Midland County, Texas

County in Texas, United States.

The Midland County Courthouse, a structure that has witnessed decades of local governance, stands as a testament to the administrative heart of the county. Its presence in Midland is central, reflecting the seat of power and the administrative hub from which county affairs are managed.

Seal

Texas's location within the U.S. Coordinates: 31°53′N 102°01′W / 31.89°N 102.02°W / 31.89; -102.02

Country United States State Texas Founded 1885 Named after Midland, Texas County seat Midland Largest city Midland Area • Total 902 sq mi (2,340 km 2 ) • Land 900 sq mi (2,300 km 2 ) • Water 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km 2 ) 0.2% Population (2020) • Total 169,983 • Density 190/sq mi (73/km 2 ) Time zone UTC−6 (Central) • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT) Congressional district 11th Website www .co .midland .tx .us

The former Midland County courthouse, a structure now marked for razing, stands as a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the inevitable evolution of infrastructure. Its impending demolition signifies change, a new chapter being written for the county's administrative landscape.

The Midland County Public Library, a repository of knowledge and a quiet sanctuary, serves as a vital resource for the community. Its shelves hold stories, facts, and the collective memory of generations, offering a space for learning and quiet contemplation.

Midland County is a county situated within the expansive borders of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the most recent census in 2020, its population numbered 169,983 souls. The administrative center, the county seat, is the city of Midland. The very name, Midland County, carries a geographical significance. It was established to mark its position precisely halfway between two major Texas cities, Fort Worth and El Paso, along the vital corridor of the Texas and Pacific Railway. This historical placement underscores its role as a point of connection and transit in the development of West Texas. Furthermore, Midland County is an integral part of the Midland, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area, and it also falls within the broader Midland–Odessa Combined Statistical Area, highlighting its economic and demographic interconnectedness with the surrounding region.

History

In the pivotal year of 1968, Midland County found itself at the center of a significant legal battle, culminating in a landmark decision before the Supreme Court in the case of Avery v. Midland County. This case addressed the fundamental principle of "one person, one vote," mandating that electoral districts within local governments must have populations that are nearly equal. At the time, the city of Midland held the vast majority of the county's inhabitants, yet it only had representation in the form of one out of the five county commissioners. The Supreme Court's ruling declared this disparity unconstitutional, a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees equal protection under the law. This decision had far-reaching implications for local governance across the United States, ensuring fairer representation for all citizens.

Geography

The U.S. Census Bureau delineates Midland County as encompassing a total area of 902 square miles (2,340 km 2 ). Of this expansive territory, a substantial 900 square miles (2,300 km 2 ) is composed of solid land, while a mere 1.8 square miles (4.7 km 2 ), representing a negligible 0.2% of the total area, is covered by water. The geological and economic landscape of the county is profoundly shaped by the Spraberry Trend. This immense geological formation, recognized as the third-largest oil field in the United States based on its remaining recoverable reserves, lies beneath a significant portion of Midland County. Its presence has indelibly marked the county's economy, culture, and development, making it a focal point of the petroleum industry.

Major highways that traverse Midland County serve as critical arteries for commerce and transportation, connecting communities and facilitating the movement of goods and people. These include:

I-20, a major transcontinental highway, providing essential east-west connectivity.
I-20 BL, a business loop that often serves urbanized areas along the main interstate.
SH 137, a state highway contributing to the regional road network.
SH 140, another state highway that enhances connectivity within the state.
SH 158, a state highway that plays a role in local and regional travel.
SH 191, a significant state highway, particularly important for connecting Midland and Odessa.
SH 349, also known as the Nadine and Tom Craddick Highway, a state highway serving the area.
Loop 40, a loop highway designed to alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas.
Loop 250, another loop highway contributing to the efficient flow of traffic.
Loop 268, a loop that further supports the transportation infrastructure.

