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Lamar County, Texas facts for kids

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Lamar County
The Lamar County Courthouse in Paris
The Lamar County Courthouse in Paris
Map of Texas highlighting Lamar County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Texas
Founded 1841
Named for Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar
Seat Paris
Largest city Paris
Area
 • Total 933 sq mi (2,420 km2)
 • Land 907 sq mi (2,350 km2)
 • Water 26 sq mi (70 km2)  2.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 50,088
 • Density 53.685/sq mi (20.728/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 4th

Lamar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas, in the Northeast Texas region. As of the 2020 census, its population was 50,088. Its county seat is Paris. The county was formed by the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 17, 1840, and organized the next year. It is named for Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas.

Lamar County comprises the Paris, TX micropolitan statistical area.

The majority-white population supported the Democratic Party well into the late 20th century, when it was nearly a one-party state, but in the early 21st century, most have shifted to the Republican Party. Lamar County is now represented in the Texas House of Representatives by Gary VanDeaver of New Boston.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 933 square miles (2,420 km2), of which 907 square miles (2,350 km2) is land and 926 square miles (2,400 km2) (2.8%) is water.

Major highways

  • US 82.svg U.S. Highway 82
  • US 271.svg U.S. Highway 271
  • Texas 19.svg State Highway 19
  • Texas 24.svg State Highway 24
  • Texas Loop 286.svg Loop 286

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 3,978
1860 10,136 154.8%
1870 15,790 55.8%
1880 27,193 72.2%
1890 37,302 37.2%
1900 48,627 30.4%
1910 46,544 −4.3%
1920 55,742 19.8%
1930 48,529 −12.9%
1940 50,425 3.9%
1950 43,033 −14.7%
1960 34,234 −20.4%
1970 36,062 5.3%
1980 42,156 16.9%
1990 43,949 4.3%
2000 48,499 10.4%
2010 49,793 2.7%
2020 50,088 0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1850–2010 2010–2020
Demographic Profile of Lamar County, Texas
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 37,891 35,354 76.10% 70.58%
Black or African American alone (NH) 6,628 6,378 13.31% 12.73%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 592 751 1.19% 1.50%
Asian alone (NH) 304 474 0.61% 0.95%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 5 25 0.01% 0.05%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 27 119 0.05% 0.24%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,123 2,575 2.26% 5.14%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,223 4,412 6.47% 8.81%
Total 49,793 50,088 100.00% 100.00%

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 can be of any race.

As of the census of 2000, 48,499 people, 19,077 households, and 13,468 families resided in the county. At the tabulation of the 2020 United States census, its population increased to 50,088.

Among the population, its racial and ethnic makeup was 70.58% non-Hispanic white, 12.73% Black or African American, 1.50% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.95% Asian alone, 0.05% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 0.24% some other race alone, 5.14% multiracial, and 8.81% Hispanic or Latino American of any race. In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 82.46% White, 13.47% African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 1.19% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. About 3.33% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race; from 2000 to 2020, the majority if its population remained predominantly non-Hispanic white against nationwide demographic trends of increased diversification.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated Communities

Education

These school districts serve Lamar County:

  • Chisum ISD (small portion in Delta County)
  • Fannindel ISD (mostly in Delta and Fannin Counties; small portion in Hunt County)
  • Honey Grove ISD (mostly in Fannin County)
  • North Lamar ISD
  • Paris ISD
  • Prairiland ISD (small portion in Red River County)

Until it closed in 2019, Roxton ISD. Roxton ISD consolidated into Chisum ISD after the 2018–19 school year.

In addition, Paris Junior College serves the county.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Lamar (Texas) para niños

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