Val Verde County, Texas

{{Short description|County in Texas, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Val Verde County | state = Texas | seal = | founded = 1885 | seat wl = Del Rio | largest city wl = Del Rio | area_total_sq_mi = 3233 | area_land_sq_mi = 3145 | area_water_sq_mi = 88 | area percentage = 2.7 | census yr = 2020 | pop = 47586 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 47835 {{increase}} | density_sq_mi = auto | ex image = Val Verde County Courthouse in Del Rio, TX DSCN1423.JPG | ex image size = 250px | ex image cap = County courthouse | website = {{Official URL}} | time zone = Central | named for = Battle of Valverde | district = 23rd }} thumb|200px|right|Val Verde County Judicial Center at 100 E. Broadway St. in Del Rio

200px|right|thumb|Del Rio Bank and Trust Company was organized in 1910. The bank is hence a year older than the Del Rio city government and has served Val Verde County for more than a century. The photo is the facility at 1200 Veterans Blvd.; another location is 22411 N Bedell Ave.

'''Val Verde County''' is a county located on the southern Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population is 47,586.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Val Verde County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US48465|website=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=February 23, 2021}}</ref> Its county seat is Del Rio.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The Del Rio micropolitan statistical area includes all of Val Verde County.

Val Verde, which means "green valley",<ref>In Old Spanish or Modern Galician; Spanish nowadays would say ''Valle Verde'', and Modern Portuguese ''Vale Verde''. Although ''verde'' is the same in masculine or feminine, ''val((l)e)'' used to be feminine, masculine nowadays.</ref> was named for a battle of the Civil War. In 1862, soldiers of Sibley's Brigade took part in the Texas invasion of New Mexico Territory, where they captured several artillery pieces at the Battle of Val Verde. The battle is memorialized both in the name of the county and a small settlement in Milam County.

==History==

===Early history=== The first inhabitants of what is now known as Val Verde County lived there some 6,000–10,000 years ago. Their descendants include such Native American peoples as the Lipan Apache, Coahuiltecan, Jumano, Tamaulipan and Comanche.<ref>{{cite book|last=Foster|first=William C|title=Historic Native Peoples of Texas|year=2008|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-71793-0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historicnativepe00fost/page/137 137–168]|author2=Thoms, Alston V|chapter=The Texas Trans-Pecos, Study Area V|chapter-url-access=registration|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/historicnativepe00fost/page/137}}</ref><ref name="Val Verde County">{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Julia Cauble|title=Val Verde County|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcv01|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref>

===Colonial rule=== In 1590, Spanish explorer Gaspar Castaño de Sosa led a mining expedition of 170 who passed through Devils Draw. He referred to a stream by the name of Laxas, which is believed to be Devils River.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tarpley|first=Fred|title=1001 Texas Place Names|url=https://archive.org/details/1001texasplacena0000tarp|url-access=registration|year=1980|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-76016-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/1001texasplacena0000tarp/page/61 61]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Devil's Draw|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rbdbv|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chipman|first=Donald E|title=Gaspar Castaño de Sosa|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fca87|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref>

In 1673, Juan Larios opened a mission school at a location between Del Rio and Eagle Pass.<ref name="Val Verde County"/><ref name="The Native Americans of the Texas Edwards Plateau, 1582-1799">{{cite book|last=Wade|first=Maria F|title=The Native Americans of the Texas Edwards Plateau, 1582-1799|year=2002|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-79156-5|pages=24–54|author2=Wade, Don E |author3=Hester, Thomas R |chapter=The Bosque-Larios Expedition}}</ref>

In 1675, traveling Franciscan priests celebrated Mass at San Felipe Springs.<ref name="Val Verde County"/><ref name="The Native Americans of the Texas Edwards Plateau, 1582-1799"/>

In 1736, Lt. Miguel de la Garza Falcón<ref>{{cite web|last=Garcia|first=Clotilde P|title=Miguel de la Garza Falcón|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fga95|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> led 100 soldiers along the Devils River<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Julia Cauble|title=Devils River|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/htd12|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> in pursuit of Apache natives.

