Jeff Davis County, Texas: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|County in Texas, United States}} |
{{Short description|County in Texas, United States}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}} |
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{{See also|Jeff Davis County (disambiguation)}} |
{{See also|Jeff Davis County (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} |
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{{Infobox U.S. county |
{{Infobox U.S. county |
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| county = Jeff Davis County |
| county = Jeff Davis County |
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| state = Texas |
| state = Texas |
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| seal = |
| seal = |
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|type=County |
| type = County |
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|official_name=Jeff Davis County |
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| founded = 1887 |
| founded = 1887 |
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| seat wl = Fort Davis |
| seat wl = Fort Davis |
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| Line 15: | Line 14: | ||
| area_land_sq_mi = 2265 |
| area_land_sq_mi = 2265 |
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| area_water_sq_mi = 0.08 |
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.08 |
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| area percentage = 0 |
| area percentage = 0 |
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| census |
| census yr = 2020 |
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| pop = |
| pop = 1996 |
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| density_sq_mi = |
| density_sq_mi = auto |
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| ex image = Jeff Davis County Courthouse June 2020.jpg |
| ex image = Jeff Davis County Courthouse June 2020.jpg |
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| ex image size = 250 |
| ex image size = 250 |
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| ex image cap = Jeff Davis County Courthouse in Fort Davis |
| ex image cap = [[Jeff Davis County Courthouse (Texas)|Jeff Davis County Courthouse]] in Fort Davis |
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| web = www.co.jeff-davis.tx.us |
| web = www.co.jeff-davis.tx.us |
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| time zone = Central |
| time zone = Central |
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| Line 28: | Line 27: | ||
}} |
}} |
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'''Jeff Davis County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. As of the [[ |
'''Jeff Davis County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. As of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]], its population was 1,996.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeff Davis County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US48243|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=February 23, 2021}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Fort Davis, Texas|Fort Davis]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=https://ce.naco.org/?county_info=48243 |access-date=March 6, 2020 |title=NACo Explorer - Jeff Davis County |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county is named for [[Jefferson Davis]], who served as the 23rd [[United States Secretary of War]] in the [[Presidency of Franklin Pierce|1850s]], and as [[President of the Confederate States of America|Confederate president]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA168 | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=168}}</ref> |
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Jeff Davis County is recognizable for its unique shape; it is a pentagon that has no north–south nor east–west boundaries, save for a six-mile line serving as its southern boundary. It is the only county in the United States that touches a foreign country ([[Mexico]]) at a single point. Jeff Davis is one of the nine counties that compose the [[Trans-Pecos]] region of [[West Texas]]. |
Jeff Davis County is recognizable for its unique shape; it is a pentagon that has no north–south nor east–west boundaries, save for a six-mile line serving as its southern boundary. It is the only county in the United States that touches a foreign country ([[Mexico]]) at a single point. Jeff Davis is one of the nine counties that compose the [[Trans-Pecos]] region of [[West Texas]]. |
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===Native Americans=== |
===Native Americans=== |
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[[Prehistory|Prehistoric peoples]] camped at Phantom Lake Spring, in present-day northeastern Jeff Davis County, and may have used the springs for irrigation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brune|first=Gunnar|title=Phantom Lake Spring|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rpp06|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date= |
[[Prehistory|Prehistoric peoples]] camped at Phantom Lake Spring, in present-day northeastern Jeff Davis County, and may have used the springs for irrigation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brune|first=Gunnar|title=Phantom Lake Spring|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rpp06|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=December 15, 2010|date=June 15, 2010}}</ref> Indian [[pictogram|pictographs]] in the Painted Comanche Camp of Limpia Canyon were discovered by the Whiting and Smith Expedition of 1849.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Painted Comanche Camp|url=http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/forts/davis/camp.html|work=Texas Beyond History|publisher=UT-Texas|access-date=December 15, 2010}}</ref> |
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As white migrants moved into the area, tensions with Native Americans increased. The groups competed for resources, and armed conflicts were conducted for more than two decades, especially after the Civil War. In August 1861, [[Mescalero|Mescalero Apache]] under Chief Nicolas attacked Fort Davis, driving off livestock and killing three people. In the ensuing chase by the cavalry, Nicolas ambushed the soldiers, killing them all.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian War Engagements Involving Troops from Fort Davis|url=http://www.nps.gov/archive/foda/Fort_Davis_WEB_PAGE/About_the_Fort/Indians_wars_Fort_Davis.htm#MAYS|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=15 |
As white migrants moved into the area, tensions with Native Americans increased. The groups competed for resources, and armed conflicts were conducted for more than two decades, especially after the Civil War. In August 1861, [[Mescalero|Mescalero Apache]] under Chief Nicolas attacked Fort Davis, driving off livestock and killing three people. In the ensuing chase by the cavalry, Nicolas ambushed the soldiers, killing them all.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian War Engagements Involving Troops from Fort Davis|url=http://www.nps.gov/archive/foda/Fort_Davis_WEB_PAGE/About_the_Fort/Indians_wars_Fort_Davis.htm#MAYS|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=December 15, 2010}}</ref> |
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In September 1868 at Horsehead Hills, a group of volunteer Mexican and [[buffalo soldier]]s from Fort Davis attacked and destroyed a Mescalero village to recover captives and stolen livestock. In January 1870, a group of soldiers attacked a Mescalero Apache village near Delaware Creek in the Guadalupe Mountains. |
In September 1868 at Horsehead Hills, a group of volunteer Mexican and [[buffalo soldier]]s from Fort Davis attacked and destroyed a Mescalero village to recover captives and stolen livestock. In January 1870, a group of soldiers attacked a Mescalero Apache village near Delaware Creek in the Guadalupe Mountains. In July 1880, soldiers at Tinaja de las Palmas attacked a group of Mescaleros led by [[Victorio|Chief Victorio]]. In August 1880, buffalo soldiers ambushed Victorio at Rattlesnake Springs. Victorio retreated to Mexico, where he was killed in October of that year by Mexican soldiers. The last Indian depredation in the area was at Barry Scobee Mountain in 1881.<ref>{{cite book|last=Leckie|first=William H and Shirley A|title=The Buffalo Soldiers: A Narrative of the Black Cavalry in the West|year=2007|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|isbn=978-0-8061-3840-4|pages=211–233|chapter=The Victorio War}}</ref> |
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===Early days=== |
===Early days=== |
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[[File:Officers Row at Fort Davis.jpg|thumb|Officers Row at [[Fort Davis National Historic Site]]]] |
[[File:Officers Row at Fort Davis.jpg|thumb|Officers Row at [[Fort Davis National Historic Site]]]] |
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In March 1849, Lieutenants William H. C. Whiting and William F. Smith were sent out by Maj. Gen. William J. Worth of the Texas 8th Military Department to look for a route from [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]] to [[Juarez, Chihuahua|El Paso del Norte]]. A second party, led by Dr. John S. Ford and financed by a group of Austin merchants, pioneered a trail that ran north of the Davis Mountains before turning southward toward El Paso. In June 1849 Lt. Col. [[Joseph E. Johnston]], attached to Bvt. Maj. Jefferson Van Horne's battalion, was sent for additional surveying. |
In March 1849, Lieutenants [[William H. C. Whiting]] and William F. Smith were sent out by Maj. Gen. William J. Worth of the Texas 8th Military Department to look for a route from [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]] to [[Juarez, Chihuahua|El Paso del Norte]]. A second party, led by Dr. John S. Ford and financed by a group of Austin merchants, pioneered a trail that ran north of the Davis Mountains before turning southward toward El Paso. In June 1849 Lt. Col. [[Joseph E. Johnston]], attached to Bvt. Maj. Jefferson Van Horne's battalion, was sent for additional surveying. |
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At El Paso, Horne established [[Fort Bliss]]. [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Ranger]] [[William A.A. Wallace|Big Foot Wallace]] escorted the San Antonio-El Paso Mail coach through the mountains.<ref name="Jeff Davis County, Texas">{{cite web|last=Kohout|first=Martin Donell|title=Jeff Davis County, Texas|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcj04|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date= |
At El Paso, Horne established [[Fort Bliss]]. [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Ranger]] [[William A.A. Wallace|Big Foot Wallace]] escorted the San Antonio-El Paso Mail coach through the mountains.<ref name="Jeff Davis County, Texas">{{cite web|last=Kohout|first=Martin Donell|title=Jeff Davis County, Texas|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcj04|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=December 15, 2010|date=June 15, 2010}}</ref> Fort Davis was established in 1854. The land was leased from surveyor John James at $300 a year. The federal government surrendered the fort to the Confederacy in 1861. The CSA abandoned it in 1862 after their defeat at [[Glorieta Pass]], [[New Mexico]]. The facility was reoccupied by U.S. troops on July 1, 1867, as a base for actions against Native American forces.<ref>{{cite web|title=Founding of Fort Davis|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/hh/38/hh38c.htm|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=December 15, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Fort Davis, Texas">{{cite web|title=Fort Davis, Texas|url=http://www.texasescapes.com/WestTexasTowns/FtDavisTx/FortDavisTexas.htm|work=Texas Escapes|publisher=Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC|access-date=December 15, 2010}}</ref> |
