Population |
173,620 |
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Physical Features: Blackland soils; level to rolling; Chambers Creek, Trinity River; Bardwell Lake, Lake Waxahachie.
Economy: Cement, steel production, warehousing and distribution, government/services; many residents work in Dallas.
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History: Tonkawa area. Part of Peters colony settled in 1843. County created 1849, organized 1850, from Navarro County. Named for Richard Ellis, president of convention that declared Texas’ independence.
Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 60.8; Black, 10.8; Hispanic, 26.3; Asian, 0.8; Other, 1.0; Two or more races, 1.9.
Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 2,126; deaths, 1,209; marriages, 1,105; divorces, 256.
Recreation: Lakes, fishing, hunting; bluebonnet trails, historic homes, courthouse; Medieval-theme Scarborough Faire in spring.
Minerals: Cement, gas, sand, gravel.
Agriculture: Cattle, cotton, corn, hay, nurseries. Market value $91.4 million.
WAXAHACHIE (35,002) county seat; manufacturing, steel, aluminum, tourism; hospital; colleges, museums; hike/bike trail; Crape Myrtle festival in July.
Ennis (20,775) manufacturing, distribution, agribusiness, tourism; Czech museum and library; hospital; bluebonnet trails, National Polka Festival in May.
Midlothian (23,014) cement plants, steel plant, distribution center, manufacturing; heritage park, cabin; spring fling in April.
Other towns include: Alma (377); Avalon (400); Bardwell (707); Bristol (713); Ferris (2,559); Forreston (400); Garrett (862); Howard (60); Italy (1,962); Maypearl (1,309); Milford (782); Oak Leaf (1,422); Ovilla (4,035); Palmer (2,126); Pecan Hill (655); and Red Oak (12,784) manufacturing, Founders Day in September.
Also, Glenn Heights (12,603, mostly in Dallas County). Part of Grand Prairie and Mansfield.
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The Bardwell Dam and Lake. Photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. |