Rains County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 12,164. Its seat is Emory. The county and the county seat are both named for Emory Rains, a Texas state legislator notable for creating the state's homestead exemption law, one of the most generous (in terms of protected acreage) among the states.
In 1970, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Number 10860 was placed in the county courthouse lawn.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 259 square miles (670 km2), of which 29 square miles (75 km2) (11%) are covered by water; two of Texas' most popular lakes are partially located in the county: Lake Tawakoni on the west and Lake Fork Reservoir on the east. It is the fourth-smallest county in Texas by land area and fifth-smallest by total area.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 69
State Highway 19
State Highway 276
Spur 161
Minor highways
Farm to Market Road 47
Farm to Market Road 275
Farm to Market Road 513
Farm to Market Road 514
Farm to Market Road 515
Farm to Market Road 779
Farm to Market Road 2081
Farm to Market Road 2324
Farm to Market Road 2737
Farm to Market Road 2795
Farm to Market Road 2946
Farm to Market Road 3274
Farm to Market Road 3299
Adjacent counties
Hopkins County (north)
Wood County (east)
Van Zandt County (southwest)
Hunt County (northwest)
Communities
Cities
East Tawakoni
Emory (county seat)
Point
Towns
Alba (mostly in Wood County)
Unincorporated community
Dougherty
Hogansville
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 12,164 and a median age of 47.6 years; 20.7% of residents were under 18 and 24.5% were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 100.9 males, and for every 100 females 18 and over, there were 97.1 males 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 85.4% White, 2.2% Black or African American, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 4.2% from some other race, and 6.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 9.1% of the population.
None of the residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
Of the 4,911 households in the county, 27.7% had children under 18 living in them, 54.7% were married-couple households, 18.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.
The county had 5,816 housing units, of which 15.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.5% were owner-occupied and 19.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.6%.
2000 census
Per the 2000 census, the racial makeup of the county was 93.6% White, 2.6% Black, 1.1% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races; 9.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 4,333 households, 28.8% had children under 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were not families. About 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.60, and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the age distribution was 23.8% under 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
The median income in the county for a household was $48,308 and for a family was $40,329. Males had a median income of $31,983 versus $21,594 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,936. About 11.4% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under 18 and 14.1% of those 65 or over.
Media
Rains County is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth DMA. Local media outlets are: KDFW-TV, KXAS-TV, WFAA-TV, KTVT-TV, KERA-TV, KTXA-TV, KDFI-TV, KDAF-TV, and KFWD-TV. Other nearby stations that provide coverage for Rains County come from the Tyler/Longview/Jacksonville market and they include: KLTV, KYTX-TV, KFXK-TV, KCEB-TV, and KETK-TV.
Education
The majority of the county is served by the Rains Independent School District located in Emory.
The far southeastern portion of the county is served by the Alba-Golden Independent School District. The far northwestern corner of the county is served by the Lone Oak Independent School District. A portion of north-central Rains County is served by the Miller Grove Independent School District.
Politics
In the United States House of Representatives, Rains County is within Texas's 4th congressional district and is represented by Republican Pat Fallon.
In the Texas Legislature, Rains County is within Texas House District 5, represented by Republican Cole Hefner, and within Texas Senate District 8, represented by Republican Angela Paxton.