Lampasas County, Texas

County in Texas, United States

County in Texas

Lampasas County

County

The Lampasas County Courthouse was completed in 1884. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 21, 1971.

Location within the U.S. state of Texas

Texas's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 31°11′N 98°14′W﻿ / ﻿31.19°N 98.24°W﻿ / 31.19; -98.24
Country|  United States
State|  Texas
Founded| 1856
Named after| Lampasas River
Seat| Lampasas
Largest city| Lampasas
Area

• Total

| 714 sq mi (1,850 km2)
• Land| 713 sq mi (1,850 km2)
• Water| 1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.2%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 21,627
• Density| 30/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 11th
Website| www.co.lampasas.tx.us

Lampasas County (/læmˈpæsəs/ lam-PASS-əs) is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 21,627.[1] Its county seat is Lampasas.[2] The county is named for the Lampasas River.

Lampasas County is part of the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metropolitan area.

## History

[edit]

Indigenous peoples were the first inhabitants of the area. Later known tribes in the area included Tonkawa, Lipan Apache and Comanche.[3] The Aguayo expedition is said to have passed through the county in 1721.[4] In 1756 a presidio was established by Don Pedro de Terreros with the assistance of elements of the Spanish Army, at the confluence of Lucy Creek and Arroya Cavalto. The effort was abandoned not long after, but the site remained as a base of operations by Thomas Isaac Cox, a member of Terreros' original expedition, for the purpose of obtaining hundreds of Texas mustangs for use by the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.[5]

In 1853 Moses Hughes and his invalid wife, Hannah (Berry), became the first permanent settlers, seeking to take advantage of the medicinal springs.[6] John Patterson was the first man to cultivate land in the county, in 1854.[7] In 1855 Elizabeth and George W. Scott laid out the town of Burleson, named for her father. The town was renamed Lampasas, when it became the county seat;[3] the Sixth Texas Legislature formed Lampasas County, named after the Lampasas River, from parts of Travis, Bell, and Coryell Counties, in 1856.[6] In 1858 The northeastern corner of Lampasas County became part of Hamilton County.[3] In 1887 Mills County received northern and northwestern sections of Lampasas County.[3]

The Lampasas Guards were organized to ward off Indian attacks in 1859.[8] Indian raids increased in 1861, as able-bodied men were off fighting in the war.[6]

In 1872 Townsen's Mill was built by Perry and Jasper Townsen. This steam mill cut "rawhide" lumber and ground wheat and corn.[9] Henry A. Chadwick and son Milam built a sawmill, flour mill and cotton gin in 1874.[10] In 1875 the Farmers' Alliance was born in Lampasas in reaction against the cattle rustling and illegal land dealings prevalent in the county.[3][11] 1877 saw the gunfight at the Lampasas Saloon.[12]

In 1882 The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway extended its line west from Belton to Lampasas.[6] The Texas Power and Light Company arrived in Lampasas County in the 1920s,[3] and in 1934 the Lower Colorado River Authority brought electricity to the county.[3] Lone Star Gas established services in the county in 1949.[3]

During World War II in 1942, Fort Hood opened as a military training base. Hancock Park in Lampasas was temporarily turned over to the troops as a recreational area.[6]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 714 sq mi (1,850 km2), of which 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2) (0.2%) is covered by water.[13]

### Major highways

[edit]

* U.S. Highway 183
* U.S. Highway 190
* U.S. Highway 281

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Hamilton County (north)
* Coryell County (northeast)
* Bell County (southeast)
* Burnet County (south)
* San Saba County (west)
* Mills County (northwest)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 1,028| | —
1870| 1,344| | 30.7%
1880| 5,421| | 303.3%
1890| 7,584| | 39.9%
1900| 8,625| | 13.7%
1910| 9,532| | 10.5%
1920| 8,800| | −7.7%
1930| 8,677| | −1.4%
1940| 9,167| | 5.6%
1950| 9,929| | 8.3%
1960| 9,418| | −5.1%
1970| 9,323| | −1.0%
1980| 12,005| | 28.8%
1990| 13,521| | 12.6%
2000| 17,762| | 31.4%
2010| 19,677| | 10.8%
2020| 21,627| | 9.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1850–2010[15] 2010[16] 2020[17]
Lampasas 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[18] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 14,121  | 14,836  | 15,132  | 79.50%  | 75.40%  | 69.97%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 511  | 581  | 700  | 2.88%  | 2.95%  | 3.24%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 88  | 127  | 115  | 0.50%  | 0.65%  | 0.53%
Asian alone (NH)  | 126  | 184  | 242  | 0.71%  | 0.94%  | 1.12%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 8  | 35  | 86  | 0.05%  | 0.18%  | 0.40%
Other Race alone (NH)  | 8  | 31  | 100  | 0.05%  | 0.16%  | 0.46%
Mixed Race or Multiracial (NH)  | 223  | 440  | 1,073  | 1.26%  | 2.24%  | 4.96%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 2,677  | 3,443  | 4,179  | 15.07%  | 17.50%  | 19.32%
Total | 17,762 | 19,677 | 21,627 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

As of the census[19] of 2000, 17,762 people, 6,554 households, and 4,876 families were residing in the county. The population density was 25 people/sq mi (9.7 people/km2). The 7,601 housing units averaged 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.75% White, 3.10% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 6.55% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. About 15.07% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 6,554 households, 35.10% had children under 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were not families. About 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66, and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, age distribution was 27.60% under 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,176, and for a family was $41,395. Males had a median income of $30,320 versus $20,637 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,184. About 10.70% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.70% of those under 18 and 14.80% of those 65 or over.

