Callahan County, Texas


Callahan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 [United States census|2020 census], the population was 13,708. Its county seat is Baird. The county was founded in 1858 and later organized in 1877. It is named for James Hughes Callahan, an American soldier in the Texas Revolution. Callahan County is included in the Abilene metropolitan area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which are covered by water.
Callahan Divide is range of hills that extends from west to southeast through Taylor and Callahan Counties, with highest elevation, which together with other elevated areas in the two counties provide advantages in wind energy.

Major highways

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,708. The median age was 44.3 years. 22.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.4 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.6% from some other race, and 6.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 9.5% of the population.
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 5,582 households in the county, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.7% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 6,487 housing units, of which 14.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.0% were owner-occupied and 21.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%.

2010 census

Per the 2010 United States census, Callahan County had 13,544 people. Among non-Hispanics, this includes 12,065 White, 135 Black, 56 Asian, 61 Native American, 7 Pacific Islander, 10 from some other race, and 185 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 1,025 people.
Of the 5,447 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with children and no husband present, and 28.5% were not families. About 24.7% of households were one person and 32.3% had someone who was 65 or older.
The age distribution was 76.2% over 18 and 18.2% 65 or older. The median age was 43.0 years. The gender ratio was 48.8% male and 51.2% female. Among 5,447 occupied households, 78.7% were owner-occupied and 21.3% were renter-occupied.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, 12,905 people, 5,061 households, and 3,750 families were in the county. The population density was. The 5,925 housing units averaged. The Race and ethnicity in [the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup] of the county was 94.78% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.70% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 5,061 households, 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.60% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were not families. About 23.30% of households were one person, and 12.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53, and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution was 26.20% under 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median household income was $32,463 and the median family income was $37,165. Males had a median income of $27,086 versus $19,720 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,204. About 9.00% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.80% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Callahan County is part of the Texas's 71st [House of Representatives district|71st district] for elections to the Texas House of Representatives.

Communities

Cities