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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.

History: Tonkawa area. Part of Peters colony settled in 1843. County created in 1849, organized in 1850 from Navarro County. Named for Richard Ellis, president of convention that declared Texas’ independence.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 58.9; Black, 12.2; Hispanic, 26.9; Asian, 0.8; Other, 0.9; Two or more races, 1.9.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 2,126; deaths, 1,209; marriages, 1,140; divorces, 337.

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 $73.1 million.

WAXAHACHIE (38,643) county seat; manufacturing, steel, aluminum, tourism; hospital; colleges, museums; hike/bike trail; Crape Myrtle festival in July.

Ennis (21,042) manufacturing, distribution, agribusiness, tourism; Czech museum and library; hospital; bluebonnet trails, National Polka Festival in May.

Midlothian (28,301) cement plants, steel plant, distribution center, manufacturing; heritage park, cabin; spring fling in April.

Other towns include: Alma (400); Avalon (400); Bardwell (723); Bristol (773); Ferris (3,062); Forreston (400); Garrett (840); Howard (60); Italy (1,957); Maypearl (1,146); Milford (764); Oak Leaf (1,479); Ovilla (4,432); Palmer (2,234); Pecan Hill (689); and Red Oak (13,153) manufacturing, Founders Day in September.

Also, Glenn Heights (13,355, mostly in Dallas County). Part of Grand Prairie and Mansfield.

The Bardwell Dam and Lake. Photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.