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===County establishment and growth=== |
===County establishment and growth=== |
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The Texas Legislature established Jeff Davis County on March 15, 1887. Fort Davis was named as the county seat.<ref name="Fort Davis, Texas"/> Cattle ranchers began operating in the county in the 1880s. The towns of [[Valentine, Texas|Valentine]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Valentine, Texas|url=http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/ValentineTexas/ValentineTexas.htm|work=Texas Escapes|publisher=Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC|access-date= |
The Texas Legislature established Jeff Davis County on March 15, 1887. Fort Davis was named as the county seat.<ref name="Fort Davis, Texas"/> Cattle ranchers began operating in the county in the 1880s. The towns of [[Valentine, Texas|Valentine]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Valentine, Texas|url=http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/ValentineTexas/ValentineTexas.htm|work=Texas Escapes|publisher=Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC|access-date=December 15, 2010}}</ref> and Chispa<ref>{{cite web|title=Chispa, Texas|url=http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGhostTowns/ChispaTexas.htm|work=Texas Escapes|publisher=Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC|access-date=December 15, 2010}}</ref> became supply centers for the ranchers and were later designated as railroad stops as railway construction entered the area. |
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Fort Davis has always been the county's largest town. By 1970, Madera Springs was known as the smallest town in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|last=Flynn|first=Buddy|title=Madera Springs, Texas|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hnm02|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date= |
Fort Davis has always been the county's largest town. By 1970, Madera Springs was known as the smallest town in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|last=Flynn|first=Buddy|title=Madera Springs, Texas|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hnm02|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=December 15, 2010|date=June 15, 2010}}</ref> [[Davis Mountains State Park]] opened to the public in the 1930s, improved during the Great Depression.<ref>{{cite web|title=Davis Mountains State Park|url=http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/davis_mountains/|publisher=Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.|access-date=December 15, 2010}}</ref> |
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[[Fort Davis National Historic Site]] was established in 1961. |
[[Fort Davis National Historic Site]] was established in 1961. The [[Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute]] arboretum was established in 1974.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bartlett|first=Dick|title=Saving the Best of Texas: A Partnership Approach to Conservation|year=1995|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-70835-8|pages=168–169}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Buckner|first=Sherry|title=GPP Travel|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7627-4174-8|author2=Kimball, Allan C|page=[https://archive.org/details/texashundredsofi0000kimb/page/105 105]|url=https://archive.org/details/texashundredsofi0000kimb/page/105}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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===Major highways=== |
===Major highways=== |
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* [[File:I-10 (TX).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 10 in Texas|Interstate 10]] |
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{{See also|List of highways in Jeff Davis County, Texas}} |
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* [[File: |
* [[File:US 90.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 90 in Texas|U.S. Highway 90]] |
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* [[File:US 90.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 90 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 90]] |
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* [[File:Texas 17.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 17|State Highway 17]] |
* [[File:Texas 17.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 17|State Highway 17]] |
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* [[File:Texas 118.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 118|State Highway 118]] |
* [[File:Texas 118.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 118|State Highway 118]] |
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===Adjacent counties and municipalities=== |
===Adjacent counties and municipalities=== |
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* [[Reeves County, Texas|Reeves County]] (north) |
* [[Reeves County, Texas|Reeves County]] (north) |
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* [[Pecos County, Texas|Pecos County]] ( |
* [[Pecos County, Texas|Pecos County]] (north) |
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* [[Brewster County, Texas|Brewster County]] (southeast) |
* [[Brewster County, Texas|Brewster County]] (southeast) |
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* [[Presidio County, Texas|Presidio County]] ( |
* [[Presidio County, Texas|Presidio County]] (south) |
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* [[Guadalupe (municipality of Chihuahua)|Guadalupe, Chihuahua, Mexico]] (west) |
* [[Guadalupe (municipality of Chihuahua)|Guadalupe, Chihuahua, Mexico]] (west) |
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* [[Hudspeth County, Texas|Hudspeth County]] (northwest) |
* [[Hudspeth County, Texas|Hudspeth County]] (northwest) |
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{{See also|Fort Davis, Texas#Climate}} |
{{See also|Fort Davis, Texas#Climate}} |
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* Coordinates: {{Coord|30.59972|N|103.88694|W|name=Fort Davis}} |
* Coordinates: {{Coord|30.59972|N|103.88694|W|name=Fort Davis}} |
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* Elevation: {{ |
* Elevation: {{convert|4892|ft|m|0}}<ref name="US COOP Stations">{{Cite web|publisher=[[Western Regional Climate Center]], [[Desert Research Institute]]|title=US COOP Station Map|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/coopmap/|access-date=April 26, 2015|archive-date=May 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503151618/http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/coopmap/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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{{Weather box/concise_F |
{{Weather box/concise_F |
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| location = Fort Davis, Texas ( |
| location = Fort Davis, Texas (January 1, 1902–March 31, 2013) |
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|sctemp=t |
|sctemp=t |
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| source = [[Western Regional Climate Center]], [[Desert Research Institute]]<ref name="FDWeather">{{Cite web|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute|title=FORT DAVIS, TEXAS (413262), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary |url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?tx3262|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> |
| source = [[Western Regional Climate Center]], [[Desert Research Institute]]<ref name="FDWeather">{{Cite web|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute|title=FORT DAVIS, TEXAS (413262), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary |url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?tx3262|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> |
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{{See also|McDonald Observatory#Climate}} |
{{See also|McDonald Observatory#Climate}} |
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* Coordinates: {{Coord|30.70528|N|104.02333|W|name=Mount Locke}} |
* Coordinates: {{Coord|30.70528|N|104.02333|W|name=Mount Locke}} |
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* Elevation: {{ |
* Elevation: {{convert|6790|ft|m|0}}<ref name="US COOP Stations"/> |
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{{Weather box/concise_F |
{{Weather box/concise_F |
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| location = Mount Locke, Texas ( |
| location = Mount Locke, Texas (January 1, 1935–March 31, 2013) |
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|sctemp=t |
|sctemp=t |
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| source = Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute<ref name="MDOWeather">{{Cite web|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute|title=MOUNT LOCKE, TEXAS (416104), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?tx6104|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> |
| source = Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute<ref name="MDOWeather">{{Cite web|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute|title=MOUNT LOCKE, TEXAS (416104), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?tx6104|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> |
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{{See also|Valentine, Texas#Climate}} |
{{See also|Valentine, Texas#Climate}} |
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* Coordinates: {{Coord|30.59083|N|104.49139|W|name=Valentine}} |
* Coordinates: {{Coord|30.59083|N|104.49139|W|name=Valentine}} |
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* Elevation: {{ |
* Elevation: {{convert|4440|ft|m|0}}<ref name="US COOP Stations"/> |
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{{Weather box/concise_F |
{{Weather box/concise_F |
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| location = Valentine, Texas ( |
| location = Valentine, Texas (June 1, 1978–March 31, 2013) |
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|sctemp=t |
|sctemp=t |
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| source = Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute<ref name="ValWeather">{{Cite web|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute|title=VALENTINE, TEXAS (419270), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?tx9270|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> |
| source = Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute<ref name="ValWeather">{{Cite web|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute|title=VALENTINE, TEXAS (419270), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?tx9270|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> |
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==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
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As of 2021, Jeff Davis County, with a median age of 60, is one of six [[List of United States counties and county equivalents|counties in the United States]] with a median age greater than or equal to 60.<ref name="over60">{{cite web |title=Nation Continues to Age as It Becomes More Diverse |url=https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/population-estimates-characteristics.html |website=census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718110001/https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/population-estimates-characteristics.html |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |date=June 30, 2022}}</ref> |
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{{US Census population |
