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Texas Counties
Texas is divided into two hundred and fifty-four counties, more than any other state. Texas was originally divided into municipalities, a unit of local government under Spanish and Mexican rule. When the Republic of Texas gained its independence in 1836, there were 23 municipalities, which became the original Texas counties. Many of these would later be divided into new counties. The most recent county to be created was Kenedy County in 1921. The most recent county to be organized was Loving County in 1931Ector County, Texas
Ector County Education, Geography, and History
Ector County is a county located in the state of Texas. Based on the 2010 census, its population was 137,130. Its county seat is Odessa.
The county was founded in 1887 and organized in 1891. It is named for Mathew Ector, a Confederate general in the American Civil War.
Ector County comprises the Odessa, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Midland-Odessa Combined Statistical Area.
Etymology - Origin of Ector County Name
Mathew Duncan Ector, a Confederate general in the Civil War
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Ector County History
Ector County is a county located in the US state of Texas.It is named for Mathew Ector, a Confederate general in the American Civil War. Its seat is Odessa
Handbook of Texas Online
But, as pioneer J. J. Amburgery later pointed out, the area did present one decided advantage to prospective
farmers: "Land was pretty cheap out there. I bought seven sections of school land for $1 an acre." During the late
1880s and in the 1890s settlers began to trickle in. In 1890 the census enumerated 224 residents, and in 1891 Ector
County was formally organized, with Odessa, the largest town,
designated as the county seat. In the early 1890s Methodists established a small school, Odessa College, but it
burned down in 1892. By 1900, there were twenty-five farms and ranches in the county, and the population had grown
to 381. More at
John Leffler, "ECTOR COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hce02),
accessed January 23, 2016. Uploaded on June 12, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 902 square miles (2,335 km2), of which, 901 square miles (2,334 km2) of it is land and 1 square miles (2 km2) of it (0.07%) is water.
Ector County has an
average rainfall of about 14 inches per year and a warm, sunny, semiarid climate. Most of the county is relatively
flat with small areas slightly rolling. The area is known for its stark flat landscape. There are few naturally
occurring trees with most of them being mesquite trees which more resemble large bushes.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Andrews County (north)
- Midland County (east)
- Upton County (southeast)
- Crane County (south)
- Ward County (southwest)
- Winkler County (west)
Education
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