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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 1931Jim Wells County, Texas
Jim Wells County Education, Geography, and History
Jim Wells County is a county located in the state of Texas. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 40,838. Its county seat is Alice.
The county was found in 1911 and is named for James B. Wells, Jr. (1850-1923), for three decades a judge and Democratic Party political boss
in South Texas.
Jim Wells County comprises the Alice, TX Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice, TX Combined
Statistical Area.
Etymology - Origin of Jim Wells County Name
James Babbage Wells Jr., a powerful politician in southern Texas
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Jim Wells County History
Jim Wells County is a county located in the US state of Texas. Its county seat is Alice. The county is named for James Babbage Wells Jr., a political boss in southern Texas.
Handbook of Texas Online
Because of the long distance residents had to travel in order to conduct business at the county seat in Corpus
Christi, they petitioned for the formation of a separate county. The request was approved by the legislature in
early 1911, and the county's first commissioners' court meeting was held on March 18, 1911. The new county was
formally organized in 1912, and named for James B. Wells, Jr., who played an
important role in the economic development of the lower Rio Grande valley. When the county was established, its
population of 887 was chiefly resident in Alice, which was made county seat. Jim Wells County was divided into
school districts in 1914. By 1920 the population was estimated at 6,587 More at
Alicia A. Garza, "JIM WELLS COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcj07),
accessed January 24, 2016. Uploaded on June 15, 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 868 square miles (2,249 km2), of which, 865
square miles (2,239 km2) of it is land and 3 square miles (10 km2) of it (0.43%) is water.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Live Oak County (north)
- San Patricio County (northeast)
- Nueces County (east)
- Kleberg County (east)
- Brooks County (south)
- Duval County (west)
Education
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