Moore County, Texas


Moore County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 [United States census|2020 census], its population was 21,358. The county seat is Dumas. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1892. It is named for Edwin Ward Moore, the commander of the Texas Navy. The Dumas micropolitan statistical area includes all of Moore County.
Moore County history is highlighted in the Window on the Plains Museum in Dumas.

History

About 100 million years ago, the land that Moore County encompasses was part of the Western Interior Seaway.
The people of the Antelope Creek phase inhabited the southeastern portion of Moore County in the Canadian River Valley, around 1200 to 1450 AD.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which are covered by water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 21,358. The median age was 31.9 years. 30.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.9 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 44.2% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 2.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.7% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 25.3% from some other race, and 20.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 59.2% of the population.
68.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 31.5% lived in rural areas.
There were 7,258 households in the county, of which 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.4% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 8,188 housing units, of which 11.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.3% were owner-occupied and 36.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.2%.

2000 Census

At the 2000 census, 20,121 people, 6,774 households, and 5,331 families were in the county. The population density was. There were 7,478 housing units at an average density of. The Race and ethnicity in [the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup] of the county was 63.93% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 31.20% from other races, and 2.62% from two or more races. 47.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 6,774 households 44.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.30% were non-families. 18.20% of households were one person and 8.30% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.36.
The age distribution was 33.60% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 18.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.
The median household income was $34,852 and the median family income was $37,985. Males had a median income of $29,843 versus $19,383 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,214. About 10.10% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Moore County is a strongly Republican county, having given Senator John McCain 78.76% of the vote, over only 20.65% for Barack Obama in 2008. It also gave George W. Bush 81.75% over 17.93% John Kerry in 2004.
Moore County is represented in the Texas House of Representatives by the Republican Walter Price, IV, elected on November 2, 2010. The district also includes the majority of neighboring Potter County — Amarillo. Moore County is represented in the US house of representatives by Ronny Jackson, as it is a part of Texas's 13th congressional district.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated community

Education

School districts:
All of the county is in the service area of Amarillo College.