{{US Census population |
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|1890= 1394 |
|1890= 1394 |
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| Line 166: | Line 165: | ||
|2000= 2207 |
|2000= 2207 |
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|2010= 2342 |
|2010= 2342 |
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|2020= 1996 |
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|estyear=2019 |
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|estyear= |
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|estimate=2274 |
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|estimate= |
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|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> |
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|estref= |
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|align-fn=center |
|align-fn=center |
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|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title= |
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br />1850–2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/topics/ctypophistweb2010.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/topics/ctypophistweb2010.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010|publisher=Texas Almanac|access-date=May 2, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2014<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/48243.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018035428/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/48243.html|archive-date=October 18, 2011}}</ref> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/> |
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}} |
}} |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
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As of the [[2010 United States Census]], 2,342 people were living in the county; 90.2% were [[White American|White]], 1.0% [[African American]], 0.6% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian American|Asian]], 5.8% of some other race, and 2.0% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. About 33.7% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race). |
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|+'''Jeff Davis County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''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.''}}</small> |
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!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> |
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!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Jeff Davis County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=0500000US48243&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> |
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!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jeff Davis County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US48243&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> |
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!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jeff Davis County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US48243&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> |
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!% 2000 |
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!% 2010 |
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!{{partial|% 2020}} |
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|- |
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|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |
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|1,376 |
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|1,490 |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,282 |
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|62.35% |
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|63.62% |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |64.23% |
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|- |
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|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |
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|16 |
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|10 |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |0 |
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|0.72% |
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|0.43% |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00% |
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|- |
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|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |
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|6 |
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|8 |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |6 |
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|0.27% |
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|0.34% |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30% |
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|- |
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|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |
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|2 |
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|7 |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |14 |
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|0.09% |
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|0.30% |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.70% |
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|- |
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|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH) |
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|0 |
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|1 |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |0 |
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|0.00% |
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|0.04% |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00% |
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|- |
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|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH) |
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|1 |
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|1 |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |15 |
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|0.05% |
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|0.04% |
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|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.75% |
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|- |
|||
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH) |
|||
|23 |
|||
|35 |
|||
|style='background: #ffffe6; |66 |
|||
|1.04% |
|||
|1.49% |
|||
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.31% |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |
|||
|783 |
|||
|790 |
|||
|style='background: #ffffe6; |613 |
|||
|35.48% |
|||
|33.73% |
|||
|style='background: #ffffe6; |30.71% |
|||
|- |
|||
|'''Total''' |
|||
|'''2,207''' |
|||
|'''2,342''' |
|||
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''1,996''' |
|||
|'''100.00%''' |
|||
|'''100.00%''' |
|||
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |
|||
|} |
|||
As of the [[ |
As of the [[2010 United States Census]], 2,342 people were living in the county; 90.2% were [[White American|White]], 1.0% [[African American]], 0.6% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian American|Asian]], 5.8% of some other race, and 2.0% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. About 33.7% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race). |
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As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, 2,207 people, 896 households, and 632 families were living in the county. The [[population density]] was less than {{convert|1|/km2|/mi2|abbr=on}}. The 1,420 housing units averaged less than {{convert|1|/km2|/mi2|abbr=on}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 90.53% White, 0.91% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 5.17% from other races, and 2.99% from two or more races. About 35.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. |
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Of the 896 households, 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were not families. About 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 2.88. |
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Of the 896 households, 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were not families. About 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 2.88. |
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In the county, the age distribution was 24.40% under 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 30.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.40 males. |
In the county, the age distribution was 24.40% under 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 30.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.40 males. |
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| Line 193: | Line 276: | ||
The current Jeff Davis county judge is Curtis Evans, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]].<ref name="CJElection">{{cite news|url=http://www.co.jeff-davis.tx.us/page/jeffdavis.County.Judge|title=Jeff Davis County|location=Fort Davis, Texas|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> |
The current Jeff Davis county judge is Curtis Evans, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]].<ref name="CJElection">{{cite news|url=http://www.co.jeff-davis.tx.us/page/jeffdavis.County.Judge|title=Jeff Davis County|location=Fort Davis, Texas|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> |
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The state constitution calls for the election of [[Justice of the peace#Texas|justices of the peace]] and [[Texas constable|constables]] from individual precincts. Because Jeff Davis County has a population of fewer than 18,000 persons, it is permitted to have a single county-wide precinct for the election of these offices.<ref name="TC 5.18"/> The justice court in criminal cases has original jurisdiction in matters punishable by a fine only. In civil matters, the court has exclusive jurisdiction in all disputes involving $200 or less.<ref name="TC 5.19">{{cite constitution|article=5|section=19|country=Texas|ratified=February 15, 1876|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.5.htm#5.19|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref> |
The state constitution calls for the election of [[Justice of the peace#Texas|justices of the peace]] and [[Texas constable|constables]] from individual precincts. Because Jeff Davis County has a population of fewer than 18,000 persons, it is permitted to have a single county-wide precinct for the election of these offices.<ref name="TC 5.18"/> The justice court in criminal cases has original jurisdiction in matters punishable by a fine only. In civil matters, the court has exclusive jurisdiction in all disputes involving $200 or less.<ref name="TC 5.19">{{cite constitution|article=5|section=19|country=Texas|ratified=February 15, 1876|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.5.htm#5.19|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref> |
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The constable executes and returns processes, warrants, and precepts as directed, including eviction notices, and is expressly authorized to perform acts and services including the serving civil or criminal processes, citations, notices, warrants, subpoenas, and writs, and may do so anywhere within the county. Additionally, the constable may serve civil processes in all contiguous counties. The constable is also expected to attend sessions of the justice court.<ref name="LG86.021">Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 86, Subchapter C, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.86.htm#86.021 Section 86.021], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 8, 2015.</ref> |
