View source for Castro County, Texas

{{Short description|County in Texas, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Castro County
 | state                = Texas
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = 1891
 | seat wl              = Dimmitt
 | largest city wl      = Dimmitt
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 899
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 894
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.9
 | area percentage      = 0.5
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 7371
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2025
 | population_est       = 7295 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | ex image             = Castro County, TX, Courthouse IMG_4822.JPG
 | ex image size        = 250
 | ex image cap         = Castro County Courthouse in Dimmitt
 | website              = {{Official URL}}
 | time zone            = Central
 | district             = 19th
 | named for            = [[Henri Castro]]
}}

'''Castro County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 7,371.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Castro County, Texas|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/castrocountytexas/PST120221|access-date=January 31, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Castro County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US48069|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=February 23, 2021}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Dimmitt, Texas|Dimmitt]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county was named for [[Henri Castro]],<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n71 72]}}</ref> who was consul general to [[France]] for the [[Republic of Texas]] and the founder of a colony in Texas.

The county was created in 1876 and was organized in 1891.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/TX_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Texas: Individual County Chronologies|work=Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=[[Newberry Library|The Newberry Library]]|date=2008|access-date=May 21, 2015|archive-date=August 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809212652/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/TX_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 10, 2023, [[2023 Texas dairy farm explosion|an explosion and subsequent fire]] at South Fork Dairy, about 10 miles south of Dimmitt, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 18,000 [[dairy cattle]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=USA Today|title=Cloud still hangs over Texas dairy disaster|author=Rick Jervis|date=January 3, 2024|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/12/27/18000-cows-dead-fire-south-fork-dairy-dimmitt-texas/72005659007/}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|899|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|4.9|sqmi}} (0.5%) are covered by water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 20, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 60.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 60 in Texas|U.S. Highway 60]]
* [[Image:US 385.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 385 in Texas|U.S. Highway 385]]
* [[Image:Texas 86.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 86|State Highway 86]]
* [[Image:Texas 194.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 194|State Highway 194]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Deaf Smith County, Texas|Deaf Smith County]] (north)
* [[Randall County, Texas|Randall County]] (northeast)
* [[Swisher County, Texas|Swisher County]] (east)
* [[Hale County, Texas|Hale County]] (southeast)
* [[Lamb County, Texas|Lamb County]] (south)
* [[Parmer County, Texas|Parmer County]] (west)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1890 = 9
| 1900 = 400
| 1910 = 1850
| 1920 = 1948
| 1930 = 4720
| 1940 = 4631
| 1950 = 5417
| 1960 = 8923
| 1970 = 10394
| 1980 = 10556
| 1990 = 9070
| 2000 = 8285
| 2010 = 8062
| 2020 = 7371
| estyear = 2025
| estimate = 7295
| estref =<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 16, 2026}}</ref> {{decrease}}
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing 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=April 20, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
| align = right
}}

===Racial and ethnic composition===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Castro 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>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Castro County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=0500000US48069&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!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) – Castro County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US48069&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{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) – Castro County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US48069&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|3,765
|3,004
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,328
|45.44%
|37.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |31.58%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|182
|149
|style='background: #ffffe6; |95
|2.20%
|1.85%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.29%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|31
|29
|style='background: #ffffe6; |39
|0.37%
|0.36%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.53%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|1
|30
|style='background: #ffffe6; |22
|0.01%
|0.37%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|0
|5
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9
|0.00%
|0.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.12%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|27
|17
|style='background: #ffffe6; |90
|0.33%
|0.21%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.22%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|4,279
|4,828
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,784
|51.65%
|59.89%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |64.90%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''8,285'''
|'''8,062'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''7,371'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county had a population of 7,371. The median age was 36.1 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A069&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 9, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A069&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 9, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 49.9% [[White Americans|White]], 1.5% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.8% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 0.3% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.1% [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Pacific Islander]], 20.8% from some other race, and 26.7% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] residents of any race comprised 64.9% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>

&lt;0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A069&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=January 9, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 2,576 households in the county, of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.6% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 3,016 housing units, of which 14.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.6% were owner-occupied and 32.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2000 census===

[[Image:Rhoads Memorial Library, Dimmitt, TX IMG 4828.JPG|200px|thumb|left|Rhoads Memorial Library serves Castro County.]]
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], 8,285 people, 2,761 households, and 2,159 families were residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. The 3,198 housing units averaged {{convert|4|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 75.35% White, 2.27% African American, 1.17% Native American, 19.15% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. About 51.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<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 the 2,761 households, 40.90% had children under 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.80% were not families. About 20.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.98, and the average family size was 3.45.

