Stephens County, Texas
Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 [United States census|2020 census], its population was 9,101. Its county seat is Breckenridge. The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1876. It was originally named Buchanan County, after U.S. President James Buchanan, but was renamed in 1861 for Alexander H. Stephens, the vice president of the Confederate States of America.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which are covered by water.Major highways
- 25px U.S. Highway 180
- 25px U.S. [Route 183 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 183]
- 20px Texas [State Highway 67|State Highway 67]
Adjacent counties
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 9,101. The median age was 41.8 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 112.1 males age 18 and over.The racial makeup of the county was 77.1% White, 2.7% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.8% from some other race, and 9.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 24.2% of the population.
59.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.1% lived in rural areas.
There were 3,463 households in the county, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.6% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 4,654 housing units, of which 25.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.3% were owner-occupied and 26.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 16.5%.
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | % 2000 | % 2010 | ||
| White alone | 7,861 | 7,289 | 6,256 | 81.26% | 75.69% | 68.74% |
| Black or African American alone | 277 | 195 | 237 | 2.86% | 2.02% | 2.60% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone | 17 | 43 | 36 | 0.18% | 0.45% | 0.40% |
| Asian alone | 27 | 31 | 60 | 0.28% | 0.32% | 0.66% |
| Pacific Islander alone | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Race and ethnicity in [the United States census|Other race] alone | 2 | 0 | 27 | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.30% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial | 70 | 60 | 280 | 0.72% | 0.62% | 3.08% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,418 | 2,011 | 2,204 | 14.66% | 20.88% | 24.22% |
| Total | 9,674 | 9,630 | 9,101 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, 9,674 people, 3,661 households, and 2,591 families resided in the county. The population density was. The 4,893 housing units averaged. The racial makeup of the county was 86.89% White, 2.92% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.15% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. About 14.66% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.Of the 3,661 households, 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were not families. Around 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was distributed as 24.40% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,583, and for a family was $35,293. Males had a median income of $26,421 versus $21,280 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,475. About 12.60% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.60% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
City
Unincorporated communities
- Caddo
- Crystal Falls
- Eolian
- Frankell
- Gunsight
- Harpersville
- Ivan
- La Casa
- Necessity
Notable people
- Jack Cox, businessman and politician
- Rupert N. Richardson, historian and president of Hardin-Simmons University