The constable executes and returns processes, warrants, and precepts as directed, including eviction notices, and is expressly authorized to perform acts and services including the serving civil or criminal processes, citations, notices, warrants, subpoenas, and writs, and may do so anywhere within the county. Additionally, the constable may serve civil processes in all contiguous counties. The constable is also expected to attend sessions of the justice court.<ref name="LG86.021">Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 86, Subchapter C, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.86.htm#86.021 Section 86.021], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 8, 2015.</ref> |
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| Line 199: | Line 282: | ||
The [[Sheriffs in the United States#Texas|sheriff]] is elected to a four-year term.<ref name="TC 5.23">{{cite constitution|article=5|section=23|country=Texas|ratified=February 15, 1876|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.5.htm#5.23|access-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref> Because the county has a population of fewer than 10,000, the sheriff also serves as the assessor-collector of taxes.<ref name="TC 8.14">{{cite constitution|article=8|section=14|country=Texas|ratified=February 15, 1876|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.8.htm#8.14|access-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref> <!-- The sheriff has the authority to employ deputies<ref name="LG85.003">Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 85, Subchapter A, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.85.htm#85.003 Section 85.003], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> and is responsible for executing all processes and precepts as directed by legal authority and their return to the proper court,<ref name="LG85.021">Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 85, Subchapter B, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.85.htm#85.021 Section 85.021], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> including the execution of subpoenas and other processes authorized by leaders of the [[Texas Legislature]].<ref name="LG85.022">Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 85, Subchapter B, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.85.htm#85.022 Section 85.022], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The Sheriff is a conservator of the peace, and has the power to arrest offenders of the law.<ref name="CR2.17">Title 1, Chapter 2, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CR/htm/CR.2.htm#2.17 Article 2.17], ''Texas Code of Criminal Procedure''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The sheriff has charge and control of the county courthouse as regulated by the commissioners court.<ref name="LG291.003">Title 9, Subtitle B, Chapter 291, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.291.htm#291.003 Section 291.003], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The sheriff is responsible for delivering prisoners to jail.<ref name="CR2.18">Title 1, Chapter 2, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CR/htm/CR.2.htm#2.18 Article 2.18], ''Texas Code of Criminal Procedure''. Retrieved on April 26, 2015.</ref> County prisoners are incarcerated outside the county since the closure of the Jeff Davis County Jail in 1978.<ref name="Jail">{{cite web|publisher=[[Texas Historical Commission]]|title=Jeff Davis County Jail|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5507016485&site_name=Jeff+Davis+County+Jail&class=5000|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> The sheriff, while serving in the role of tax assessor-collector, assesses and collects property taxes on behalf of the county.<ref name="TX6.23">Title 1, Subtitle B, Chapter 6, Subchapter B, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TX/htm/TX.6.htm#6.23 Section 6.23], ''Texas Tax Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The tax assessor-collector also collects on behalf of the state taxes on lands subject to the [[Permanent University Fund]] for the [[Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts]]<ref name="TX31.01">Title 1, Subtitle E, Chapter 31, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TX/htm/TX.31.htm#31.01 Section 31.01], ''Texas Tax Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> and vehicle registration fees for the [[Texas Department of Transportation]].<ref name="TN502.191">Title 7, Subtitle A, Chapter 502, Subchapter E, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.502.htm#502.191 Section 502.191], ''Texas Transportation Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The assessor-collector also serves as the county's voter registrar.<ref name="EL12.001">Title 2, Chapter 12, Subchapter A, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/EL/htm/EL.12.htm#12.001 Section 12.001], ''Texas Election Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> |
The [[Sheriffs in the United States#Texas|sheriff]] is elected to a four-year term.<ref name="TC 5.23">{{cite constitution|article=5|section=23|country=Texas|ratified=February 15, 1876|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.5.htm#5.23|access-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref> Because the county has a population of fewer than 10,000, the sheriff also serves as the assessor-collector of taxes.<ref name="TC 8.14">{{cite constitution|article=8|section=14|country=Texas|ratified=February 15, 1876|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.8.htm#8.14|access-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref> <!-- The sheriff has the authority to employ deputies<ref name="LG85.003">Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 85, Subchapter A, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.85.htm#85.003 Section 85.003], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> and is responsible for executing all processes and precepts as directed by legal authority and their return to the proper court,<ref name="LG85.021">Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 85, Subchapter B, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.85.htm#85.021 Section 85.021], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> including the execution of subpoenas and other processes authorized by leaders of the [[Texas Legislature]].<ref name="LG85.022">Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 85, Subchapter B, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.85.htm#85.022 Section 85.022], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The Sheriff is a conservator of the peace, and has the power to arrest offenders of the law.<ref name="CR2.17">Title 1, Chapter 2, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CR/htm/CR.2.htm#2.17 Article 2.17], ''Texas Code of Criminal Procedure''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The sheriff has charge and control of the county courthouse as regulated by the commissioners court.<ref name="LG291.003">Title 9, Subtitle B, Chapter 291, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.291.htm#291.003 Section 291.003], ''Texas Local Government Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The sheriff is responsible for delivering prisoners to jail.<ref name="CR2.18">Title 1, Chapter 2, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CR/htm/CR.2.htm#2.18 Article 2.18], ''Texas Code of Criminal Procedure''. Retrieved on April 26, 2015.</ref> County prisoners are incarcerated outside the county since the closure of the Jeff Davis County Jail in 1978.<ref name="Jail">{{cite web|publisher=[[Texas Historical Commission]]|title=Jeff Davis County Jail|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5507016485&site_name=Jeff+Davis+County+Jail&class=5000|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> The sheriff, while serving in the role of tax assessor-collector, assesses and collects property taxes on behalf of the county.<ref name="TX6.23">Title 1, Subtitle B, Chapter 6, Subchapter B, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TX/htm/TX.6.htm#6.23 Section 6.23], ''Texas Tax Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The tax assessor-collector also collects on behalf of the state taxes on lands subject to the [[Permanent University Fund]] for the [[Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts]]<ref name="TX31.01">Title 1, Subtitle E, Chapter 31, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TX/htm/TX.31.htm#31.01 Section 31.01], ''Texas Tax Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> and vehicle registration fees for the [[Texas Department of Transportation]].<ref name="TN502.191">Title 7, Subtitle A, Chapter 502, Subchapter E, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.502.htm#502.191 Section 502.191], ''Texas Transportation Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> The assessor-collector also serves as the county's voter registrar.<ref name="EL12.001">Title 2, Chapter 12, Subchapter A, [http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/EL/htm/EL.12.htm#12.001 Section 12.001], ''Texas Election Code''. Retrieved on April 18, 2015.</ref> |
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--> |
--> |
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The county is served by Sheriff [[Rick McIvor]], a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] first elected in 2008, and now serving his second term.<ref>{{cite web|url= |
The county is served by Sheriff [[Rick McIvor]], a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] first elected in 2008, and now serving his second term.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/319/former-longhorn-qb-mcivor-running-for-sheriff|title=Former Longhorn QB McIvor running for sheriff|first=Tim|last=Griffin|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://bigbendnow.com/2012/11/same-sheriff-new-county-attorney-in-jeff-davis-county/|title=Same sheriff, new county attorney in Jeff Davis County|first=Alberto Tomas|last=Halpern|newspaper=The Big Bend Sentinel|date=November 6, 2012|location=Marfa, Texas|access-date=April 8, 2014|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114254/http://bigbendnow.com/2012/11/same-sheriff-new-county-attorney-in-jeff-davis-county/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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The county clerk holds a four-year elected term and serves as clerk to both commissioners court and county court, and acts as recorder for the county. Because Jeff Davis County has fewer than 8,000 residents, the county clerk also serves as the district clerk.<ref name="TC 5.20">{{cite constitution|article=5|section=20|country=Texas|ratified=February 15, 1876|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.5.htm#5.20|link=no|access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> |
The county clerk holds a four-year elected term and serves as clerk to both commissioners court and county court, and acts as recorder for the county. Because Jeff Davis County has fewer than 8,000 residents, the county clerk also serves as the district clerk.<ref name="TC 5.20">{{cite constitution|article=5|section=20|country=Texas|ratified=February 15, 1876|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.5.htm#5.20|link=no|access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> |
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| Line 208: | Line 291: | ||