In the county, the age distribution was 33.10% under 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,619, and for a family was $35,422. Males had a median income of $25,379 versus $20,433 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,457. About 15.70% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.30% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.
{{Clear}}
==Politics==
Castro County is located within [[Texas's 88th House of Representatives district| District 88]] of the [[Texas House of Representatives]]. Castro County is located within [[Texas's 31st Senate district| District 31]] of the [[Texas Senate]].
{{PresHead|place=Castro County, Texas|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=July 20, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|18|171|19|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|69|176|7|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|118|158|6|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|68|219|82|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|319|384|0|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|66|949|8|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|65|950|10|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|224|1,000|2|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|222|838|143|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|189|1,158|27|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,169|825|2|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|697|1,305|4|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|810|1,544|28|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|626|1,865|3|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,033|1,181|624|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,685|751|15|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,007|2,033|36|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,955|1,199|64|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,026|1,009|21|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,604|1,436|9|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,307|1,113|490|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,231|1,107|163|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,607|727|20|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,794|631|5|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,562|719|10|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,470|630|19|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,414|526|57|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,602|466|15|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,594|418|11|Texas}}
{{PresFoot}}
{{U.S. SenHead|place=Castro County, Texas|Seat=1|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Texas by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/texas-senate-results}}</ref>}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. SenRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|1,530|408|46|Texas}}
{{U.S. SenFoot}}
{{U.S. SenHead|place=Castro County, Texas|Seat=2|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=Texas Senate Election Results 2020 |website=NBCNews.com|date=November 3, 2020 |access-date=April 10, 2026 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-elections/texas-senate-results}}</ref>}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. SenRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. SenRow|2020|Republican|1,572|432|37|Texas}}
{{U.S. SenFoot}}
{{T.X. GovHead|place=Castro County|Seat=|source=}}
<!-- T.X. GovRow should be {{T.X. GovRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{T.X. GovRow|2022|Republican|1,226|239|28}}
{{T.X. GovFoot}}

==Communities==
[[Image:Dimmitt, TX, grain elevator IMG 4833.JPG|200px|right|thumb|[[Grain elevator]] in Dimmitt]]

===Cities===
* [[Dimmitt, Texas|Dimmitt]] (county seat)
* [[Hart, Texas|Hart]]
* [[Nazareth, Texas|Nazareth]]

===CDP===
* [[Summerfield, Texas|Summerfield]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Dodd, Texas|Dodd]]
* [[Easter, Texas|Easter]]
* [[Flagg, Texas|Flagg]]
* [[Frio, Texas|Frio]]
* [[Hilburn, Texas|Hilburn]] 
* [[Sunnyside, Castro County, Texas|Sunnyside]]

===Ghost towns===
* [[Arney, Texas|Arney]]
* [[Big Square, Texas|Big Square]]

==Education==
School districts:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48069_castro/DC20SD_C48069.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48069_castro/DC20SD_C48069.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Castro County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=June 29, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48069_castro/DC20SD_C48069_SD2MS.txt list]</ref>
* [[Dimmitt Independent School District]]
* [[Happy Independent School District]]
* [[Hart Independent School District]]
* [[Hereford Independent School District]]
* [[Lazbuddie Independent School District]]
* [[Nazareth Independent School District]]
* [[Springlake-Earth Independent School District]]

All of the county is in the service area of [[Amarillo College]].<ref>[https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.164. AMARILLO COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.].</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Texas}}
* [[List of museums in the Texas Panhandle]]
* [[List of Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (Cameron-Duval)#Castro County|Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Castro County]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

* {{Official website}}
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=hcc08|name=Castro County}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050331023558/http://www.yellowmaps.com/maps/texas_state_map.htm Interactive Texas Map]
* [http://www.texas-map.info/texas-maps/texas-map.htm Texas Map Collection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514143045/http://www.texas-map.info/texas-maps/texas-map.htm |date=May 14, 2011 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150622125739/http://www.txcip.org/tac/census/profile.php?FIPS=48069 Castro County Profile from the Texas Association of Counties]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Castro County, Texas
|North     = [[Deaf Smith County, Texas|Deaf Smith County]]
|Northeast = [[Randall County, Texas|Randall County]]
|East      = [[Swisher County, Texas|Swisher County]]
|Southeast = [[Hale County, Texas|Hale County]]
|South     = [[Lamb County, Texas|Lamb County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Parmer County, Texas|Parmer County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Castro County, Texas}}
{{Texas counties}}
{{Texas}}
{{authority control}}
{{coord|34.53|-102.26|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-TX_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Castro County, Texas| ]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1891]]
[[Category:Texas Panhandle]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in Texas]]