Callahan County: Texas Heartland Revealed
An in-depth exploration of its geography, demographics, and community structure. A comprehensive guide for academic study.
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Overview
Location and Foundation
Callahan County is a county situated in the state of Texas, United States. Established in 1858 and formally organized in 1877, it is named in honor of James Hughes Callahan, a participant in the Texas Revolution. The county is strategically located within the Abilene metropolitan area, contributing to its regional significance.
Administrative Center
The county seat of Callahan County is the municipality of Baird. The largest city within the county is Clyde, reflecting the distribution of population and economic activity across the region.
Population Snapshot
As per the 2020 United States Census, Callahan County recorded a population of 13,708 residents. Preliminary estimates for 2024 indicate a slight increase, suggesting modest population growth in recent years.
Geography
Area and Water Resources
Callahan County encompasses a total area of approximately 901 square miles (2,330 km2). Of this total, the land area constitutes 899.4 square miles (2,329 km2), with a minimal water coverage of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), representing about 0.2% of the total area.
The Callahan Divide
The Callahan Divide is a notable geological feature, a range of hills extending approximately 26 miles (42 km) from west to southeast across Taylor and Callahan Counties. With elevations reaching up to 2,411 feet (735 m), these elevated areas, along with adjacent terrains, offer significant advantages for wind energy generation.
Major Transportation Arteries
Key transportation routes facilitating connectivity within and beyond Callahan County include:
- Interstate 20 (I-20)
- U.S. Highway 283
- State Highway 36
- State Highway 206
- State Highway 351
Adjacent Counties
Callahan County shares borders with several neighboring counties, providing context for its regional placement:
- North: Shackelford County
- East: Eastland County
- Southeast: Brown County
- South: Coleman County
- West: Taylor County
- Northwest: Jones County
Demographics
Population Trends
Historical census data reveals fluctuations in Callahan County's population. Following initial growth, the population experienced a decline in the mid-20th century before a period of recovery and subsequent modest growth. The 2020 census recorded 13,708 residents, with an estimated 14,615 in 2024, indicating an upward trend.
The population density is approximately 15.24 persons per square mile (5.885/km2).
Census Data Table
The following table presents the historical population figures for Callahan County:
| Census | Population | %ยฑ |
|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 3,453 | โ |
| 1890 | 5,457 | 58.0% |
| 1900 | 8,768 | 60.7% |
| 1910 | 12,973 | 48.0% |
| 1920 | 11,844 | โ8.7% |
| 1930 | 12,785 | 7.9% |
| 1940 | 11,568 | โ9.5% |
| 1950 | 9,087 | โ21.4% |
| 1960 | 7,929 | โ12.7% |
| 1970 | 8,205 | 3.5% |
| 1980 | 10,992 | 34.0% |
| 1990 | 11,859 | 7.9% |
| 2000 | 12,905 | 8.8% |
| 2010 | 13,544 | 5.0% |
| 2020 | 13,708 | 1.2% |
| 2024 (est.) | 14,615 | 6.6% |
Sources: U.S. Decennial Census, Texas Almanac, U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
The demographic composition of Callahan County, based on census data, highlights the prevalence of specific racial and ethnic groups:
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 91.61% | 89.08% | 84.29% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0.21% | 1.00% | 0.86% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 0.48% | 0.45% | 0.48% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0.26% | 0.41% | 0.38% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0.14% | 0.07% | 0.36% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 0.95% | 1.37% | 4.04% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.29% | 7.57% | 9.53% |
| Total | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: The U.S. Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category, separate from race. Individuals identifying as Hispanic/Latino may belong to any race.
Household and Family Structure
In 2010, Callahan County comprised 5,447 occupied households. Approximately 57.0% were married couples, 5.2% were female householders with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-family households. The median age of residents was 43.0 years, with 18.2% of the population aged 65 or older.
Regarding housing tenure, 78.7% of occupied households were owner-occupied, while 21.3% were renter-occupied.
Political Landscape
Presidential Election Trends
Callahan County has historically demonstrated a strong preference for the Republican Party in presidential elections, particularly from the mid-20th century onwards. While earlier elections showed a Democratic majority, the county has consistently voted Republican in recent decades.
