Kaufman County, Texas

Kaufman County, Texas is a county located in the northeastern part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with its county seat in Kaufman. The county is situated near the Trinity River and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also close to the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, and is near the Lake Ray Hubbard and Cedar Creek Lake. The county is home to several notable cities, including Terrell, Forney, and Crandall, which are all part of the Texas Legislature and are represented by United States House of Representatives members such as Lance Gooden and Pat Fallon.

Geography

Kaufman County is located in the northeastern part of Texas, near the Oklahoma border, and is part of the Blackland Prairies region. The county is bordered by Van Zandt County to the east, Henderson County to the southeast, Navarro County to the south, Ellis County to the southwest, and Dallas County and Rockwall County to the west. The county is also near the Lake Tawakoni and is home to several notable landmarks, including the Kaufman County Courthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Terrell State Hospital, which is a part of the Texas Department of State Health Services. The county is also close to the Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and the University of Texas at Dallas.

History

Kaufman County was founded on February 26, 1848, and was named after David Spangler Kaufman, a Texas Revolution leader and United States Representative from Texas. The county was established from parts of Henderson County and Navarro County, and its county seat was established in Kaufman. The county played a significant role in the American Civil War, with several notable battles and skirmishes taking place in the area, including the Battle of Sabine Pass, which was fought near the Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site. The county is also home to several historic sites, including the Terrell Heritage Museum and the Kaufman County Historical Commission Museum, which are both part of the Texas Historical Commission.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Kaufman County was 110,900, with a population density of 141 people per square mile. The county has a diverse population, with a mix of White Americans, African Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, and Asian Americans. The county is also home to several notable communities, including the City of Terrell, which is the largest city in the county, and the City of Forney, which is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The county is represented by several notable politicians, including United States Senator John Cornyn and United States Senator Ted Cruz, who are both from Texas.

Government

Kaufman County is governed by a Commissioners' Court, which is composed of four commissioners and a county judge. The county is also part of the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives, and is represented by several notable politicians, including Texas State Senator Bob Hall and Texas State Representative Bryan Slaton. The county is also home to several law enforcement agencies, including the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office and the Terrell Police Department, which are both part of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Economy

The economy of Kaufman County is diverse, with a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries. The county is home to several notable companies, including the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and the Amazon Fulfillment Center, which are both located in the City of Terrell. The county is also close to several major transportation hubs, including the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and the Union Pacific Railroad, which provide access to several major markets, including Chicago and Los Angeles. The county is also part of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which is a regional planning agency that serves several counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Education

Kaufman County is served by several school districts, including the Terrell Independent School District, the Forney Independent School District, and the Crandall Independent School District. The county is also home to several higher education institutions, including the Trinity Valley Community College and the University of North Texas at Dallas, which offer a range of academic programs, including business administration, nursing, and engineering. The county is also close to several major research institutions, including the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, which are both part of the Texas Medical Center. The county is also served by several libraries, including the Kaufman County Library and the Terrell Public Library, which are both part of the Northeast Texas Library System.