Wikipedia

Bowie County, Texas

Bowie County (/ˈbuːi/ BOO-ee[1]) is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. Its legal county seat is Boston, though its courthouse is located in New Boston.[2] As of the 2020 census, the population was 92,893.[3] Bowie County is part of the Texarkana metropolitan statistical area. The county is named for James Bowie, the legendary knife fighter who died at the Battle of the Alamo.[4]

Bowie County, Texas
County
The Bowie County Courthouse
The Bowie County Courthouse
Map of Texas highlighting Bowie County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Coordinates: 33°27′N 94°25′W / 33.45°N 94.42°W / 33.45; -94.42
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1840
Named afterJames Bowie
SeatBoston (legal);
New Boston (courthouse)
Largest cityTexarkana
Area
 • Total
923 sq mi (2,390 km2)
 • Land885 sq mi (2,290 km2)
 • Water38 sq mi (98 km2)  4.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
92,893
 • Estimate 
(2025)
92,696 Decrease
 • Density105/sq mi (40.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts1st, 4th
Websitewww.co.bowie.tx.us Edit this at Wikidata

History

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Native Americans

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The farming Caddoan Mississippian culture dates as early as the Late Archaic Period 1500 BCE in Bowie County.[5] The Hernando de Soto expedition of 1541 resulted in violent encounters. Spanish and French missionaries brought smallpox, measles malaria, and influenza epidemics.[6] Eventually, these issues and problems with the Osage, forced the Caddo to abandon their homelands. Settlers had peaceful relations with the 19th century Shawnee, Delaware and Kickapoo in the area.

Explorations and county established

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French explorer Jean Baptiste Bénard de La Harpe founded the military fort Le Poste des Cadodaquious in 1719.[7] The fort remained in continuous use until 1770. The Red River Expedition of 1806 which passed through Bowie County,[8] headed by Thomas Freeman and Peter Custis, was of great diplomatic and economic importance to President Thomas Jefferson. Bowie County was established in December 1840 and reduced to its present size in 1846. DeKalb was the temporary county seat, with Boston becoming the permanent county seat in 1841.[9][10]

Bowie County, in the years leading up to the American Civil War, was settled mostly by Southerners who brought their slave labor to work the cotton fields. By 1860, slaves outnumbered whites 2,651 to 2,401. The county voted 208–15 in favor of secession from the Union.[11] While Bowie was never a battlefield in that war, it was occupied during Reconstruction. Between 1860 and 1870, the population declined. The occupation, and the new legal equality of blacks, became a hostile situation that fostered Cullen Baker.

Cullen Montgomery Baker (b. circa 1835 – d. 1869)[12] was a twice-widowed, mean-spirited drunk who killed his first man before he was 20. When Thomas Orr married Baker's late wife's sister, thereby denying Baker that opportunity, Baker attempted to hang Orr. Legends abound as to his activities in Bowie and Cass Counties, including a rumored tie to the Ku Klux Klan. His exploits turned him into a folk hero dubbed "The Swamp Fox of the Sulphur River".[13][14] He was a Confederate States Army veteran who joined two units, designated as a deserter from the first, and receiving a disability discharge from the second.[15] Reconstruction allowed him to focus his anger toward what many at the time believed was a Union intrusion into their lives. Baker and his gang conducted a vicious rampage against citizens he perceived as being on the wrong side of the black labor issue, at William G. Kirkman and the Freedman's Bureau in Bowie County, and at the soldiers of the Union occupation. Kirkman unsuccessfully pursued Baker, killing one of Baker's men in the second attempt. Like Swamp Fox Francis Marion, Baker always managed to elude capture, often with the help of local citizens. Kirkland was murdered by "person or persons unknown",[11] but Baker boasted of having done the deed. In December 1869, Thomas Orr and a group of neighbors killed Baker.[15] A local legend has it the deed was accomplished with strychnine-laced whiskey.

When the Texas and Pacific Railway was constructed through the county, a new town named Texarkana was founded.[16][17]

Bowie was hit hard by the Great Depression. Measurable relief came late when the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant was established in 1942. The base was active until 2009.[18] The Red River Army Depot,[19] opened in 1941, remains active. The two installations occupied almost 40,000 acres (160 km2) and provided job opportunities for thousands.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 923 square miles (2,390 km2), of which 885 square miles (2,290 km2) is land and 38 square miles (98 km2) (4.1%) is covered by water.[20]

Bowie County, Texas is one of only three counties in Texas to border two other U.S. states (the others being Dallam and Cass). Bowie County forms part of the tripoint of Texas-Oklahoma-Arkansas.