The county is represented in the Texas Legislature by state Senator [[Cesar Blanco]], a Democrat of the 29th senatorial district, and State Representative [[Eddie Morales]], a Democrat of the 74th legislative district. |
The county is represented in the Texas Legislature by state Senator [[Cesar Blanco]], a Democrat of the 29th senatorial district, and State Representative [[Eddie Morales]], a Democrat of the 74th legislative district. |
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Martha M. Dominguez, a Democrat, represents the county from District 1 on the [[Texas Education Agency#State Board of Education|State Board of Education]].<ref name="SBOE member">{{cite web|url=http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Leadership/State_Board_of_Education/Board_Members/SBOE_Member_District__1/|title=SBOE Member District 1|author=Staff|publisher=[[Texas Education Agency]]|access-date=April 19, 2015}}</ref> |
Martha M. Dominguez, a Democrat, represents the county from District 1 on the [[Texas Education Agency#State Board of Education|State Board of Education]].<ref name="SBOE member">{{cite web|url=http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Leadership/State_Board_of_Education/Board_Members/SBOE_Member_District__1/|title=SBOE Member District 1|author=Staff|publisher=[[Texas Education Agency]]|access-date=April 19, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=October 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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===Politics=== |
===Politics=== |
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Sparsely populated and having a significant Latino minority, Jeff Davis leans conservative, and has joined the state in voting Republican after 1976.{{PresHead|place=Jeff Davis County, Texas|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 10, 2018}}</ref>}} |
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{{Hidden begin |
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<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> |
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|titlestyle = background:#ccccff; |
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{{PresRow|2020|Republican|784|501|20|Texas}} |
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|title = Presidential elections results |
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{{PresRow|2016|Republican|695|422|74|Texas}} |
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}} |
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{{PresRow|2012|Republican|719|440|33|Texas}} |
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{| align="center" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |
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{{PresRow|2008|Republican|749|468|19|Texas}} |
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|+ '''Presidential elections results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> |
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{{PresRow|2004|Republican|764|378|25|Texas}} |
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|- bgcolor=lightgrey |
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{{PresRow|2000|Republican|708|283|69|Texas}} |
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! Year |
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{{PresRow|1996|Republican|482|370|111|Texas}} |
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! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |
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{{PresRow|1992|Republican|360|321|195|Texas}} |
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! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |
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{{PresRow|1988|Republican|524|325|21|Texas}} |
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! [[Third Party (United States)|Third parties]] |
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{{PresRow|1984|Republican|511|299|5|Texas}} |
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|- |
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{{PresRow|1980|Republican|409|300|20|Texas}} |
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| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 2020|2020]]''' |
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{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|288|309|10|Texas}} |
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| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.1%''' ''784'' |
|||
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|382|202|11|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.4% ''501'' |
|||
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|191|239|66|Texas}} |
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| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.5% ''20'' |
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{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|174|304|1|Texas}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|182|195|4|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 2016|2016]]''' |
|||
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|239|165|3|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.4%''' ''695'' |
|||
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|306|183|0|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|35.4% ''422'' |
|||
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|75|309|18|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|6.2% ''74'' |
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{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|51|331|35|Texas}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|50|374|0|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 2012|2012]]''' |
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{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|33|291|1|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.3%''' ''719'' |
|||
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|46|252|4|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.9% ''440'' |
|||
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|157|112|1|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.8% ''33'' |
|||
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|49|117|18|Texas}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|41|91|0|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 2008|2008]]''' |
|||
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|74|234|3|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.6%''' ''749'' |
|||
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|62|129|14|Texas}} |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.9% ''468'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.5% ''19'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 2004|2004]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''65.5%''' ''764'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|32.4% ''378'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.1% ''25'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 2000|2000]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''66.8%''' ''708'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|26.7% ''283'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|6.5% ''69'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1996|1996]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.1%''' ''482'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.4% ''370'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|11.5% ''111'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1992|1992]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''41.1%''' ''360'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.6% ''321'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|22.3% ''195'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1988|1988]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.2%''' ''524'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.4% ''325'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.4% ''21'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1984|1984]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.7%''' ''511'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.7% ''299'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.6% ''5'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1980|1980]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''56.1%''' ''409'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.2% ''300'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.7% ''20'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1976|1976]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|47.5% ''288'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.9%''' ''309'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.7% ''10'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1972|1972]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.2%''' ''382'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.0% ''202'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.9% ''11'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1968|1968]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.5% ''191'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''48.2%''' ''239'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|13.3% ''66'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1964|1964]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|36.3% ''174'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.5%''' ''304'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.2% ''1'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1960|1960]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|47.8% ''182'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.2%''' ''195'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.1% ''4'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1956|1956]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.7%''' ''239'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.5% ''165'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.7% ''3'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1952|1952]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.6%''' ''306'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.4% ''183'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;| |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Texas, 1948|1948]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|18.7% ''75'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''76.9%''' ''309'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|4.5% ''18'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1944 United States presidential election|1944]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|12.2% ''51'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''79.4%''' ''331'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|8.4% ''35'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1940 United States presidential election|1940]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|11.8% ''50'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''88.2%''' ''374'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;| |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1936 United States presidential election|1936]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|10.2% ''33'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''89.5%''' ''291'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''1'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1932 United States presidential election|1932]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|15.2% ''46'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''83.4%''' ''252'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.3% ''4'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1928 United States presidential election|1928]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.2%''' ''157'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.5% ''112'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.4% ''1'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1924 United States presidential election|1924]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.6% ''49'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.6%''' ''117'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|9.8% ''18'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1920 United States presidential election|1920]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.1% ''41'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''68.9%''' ''91'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;| |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1916 United States presidential election|1916]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|23.8% ''74'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''75.2%''' ''234'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.0% ''3'' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1912 United States presidential election|1912]]''' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|30.2% ''62'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.9%''' ''129'' |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|6.8% ''14'' |
