Gaines County, Texas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Gaines County
state = Texas

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map size = 250
founded = 1876
seat = Seminole | area_total_sq_mi =1503
area_land_sq_mi =1502
area_water_sq_mi =1
area percentage = 0.03%
census yr = 2000
pop = 14467
density_km2 =4
web = www.co.gaines.tx.us
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Gaines County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 14,467. Gaines County is named for James Gaines, a merchant who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. The seat of the county is SeminoleGR|6. Gaines County is one of 46 prohibition, or entirely dry, counties in the state of Texas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,503 square miles (3,892 km²), of which, 1,502 square miles (3,891 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.03%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

*Yoakum County (north)
*Terry County (north)
*Dawson County (east)
*Martin County (southeast)
*Andrews County (south)
*Lea County, New Mexico (west)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 14,467 people, 4,681 households, and 3,754 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 5,410 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.28% White, 2.28% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 14.17% from other races, and 2.35% from two or more races. 35.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,681 households out of which 45.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.70% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.80% were non-families. 18.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.53.

In the county, the population was spread out with 35.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 18.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,432, and the median income for a family was $34,046. Males had a median income of $29,580 versus $16,996 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,088. About 17.30% of families and 21.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.20% of those under age 18 and 15.70% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Denver City (mostly in Yoakum County)
*Loop (unincorporated)
*Seagraves
*Seminole

ee also

*Dry counties

References

External links

* [http://www.co.gaines.tx.us/ Gaines County government's website]
*Handbook of Texas|id=GG/hcg1|name=Gaines County
* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-25217 "Inventory of county records, Gaines County courthouse, Seminole, Texas"] , hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History]