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Physical Features: Central prairie, surrounded by hills, broken by Concho River and tributaries; sandy to black soils.

Economy: Ranching, oil and gas, government/services.

History: Ranching began in the late 1870s after the Comanches, Kickapoos, and other tribes were removed by the U.S. Army. County named for buffalo hunter W.S. Sterling; created in 1891 from Tom Green County, organized the same year.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 54.6; Black, 2.1; Hispanic, 40.8; Asian, 0.4; Other, 2.4; Two or more races, 1.7.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 16; deaths, 9; marriages, 9; divorces, 1.

Recreation: Hunting of deer, quail, turkey, dove; hunters appreciation dinner in November; junior livestock show in December.

Minerals: Oil, natural gas.

Agriculture: Cattle, sheep/goats, horses, wheat, hay; about 400 acres irrigated. Market value $7.7 million. Hunting leases important.

STERLING CITY (992) county seat; farm, ranch trade center, oil-field services.

A ranch entrance along Texas 158 west of Sterling City. Photo by Robert Plocheck.