Adjacent counties

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Communities

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Transportation

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Major highways present in Bowie County include the following:

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18502,912—
18605,05273.5%
18704,684−7.3%
188010,965134.1%
189020,26784.8%
190026,67631.6%
191034,82730.6%
192039,47213.3%
193048,56323.0%
194050,2083.4%
195061,96623.4%
196059,971−3.2%
197067,81313.1%
198075,30111.0%
199081,6658.5%
200089,3069.4%
201092,5653.6%
202092,8930.4%
2025 (est.)92,696[21] Decrease−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]
1850–2010[23] 2010–2020[24]

Racial and ethnic composition

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Bowie County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[25] Pop 1990[26] Pop 2000[27] Pop 2010[28] Pop 2020[24] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 57,565 61,964 62,712 61,343 55,855 76.45% 75.88% 70.22% 66.27% 60.13%
Black or African American alone (NH) 16,322 17,697 20,787 22,230 23,084 21.68% 21.67% 23.28% 24.02% 24.85%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 172 401 487 572 554 0.23% 0.49% 0.55% 0.62% 0.60%
Asian alone (NH) 199 258 372 721 1,082 0.26% 0.32% 0.42% 0.78% 1.16%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [29] x [30] 33 45 69 x x 0.04% 0.05% 0.07%
Other race alone (NH) 50 11 50 88 332 0.07% 0.01% 0.06% 0.10% 0.36%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [31] x [32] 873 1,504 4,315 x x 0.98% 1.62% 4.65%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 993 1,334 3,992 6,062 7,602 1.32% 1.63% 4.47% 6.55% 8.18%
Total 75,301 81,665 89,306 92,565 92,893 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 92,893. The median age was 39.7 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.3 males age 18 and over.[33]

The racial makeup of the county was 61.9% White, 25.0% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.6% from some other race, and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 8.2% of the population.[34]

62.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 37.9% lived in rural areas.[35]

There were 35,518 households in the county, of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.0% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[33]

There were 39,536 housing units, of which 10.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.0% were owner-occupied and 38.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.9%.[33]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census, 89,306 people, 33,058 households, and 23,438 families resided in the county. The population density was 101 inhabitants per square mile (39/km2). The 36,463 housing units averaged 41 units per square mile (16/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.26% White, 23.42% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. About 4.47% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Government and politics

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Barry Telford Unit, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison for men, is in an unincorporated area of the county, near New Boston.[36] Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana, is a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility in unincorporated Bowie County, near Texarkana, Texas.[37][38]

Bowie County is no longer one of the seven dry counties in the state of Texas. Both the city of Nash and the city of Texarkana (on November 6, 2013, and November 5, 2014, respectively)[39][40] have passed laws that allow the sale of beer and wine.

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Bowie County, Texas[41][42]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1912 317 15.15% 1,542 73.71% 233 11.14%
1916 414 15.72% 1,941 73.69% 279 10.59%
1920 1,032 26.80% 2,396 62.22% 423 10.98%
1924 740 16.58% 3,455 77.40% 269 6.03%
1928 2,225 42.57% 3,002 57.43% 0 0.00%
1932 541 9.28% 5,269 90.39% 19 0.33%
1936 472 8.55% 5,030 91.11% 19 0.34%
1940 1,107 13.75% 6,937 86.18% 5 0.06%
1944 790 8.87% 7,045 79.14% 1,067 11.99%
1948 1,161 11.22% 7,028 67.95% 2,154 20.83%
1952 6,501 38.34% 10,437 61.56% 16 0.09%
1956 6,823 46.73% 7,675 52.56% 104 0.71%
1960 5,927 39.01% 9,198 60.54% 68 0.45%
1964 7,018 40.31% 10,368 59.55% 24 0.14%
1968 5,966 30.44% 6,468 33.00% 7,165 36.56%
1972 14,722 73.55% 5,227 26.12% 66 0.33%
1976 9,590 43.17% 12,445 56.02% 179 0.81%
1980 13,942 54.35% 11,339 44.21% 369 1.44%
1984 18,244 64.22% 10,077 35.47% 88 0.31%
1988 15,454 55.31% 12,331 44.13% 156 0.56%
1992 11,776 38.78% 11,825 38.94% 6,764 22.28%
1996 12,750 43.56% 13,657 46.66% 2,863 9.78%
2000 18,325 60.44% 11,662 38.46% 333 1.10%
2004 21,791 64.55% 11,880 35.19% 89 0.26%
2008 24,162 68.67% 10,815 30.74% 209 0.59%
2012 24,869 70.24% 10,196 28.80% 339 0.96%
2016 24,924 72.03% 8,838 25.54% 840 2.43%
2020 27,116 70.87% 10,747 28.09% 398 1.04%
2024 27,122 74.01% 9,282 25.33% 240 0.65%
United States Senate election results for Bowie County, Texas1[43]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 26,219 72.43% 9,405 25.98% 573 1.58%
United States Senate election results for Bowie County, Texas2[44]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2020 26,908 70.94% 10,406 27.43% 617 1.63%
Texas Gubernatorial election results for Bowie County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2022 20,206 75.18% 6,060 22.55% 610 2.27%