|||
|} |
|||
{{Hidden end}} |
|||
==Education== |
==Education== |
||
[[File:Jeff Davis Co TX School Districts.svg|thumb|Map of Jeff Davis County, Texas with school district boundaries]] |
[[File:Jeff Davis Co TX School Districts.svg|thumb|Map of Jeff Davis County, Texas with school district boundaries]] |
||
Western Jeff Davis County is served by the [[Valentine Independent School District]], while central and eastern Jeff Davis County are served by the [[Fort Davis Independent School District]]. |
Western Jeff Davis County is served by the [[Valentine Independent School District]], while central and eastern Jeff Davis County are served by the [[Fort Davis Independent School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48243_jeff_davis/DC20SD_C48243.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48243_jeff_davis/DC20SD_C48243.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jeff Davis County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=June 25, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48243_jeff_davis/DC20SD_C48243_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> |
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All of Jeff Davis County is zoned to [[Odessa College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm|title=Sec. 130.193. ODESSA COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.}}</ref> |
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==Communities== |
==Communities== |
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| Line 374: | Line 336: | ||
==In popular culture== |
==In popular culture== |
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[[The Mountain Goats]] recorded a song called "Jeff Davis County Blues" on the 2002 album ''[[All Hail West Texas]]''.{{ |
[[The Mountain Goats]] recorded a song called "Jeff Davis County Blues" on the 2002 album ''[[All Hail West Texas]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Hail West Texas (Remastered), by the Mountain Goats |url=https://themountaingoats.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-west-texas-remastered |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=the Mountain Goats |language=en}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
||
| Line 387: | Line 349: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Jeff Davis County, Texas}} |
{{Commons category|Jeff Davis County, Texas}} |
||
* [http://www.co.jeff-davis.tx.us/ Jeff Davis County Government] |
* [http://www.co.jeff-davis.tx.us/ Jeff Davis County Government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208153506/http://www.co.jeff-davis.tx.us/ |date=December 8, 2019 }} |
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* {{Handbook of Texas|id=hcj04|name=Jeff Davis County}} |
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=hcj04|name=Jeff Davis County}} |
||
* [http://www.txcip.org/tac/census/profile.php?FIPS=48243 "Jeff Davis County Profile" of the "Texas Association of Counties"] |
* [http://www.txcip.org/tac/census/profile.php?FIPS=48243 "Jeff Davis County Profile" of the "Texas Association of Counties"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918181439/http://www.txcip.org/tac/census/profile.php?FIPS=48243 |date=September 18, 2015 }} |
||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071017112954/http://rootsweb.com/~txjeffd2/ TXGenWeb Project for Jeff Davis] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071017112954/http://rootsweb.com/~txjeffd2/ TXGenWeb Project for Jeff Davis] |
||
* [http://www.fortdavis.com Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce] |
* [http://www.fortdavis.com Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce] |
||
Latest revision as of 22:28, 12 November 2024
Jeff Davis County | |
|---|---|
County | |
 Jeff Davis County Courthouse in Fort Davis | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Texas | |
 Texas's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 30°43′N 104°08′W / 30.72°N 104.13°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Named for | Jefferson Davis |
| Seat | Fort Davis |
| Largest town | Fort Davis |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,265 sq mi (5,870 km2) |
| • Land | 2,265 sq mi (5,870 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.2 km2) 0% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,996 |
| • Density | 0.88/sq mi (0.34/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 23rd |
| Website | www |
Jeff Davis County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,996.[1] Its county seat is Fort Davis.[2] The county is named for Jefferson Davis, who served as the 23rd United States Secretary of War in the 1850s, and as Confederate president.[3]
Jeff Davis County is recognizable for its unique shape; it is a pentagon that has no north–south nor east–west boundaries, save for a six-mile line serving as its southern boundary. It is the only county in the United States that touches a foreign country (Mexico) at a single point. Jeff Davis is one of the nine counties that compose the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas.
The county contains the 270,000-acre (1,100 km2) Texas Davis Mountains American Viticultural Area. About 50 acres (0.2 km2) are "under vine". The McDonald Observatory, owned by the University of Texas at Austin, is located near Fort Davis.
History
[edit]Native Americans
[edit]Prehistoric peoples camped at Phantom Lake Spring, in present-day northeastern Jeff Davis County, and may have used the springs for irrigation.[4] Indian pictographs in the Painted Comanche Camp of Limpia Canyon were discovered by the Whiting and Smith Expedition of 1849.[5]
As white migrants moved into the area, tensions with Native Americans increased. The groups competed for resources, and armed conflicts were conducted for more than two decades, especially after the Civil War. In August 1861, Mescalero Apache under Chief Nicolas attacked Fort Davis, driving off livestock and killing three people. In the ensuing chase by the cavalry, Nicolas ambushed the soldiers, killing them all.[6]
In September 1868 at Horsehead Hills, a group of volunteer Mexican and buffalo soldiers from Fort Davis attacked and destroyed a Mescalero village to recover captives and stolen livestock. In January 1870, a group of soldiers attacked a Mescalero Apache village near Delaware Creek in the Guadalupe Mountains. In July 1880, soldiers at Tinaja de las Palmas attacked a group of Mescaleros led by Chief Victorio. In August 1880, buffalo soldiers ambushed Victorio at Rattlesnake Springs. Victorio retreated to Mexico, where he was killed in October of that year by Mexican soldiers. The last Indian depredation in the area was at Barry Scobee Mountain in 1881.[7]
Early days
[edit]
In March 1849, Lieutenants William H. C. Whiting and William F. Smith were sent out by Maj. Gen. William J. Worth of the Texas 8th Military Department to look for a route from San Antonio to El Paso del Norte. A second party, led by Dr. John S. Ford and financed by a group of Austin merchants, pioneered a trail that ran north of the Davis Mountains before turning southward toward El Paso. In June 1849 Lt. Col. Joseph E. Johnston, attached to Bvt. Maj. Jefferson Van Horne's battalion, was sent for additional surveying.
At El Paso, Horne established Fort Bliss. Texas Ranger Big Foot Wallace escorted the San Antonio-El Paso Mail coach through the mountains.[8] Fort Davis was established in 1854. The land was leased from surveyor John James at $300 a year. The federal government surrendered the fort to the Confederacy in 1861. The CSA abandoned it in 1862 after their defeat at Glorieta Pass, New Mexico. The facility was reoccupied by U.S. troops on July 1, 1867, as a base for actions against Native American forces.[9][10]
County establishment and growth
[edit]The Texas Legislature established Jeff Davis County on March 15, 1887. Fort Davis was named as the county seat.[10] Cattle ranchers began operating in the county in the 1880s. The towns of Valentine[11] and Chispa[12] became supply centers for the ranchers and were later designated as railroad stops as railway construction entered the area.
Fort Davis has always been the county's largest town. By 1970, Madera Springs was known as the smallest town in Texas.[13] Davis Mountains State Park opened to the public in the 1930s, improved during the Great Depression.[14]
Fort Davis National Historic Site was established in 1961. The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute arboretum was established in 1974.[15][16]
Geography
[edit]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,265 square miles (5,870 km2), virtually all of which is land.[17] The county is home to the Davis Mountains, the highest mountain range located entirely within Texas.
Protected areas
[edit].jpg)
The county has parks and preserves maintained by federal and state park services, in addition to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute and the Nature Conservancy of Texas. In addition to the properties listed below, the Nature Conservancy has been instrumental in the creation of conservation easements protecting an additional 69,600 acres (28,200 ha) of private property surrounding its preserve.[18]
| Park or preserve | Maintaining authority | Area | Year established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens | Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute | 507 acres (205 ha)[19] | 1978[19] |
| Davis Mountains State Park | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department | 2,709 acres (1,096 ha)[20] | 1933[20] |
| Davis Mountains Preserve | The Nature Conservancy of Texas | 33,075 acres (13,385 ha)[18] | 1997[21] |
| Fort Davis National Historic Site | National Park Service | 523 acres (212 ha)[22] | 1961[23] |
Major highways
[edit].svg){kind=small}
Adjacent counties and municipalities
[edit]- Reeves County (north)
- Pecos County (north)
- Brewster County (southeast)
- Presidio County (south)
- Guadalupe, Chihuahua, Mexico (west)
- Hudspeth County (northwest)
- Culberson County (north)
Climate
[edit]Jeff Davis County predominantly experiences a semiarid steppe climate with 83.0% of the county classified as cold semiarid (Köppen BSk) and 0.4% classified as hot semiarid (Köppen BSh). An additional 16.5% is classified as having a hot arid desert climate (Köppen BWh).[24] Within the county, precipitation increases while daytime and nighttime temperatures generally become milder with increasing elevation. Rainfall is most abundant from May through October. Snowfall is also more abundant at higher elevations despite having higher wintertime average low temperatures.