During 1834, James Grant<ref>{{cite web|last=Blake|first=Robert Bruce|title=James Grant|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fgr12|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> and John Charles Beales<ref>{{cite web|last=Estep|first=Raymond|title=John Charles Beales|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbe03|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> established a settlement on San Felipe Creek,<ref>{{cite web|title=San Felipe Creek|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rbs44|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> which became hazardous due to Indian attacks.

===Aftermath of Mexican–American War=== During the 1850s, military bases established to protect against Indian attacks included Camp Blake,<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Julia Cauble|title=Camp Blake|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qcc02|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> Camp Hudson<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Julia Cauble|title=Camp Hudson|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qbc16|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> and Camp San Felipe.<ref>{{cite web|last=Seale|first=Axcie|title=Camp San Felipe|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qbc25|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref>

As of 1860, the county had a population of 2,874, including 108 blacks and 1,103 foreign-born.<ref name="Val Verde County"/>

===Post–Civil War=== During 1868, the San Felipe Del Rio community is established on San Felipe Creek, next to Camp San Felipe.<ref name="Val Verde County"/>

From 1869 through 1882, Seminole Negro Indian Scouts (mixed heritage Seminoles with African blood) under John Lapham Bullis, namesake of Camp Bullis, defend the Texas border against Indian attacks.<ref>{{cite book|last=Glasrud|first=Bruce A|title=Buffalo Soldiers in the West: A Black Soldiers Anthology|year=2007|publisher=TAMU Press|isbn=978-1-58544-620-9|pages=143–152|author2=Searles, Michael N |chapter=The Black Seminole Indian Scouts in the Big Bend}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Eckhardt|first=C F|title=THE WHIRLWIND Lt. John Lapham Bullis and the Seminole Negro Scouts |url=http://www.texasescapes.com/CFEckhardt/Whirlwind-Lt-John-Lapham-Bullis-and-the-Seminole-Negro-Scouts.htm|work=Texas Escapes|publisher=Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref>

In 1883, the Galveston Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway was completed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Galveston Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway|url=http://www.txtransportationmuseum.org/Sunset.htm|publisher=Texas Transportation Museum|access-date=November 29, 2010|archive-date=September 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930190318/http://www.txtransportationmuseum.org/Sunset.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Italian immigrant Frank Qualia established Val Verde winery.<ref>{{cite book|last=Braudaway|first=Douglas Lee|title=Val Verde County (Images of America: Texas) |year=1999|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-0128-4|author2=Valverde County Historical Commission |page=93}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Overfelt|first=Robert C|title=Val Verde Winery|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/div01|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Val Verde Winery|url=http://www.valverdewinery.com/|publisher=Val Verde Winery|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref>

In 1884, the Langtry community was established, named after George Langtry (an engineer and foreman). It has mistakenly been attributed to being named after British entertainer Lillie Langtry by Judge Roy Bean.<ref name="Val Verde County"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Langtry, Texas|url=http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Texas_ghost_towns/Langtry_Texas/Langtry_Texas.htm|work=Texas Escapes|publisher=Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref>

In 1885, Val Verde County was organized from Crockett, Kinney, and Pecos counties. Roy Bean was elected justice of the peace in Langtry, operating out of the Jersey Lily Saloon and becoming renowned as "the Law West of the Pecos".<ref name="Val Verde County"/>

In 1886, the Juno and Devils River communities were established.<ref name="Val Verde County"/>

In 1888, the Comstock community was established.<ref name="Val Verde County"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Comstock, Texas|url=http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Comstock_Texas/Comstock.htm|work=Texas Escapes|publisher=Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref>

