Gaines County

As of the latest available data, Gaines County, TX, has a population of approximately 21,500. The racial makeup includes around 50% White, 45% Hispanic or Latino, 2% Black or African American, and 3% other races. The median household income is roughly $56,000, with a poverty rate near 18%. The median age is 31 years. Agriculture and oil extraction are significant economic activities. The county seat is Seminole.

As of the latest data, Gaines County, TX, has a median home value of approximately $148,600. Homeownership rate stands at around 76.3%, and the median household income is about $61,042. The average rent is roughly $906 per month. The county has seen a 6.7% increase in home values over the past year. Housing types predominantly include single-family homes, with a limited supply of rental properties. Real estate market trends indicate relatively stable growth. Population density is 13 people per square mile, reflecting a largely rural setting.

Gaines County, TX elections typically include races for local officials, state representatives, and federal positions. In the 2022 midterm elections, voter turnout was approximately 48% of the 11,000 registered voters. Key races included the County Judge and County Commissioner positions.

For County Judge, Tom Keyes (R) and Steven Rutherford (D) were the primary candidates, with Keyes winning with 3,500 votes to Rutherford's 1,800. County Commissioner seats were contested in Precincts 1 and 3, with incumbents Greg Pearce (R) and Chris Morning (R) retaining their seats.

In state races, Drew Springer (R) ran unopposed for Texas Senate District 30, and Dustin Burrows (R) was re-elected for Texas House District 83 with 75% of the vote against Democrat Addison Perry-Franks.

Federal positions included elections for U.S. House District 19, where incumbent Jodey Arrington (R) secured 80% of the vote against Democratic challenger Tom Watson.

Please check local resources for the most current election information.

As of the latest available data, Gaines County, Texas, exhibits the following educational attainment among residents aged 25 and over: approximately 61.2% have a high school diploma or higher, while 10.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

In comparison, Texas averages around 83.7% for high school or higher education, and 29.3% for a bachelor's degree or higher. Nationally, these figures are approximately 88.0% and 33.1%, respectively.

Hence, Gaines County trails both the state and national averages in educational attainment. Improving these rates could align the county more closely with broader educational trends and potentially enhance local economic and social outcomes.

As of the latest available data, Gaines County, TX, has approximately 9,000 employees. The top industries in the county include agriculture, oil and gas extraction, and education services. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, plays a significant role, employing around 19% of the workforce. The oil and gas sector is also a major employer, reflecting the region’s rich resources. Education services employ about 9%.

Comparatively, nationally and at the state level, the largest employment sectors are typically healthcare, retail, and professional services. Nationally, healthcare employs about 14% of the workforce, while in Texas, it’s around 13%. Retail trade employs about 11% both nationally and in Texas. Professional, scientific, and technical services employ about 7% nationally and in Texas. Thus, Gaines County diverges notably from these patterns, with a stronger emphasis on agriculture and energy sectors.

As of the most recent data available, the median household income in Gaines County, TX is approximately $55,000. This is lower than both the national median household income, which is around $68,700, and the Texas state median household income, which is about $63,826.

Statistics Table

This comparison highlights that Gaines County's median household income is below both the state and national averages.

As of the latest available data, Gaines County, TX has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. Here are the crime statistics for the most recent year:

These numbers reflect a general trend towards lower crime rates, particularly in violent crimes. The community's proactive policing and community programs contribute to maintaining this low crime environment. Note that these values can fluctuate yearly and should be reviewed alongside current records for accuracy.