Dalhart, Texas

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Dalhart, Texas |settlement_type = City |nickname = |motto = "The XIT City"<ref name="Dalhart Chamber of Commerce">{{cite web|url= https://www.dalhart.org/|title= Dalhart Chamber of Commerce|publisher= Dalhart Chamber of Commerce|access-date= October 19, 2012}}</ref>

|coordinates = {{Coord|36|03|28|N|102|30|44|W|region:US-TX_type:city|display=inline,title}} |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Texas |subdivision_type2 = Counties |subdivision_name2 = Dallam, Hartley

|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 12.41 |area_land_km2 = 12.39 |area_water_km2 = 0.03 |area_total_sq_mi = 4.79 |area_land_sq_mi = 4.78 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.01 |unit_pref = Imperial

|postal_code_type = ZIP Code |postal_code = 79022 |area_code_type = Area code |area_code = 806 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 48-18524 <ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2410286<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410286}}</ref> |website = {{URL|www.dalharttx.gov}} |footnotes = }}

'''Dalhart''' is a city in Dallam and Hartley counties in the U.S. state of Texas, and the county seat of Dallam County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> The population was 8,447 at the 2020 census.

==History== Founded in 1901, Dalhart is named for its location on the border of Dallam and Hartley Counties; its name is a portmanteau of the names of the two counties.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=26337|title= Profile for Dalhart, Texas, TX|publisher= ePodunk|access-date= October 19, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160825224327/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=26337|archive-date= August 25, 2016|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name="Dalhart, Texas">{{cite web|url= https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hfd01|title=Dalhart, Texas|publisher= Texas State Historical Association|access-date= October 19, 2012}}</ref> The city was founded at the site of a railroad junction, which heavily contributed to its early growth.

Dalhart was in the center of the Dust Bowl, an area adversely affected by a long period of drought and dust storms during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Here, Tex Thornton, operating on the now debunked concussion theory, coaxed today's inflation-adjusted equivalent of $1 million from the locals on claims he could fire rocket-powered explosives into the clouds and cause rain.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.countryworldnews.com/news/headlines/1004-texas-trails-tex-thorton-the-firefighter-and-rainmaker.html| title=Texas Trails: Tex Thornton, the Firefighter and Rainmaker| date=28 November 2011| work=Country World Online Edition| access-date=25 March 2013| archive-date=February 21, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221020425/http://www.countryworldnews.com/news/headlines/1004-texas-trails-tex-thorton-the-firefighter-and-rainmaker.html| url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Geography== [[File:Dalhart, Texas 1972-2011.ogv|thumb|40 year sequence of Landsat images showing the dry Texas Panhandle near the town of Dalhart]]

Dalhart is located in northwestern Texas. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|12.4|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.03|sqkm|order=flip|2}}, or 0.21%, is covered by water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4818524| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Dalhart city, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=January 7, 2016| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213041332/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4818524| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> Dalhart sits in the Southern Great Plains and is heavily impacted by its agriculture industry. Dalhart is approximately 70 miles northwest of Amarillo, the nearest city that has a population over 100,000.

Dalhart sits at the intersection of U.S. Highways 54, 87 and 385. Two miles south of Dalhart is the former Rita Blanca State Park, site of Rita Blanca Canyon,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.newschannel10.com/story/22876027/learn-more-about-dalhart-tx/ |title=Dalhart, Texas|publisher= NewsChannel 10 KFDA|accessdate=July 27, 2021}}</ref> now maintained by the City of Dalhart.<ref name=Chamber>{{cite web|url= https://dalhart.org/lifeisbetterindalharttexas/things-to-do/ |title=Things to Do|publisher=Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center|accessdate=July 27, 2021}}</ref> It is 1,680 acres, plus the 160 acres of Lake Rita Blanca,<ref name=Chamber/> on Rita Blanca Creek.<ref name=TSHA>{{cite web|url= https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/rita-blanca-creek |title=Rita Blanca Creek|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|accessdate=July 27, 2021}}</ref> The park has playground equipment and hiking/biking/riding trails.<ref name=Chamber/> The city has added a Lake Center at which guests can check-out various items such as bicycles, board games, fishing poles and tackle, golf discs, and more.<ref name=Chamber/>