In 1889, the community of Norris was established.<ref name="Val Verde County"/>

By 1890, the last Indian raids had happened and were no longer considered a threat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevis |first=Michael |date=2020-12-17 |title=Val Verde County Historical Markers |url=https://www.forttours.com/pages/hmvalverde.asp |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=Fort Tours |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Twentieth century=== * 1928 Lake Hamilton Dam complete.<ref name="Val Verde County"/> * 1904 Lillie Langtry visits the community of Langtry.<ref>{{cite book|last=Crutchfield|first=James A|title=It Happened in Texas|year=2007|publisher=TwoDot|isbn=978-0-7627-4569-2|pages=104–107}}</ref> * 1929 Lake Walk Dam complete.<ref name="Val Verde County"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Lake Walk Dam|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rol83|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> * 1936 Val Verde County received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark number 5625 to commemorate its founding.<ref>{{cite web |title=THC Val Verde County |url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5465005625&site_name=Val+Verde+County&class=5000 |access-date=February 19, 2011 |work=Recorded Texas Historic Landmark |publisher=Texas State Historical Association}}</ref> * 1942 Laughlin Field/Laughlin Army Air Field opens to train World War II pilots.<ref name="Val Verde County"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Benton|first=Jeffrey C|title=Air Force Officer's Guide |year=2005|publisher=Stackpole Books|isbn=978-0-8117-3194-2|page=330}}</ref> * 1945 Laughlin Field closes.<ref name="Val Verde County"/> * 1952 Laughlin Field reopens as Laughlin Air Force Base, and serves as a secret U2 unit. Major Rudolf Anderson, a U-2 pilot based out of Laughlin, was the only casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Laughlin AFB|url=https://www.laughlin.af.mil/|publisher=Laughlin AFB|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Leatherwood|first=Art|title=Laughlin Air Force Base|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qbl04|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> * 1969 Amistad Dam and Reservoir complete. The project cost $78 million.<ref name="Val Verde County"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Braudaway|first=Douglas|title=Del Rio: Queen City of the Rio Grande|year=2002|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-2387-3|page=125}}</ref>

==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|3233|sqmi|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|3145|sqmi|abbr=on}} are land and {{convert|88|sqmi|abbr=on}} (2.7%) are covered by water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 12, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===Major highways=== * 20px U.S. Highway 90 * 25px U.S. Highway 277 * 25px U.S. Highway 377 * 20px State Highway 163 * 20px Loop 79

===Adjacent counties and'' municipios''=== * Crockett County (north) * Sutton County (northeast) * Edwards County (east) * Kinney County (east) * Terrell County (west) * Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico (south) * Jiménez, Coahuila, Mexico (south)

===National protected areas=== * Amistad National Recreation Area * Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River (part)

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1890= 2874 |1900= 5263 |1910= 8613 |1920= 12706 |1930= 14924 |1940= 15453 |1950= 16635 |1960= 24461 |1970= 27471 |1980= 35910 |1990= 38721 |2000= 44856 |2010= 48879 |2020= 47586 |estyear=2025 |estimate=47835 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 16, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=}}</ref> 1850–2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/topics/ctypophistweb2010.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/topics/ctypophistweb2010.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010|publisher=Texas Almanac|access-date=May 12, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/> | align = right }}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 47,586. The median age was 34.5 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.9 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,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A465&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><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,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A465&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 44.6% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 17.5% from some other race, and 34.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 80.3% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>

89.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 10.3% 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,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A465&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=January 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 15,796 households in the county, of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.9% were married-couple households, 17.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 18,455 housing units, of which 14.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.9% were owner-occupied and 35.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.6%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Val Verde County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''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<ref name=1980CensusRaceStats>{{Cite web|title= 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 |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_txAB-03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|page=21-46|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007094958/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_txAB-03.pdf| archive-date=October 7, 2022}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref name=1990CensusRaceStats>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- Texas - Table 3. Race and Hispanic Origin: 1990|page=29-138 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-45-1.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203162919/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-45-1.pdf| archive-date=February 3, 2026}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Val Verde County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US48465&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Val Verde County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US48465&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Val Verde County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US48465&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |12,237 |10,418 |9,734 |8,548 |style='background: #ffffe6; |7,836 |34.08% |26.91% |21.70% |17.49% |style='background: #ffffe6; |16.47% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |709 |680 |609 |563 |style='background: #ffffe6; |538 |1.97% |1.76% |1.36% |1.15% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.13% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |65 |61 |129 |86 |style='background: #ffffe6; |57 |0.18% |0.16% |0.29% |0.18% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.12% |- |Asian alone (NH) |159 |219 |235 |207 |style='background: #ffffe6; |351 |0.44% |0.57% |0.52% |0.42% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.74% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |12 |37 |style='background: #ffffe6; |35 |x |x |0.03% |0.08% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.07% |- |Other race alone (NH) |139 |44 |29 |29 |style='background: #ffffe6; |85 |0.39% |0.11% |0.06% |0.06% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.18% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |259 |210 |style='background: #ffffe6; |477 |x |x |0.58% |0.43% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.00% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |22,601 |27,299 |33,849 |39,199 |style='background: #ffffe6; |38,207 |62.94% |70.50% |75.46% |80.20% |style='background: #ffffe6; |80.29% |- |'''Total''' |'''35,910''' |'''38,721''' |'''44,856''' |'''48,879''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''47,586 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2000 census===

