Hartley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,382. The county seat is Channing. The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1891. It is named for Oliver C. Hartley and his brother, Rufus K. Hartley, two early Texas legislators and lawyers.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,463 square miles (3,790 km2), of which 1,462 square miles (3,790 km2) are land and 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2) (0.08%) are covered by water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 54
U.S. Highway 87
U.S. Highway 385
State Highway 354
Adjacent counties
Dallam County (north)
Moore County (east)
Oldham County (south)
Quay County, New Mexico (southwest/Mountain Time Zone)
Union County, New Mexico (northwest/Mountain Time Zone)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,382, with a median age of 38.7 years; 21.6% of the residents were under 18, and 14.6% were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 137.0 males, and for every 100 females 18 and over, there were 150.6 males 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 69.6% White, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 15.6% from some other race, and 10.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 30.3% of the population.
About 53.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 46.2% lived in rural areas.
Of the 1,716 households in the county, 35.3% had children under 18 living in them, 59.9% were married-couple households, 17.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 18.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.
The county had 1,930 housing units, of which 11.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.6% were owner-occupied and 31.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%, and the rental vacancy rate was 10.9%.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, 5,537 people, 1,604 households, and 1,220 families were residing in the county. The population density was 4 people/mi2 (1.5 people/km2). The 1,760 housing units had an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.07% White, 8.15% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 8.65% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. About 13.69% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. In ancestry, 21.0% were of German, 12.6% were of English, 12.3% were of Irish, 6.6% were of American, 4.3% were of French, 3.0% were of Scottish, and 3.0% were of Dutch.
Of the 1,604 households, 35.5% had children under 18 living with them, 68.9% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were not families; 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56, and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the age distribution was 20.8% under 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 35.7% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 154.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 172.9 males. The large difference in sex ratio is due to the prison in the county.
The median income in the county for a household was $46,327 and for a family was $53,004. Males had a median income of $29,783 versus $21,783 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,067. About 3.70% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under 18 and 5.3% of those 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Dalhart Unit prison in an unincorporated area in the county, near Dalhart.
Politics
Hartley County is located within District 86 of the Texas House of Representatives and District 31 of the Texas Senate.
Communities
Cities
Channing (county seat)
Dalhart (partly in Dallam County)
Census-designated place
Hartley
Education
School districts include:
Channing Independent School District
Dalhart Independent School District
Hartley Independent School District
Hartley County is in the service area of Frank Phillips College (known in legislation as Borger Junior College).