Dalhart is located closer to six other state capitals than to Texas' capital of Austin. In surface mileage (over major highways), Dalhart is {{convert|570|mi|km}} from Austin,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=from:+Dalhart,+TX+to:+Austin,+TX&sll=38.44085,-99.61514&sspn=7.104826,14.941406&ie=UTF8&ll=33.137551,-100.129395&spn=7.59481,14.941406&z=6&om=1|title=Google Maps}}</ref> but is {{convert|261|mi|km}} from Santa Fe, New Mexico,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Dalhart,+TX+to+Santa+Fe,+NM&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=28.805654,59.765625&ie=UTF8&z=8&om=1|title=Google Maps}}</ref> {{convert|313|mi|km}} from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=from:+Dalhart,+TX+to:+Oklahoma+City,+OK&sll=35.501365,-104.239575&sspn=1.846853,3.735352&ie=UTF8&z=7&om=1|title = Google Maps}}</ref> {{convert|348|mi|km}} from Denver, Colorado,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=from:+Dalhart,+TX+to:+Denver,+CO&sll=35.619295,-100.02144&sspn=3.687815,7.470703&ie=UTF8&z=6&om=1|title = Google Maps}}</ref> {{convert|448|mi|km}} from Cheyenne, Wyoming,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=from:+Dalhart,+TX+to:+Cheyenne,+WY&sll=37.8998,-103.76909&sspn=7.158782,14.941406&ie=UTF8&ll=38.5997,-103.776855&spn=7.089605,14.941406&z=6&om=1|title = Google Maps}}</ref> {{convert|461|mi|km}} from Topeka, Kansas,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=from:+Dalhart,+TX+to:+Topeka,+KS&sll=38.5997,-103.776855&sspn=7.089605,14.941406&ie=UTF8&z=7&om=1|title = Google Maps}}</ref> and {{convert|544|mi|km}} from Lincoln, Nebraska.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=from:+Dalhart,+TX+to:+Lincoln,+NE&sll=37.558025,-99.10002&sspn=3.596282,7.470703&ie=UTF8&z=6&om=1|title = Google Maps}}</ref>

===Climate===

Dalhart experiences a semiarid climate (Köppen ''BSk'') with cool, dry winters and hot summers. The average annual rainfall of less than {{convert|17|in|mm|-1|disp=or}} strongly influences both Dalhart's ecological climate and agricultural practices, especially center-pivot irrigation.<ref name="climate">{{cite web | url=https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate.php?location=USTX0325|title=Climate Dalhart – Texas. Climate graph. Average Rainfall}}</ref>

Since records began in 1948, the hottest temperature in Dalhart has been {{convert|110|F|C|1}} on June 26, 2011, and the coldest {{convert|−21|F|C|1}} on January 4, 1959. On average, 65 afternoons each year will reach or top {{convert|90|F|C|1|disp=or}}, 133.8 mornings will fall to or below freezing, 10.1 afternoons will fail to top freezing, and two mornings will fall to or below {{convert|0|F|C|1}}, giving a hardiness zone of 6b to 7a. The hottest complete month has been July 2011 with a mean maximum of {{convert|99.81|F|C|1|disp=or}} and the coldest January 1963 with a mean minimum of {{convert|7.55|F|C|1|disp=or}}. The wettest calendar year has been 1985 with {{convert|28.03|in|mm|1}} and the driest 2011 with only {{convert|6.04|in|mm|1}}.