As of the 2000 census, 44,856 people, 14,151 households, and 11,320 families resided in the county. The population density was {{convert|14|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. The 16,288 housing units averaged {{convert|5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 76.36% White, 4.54% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 18.22% from other races, and 2.60% from two or more races. About 75.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

Of the 14,151 households, 42.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.00% were not families. About 17.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.55.

In the county, the population was distributed as 32.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 19.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,376, and for a family was $31,434. Males had a median income of $26,485 versus $18,039 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,096. About 22.10% of families and 26.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.80% of those under age 18 and 26.40% of them age 65 or over. ==Education== 200px|right|thumb|The Val Verde County Library is located at 300 Spring St. in Del Rio. School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48465_val_verde/DC20SD_C48465.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48465_val_verde/DC20SD_C48465.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Val Verde County, TX|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=June 29, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48465_val_verde/DC20SD_C48465_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> * Comstock Independent School District * Rocksprings Independent School District * San Felipe-Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District

Sometime prior to 1976 the Comstock district absorbed the Langtry and Pandale common school districts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bryant|first=Don|title=County School Superintendent's Job Diminishing|newspaper=Del Rio News Herald|place=Del Rio, Texas|date=November 24, 1976|page=4}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104909662/ Clipping] from Newspapers.com.</ref> The former Juno Common School District consolidated into Comstock ISD in 1992.<ref>{{cite news|title=One-room school becomes history for Juno|newspaper=San Angelo Standard-Times|place=San Angelo, Texas|date=May 12, 1992|page=8A}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104908421/ Clipping] from Newspapers.com.</ref> There was formerly a Star Route School on Miers Ranch. In 1964 the school had 13 students.<ref>{{cite news|title=Four County Schools Are Holding Classes|newspaper=Del Rio News Herald|place=Del Rio, Texas|date=September 8, 1964|page=3A}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104912775/ Clipping] from Newspapers.com.</ref>

Southwest Texas Junior College is the designated community college for the county.<ref>[https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code: Sec. 130.200. SOUTHWEST TEXAS JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.]</ref>

The Val Verde County Library in Del Rio serves the county.<ref>[http://vvcl.lib.tx.us/ Home page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611064212/http://vvcl.lib.tx.us/ |date=June 11, 2008 }}. Val Verde County Library. Retrieved on March 26, 2010.</ref>

==Government== Val Verde County government is led by a four-member board of county commissioners, each commissioner representing one of four districts. The county commission appoints a county administrator as chief administrative officer of the county. The chief law-enforcement authority of Val Verde is the Val Verde County Sheriff's Office. [http://www.valverdecounty.texas.gov/184/Sheriffs-Office Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office]. The fire-protection arm of the Val Verde is the Val Verde County Fire Rescue. [http://www.valverdecounty.texas.gov/168/Fire-Rescue-Department Val Verde County Fire Rescue].

===County commissioners=== One county commissioner is elected from each district to serve a 4-year term. Commissioners are chosen in partisan elections by voters from the districts in which they live. The board appoints a county judge to be chief administrative officer of the county, responsible to the commission for the orderly operations of matters within the board's jurisdiction. The current office holders are: * Val Verde County Judge: Honorable Judge Lewis Owens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://valverdecounty.texas.gov/176/Judges-Office|title=Judge's Office {{!}} Val Verde County, TX|website=valverdecounty.texas.gov|language=en|access-date=August 1, 2018}}</ref> * Val Verde County Precinct 1: Martin Wardlaw * Val Verde County Precinct 2: Juan Vazquez * Val Verde County Precinct 3: Robert Beau Nettleton * Val Verde County Precinct 4: Gustavo Flores * Val Verde County Secretary: Elizabeth Ferrino

===Politics=== Val Verde County has been a longtime swing county, having voted for both Republicans and Democrats throughout its history.