The table below details the presidential election results by party:
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | |
| 1912 | 45 | 5.12% | 782 | 88.96% | 52 | 5.92% |
| 1916 | 74 | 6.60% | 959 | 85.55% | 88 | 7.85% |
| 1920 | 213 | 17.69% | 804 | 66.78% | 187 | 15.53% |
| 1924 | 244 | 12.54% | 1,614 | 82.94% | 88 | 4.52% |
| 1928 | 979 | 51.02% | 940 | 48.98% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 152 | 6.65% | 2,133 | 93.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 245 | 12.31% | 1,739 | 87.34% | 7 | 0.35% |
| 1940 | 309 | 11.78% | 2,310 | 88.07% | 4 | 0.15% |
| 1944 | 224 | 9.09% | 1,962 | 79.66% | 277 | 11.25% |
| 1948 | 258 | 11.67% | 1,844 | 83.40% | 109 | 4.93% |
| 1952 | 1,431 | 48.71% | 1,502 | 51.12% | 5 | 0.17% |
| 1956 | 1,140 | 48.45% | 1,199 | 50.96% | 14 | 0.59% |
| 1960 | 1,261 | 44.43% | 1,559 | 54.93% | 18 | 0.63% |
| 1964 | 849 | 27.96% | 2,178 | 71.72% | 10 | 0.33% |
| 1968 | 921 | 29.75% | 1,437 | 46.41% | 738 | 23.84% |
| 1972 | 2,223 | 75.64% | 665 | 22.63% | 51 | 1.74% |
| 1976 | 1,581 | 40.92% | 2,241 | 58.00% | 42 | 1.09% |
| 1980 | 2,284 | 52.74% | 2,002 | 46.22% | 45 | 1.04% |
| 1984 | 3,538 | 72.69% | 1,305 | 26.81% | 24 | 0.49% |
| 1988 | 2,887 | 58.67% | 2,017 | 40.99% | 17 | 0.35% |
| 1992 | 2,134 | 40.38% | 1,694 | 32.05% | 1,457 | 27.57% |
| 1996 | 2,480 | 52.82% | 1,666 | 35.48% | 549 | 11.69% |
| 2000 | 3,656 | 74.67% | 1,174 | 23.98% | 66 | 1.35% |
| 2004 | 4,542 | 80.33% | 1,073 | 18.98% | 39 | 0.69% |
| 2008 | 4,589 | 80.28% | 1,063 | 18.60% | 64 | 1.12% |
| 2012 | 4,378 | 84.24% | 751 | 14.45% | 68 | 1.31% |
| 2016 | 4,865 | 87.20% | 569 | 10.20% | 145 | 2.60% |
| 2020 | 6,012 | 87.92% | 734 | 10.73% | 92 | 1.35% |
| 2024 | 6,180 | 88.44% | 761 | 10.89% | 47 | 0.67% |
Source: U.S. Presidential Election results data.
Senate Election Data
The voting patterns in Callahan County for U.S. Senate elections also reflect a strong Republican leaning, consistent with presidential election outcomes.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | |
| 2024 | 5,973 | 85.62% | 863 | 12.37% | 140 | 2.01% |
Source: Texas election results data.
Communities
Incorporated Municipalities
Callahan County is home to two incorporated cities:
- Baird (County Seat)
- Clyde
Towns and Census-Designated Places
Additionally, the county includes several towns and unincorporated communities:
- Towns: Cross Plains, Putnam
- Unincorporated Communities: Atwell, Cottonwood, Denton, Dudley, Eula, Oplin, Pueblo, Rowden
- Ghost Towns: Admiral, Belle Plain, Callahan City
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Disclaimer
Academic Integrity Notice
This document has been generated by an AI model for educational purposes, drawing exclusively from the provided source material. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source, users are advised that this content is based on a specific snapshot of data and may not reflect the most current information. It is intended to supplement, not replace, primary research and official documentation.
This is not official government information or professional advice. For definitive data or guidance, please consult official government sources and qualified professionals.
The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.