Bowie County had voting patterns similar to the Solid South up until 1976. The county has consistently voted for the GOP in each 21st century president election. The last Democrat to win this county was Bill Clinton of neighboring Arkansas, with which the county shares the Texarkana metropolitan area, in both of his national victories.

Bowie County is located within District 1 of the Texas House of Representatives. Bowie County is located within District 1 of the Texas Senate.

Education

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These school districts serve Bowie County:[45]

All of Bowie County is in the service area and taxation area of Texarkana College.[46]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "How to Pronounce: B Cities". texastripper.com. September 23, 2014. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bowie County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  4. ↑ "TSHA | Bowie County". www.tshaonline.org. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Caddo Timeline". Texas Beyond History. Retrieved May 14, 2010. UT Texas at Austin
  6. ↑ "Caddo". Oklahoma Historical Society. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Oklahoma Historical Society
  7. ↑ Britton, Morris L: Le Poste des Cadodaquious from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  8. ↑ Flores, Dan L.: Red River Expedition from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  9. ↑ "DeKalb, Texas". Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC.
  10. ↑ "Boston, Texas". Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC.
  11. 1 2 Harper Jr., Cecil: Bowie County from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  12. ↑ Anderson, Dale; Yadon, Laurence (2009). Ten Deadly Texans. Pelican Publishing. pp. 29–51. ISBN 978-1-58980-599-6.
  13. ↑ Sulphur River, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  14. ↑ Crouch, Barry A; Brice, Donaly E (1997). Cullen Montgomery Baker, Reconstruction Desperado. Louisiana State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8071-2140-5.
  15. 1 2 Crouch, Barry A: Cullen Montgomery Baker from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  16. ↑ "Texas and Pacific Railway". Texas and Pacific Railway. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Texarkana, Texas". Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC.
  18. ↑ Montgomery, Rebecca J. "Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant Deactivates". United States Army. Retrieved May 14, 2010. =United States Army
  19. ↑ "Defense Distribution Depot Red RiverRed River Army Depot (RRAD)". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved May 14, 2010. GlobalSecurity.org
  20. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  21. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  23. ↑ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  24. 1 2 "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bowie County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- Texas - Table 15. Persons by Race and Table 16. Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 21-46. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2022.
  26. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- Texas - Table 3. Race and Hispanic Origin: 1990" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 29-138. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 3, 2026.
  27. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bowie County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  28. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bowie County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  29. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  30. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  31. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  32. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  33. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  34. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  35. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Telford TO", Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Accessed January 8, 2014
  37. ↑ "FCI Texarkana Contact Information". Federal Bureau of Prisons. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Ward Map". City of Texarkana, Texas. Archived from the original on January 27, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Nash, Texas legalizes alcohol sales - ArkLatexHomepage.com". Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  40. ↑ Walsh, Field (November 5, 2014). "Texarkana, Texas Voters Approve Beer and Wine Sales - Texarkana Today". txktoday.com.
  41. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  42. ↑ Nelson, Jane (November 5, 2024). "PRESIDENT/VICE-PRESIDENT". Secretary of State of Texas. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  43. ↑ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Texas by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Texas Senate Election Results 2020". NBCNews.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  45. ↑ Geography Division (December 22, 2020). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Bowie County, TX (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 31, 2023. - Text list of districts
  46. ↑ Texas Education Code, "Sec. 130.203. TEXARKANA COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA."
  47. ↑ "Summary Report: Brevelle Lake". United States Geological Service. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
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