{{PresHead|place=Val Verde County, Texas|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://results.texas-election.com/contestdetails?officeID=1001&officeName=PRESIDENT%2FVICE-PRESIDENT&officeType=FEDERAL%20OFFICES&from=race|title=PRESIDENT/VICE-PRESIDENT|last=Nelson|first=Jane|author-link=Jane Nelson|date=November 5, 2024|work=Secretary of State of Texas|access-date=January 28, 2026}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|196|298|158|Texas}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|135|446|7|Texas}} {{PresRow|1920|Democratic|296|418|4|Texas}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|457|434|107|Texas}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|854|620|0|Texas}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|421|1,412|2|Texas}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|504|1,262|5|Texas}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|616|1,628|3|Texas}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|676|1,210|99|Texas}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|672|1,242|64|Texas}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,725|1,647|1|Texas}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,660|1,598|9|Texas}} {{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,551|2,049|3|Texas}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,346|3,555|1|Texas}} {{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,914|3,205|579|Texas}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,052|2,049|23|Texas}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,476|4,603|73|Texas}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,055|4,116|182|Texas}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,909|3,857|21|Texas}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,109|5,044|58|Texas}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,102|4,748|2,146|Texas}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|4,357|5,623|620|Texas}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,223|5,056|195|Texas}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,968|4,757|70|Texas}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|5,752|6,982|86|Texas}} {{PresRow|2012|Democratic|5,635|6,285|161|Texas}} {{PresRow|2016|Democratic|5,890|6,964|763|Texas}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,284|6,771|225|Texas}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|9,162|5,282|144|Texas}} {{PresFoot}} {{U.S. SenHead|place=Val Verde County, Texas|Seat=1|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)|website=Commonwealth of Texas by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/texas-senate-results}}</ref>}}  {{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|8,071|5,782|440|Texas}} {{U.S. SenFoot}} {{U.S. SenHead|place=Val Verde County, Texas|Seat=2|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=2020 Senate Election (Official Returns)|website=NBCNews.com|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=April 10, 2026 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-elections/texas-senate-results}}</ref>}}  {{U.S. SenRow|2020|Republican|8,103|6,430|435|Texas}} {{U.S. SenFoot}} {{T.X. GovHead|place=Val Verde County|Seat=|source=}}  {{T.X. GovRow|2022|Republican|5,530|3,814|165}} {{T.X. GovFoot}}

==Communities== ===City=== * Del Rio (county seat)

===Census-designated places=== {{div col}} * Amistad * Box Canyon * Cienegas Terrace * Lake View * Laughlin Air Force Base * Val Verde Park {{div col end}}

===Former census-designated places=== *Box Canyon-Amistad

===Unincorporated communities=== * Comstock * Juno * Langtry * Pandale

===Ghost town=== * Pumpville<ref>[https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/pumpville-tx Pumpville] (Texas State Historical Association)</ref>

==Notable people== * Judge Roy Bean

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}}

* {{Official website}} * {{Handbook of Texas|id=hcv01|name=Val Verde County}} * [http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/hinds/index.html Texas Beyond History, Hinds Cave] * [http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/pecos/index.html Texas Beyond History, Lower Pecos Canyonlands] * [http://www.txcip.org/tac/census/profile.php?FIPS=48465 "Val Verde County Profile" by the Texas Association of Counties] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609140454/http://www.txcip.org/tac/census/profile.php?FIPS=48465 |date=June 9, 2015 }}

{{Geographic location |Centre = Val Verde County, Texas |North = Crockett County |Northeast = Sutton County |East = Edwards and Kinney Counties |Southeast = Kinney County |South = Jiménez and Acuña Municipalities, Coahuila {{flagicon|Mexico}} |Southwest = |West = Terrell County |Northwest = }}

{{Val Verde County, Texas}} {{Texas counties}} {{Texas}} {{Authority control}} {{coord|29.89|-101.15|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-TX_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Val Verde County, Texas Category:1885 establishments in Texas Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1885 Category:Texas Hill Country Category:Majority-minority counties in Texas Category:Hispanic and Latino American culture in Texas