Introduction to Glasscock County 

Glasscock County is located in West Texas with its center 35 miles southeast of Midland and 27 miles south of Big Spring. It has a population of approximately 1,500, most of which is scattered around the county on farms and ranches. Comprising an area of 863 square miles, the county has an elevation that ranges from 2,300 to 2,750 feet and, over the last 10 years, has had average annual rainfall of 13 inches.

Most county residents are involved in agricultural pursuits, and a substantial number of people live in and around St. Lawrence, a farming community in the southern part of the county.

County-wide, there are 317 farms and 140,000 acres of cropland, most of which is irrigated with deep water wells. Some 85,000 acres are planted to cotton, but other crops include grain sorghum, wheat and peanuts. There are approximately 6,000 beef cattle, 7,000 sheep and 2,500 goats, in addition to both hogs and horses.

The county is a substantial producer of oil and gas, and that industry is the county’s largest tax-producing entity.

The county seat of Garden City, the only town in the county, has a population of 250 and is located at the intersection of State Highway 158 and Ranch Road 33. In addition to being the home of the county government, the underground water conservation district office, and a Farm Services Agency office, Garden City is the site of the county-wide independent school district, which is the county’s largest employer.

While employment is available at one of the several public entities in the county, and on farms and ranches, some residents work at one of several privately owned businesses in Glasscock County, and others commute to work in Midland or Big Spring.