Population |
7,720 |
![]() |
|
Click to enlarge. | Map legend. |
Physical Features: Western county adjoining New Mexico on plains, partly sandy hills.
Economy: Oil, natural gas, ranching, prison, some farming.
![]() |
History: Apache area until arrival of Comanches in the 1700s. Anglo-Americans began ranching in the 1880s. Oil discovered in 1926. Mexican migration increased after 1960. County named for Confederate Col. C.M. Winkler; created from Tom Green County in 1887; organized in 1910.
Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 34.9; Black, 3.3; Hispanic, 60.8; Asian, 0.9; Other, 2.0; Two or more races, 1.4.
Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 136; deaths, 70; marriages, 32; divorces, 21.
Recreation: Part of Monahans Sandhills State Park; museum; Roy Orbison festival in June at Wink; Wink Sink, large sinkhole.
Minerals: Oil, gas.
Agriculture: Beef cattle. Market value $3.4 million.
KERMIT (6,053) county seat; oil, gas, ranching, some farming; hospital; Celebration Days in August.
Wink (984) oil, gas, ranching.
![]() |
Monahans Sandhills State Park. Photo by Robert Plocheck. |