1909 The Stamford and Northeastern Railway built a line across the county's northeast corner. The railroad, which connected Stamford and Spur, later became part of the Wichita Valley Railroad. The Jayton community was founded.[9]
1946-1991 Oil was discovered in Kent County in 1946. From 1946 to 1991, more than 448,448,000 barrels (71,297,500 m3) of oil have been produced in the county.[6]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 903 square miles (2,340 km2), of which 903 square miles (2,340 km2) are land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.05%) is covered by water.[10]
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1850–2010[13] 2010-2020[1]
Kent County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition 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.
As of the census[17] of 2000, 859 people, 353 households, and 247 families resided in the county. The population density was less than 1/km2 (2.6/sq mi). The 551 housing units averaged about zero point six units per square mile (0.23 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.46% White, 0.23% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 3.73% from other races, and 0.23% from two or more races. About 9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 353 households, 26.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were not families. About 28% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was distributed as 20.60% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 21.80% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 25.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,433, and for a family was $35,568. Males had a median income of $23,875 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,626. About 9.20% of families and 10.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.
Throughout the 20th century, Kent County was a reliably Democratic county, having only voted for a Republican 3 times from 1912 until 2000. Kent County has realigned into a Republican stronghold since George W. Bush won the county in 2000. As of 2024, Kent County has not selected a Democrat in a Presidential election since 1996 when then Democratic incumbent Bill Clinton won it.
^ abcdefghHunt, William R (June 15, 2010). "Kent County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
^Davis, Charles G (June 12, 2010). "Clairmont". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
^"Clairemont, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
^Davis, Charles G (June 15, 2010). "Jayton, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
