Cochran County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,547. The county seat is Morton. The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1924. It is named for Robert E. Cochran, a defender of the Alamo.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 775 sqmi, of which 775 sqmi are land and 0.09 sqmi (0.01%) is covered by water. Cochran County lies on the high plains of the Llano Estacado. The western border of the county lies along the border of Texas and New Mexico.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,730 people, 1,309 households, and 1,017 families living in the county. The population density was 5 /mi2. There were 1,587 housing units at an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 64.48% White, 4.53% Black or African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 27.35% from other races, and 2.55% from two or more races. 44.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 1,309 households, out of which 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.30% were non-families. 20.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.25. In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.50% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males. The median income for a household in the county was $27,525, and the median income for a family was $31,163. Males had a median income of $25,064 versus $17,652 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,125. About 21.40% of families and 27.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.20% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Unincorporated communities

Politics

As with other areas in the Solid South, Cochran County voted predominantly Democratic at the presidential level through 1968.

Education

School districts serving the county include: Three Way Independent School District formerly served a part of Cochran County. It closed in 2002, becoming a part of Sudan ISD. The county is in the service area of South Plains College.