- Fort Davis
- Coordinates: 30°35′59″N 103°53′13″W / 30.59972°N 103.88694°W
- Elevation: 4,892 feet (1,491 m)[25]
| Climate data for Fort Davis, Texas (January 1, 1902–March 31, 2013) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 60.8 (16.0) |
64.4 (18.0) |
71.3 (21.8) |
78.9 (26.1) |
85.8 (29.9) |
90.3 (32.4) |
88.4 (31.3) |
87.4 (30.8) |
83.2 (28.4) |
76.9 (24.9) |
67.5 (19.7) |
60.6 (15.9) |
76.3 (24.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 28.8 (−1.8) |
31.8 (−0.1) |
37.3 (2.9) |
45.0 (7.2) |
53.4 (11.9) |
60.3 (15.7) |
62.1 (16.7) |
61.0 (16.1) |
55.3 (12.9) |
45.7 (7.6) |
35.9 (2.2) |
29.7 (−1.3) |
45.5 (7.5) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.50 (13) |
0.46 (12) |
0.38 (9.7) |
0.54 (14) |
1.31 (33) |
1.98 (50) |
2.85 (72) |
2.91 (74) |
2.27 (58) |
1.35 (34) |
0.54 (14) |
0.55 (14) |
15.64 (397.7) |
| Source: Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute[26] | |||||||||||||
- McDonald Observatory
- Coordinates: 30°42′19″N 104°01′24″W / 30.70528°N 104.02333°W
- Elevation: 6,790 feet (2,070 m)[25]
| Climate data for Mount Locke, Texas (January 1, 1935–March 31, 2013) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 53.5 (11.9) |
56.9 (13.8) |
63.7 (17.6) |
71.4 (21.9) |
78.6 (25.9) |
84.5 (29.2) |
82.7 (28.2) |
81.3 (27.4) |
76.6 (24.8) |
70.5 (21.4) |
61.2 (16.2) |
54.4 (12.4) |
69.6 (20.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 32.0 (0.0) |
33.9 (1.1) |
38.2 (3.4) |
45.2 (7.3) |
52.4 (11.3) |
58.2 (14.6) |
58.9 (14.9) |
58.4 (14.7) |
54.4 (12.4) |
48.0 (8.9) |
38.7 (3.7) |
33.6 (0.9) |
46.0 (7.8) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.68 (17) |
0.49 (12) |
0.40 (10) |
0.50 (13) |
1.63 (41) |
2.49 (63) |
3.82 (97) |
3.69 (94) |
2.95 (75) |
1.61 (41) |
0.61 (15) |
0.60 (15) |
19.47 (493) |
| Source: Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute[27] | |||||||||||||
- Valentine
- Coordinates: 30°35′27″N 104°29′29″W / 30.59083°N 104.49139°W
- Elevation: 4,440 feet (1,353 m)[25]
| Climate data for Valentine, Texas (June 1, 1978–March 31, 2013) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 60.3 (15.7) |
65.0 (18.3) |
72.0 (22.2) |
80.0 (26.7) |
87.7 (30.9) |
93.8 (34.3) |
92.1 (33.4) |
90.3 (32.4) |
86.0 (30.0) |
78.9 (26.1) |
68.3 (20.2) |
60.6 (15.9) |
77.9 (25.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27.0 (−2.8) |
30.5 (−0.8) |
36.0 (2.2) |
43.3 (6.3) |
52.2 (11.2) |
60.9 (16.1) |
62.9 (17.2) |
61.6 (16.4) |
56.3 (13.5) |
46.6 (8.1) |
35.1 (1.7) |
27.7 (−2.4) |
45.0 (7.2) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.42 (11) |
0.46 (12) |
0.24 (6.1) |
0.42 (11) |
0.77 (20) |
1.99 (51) |
2.46 (62) |
2.22 (56) |
2.11 (54) |
1.33 (34) |
0.50 (13) |
0.53 (13) |
13.45 (343.1) |
| Source: Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute[28] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]As of 2021, Jeff Davis County, with a median age of 60, is one of six counties in the United States with a median age greater than or equal to 60.[29]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 1,394 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,150 | −17.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,678 | 45.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,445 | −13.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,800 | 24.6% | |
| 1940 | 2,375 | 31.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,090 | −12.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,582 | −24.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,527 | −3.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,647 | 7.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,946 | 18.2% | |
| 2000 | 2,207 | 13.4% | |
| 2010 | 2,342 | 6.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,996 | −14.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[30] 1850–2010[31] 2010–2014[32] 2020[33] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[34] | Pop 2010[35] | Pop 2020[33] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 1,376 | 1,490 | 1,282 | 62.35% | 63.62% | 64.23% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 16 | 10 | 0 | 0.72% | 0.43% | 0.00% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 6 | 8 | 6 | 0.27% | 0.34% | 0.30% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2 | 7 | 14 | 0.09% | 0.30% | 0.70% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 1 | 1 | 15 | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.75% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 23 | 35 | 66 | 1.04% | 1.49% | 3.31% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 783 | 790 | 613 | 35.48% | 33.73% | 30.71% |
| Total | 2,207 | 2,342 | 1,996 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2010 United States Census, 2,342 people were living in the county; 90.2% were White, 1.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 5.8% of some other race, and 2.0% of two or more races. About 33.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).
As of the census[36] of 2000, 2,207 people, 896 households, and 632 families were living in the county. The population density was less than 1/km2 (2.6/sq mi). The 1,420 housing units averaged less than 1/km2 (2.6/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 90.53% White, 0.91% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 5.17% from other races, and 2.99% from two or more races. About 35.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 896 households, 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were not families. About 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 2.88.
In the county, the age distribution was 24.40% under 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 30.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,212, and for a family was $39,083. Males had a median income of $27,011 versus $21,384 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,846. About 14.10% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 19.60% of those age 65 or over.
Government
[edit]
County offices
[edit]The Texas Constitution requires that Jeff Davis and all other Texas counties, regardless of area or population, be governed by an elected five-member commissioners court. It exercises power and jurisdiction over all county business. The court is composed of the county judge as presiding officer, and four county commissioners elected to four-year terms from single-member precincts.[37]
The county judge under the state's constitution is elected to a four-year term and is designated as a conservator of the peace. The judge need not be an attorney, but is constitutionally required to be well informed in the law of the state.[38] The judge serves as the budget officer for the commissioners court, and with the assistance of the county clerk, prepares the annual budget proposal.[39][40] In addition to presiding over meetings of the Commissioners Court, the County Judge officiates the County Court.[41] The County Judge has jurisdiction over misdemeanor offenses in which the fine may exceed $500[42] or in which confinement or imprisonment may be imposed.[43]
The current Jeff Davis county judge is Curtis Evans, a Republican.[44]
The state constitution calls for the election of justices of the peace and constables from individual precincts. Because Jeff Davis County has a population of fewer than 18,000 persons, it is permitted to have a single county-wide precinct for the election of these offices.[37] The justice court in criminal cases has original jurisdiction in matters punishable by a fine only. In civil matters, the court has exclusive jurisdiction in all disputes involving $200 or less.[45]
The constable executes and returns processes, warrants, and precepts as directed, including eviction notices, and is expressly authorized to perform acts and services including the serving civil or criminal processes, citations, notices, warrants, subpoenas, and writs, and may do so anywhere within the county. Additionally, the constable may serve civil processes in all contiguous counties. The constable is also expected to attend sessions of the justice court.[46]
The sheriff is elected to a four-year term.[47] Because the county has a population of fewer than 10,000, the sheriff also serves as the assessor-collector of taxes.[48] The county is served by Sheriff Rick McIvor, a Democrat first elected in 2008, and now serving his second term.[49][50]
The county clerk holds a four-year elected term and serves as clerk to both commissioners court and county court, and acts as recorder for the county. Because Jeff Davis County has fewer than 8,000 residents, the county clerk also serves as the district clerk.[51]
District offices
[edit]Jeff Davis County is within the 23rd congressional district; it is represented in the U.S. Congress by Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican.
