Yoakum County, Texas

Not to be confused with Yoakum, Texas.

Yoakum County
County
The Yoakum County Courthouse in Plains.
The Yoakum County Courthouse in Plains.
Map of Texas highlighting Yoakum County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°11′N 102°49′W / 33.18°N 102.82°W / 33.18; -102.82
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1907
SeatPlains
Largest townDenver City
Area
 • Total
800 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Land800 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)  0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,694 Decrease
 • Density9.6/sq mi (3.7/km2)
Congressional district19th
Websitewww.co.yoakum.tx.us

Yoakum County is a county located in the far western portion of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,694.[1] Its county seat is Plains.[2] The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1907.[3] It is named for Henderson King Yoakum, a Texas historian.

Until the passage of a liquor sales referendum held on May 11, 2013, Yoakum had been one of 19 remaining prohibition or entirely dry counties within the state of Texas.[4] Voters in Denver City also approved a separate referendum to permit liquor sales within that community.[5]

In 1965, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark number 5927 was placed at the county courthouse, acknowledging the creation of the county in 1876.[6]

Until after 1900, the county contained primarily nomadic buffalo hunters and a few scattered ranchers. Yoakum County was organized in 1907, and the population increased to 602 because of the sale of state land deeds.[7]

  1. ^ "Yoakum County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "TABC Home Page". www.tabc.state.tx.us. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  5. ^ "Voters approve sales of alcohol in three elections". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, May 12, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  6. ^ "Yoakum County - Plains, Yoakum County, Texas". Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  7. ^ Yoakum County Texas Historical Marker