Andrews County is located in the western part of Texas, approximately 30 miles northwest of Odessa. It is bordered by Winkler County to the north, Ward County to the east, Ector County to the southeast, Crane County to the south and Loving and Reeves Counties to the west. See Countryaah – Counties in Texas. The county seat is Andrews, which is also home to most of its population.
The land in Andrews County consists mostly of flat plains with some rolling hills and canyons scattered throughout. It is known for its rich soil which makes it suitable for farming and cattle ranching. In addition, there are oil and gas fields located in various parts of the county which have been producing since the early 1900s.
The climate in Andrews County is relatively mild with hot summers and cold winters. Average temperatures range from a low of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months up to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months. Rainfall averages around 18 inches per year while snowfall averages only a few inches annually.
Andrews County has several recreational activities available including camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, golfing and bird watching at various locations including Lake Colorado City State Park located just outside of Colorado City on U.S Highway 180 and Big Spring State Park located about 20 miles northeast of Big Spring on U.S Highway 87/87A/180/385 Bypass.
Demographics of Andrews County, Texas
According to the 2019 U.S Census, Andrews County has a population of 14,914 people. The racial makeup of the county is 83.3% White, 8.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Black or African American and 0.8% Native American or Alaska Native. There are also small populations of Asian and Pacific Islander residents in the county as well as a small number of other races.
The median household income in Andrews County is $54,841 with a poverty rate of 13%. The largest industries in the county are Oil & Gas Extraction (24%), Retail Trade (14%), Manufacturing (13%) and Construction (10%).
The population of Andrews County is mostly concentrated in its largest cities including Andrews (7,766), Gardendale (2,011) and Stanton (1,609). The rest of the population is spread out across smaller towns such as Midkiff, Notrees and Tarzan as well as rural areas throughout the county.
In terms of education, most adults in Andrews County hold high school diplomas while 16% have earned bachelor’s degrees or higher. The average commute time for residents is 17 minutes with most commuting by car to work each day.
Places of Interest in Andrews County, Texas
Andrews County has a variety of attractions and places of interest for visitors to explore. One of the most popular attractions is Lake Colorado City State Park, located just outside of Colorado City on U.S Highway 180. This park offers camping, fishing, bird watching and hiking trails with stunning views of the lake and surrounding area.
Big Spring State Park is another popular destination in Andrews County, located about 20 miles northeast of Big Spring on U.S Highway 87/87A/180/385 Bypass. This park features camping facilities, a swimming pool and hiking trails that lead to a scenic overlook overlooking Big Spring Creek and the city of Big Spring.
The historic town of Notrees is another interesting place to visit in Andrews County. This small town is home to a number of historical buildings including the old Notrees Schoolhouse which was built in 1896 as well as several other buildings from the early 1900s such as the Old Notrees Store and Capp’s Cafe & Bakery.
For those looking for outdoor activities, Andrews County has plenty to offer including hunting, golfing at Andrews Country Club or horseback riding at The Flying W Ranch & Arena. For those looking for an adrenaline rush there are also several ATV trails located throughout the county for off-roading adventures.
Notable People of Andrews County, Texas
Andrews County, Texas is the birthplace of a number of notable individuals. One of the most famous is singer and songwriter Willie Nelson, who was born in Abbott, Texas (now part of Andrews County) in 1933. Nelson has been a major figure in country music for over 60 years and has sold over 40 million records worldwide.
The legendary actor and director Robert Duvall was born in San Diego, California but spent much of his childhood living with his parents on a farm near Andrews, Texas. Duvall has been nominated for seven Academy Awards and won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Tender Mercies (1983).
Andrews County is also home to several professional athletes including former NFL quarterback Drew Brees who was born in Austin but grew up in nearby Austinburg. Brees went on to become one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history winning Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints and two MVP awards.
Other notable people from Andrews County include singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves, who grew up near Golden; actor Michael Cudlitz who starred on The Walking Dead; and professional golfer Jimmy Walker who won the 2016 PGA Championship.