Midland County is bordered by several other counties, forming a tapestry of interconnected communities within West Texas:

Martin County to the north.
Glasscock County to the east.
Upton County to the south.
Ector County to the west.
Andrews County to the northwest.
Reagan County to the southeast.

Demographics

The demographic shifts within Midland County reveal a dynamic population that has experienced significant growth and change over the decades.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	1,033	—	—
1900	1,741		68.5%
1910	3,464		99.0%
1920	2,449		−29.3%
1930	8,005		226.9%
1940	11,721		46.4%
1950	25,785		120.0%
1960	67,717		162.6%
1970	65,433		−3.4%
1980	82,636		26.3%
1990	106,611		29.0%
2000	116,009		8.8%
2010	136,872		18.0%
2020	169,983		24.2%
2024 (est.)	183,587		8.0%

U.S. Decennial Census 1850–2010 2010 2020

The ethnic composition of Midland County, as detailed by the U.S. Census, presents a complex and evolving picture. It's crucial to note that the Census Bureau categorizes individuals as Hispanic or Latino separately from racial classifications, acknowledging that people of Hispanic or Latino origin may belong to any race.

Race / Ethnicity ( NH = Non-Hispanic )	Pop 2000	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	72,015	72,822	76,487	62.08%	53.20%	45.00%
Black or African American alone (NH)	7,940	8,675	10,465	6.84%	6.34%	6.16%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	415	552	686	0.36%	0.40%	0.40%
Asian alone (NH)	1,040	1,639	3,891	0.90%	1.20%	2.29%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	16	42	152	0.01%	0.03%	0.09%
Other race alone (NH)	52	211	621	0.04%	0.15%	0.37%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	855	1,331	4,350	0.74%	0.97%	2.56%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	33,676	51,600	73,331	29.03%	37.70%	43.14%
Total	116,009	136,872	169,983	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census of 2000, the county was home to 116,009 residents. This population was distributed across 42,745 households, with 30,947 of these classified as family units. The population density stood at approximately 129 people per square mile (50 people/km 2 ). Housing was available in 48,060 units, with an average density of 53 units per square mile (20/km 2 ). The racial tapestry of the county at that time was predominantly White, accounting for 77.32% of the population. Black or African American individuals represented 6.98%, Native American 0.64%, and Asian individuals comprised 0.93%. A small fraction, 0.03%, identified as Pacific Islander. Those identifying with other races made up 12.17%, and 1.92% reported having ancestry from two or more races. Notably, Hispanic or Latino individuals, regardless of race, constituted 29.03% of the population.

Delving deeper into household composition, the 2000 census revealed that 38.90% of households included children under the age of 18. Married couples living together represented 57.40% of households. Female householders with no husband present accounted for 11.40%, while non-family households comprised 27.60%. The average household size was 2.68 individuals, and the average family size was 3.21. Looking at the age distribution, 30.20% of the population was under 18, 8.80% were between 18 and 24, 28.40% were between 25 and 44, 20.90% were between 45 and 64, and 11.60% were 65 years of age or older. The median age in the county was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.40 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.40 males.

Economically, the median income for a household in Midland County in 2000 was $39,082, with the median income for a family reaching$ 47,269. Males earned a median income of $36,924, compared to$ 24,708 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,369. At that time, 12.90% of the population and 10.30% of families lived below the poverty line, with 16.20% of those in poverty being under 18 and 7.90% being 65 or older.

Oil and gas industry

Midland County stands as a titan in the state of Texas for its prodigious output in the energy sector. It proudly holds the distinction of ranking #1 in the state for total oil production and secures the #2 position for total gas production. These impressive figures are substantiated by data from the Texas Railroad Commission, which, as of September 2020, reported a robust 6,602 currently producing wells within the county's boundaries. This dominance in oil and gas extraction underscores the region's critical role in the national energy landscape and its profound impact on the local economy and identity.

