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Physical Features: Level to rolling; bisected by Colorado River and tributaries; sandy loam, black waxy soils; O.H. Ivie Reservoir, Lake Ballinger.

Economy: Agribusiness, oil, government/services, manufacturing.

History: Spanish explorers found Jumanos in area in the 1650s; later, Apaches and Comanches who were driven out in the 1870s by U.S. military. First Anglo-Americans arrived in the 1850s; Germans, Czechs settled around 1900. County named for planter-legislator H.G. Runnels; created in 1858 from Bexar and Travis counties; organized in 1880.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 60.6; Black, 2.6; Hispanic, 34.8; Asian, 1.4; Other, 1.8; Two or more races, 1.3.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 112; deaths, 140; marriages, 53; divorces, 18.

Recreation: Deer, dove and turkey hunting; lakes; fishing; antique car museum; historical markers in county.

Minerals: Oil, gas, sand.

Agriculture: Cattle, cotton, wheat, sorghum, dairies, sheep and goats. Market value $53.4  million.

BALLINGER (3,421) county seat; varied manufacturing, meat processing; Carnegie Library, hospital, Western Texas College extension; the Cross, 100-ft. tall atop hill south of city; city park; Festival of Ethnic Cultures in April.

Other towns include: Miles (835); Norton (50); Rowena (349); Wingate (100); Winters (2,390) manufacturing, museum, hospital.

Cotton fields near Rowena. Photo by Robert Plocheck.