{{Weather box | width = auto | collapsed = yes | single line = yes | location = Dalhart, Texas (Dalhart Municipal Airport) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present) | Jan record high F = 82 | Feb record high F = 89 | Mar record high F = 92 | Apr record high F = 96 | May record high F = 102 | Jun record high F = 110 | Jul record high F = 108 | Aug record high F = 106 | Sep record high F = 104 | Oct record high F = 96 | Nov record high F = 89 | Dec record high F = 82 | year record high F = | Jan avg record high F = 71.0 | Feb avg record high F = 75.8 | Mar avg record high F = 83.3 | Apr avg record high F = 88.5 | May avg record high F = 94.5 | Jun avg record high F = 101.1 | Jul avg record high F = 102.5 | Aug avg record high F = 99.7 | Sep avg record high F = 96.2 | Oct avg record high F = 89.5 | Nov avg record high F = 79.6 | Dec avg record high F = 71.0 | year avg record high F = 104.0 | Jan high F = 51.3 | Feb high F = 54.9 | Mar high F = 63.5 | Apr high F = 71.0 | May high F = 80.2 | Jun high F = 90.2 | Jul high F = 93.5 | Aug high F = 91.1 | Sep high F = 84.2 | Oct high F = 72.6 | Nov high F = 60.7 | Dec high F = 50.5 | year high F = 72.0 | Jan mean F = 36.3 | Feb mean F = 39.5 | Mar mean F = 47.2 | Apr mean F = 55.0 | May mean F = 64.9 | Jun mean F = 74.9 | Jul mean F = 78.7 | Aug mean F = 76.9 | Sep mean F = 69.5 | Oct mean F = 57.1 | Nov mean F = 45.1 | Dec mean F = 36.1 | year mean F = 56.8 | Jan low F = 21.4 | Feb low F = 24.1 | Mar low F = 30.9 | Apr low F = 39.0 | May low F = 49.7 | Jun low F = 59.6 | Jul low F = 64.0 | Aug low F = 62.8 | Sep low F = 54.9 | Oct low F = 41.6 | Nov low F = 29.6 | Dec low F = 21.6 | year low F = 41.6 | Jan avg record low F = 6.0 | Feb avg record low F = 8.3 | Mar avg record low F = 13.9 | Apr avg record low F = 24.6 | May avg record low F = 34.5 | Jun avg record low F = 48.7 | Jul avg record low F = 56.1 | Aug avg record low F = 55.0 | Sep avg record low F = 40.8 | Oct avg record low F = 25.6 | Nov avg record low F = 12.8 | Dec avg record low F = 5.4 | year avg record low F = 1.2 | Jan record low F = -21 | Feb record low F = -19 | Mar record low F = 0 | Apr record low F = 16 | May record low F = 25 | Jun record low F = 37 | Jul record low F = 49 | Aug record low F = 43 | Sep record low F = 27 | Oct record low F = 9 | Nov record low F = -5 | Dec record low F = -12 | year record low F = | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 0.47 | Feb precipitation inch = 0.35 | Mar precipitation inch = 0.93 | Apr precipitation inch = 1.25 | May precipitation inch = 1.69 | Jun precipitation inch = 2.24 | Jul precipitation inch = 2.51 | Aug precipitation inch = 2.16 | Sep precipitation inch = 1.29 | Oct precipitation inch = 1.64 | Nov precipitation inch = 0.53 | Dec precipitation inch = 0.54 | year precipitation inch = 15.60 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in | Jan precipitation days = 2.9 | Feb precipitation days = 2.8 | Mar precipitation days = 4.2 | Apr precipitation days = 4.9 | May precipitation days = 6.4 | Jun precipitation days = 7.5 | Jul precipitation days = 7.6 | Aug precipitation days = 8.2 | Sep precipitation days = 5.1 | Oct precipitation days = 4.1 | Nov precipitation days = 3.4 | Dec precipitation days = 3.4 | year precipitation days = 60.5 | Jan snow inch = 4.2 | Feb snow inch = 3.4 | Mar snow inch = 3.0 | Apr snow inch = 1.5 | May snow inch = 0.0 | Jun snow inch = 0.0 | Jul snow inch = 0.0 | Aug snow inch = 0.0 | Sep snow inch = 0.0 | Oct snow inch = 1.3 | Nov snow inch = 1.9 | Dec snow inch = 5.0 | year snow inch = 20.3 | unit snow days = 0.1 in | Jan snow days = 1.8 | Feb snow days = 2.0 | Mar snow days = 1.6 | Apr snow days = 0.9 | May snow days = 0.1 | Jun snow days = 0.0 | Jul snow days = 0.0 | Aug snow days = 0.0 | Sep snow days = 0.0 | Oct snow days = 0.8 | Nov snow days = 1.1 | Dec snow days = 2.1 | year snow days = 10.4