Politics

Midland County holds a significant place in the political history of Texas, noted for being one of the earliest regions in the state to embrace the Republican party. This shift began notably with the presidential campaign of native son Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952. The last Democratic presidential candidate to secure victory in Midland County was Harry Truman in 1948, a testament to the enduring Republican leanings of the area. Even in the landslide victory year of 1964, when the incumbent Democratic president, Texan Lyndon B. Johnson, achieved a commanding national win, Midland County cast 57.8% of its votes for the Republican presidential candidate, Barry Goldwater. This election marked the last time a Democratic presidential candidate managed to capture even 40 percent of the county's vote, and it stands as one of only two instances since 1948 where a Democrat has achieved more than 30 percent of the vote. Despite this strong Republican voting pattern at the presidential level, conservative Democrats maintained a grip on most local offices well into the 1980s, illustrating a complex interplay between national and local political allegiances.

Currently, Midland County is situated within Texas's 11th congressional district, represented by Republican August Pfluger. The 11th Congressional District has consistently demonstrated strong Republican support, notably giving George W. Bush an overwhelming 78% of its votes in 2004, a higher percentage than any other congressional district in the nation at that time.

United States presidential election results for Midland County, Texas

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
1912	10	4.08%	215	87.76%	20	8.16%
1916	24	6.47%	339	91.37%	8	2.16%
1920	68	19.94%	271	79.47%	2	0.59%
1924	44	9.84%	399	89.26%	4	0.89%
1928	347	49.57%	350	50.00%	3	0.43%
1932	136	9.70%	1,245	88.80%	21	1.50%
1936	190	13.31%	1,229	86.06%	9	0.63%
1940	646	25.14%	1,921	74.75%	3	0.12%
1944	302	10.31%	1,688	57.63%	939	32.06%
1948	1,410	36.93%	2,032	53.22%	376	9.85%
1952	7,956	71.04%	3,244	28.96%	0	0.00%
1956	8,287	69.99%	3,468	29.29%	86	0.73%
1960	11,343	64.28%	5,842	33.11%	460	2.61%
1964	11,906	57.78%	8,646	41.96%	53	0.26%
1968	12,789	55.07%	4,756	20.48%	5,677	24.45%
1972	18,905	79.60%	4,388	18.48%	457	1.92%
1976	19,178	70.52%	7,725	28.41%	292	1.07%
1980	25,027	76.55%	6,839	20.92%	826	2.53%
1984	33,706	82.13%	7,214	17.58%	119	0.29%
1988	30,618	77.86%	8,487	21.58%	221	0.56%
1992	24,143	58.39%	9,160	22.15%	8,044	19.45%
1996	25,382	68.01%	9,513	25.49%	2,425	6.50%
2000	31,514	79.30%	7,534	18.96%	692	1.74%
2004	36,585	81.60%	8,005	17.85%	244	0.54%
2008	36,155	78.13%	9,691	20.94%	428	0.92%
2012	35,689	79.85%	8,286	18.54%	722	1.62%
2016	36,973	75.13%	10,025	20.37%	2,214	4.50%
2020	45,624	77.34%	12,329	20.90%	1,035	1.75%
2024	46,944	79.61%	11,351	19.25%	673	1.14%

United States Senate election results for McLennan County, Texas¹

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	62,054	62.70%	35,632	36.00%	1,284	1.30%

Communities

Cities:

Midland (county seat) (a portion extends into Martin County)
Odessa (partially located in Ector County)

Unincorporated communities within Midland County include:

Chub
Cotton Flat
Greenwood
Spraberry
Terminal
Valley View
Warfield

Ghost towns, remnants of past settlements and ventures, dot the landscape of Midland County:

Dameron City
Germania
Pleasant
Prairie Lee
Slaughter

Education

The educational landscape of Midland County is primarily served by two major school districts:

While most of the county falls within the service area of Midland College, the community of Greenwood is situated outside this particular district's purview, indicating a degree of localized educational service provision.