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Physical Features: Southern county of brushy plain, sloping to Frio River, Nueces River, and tributaries, Choke Canyon Reservoir; saline clay soils.

Economy: Government/services, retail, agriculture, oil and gas services.

History: Coahuiltecans, squeezed out by Lipan Apaches and other tribes. Anglo-American settlers arrived in 1858. Sheep ranching of 1870s attracted Mexican laborers. County created from Atascosa, Bexar, Live Oak counties in 1858; organized in 1862, reorganized in 1877; named for Nueces River pioneer-empresario John McMullen.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 53.8; Black, 2.4; Hispanic, 42.1; Asian, 0.7; Other, 0.5; Two or more races, 2.8.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 0; deaths, 7; marriages, 9; divorces, 3.

Recreation: Hunting, wildlife viewing; lake activities, Choke Canyon State Park, J.E. Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area; Labor Day rodeo.

Minerals: Gas, oil, lignite coal, caliche, kaolinite.

Agriculture: Beef cattle. Market value $8.3 million. Wildlife enterprises important.

TILDEN (288), county seat; oil, gas, lignite mining, ranch center, government/services.

Other towns include: Calliham (100).

Oil field and cattle east of Tilden. Photo by Robert Plocheck.