The county is represented in the Texas Legislature by state Senator Cesar Blanco, a Democrat of the 29th senatorial district, and State Representative Eddie Morales, a Democrat of the 74th legislative district.
Martha M. Dominguez, a Democrat, represents the county from District 1 on the State Board of Education.[52]
Politics
[edit]Sparsely populated and having a significant Latino minority, Jeff Davis leans conservative, and has joined the state in voting Republican after 1976.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 784 | 60.08% | 501 | 38.39% | 20 | 1.53% |
| 2016 | 695 | 58.35% | 422 | 35.43% | 74 | 6.21% |
| 2012 | 719 | 60.32% | 440 | 36.91% | 33 | 2.77% |
| 2008 | 749 | 60.60% | 468 | 37.86% | 19 | 1.54% |
| 2004 | 764 | 65.47% | 378 | 32.39% | 25 | 2.14% |
| 2000 | 708 | 66.79% | 283 | 26.70% | 69 | 6.51% |
| 1996 | 482 | 50.05% | 370 | 38.42% | 111 | 11.53% |
| 1992 | 360 | 41.10% | 321 | 36.64% | 195 | 22.26% |
| 1988 | 524 | 60.23% | 325 | 37.36% | 21 | 2.41% |
| 1984 | 511 | 62.70% | 299 | 36.69% | 5 | 0.61% |
| 1980 | 409 | 56.10% | 300 | 41.15% | 20 | 2.74% |
| 1976 | 288 | 47.45% | 309 | 50.91% | 10 | 1.65% |
| 1972 | 382 | 64.20% | 202 | 33.95% | 11 | 1.85% |
| 1968 | 191 | 38.51% | 239 | 48.19% | 66 | 13.31% |
| 1964 | 174 | 36.33% | 304 | 63.47% | 1 | 0.21% |
| 1960 | 182 | 47.77% | 195 | 51.18% | 4 | 1.05% |
| 1956 | 239 | 58.72% | 165 | 40.54% | 3 | 0.74% |
| 1952 | 306 | 62.58% | 183 | 37.42% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 75 | 18.66% | 309 | 76.87% | 18 | 4.48% |
| 1944 | 51 | 12.23% | 331 | 79.38% | 35 | 8.39% |
| 1940 | 50 | 11.79% | 374 | 88.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 33 | 10.15% | 291 | 89.54% | 1 | 0.31% |
| 1932 | 46 | 15.23% | 252 | 83.44% | 4 | 1.32% |
| 1928 | 157 | 58.15% | 112 | 41.48% | 1 | 0.37% |
| 1924 | 49 | 26.63% | 117 | 63.59% | 18 | 9.78% |
| 1920 | 41 | 31.06% | 91 | 68.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1916 | 74 | 23.79% | 234 | 75.24% | 3 | 0.96% |
| 1912 | 62 | 30.24% | 129 | 62.93% | 14 | 6.83% |
Education
[edit]
Western Jeff Davis County is served by the Valentine Independent School District, while central and eastern Jeff Davis County are served by the Fort Davis Independent School District.[54]
All of Jeff Davis County is zoned to Odessa College.[55]
Communities
[edit]- Valentine
- Fort Davis (county seat)
In popular culture
[edit]The Mountain Goats recorded a song called "Jeff Davis County Blues" on the 2002 album All Hail West Texas.[56]
See also
[edit]
- List of museums in West Texas
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jeff Davis County, Texas
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Jeff Davis County
References
[edit]- ^ "Jeff Davis County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "NACo Explorer - Jeff Davis County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 168.
- ^ Brune, Gunnar (June 15, 2010). "Phantom Lake Spring". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ "The Painted Comanche Camp". Texas Beyond History. UT-Texas. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ "Indian War Engagements Involving Troops from Fort Davis". National Park Service. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ Leckie, William H and Shirley A (2007). "The Victorio War". The Buffalo Soldiers: A Narrative of the Black Cavalry in the West. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 211–233. ISBN 978-0-8061-3840-4.
- ^ Kohout, Martin Donell (June 15, 2010). "Jeff Davis County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ "Founding of Fort Davis". National Park Service. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ a b "Fort Davis, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ "Valentine, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ "Chispa, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ Flynn, Buddy (June 15, 2010). "Madera Springs, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ "Davis Mountains State Park". Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ Bartlett, Dick (1995). Saving the Best of Texas: A Partnership Approach to Conservation. University of Texas Press. pp. 168–169. ISBN 978-0-292-70835-8.
- ^ Buckner, Sherry; Kimball, Allan C (2006). GPP Travel. p. 105. ISBN 978-0-7627-4174-8.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
- ^ a b Staff. "Davis Mountains Preserve". The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ^ a b Staff. "About Us". Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Staff (December 16, 2014). "Davis Mountains State Park, History". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ^ Staff (February 5, 2013). "Davis Mountains Preserve, Saving a 'Sky Island' in the Wilds of Far West Texas" (PDF). The Nature Conservancy. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 20, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ^ Land Resources Division (December 31, 2014). "Listing of Acreage (Summary)" (PDF). National Park Service. p. 5. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ^ Staff (March 31, 2015). "Fort Davis: Frontier Post". National Park Service. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "Main Köppen-Geiger Climate Classes for US counties". Schweizerbart Science Publishers. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ a b c "US COOP Station Map". Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ "FORT DAVIS, TEXAS (413262), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary". Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ "MOUNT LOCKE, TEXAS (416104), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary". Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ "VALENTINE, TEXAS (419270), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary". Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ "Nation Continues to Age as It Becomes More Diverse". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. June 30, 2022. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". US Census Bureau.
- ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jeff Davis County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Jeff Davis County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jeff Davis County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ a b "Article 5, Section 18". Constitution of Texas. February 15, 1876. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ^ "Article 5, Section 15". Constitution of Texas. February 15, 1876. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ^ Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 111, Subchapter A, Section 111.002, Texas Local Government Code. Retrieved on April 9, 2015.
- ^ Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 111, Subchapter A, Section 111.003, Texas Local Government Code. Retrieved on April 9, 2015.
- ^ "Article 5, Section 16". Constitution of Texas. February 15, 1876. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ^ Title 1, Chapter 4, Article 4.07, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Retrieved on April 4, 2015.
- ^ Title 1, Chapter 4, Article 4.11, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Retrieved on April 4, 2015.
- ^ "Jeff Davis County". Fort Davis, Texas. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ "Article 5, Section 19". Constitution of Texas. February 15, 1876. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
- ^ Title 3, Subtitle B, Chapter 86, Subchapter C, Section 86.021, Texas Local Government Code. Retrieved on April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Article 5, Section 23". Constitution of Texas. February 15, 1876. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Article 8, Section 14". Constitution of Texas. February 15, 1876. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ Griffin, Tim (September 2, 2008). "Former Longhorn QB McIvor running for sheriff". ESPN. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ Halpern, Alberto Tomas (November 6, 2012). "Same sheriff, new county attorney in Jeff Davis County". The Big Bend Sentinel. Marfa, Texas. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "Article 5, Section 20". Constitution of Texas. February 15, 1876. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ Staff. "SBOE Member District 1". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved April 19, 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jeff Davis County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022. - Text list
- ^ "Sec. 130.193. ODESSA COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA".
- ^ "All Hail West Texas (Remastered), by the Mountain Goats". the Mountain Goats. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jeff Davis County, Texas.
- Jeff Davis County Government Archived December 8, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
- Jeff Davis County from the Handbook of Texas Online
- "Jeff Davis County Profile" of the "Texas Association of Counties" Archived September 18, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- TXGenWeb Project for Jeff Davis
- Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce
- West Texas Weekly- a local weekly newspaper.
30°43′N 104°08′W / 30.72°N 104.13°W
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