| source = NOAA<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=ama |title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = December 31, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00093042&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = December 31, 2023}}</ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1910= 2580 |1920= 2676 |1930= 4691 |1940= 4682 |1950= 5918 |1960= 5160 |1970= 5705 |1980= 6854 |1990= 6246 |2000= 7237 |2010= 7930 |2020= 8447 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }} In December 2015, the ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'' voted Dalhart number eight of the 10 "most conservative" cities in the United States in regard to campaign contributions. Other West Texas communities in the most conservative lineup are Hereford (number one), Monahans (number five), and Childress (number nine). In contrast, Vashon Island, Washington, was named the "most liberal" city in the nation regarding political donations.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.ctpost.com/national/article/The-most-liberal-and-most-conservative-cities-in-6702954.php| title=The most liberal and most conservative cities in the US| author=Daniel DeMay| newspaper=The Connecticut Post| location=Bridgeport, Connecticut| date=December 17, 2015| access-date=December 20, 2015| archive-date=July 29, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729223259/http://www.ctpost.com/national/article/The-most-liberal-and-most-conservative-cities-in-6702954.php| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, Dalhart had a population of 8,447, 3,102 households, and 2,041 families. The median age was 33.6 years. 27.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 108.5 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A18524&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 9, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

98.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.3% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A18524&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=February 9, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 3,102 households in Dalhart, of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.5% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 3,532 housing units, of which 12.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.3%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A18524&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 9, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 4,982 || 59.0% |- | Black or African American || 79 || 0.9% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 122 || 1.4% |- | Asian || 30 || 0.4% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 6 || 0.1% |- | Some other race || 1,341 || 15.9% |- | Two or more races || 1,887 || 22.3% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 3,938 || 46.6% |}

===2010 census=== As of the 2010 Census, Dalhart had a population of 7,930 living in 2,957 housing locations; 50.3% of the population was male, with 49.7% being female. The census revealed that 28.9% of the population was under the age of 18, while 12.4% of citizens were over the age of 65. With an area of 4.78 square miles, the City of Dalhart has a population density of 1659.0 persons/square mile.<ref name="Demographics1">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=48#.Ugcu6fPBaNE.gmail |title=United States Census 2010. Census Interactive Population Search. Dalhart, Texas.}}</ref>

Census data showed that 84.0% of the population identified as White, while 1.2% identified as Black/African American, 0.7% identified as Asian, 0.9% identified as Native American, and 0.1% were Pacific Islander. About 10.5% of the remaining population identified themselves as some other race, while 2.5% considered themselves to be of two or more races, and 34.0% of the population identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="Demographics1"/>

In 2010, 9.9% of the population identified as being foreign-born, with 25.4% of households in Dalhart speaking a primary language other than English at home. Data demonstrated that 79.6% of residents over 25 had earned at least a high-school diploma, while 16.4% had obtained a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref name="2010Census">{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4818524.html |title=2010 US Census, Dalhart (City), Texas |access-date=2013-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708074904/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4818524.html |archive-date=2013-07-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Over the 4-year period between 2007 and 2011, the median household income was $53,210, with a larger mean (average) household income of $69,190. The median per-capita income was $24,979. The census showed that 6.4% of the population lived below the federal poverty line, and 3.4% of the population was unemployed. Around 71.1% of Dalhart residents owned a home, with the median home value being $91,800. As of 2010, 829 businesses were registered in the city.<ref name="Demographics3">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> ==Economy== thumb|Dalhart, c. 1910–1930 [[File:Dalhart Grain Elevator IMG_0568.JPG|thumb|Dalhart Consumers grain elevator]] thumb|The former Mission Twins Theater in downtown Dalhart is covered in stucco over the original brick to give it an adobe look.

