Population |
17,297 |
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Click to enlarge. | Map legend. |
Physical Features: On rolling prairie; bisected by Brazos River; blackland, red, sandy loam soils; mineral springs.
Economy: Government/services, agribusiness, varied manufacturing.
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History: Wacos, Tawokanis, Anadarkos in conflict with Comanches. Cherokees alone in area 1830 until 1835 when Anglo-American settlement began. Antebellum slave-holding area. County created and organized in 1850 from Limestone, Milam counties; named for Brazos River falls.
Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 50.5; Black, 24.2; Hispanic, 24.0; Asian, 0.6; Other, 1.3; Two or more races, 2.0.
Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 207; deaths, 178; marriages, 85; divorces, 16.
Recreation: Fishing, hunting, camping; Highland Mansion and Falls on the Brazos.
Minerals: Gravel, sand, oil.
Agriculture: Stocker cattle, cow-calf operations, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, cotton, wheat, oats, goats, sheep, horses. Some cotton irrigated. Market value $157.9 million.
MARLIN (5,665) county seat; agriculture, prison; hospital; museum.
Other towns include: Chilton (940); Golinda (588); Lott (782); Reagan (300); Rosebud (1,344) feed, fertilizer processing, clothing manufactured; Satin (86). Part of Bruceville-Eddy (1,865).
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The old Church of the Visitation in Westphalia (burned in 2019). Photo by Chris Latham (CC). |