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Copperas Cove (mostly in Coryell County and a small part in Bell County)
* Kempner
* Lampasas (county seat)
* Lometa

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Adamsville
* Bend (partly in San Saba County)
* Izoro
* Moline (partly in Mills County)
* Nix
* Rumley

### Ghost town

[edit]

* Senterfitt

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Lampasas County, Texas[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 8,961  | 79.15% | 2,232  | 19.72%  | 128  | 1.13%
2020 | 8,086  | 77.76% | 2,144  | 20.62%  | 169  | 1.63%
2016 | 6,385  | 77.82% | 1,483  | 18.07%  | 337  | 4.11%
2012 | 5,621  | 78.03% | 1,479  | 20.53%  | 104  | 1.44%
2008 | 5,651  | 74.02% | 1,903  | 24.93%  | 80  | 1.05%
2004 | 5,422  | 77.18% | 1,593  | 22.68%  | 10  | 0.14%
2000 | 4,526  | 72.84% | 1,569  | 25.25%  | 119  | 1.92%
1996 | 3,008  | 56.10% | 1,819  | 33.92%  | 535  | 9.98%
1992 | 2,233  | 43.07% | 1,508  | 29.08%  | 1,444  | 27.85%
1988 | 3,000  | 60.41% | 1,954  | 39.35%  | 12  | 0.24%
1984 | 3,285  | 70.60% | 1,356  | 29.14%  | 12  | 0.26%
1980 | 2,323  | 53.02% | 1,979  | 45.17%  | 79  | 1.80%
1976 | 1,563  | 39.25%  | 2,376  | 59.67% | 43  | 1.08%
1972 | 2,251  | 76.33% | 688  | 23.33%  | 10  | 0.34%
1968 | 935  | 33.18%  | 1,423  | 50.50% | 460  | 16.32%
1964 | 744  | 25.05%  | 2,224  | 74.88% | 2  | 0.07%
1960 | 1,222  | 46.84%  | 1,372  | 52.59% | 15  | 0.57%
1956 | 1,308  | 53.45% | 1,134  | 46.34%  | 5  | 0.20%
1952 | 1,478  | 55.21% | 1,199  | 44.79%  | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 276  | 15.27%  | 1,459  | 80.74% | 72  | 3.98%
1944 | 212  | 10.26%  | 1,693  | 81.95% | 161  | 7.79%
1940 | 244  | 10.84%  | 2,006  | 89.12% | 1  | 0.04%
1936 | 134  | 8.38%  | 1,462  | 91.43% | 3  | 0.19%
1932 | 120  | 6.17%  | 1,824  | 93.83% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 899  | 60.91% | 567  | 38.41%  | 10  | 0.68%
1924 | 228  | 12.35%  | 1,596  | 86.46% | 22  | 1.19%
1920 | 227  | 16.84%  | 778  | 57.72% | 343  | 25.45%
1916 | 113  | 11.36%  | 848  | 85.23% | 34  | 3.42%
1912 | 67  | 9.24%  | 517  | 71.31% | 141  | 19.45%

## See also

[edit]

* Texas portal

* List of museums in Central Texas
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Lampasas County, Texas
* Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Lampasas County

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Lampasas County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Rhoades, Alice J. "Lampasas County". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
4. ^ Greene, A C (1998). Sketches from the Five States of Texas. TAMU Press. p. 18\. ISBN 978-0-89096-853-6.
5. ^ "Log into Facebook". Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. `{{cite web}}`: Cite uses generic title (help)
6. ^ a b c d e Lampasas County Museum Foundation (2009). Lampasas County, TX. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 7–8\. ISBN 978-0-7385-5881-3.
7. ^ "John Patterson". Texas Historical Markers. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
8. ^ Anderson, Daniel; Yadon, Lawrence (2009). Ten Deadly Texans. Pelican Publishing. p. 105\. ISBN 978-1-58980-599-6.
9. ^ "Towsen's Mill". Texas Historical Markers. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
10. ^ "Chadwick's Mill". Texas Historical Markers. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
11. ^ "Pleasant Valley Farmers' Alliance No. 1". Texas Historical Markers. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
12. ^ "Gunfight at the Lampasas Saloon". Texas Historical Markers. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
13. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
14. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". US Census Bureau.
15. ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
16. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lampasas County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
17. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lampasas County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
18. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lampasas County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 26, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Lampasas County from the Handbook of Texas Online

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Lampasas County, Texas

| Mills County | Hamilton County | Coryell County

|
|

|  |
San Saba County |

Lampasas County, Texas

|  |
| Burnet County | Bell County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Lampasas County, Texas, United States

County seat: Lampasas

Cities|

* Copperas Cove‡
* Kempner
* Lampasas
* Lometa

Lampasas County map

Unincorporated
communities|

* Adamsville
* Bend‡
* Izoro
* Moline‡
* Nix
* Rumley

Ghost towns|

* Ada

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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31°11′N 98°14′W﻿ / ﻿31.19°N 98.24°W﻿ / 31.19; -98.24
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