Dalhart's economy is centered around agribusiness, including farming, ranching, feedlot operations, large-scale pig farms, and more recently, a cheese processing plant. Dalhart is also home to a state prison.

During the peak operating period of the XIT Ranch, the land was in native grass. Some land was diverted into dry farmland, but the rain was insufficient to make it productive. A few irrigation wells were drilled in areas where the soil was not sandy and was level enough for row irrigation. Later, center pivot irrigation, credited to Colorado farmer Frank Zybach in 1949,<ref>{{cite news |title= NASA's Landsat Satellites See Texas Crop Circles — Of the Irrigation Kind |author= NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center |url= https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120428000222.htm|newspaper= ScienceDaily |format=news story|date= April 28, 2012 |access-date= April 28, 2012 |quote = Retrieved from ''ScienceDaily'' (Apr. 28, 2012) — A water-rich polka dot pattern ....}}</ref> was introduced and was found to be ideal for the area's rolling sandy soils. About the same time, large feedlots were built due to the low-humidity climate. This created a good market for corn, which is the major crop grown by farmers in the area.{{citation needed |reason=No Sources Support this Information |date=August 2013}}

In the mid-2000s, a combination of tax incentives, Texas' relatively unrestricted environmental regulations, and Dalhart's existing agricultural infrastructure attracted industrial dairy farms to the area.<ref name="hpj">{{cite news|url=http://www.hpj.com/archives/2008/jan08/jan7/Dairybusinessisboomingacros.cfm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130812092934/http://www.hpj.com/archives/2008/jan08/jan7/Dairybusinessisboomingacros.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2013 |title=Dairy Business is Booming Across Texas Panhandle |newspaper=High Plains Midwest Ag Journal |date=3 January 2008 }}</ref> In 2007, Hilmar Cheese Company of California capitalized on the resulting milk availability, opening a major production plant in Dalhart. Texas Governor Rick Perry visited Dalhart to speak at the company's official welcoming ceremony, reiterating the company's projection that 2000 new jobs would be created in the region by the emerging dairy product production industry.<ref name="RickPerry">{{cite web|url=http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/10039/ |publisher=Office of the Governor |title=Hilmar Cheese Company Speech Dalhart, TX |work=Office of the Governor |first=Rick |last=Perry |date=30 November 2005 |access-date=19 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615062731/http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/10039/ |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref> This factory and the surrounding dairies are a significant emerging subsector of Dalhart's established agribusiness culture.<ref name="hpj"/><ref name="news10">{{cite web |url=https://www.newschannel10.com/story/6829490/dalhart-hilmar-cheese |title=Dalhart Hilmar Cheesework|work= Amarillo News Channel 10 KFDA|year= 2007|access-date=19 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="globe3">{{cite news |url=http://amarillo.com/stories/070310/new_news4.shtml |title=Hilmar Eyes Expansion|newspaper= Amarillo Globe News|date= 3 July 2010|first= Kevin|last= Welch|access-date= 19 August 2013}}</ref>

The international agribusiness company Cargill owns a 21,500-acre hog-production site near Dalhart.<ref name="cargill">{{cite web|url= http://www.cargill.com/news/releases/2011/NA3043482.jsp |publisher=Cargill Company|title= Cargill Buys texas Hog Production Facility|date=27 April 2011|access-date= 19 August 2013}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==

Dalhart is known as the "XIT City" because of its relationship with the historic XIT Ranch.<ref name="Dalhart Chamber of Commerce" /> The ranch was a {{convert|3000000|acre|km2|adj=on}} plot of land traded in exchange for the construction of the Texas State Capitol in Austin. The ranch was dissolved in 1912, but its history is celebrated with the city's XIT Museum and the XIT Rodeo and Reunion. Held annually on the first full Thursday through Sunday weekend of August, the event includes the world's largest free barbecue, junior rodeo, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events, and three nights of live music.

