Parker County, Texas

Nowadays, Parker County, Texas is a topic that is constantly talked about and that continues to generate great interest in society. For years, Parker County, Texas has proven to be a determining factor in various aspects of our daily lives, from politics to technology, including culture and the economy. Its influence is so marked that it leaves no one indifferent, since Parker County, Texas has managed to capture the attention of specialists, experts and the general public. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of Parker County, Texas to understand its importance, its implications and the impact it has had and will continue to have on our lives.

Not to be confused with Parmer County, Texas.

Parker County
County
The Parker County courthouse in Weatherford
The Parker County courthouse in Weatherford
Flag of Parker County
Flag
Map of Texas highlighting Parker County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°47′N 97°49′W / 32.78°N 97.81°W / 32.78; -97.81
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1856
Named afterIsaac Parker, Texas legislator
SeatWeatherford
Largest cityWeatherford
Area
 • Total
910 sq mi (2,400 km2)
 • Land903 sq mi (2,340 km2)
 • Water6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
148,222 Increase
 • Density160/sq mi (60/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts12th, 25th
Websitewww.parkercountytx.com

Parker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 148,222.[1] The county seat is Weatherford.[2] The county was created in 1855 and organized the following year.[3] It is named for Isaac Parker, a state legislator who introduced the bill that established the county in 1855.[4] Parker later fought in the Texas Brigade.[5]

Parker County is included in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan statistical area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 910 square miles (2,400 km2), of which 903 square miles (2,340 km2) are land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (0.7%) are covered by water.[6] The county is intersected by the Brazos River.[7]

Highest point

Main article: Slipdown Mountain

Slipdown Mountain and Slipdown Bluff, at a height of 1,368 feet (417 m), are the highest points in Parker County.[8] They are located just east of the Advance community, southwest of Poolville.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Communities

Cities (multiple counties)

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,213—
18704,186−0.6%
188015,870279.1%
189021,68236.6%
190025,82319.1%
191026,3312.0%
192023,382−11.2%
193018,759−19.8%
194020,4829.2%
195021,5285.1%
196022,8806.3%
197033,88848.1%
198044,60931.6%
199064,78545.2%
200088,49536.6%
2010116,92732.1%
2020148,22026.8%
2023 (est.)173,49417.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1850–2010[10] 2010[11] 2020[12]
Parker County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[13] Pop 2010[11] Pop 2020[12] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
  White alone (NH) 78,980 99,698 117,747 89.25% 85.27% 79.44%
  Black or African American alone (NH) 1,559 1,842 1,636 1.76% 1.58% 1.10%
  Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 518 768 878 0.59% 0.66% 0.59%
Asian alone (NH) 298 631 990 0.34% 0.54% 0.67%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 19 35 97 0.02% 0.03% 0.07%
Other race alone (NH) 58 64 470 0.07% 0.05% 0.32%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 852 1,479 6,585 0.96% 1.26% 4.44%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6,211 12,410 19,819 7.02% 10.61% 13.37%
Total 88,495 116,927 148,222 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

In 2000, the county had a population of 88,495; by 2020, its population increased to 148,222.[12] Among the 2020 census population, the racial and ethnic makeup was 79.44% non-Hispanic white, 13.37% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 4.44% multiracial, 1.10% Black or African American, 0.67% Asian alone, 0.59% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.32% some other race, and 0.07% Pacific Islander.

American Community Survey 2023 Data

The United States Census Bureau estimated that in 2023, Parker County’s population was 173,494. It was also estimated that the county was 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, 79.6% NH White, 1.8% NH Black, 0.9% NH Asian, 0.7% NH Native American, 0.1% NH Pacific Islander, 1.8% NH Multiracial.[14]

Race Total Percentage
Hispanic or Latino 26,265 15.1%
NH White 138,142 79.6%
NH Black 3,164 1.8%
NH Asian 1,587 0.9%
NH Native American 1,037 0.7%
NH Pacific Islander 139 0.1%
NH Multiracial 3,064 1.8%

Politics

Parker County, like most suburban counties in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, has been a Republican stronghold for decades. Republicans have held all public offices since 1999 and the county has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976.

United States presidential election results for Parker County, Texas[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 75,168 82.75% 14,872 16.37% 800 0.88%
2020 62,045 81.50% 13,017 17.10% 1,066 1.40%
2016 46,473 81.79% 8,344 14.69% 2,000 3.52%
2012 39,243 82.28% 7,853 16.47% 598 1.25%
2008 36,974 77.11% 10,502 21.90% 475 0.99%
2004 31,795 77.63% 8,966 21.89% 196 0.48%
2000 23,651 71.18% 8,878 26.72% 696 2.09%
1996 14,580 54.29% 9,447 35.18% 2,828 10.53%
1992 10,321 37.54% 7,934 28.86% 9,239 33.60%
1988 14,090 62.01% 8,517 37.48% 116 0.51%
1984 13,647 69.07% 6,050 30.62% 62 0.31%
1980 8,505 52.65% 7,336 45.41% 314 1.94%
1976 4,692 36.18% 8,186 63.12% 91 0.70%
1972 7,152 69.11% 3,184 30.77% 13 0.13%
1968 3,068 32.98% 4,301 46.23% 1,934 20.79%
1964 2,175 29.16% 5,270 70.66% 13 0.17%
1960 3,467 48.50% 3,629 50.77% 52 0.73%
1956 3,390 51.46% 3,165 48.04% 33 0.50%
1952 3,523 50.50% 3,434 49.23% 19 0.27%
1948 806 19.75% 3,061 75.02% 213 5.22%
1944 559 12.27% 3,503 76.90% 493 10.82%
1940 558 13.12% 3,687 86.69% 8 0.19%
1936 375 12.95% 2,493 86.08% 28 0.97%
1932 372 10.68% 3,074 88.28% 36 1.03%
1928 2,178 66.24% 1,110 33.76% 0 0.00%
1924 438 14.70% 2,391 80.26% 150 5.04%
1920 488 20.60% 1,765 74.50% 116 4.90%
1916 173 7.77% 1,797 80.69% 257 11.54%
1912 135 5.62% 1,700 70.72% 569 23.67%

Notable people

  • Oliver Loving, developer of the Loving-Goodnight Cattle Trail
  • Bose Ikard, trusted cattle driver of Oliver Loving and Charles Goodnight
  • Mary Martin, star of stage and screen
  • S.W.T. Lanham, last Confederate veteran to serve as governor of Texas
  • Jim Wright, youngest mayor of Weatherford, Texas, and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

See also

References

  1. ^ "Parker County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  4. ^ "PARKER COUNTY". Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  5. ^ "Parker, Isaac".
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  7. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Parker" . The American Cyclopædia.
  8. ^ "Parker County Highpoint Trip Report". Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  9. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  11. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Parker County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ a b c "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Parker County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Parker County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "County Population by Characteristics: 2020-2023". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 28, 2018.

[1]

32°47′N 97°49′W / 32.78°N 97.81°W / 32.78; -97.81

  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Parker County, Texas". www.census.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024.