 census. This CDP was formed prior to the 2010 census from parts of the deleted Box Canyon-Amistad CDP.
Box Canyon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Val Verde County, Texas, United States. The population was 34 at the 2010 census. This CDP was formed prior to the 2010 census from parts of the deleted Box Canyon-Amistad CDP.
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site is a state park in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located off U.S. Route 90, east of the Pecos River High Bridge, 9 miles (14 km) west of Comstock in Val Verde County. The park is conducive to camping, biking, bird watching, back packing and archeological study. Cave art and archeological artifacts date back to the earliest human habitation in the area. The park is part of the larger Seminole Canyon Archeological District on the National Register of Historic Places.
Camp Hudson, later Fort Hudson was located on the west bank of the Devils River, below the Second Crossing of Devils River by the San Antonio-El Paso Road, and 19 miles south of Juno and 21 miles north of Comstock in Val Verde County, Texas. It lay near the mouth of Hudson Canyon and near Huffstutler Springs. Camp Hudson and Hudson Canyon were named for 2nd Lieutenant Walter W. Hudson, an American soldier who died in the area on 19 April 1850 in fighting with local Native Americans.
Paula Losoya Taylor was one of the founders of San Felipe Del Rio in Texas. Her hacienda in Del Rio became a major employer in the region, for workers in farming and ranching.
Juno Common School District No. 4 was a school district formerly based in Juno, Texas.