The Muscle Car Party Weekend is held each year in May, and includes a classic car show, bicycle drag races, and dinner and dance. The events are sponsored by the Dalhart Cruzers Car Club, and each year, the club raffles a classic car.<ref name="Dalhart Chamber of Commerce" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://thedalharttexan.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=38&cntnt01returnid=16 |title=Dalhart Cruzers to have 6th annual Muscle Car Weekend |publisher=Dalhart Texan |access-date=October 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715071430/http://thedalharttexan.com/index.php?mact=News%2Ccntnt01%2Cdetail%2C0&cntnt01articleid=38&cntnt01returnid=16 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref>

==Education== The Dalhart Independent School District serves the city of Dalhart.<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48111_dallam/DC20SD_C48111.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Dallam County, TX|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|date=December 22, 2020|access-date=2025-04-27}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48111_dallam/DC20SD_C48111_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> The district has an elementary school, intermediate school, junior high school, and high school. Students attend Dalhart High School, which competes athletically and scholastically in District 1 Division 3A of Texas' University Interscholastic League.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dalhart.k12.tx.us/pages/Dalhart_ISD|title= Dalhart Independent School District|publisher= Dalhart Independent School District|access-date= October 19, 2012|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20121224191657/http://www.dalhart.k12.tx.us/pages/Dalhart_ISD|archive-date= December 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.greatschools.org/texas/dalhart/Dalhart-Independent-School-District/|title=Dalhart Independent School District|publisher= Great Schools, Inc|access-date= October 19, 2012}}</ref><ref name="UIL">{{cite web |url=https://www.uiltexas.org/files/alignments/FB_BB_3A_Rvsd_8.1.13_2013-14.pdf |title=University Interscholastic League. School Alignments 2012-2014. 3A.}}</ref>

Dallam County is in the service area of Frank Phillips College (known in legislation as Borger Junior College).<ref>[https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.198. SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.]</ref> In 2012, Frank Phillips College opened a branch in Dalhart, offering both credit and community-education classes.<ref name="AmarilloGlobe">{{cite news |url=http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2012-07-03/college-opens-dalhart-center |title=College Opens Dalhart Center|newspaper=Amarillo Globe News|date=July 3, 2012}}</ref>

==Media== The ''Dalhart Texan'' was established in 1901, and is published in Dalhart. The newspaper is currently published twice a week and has been owned by the Hogue family for the past 60 years.<ref name="Dalhart, Texas"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedalharttexan.com/index.php?page=about |title=Dalhart Texan |publisher=Dalhart Texan |access-date=October 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320105540/http://www.thedalharttexan.com/index.php?page=about |archive-date=March 20, 2012 }}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Prison system=== The Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Dalhart Unit prison is located in unincorporated Hartley County, near Dalhart.<ref name="Profile">"[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/dh.htm Dalhart Unit]" ({{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725201026/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/dh.htm |date=2010-07-25 }}). Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on June 4, 2010.</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Texas}} * Dalhart Municipal Airport

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== * Timothy Egan, ''The Worst Hard Time'' (Mariner Books, 2006). {{ISBN|0-618-34697-X}}.

==External links== {{Commons category|Dalhart, Texas}} * [https://www.dalharttx.gov City of Dalhart official website] * [https://dalhart.org/ Dalhart Chamber of Commerce]

Category:Articles containing video clips Category:Cities in Dallam County, Texas Category:Cities in Hartley County, Texas Category:Cities in Texas Category:County seats in Texas