Hartley County, Texas

Hartley County, Texas is a county located in the Panhandle of Texas, with its county seat in Channing, Texas. The county is part of the Amarillo, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area and is situated near the New Mexico border, adjacent to Quay County, New Mexico and Union County, New Mexico. Hartley County is also close to Dallam County, Texas, Moore County, Texas, and Oldham County, Texas. The county is named after Oliver C. Hartley and Rufus K. Hartley, two early Texas Rangers.

Geography

Hartley County covers a total area of 1,463 square miles, with 1,462 square miles of land and 1 square mile of water. The county is situated in the High Plains region of the Great Plains, near the Canadian River. The terrain is characterized by flat to rolling plains, with elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. The county is home to several small lakes and reservoirs, including Lake Rita Blanca and Dalhart Lake. Nearby cities include Amarillo, Texas, Pampa, Texas, and Borger, Texas, while the county is also close to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway.

History

Hartley County was established in 1876, and was organized in 1891. The county was named after Oliver C. Hartley and Rufus K. Hartley, two early Texas Rangers who played a significant role in the Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War. The county seat, Channing, Texas, was established in 1908, and was named after Horace P. Channing, a local rancher. The county's early history was marked by the presence of Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Kiowa tribes, who were later relocated to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). The county was also home to several early settlers, including Charles Goodnight and John Adair (Texas rancher), who established the JA Ranch in the late 19th century.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Hartley County was 5,862. The county has a population density of 4 people per square mile, making it one of the most sparsely populated counties in Texas. The median household income in the county is around $60,000, and the median home value is around $120,000. The county is home to several small towns, including Dalhart, Texas, Channing, Texas, and Hartley, Texas. Nearby cities include Amarillo, Texas, Lubbock, Texas, and Wichita Falls, Texas, while the county is also close to the Texas Tech University and the West Texas A&M University.

Economy

The economy of Hartley County is primarily based on agriculture and ranching, with major crops including cotton, wheat, and corn. The county is also home to several large ranches, including the JA Ranch and the Spade Ranch, which were established in the late 19th century by Charles Goodnight and John Adair (Texas rancher). The county is also rich in natural resources, including oil and natural gas, which are extracted by companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron Corporation. Nearby cities, including Amarillo, Texas and Lubbock, Texas, provide additional economic opportunities, including healthcare and education services provided by Baylor University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Education

Hartley County is served by several school districts, including the Channing Independent School District and the Dalhart Independent School District. The county is also home to several private schools, including the Dalhart Christian Academy and the Hartley County Christian School. Nearby cities, including Amarillo, Texas and Lubbock, Texas, are home to several higher education institutions, including West Texas A&M University, Amarillo College, and Lubbock Christian University. The county is also close to the Texas Panhandle region, which is served by the Amarillo College District and the Lubbock Independent School District.

Government

Hartley County is governed by a commissioners' court, which is composed of four commissioners and a county judge. The county is also served by several other elected officials, including the sheriff, tax assessor-collector, and county clerk. The county is part of the 13th Congressional District of Texas and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Mac Thornberry and Jodey Arrington. The county is also part of the 31st Senate District of Texas and is represented in the Texas Senate by Kel Seliger and Charles Perry (Texas politician). Nearby cities, including Amarillo, Texas and Lubbock, Texas, are served by the Amarillo City Council and the Lubbock City Council, respectively. Category:Texas counties