Vernon, Texas

According to TOPSCHOOLSINTHEUSA, Vernon, Texas is located in Wilbarger County and is part of the Texoma region. It is situated in the western portion of the state, just north of Wichita Falls. The city has a total area of 8.6 square miles. The climate in Vernon is very warm, with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. Winters are mild and generally snow-free.

The history of Vernon dates back to 1876 when it was founded as a trading post by George Washington Glasscock. In 1887, it became a major railroad stop on the Texas and Pacific Railway line, which brought many new settlers to the area. Since then, Vernon has been an important agricultural center for cotton production and cattle ranching as well as manufacturing and oil production.

Politically, Vernon is part of Texas’ 13th congressional district and currently represented by Congressman Mac Thornberry in Congress. On the state level, it is represented by Senator Craig Estes and Representative James Frank in the Texas Senate and House respectively.

The economy of Vernon relies heavily on agriculture with cotton being its main crop along with wheat, sorghum, hay, oats, milo maize and peanuts also grown in abundance here. Manufacturing also plays an important role in the local economy with several industries located here such as food processing plants for poultry and grains as well as clothing manufacturers for apparel companies like Wrangler Jeans. Additionally, oil drilling operations have been carried out here since 1925 providing jobs to many locals over the years.

Vernon Independent School District serves most of Wilbarger County with its three elementary schools (Fannin Elementary School; Lincoln Elementary School; Washington Elementary School), one middle school (Vernon Middle School) and one high school (Vernon High School). There are also two private schools: St Mary’s Catholic School which offers grades K-8 education; and Faith Christian Academy which provides pre-K through 12th grade education programs for students living within a 25 mile radius from Vernon city limits.

Some notable landmarks located around Vernon include Kemp Center for Arts & Humanities; Red River Valley Museum; Wilbarger Creek Park; Hardeman County Courthouse Square Historic District; Old Post Office Museum; Fort Belknap State Park; King’s Creek Golf Course & Country Club; Harrold Lake Nature Preserve & Trail System; Lake Kemp State Park & Beach Area; Red River Zoo & Aquarium Complex among others.

Population: 11,660. Estimated population in July 2020: 11,077 (-5.0% change)
Males: 5,599 (48.0%), Females: 6,061 (52.0%)

Wilbarger County

Zip codes: 76384.

Median resident age: 36.4 years
Median household income: $28,194
Median house value: $44,900

Races in Vernon:

  • White Non-Hispanic (66.0%)
  • Hispanic (22.4%)
  • Other race (10.7%)
  • Black (9.6%)
  • Two or more races (1.9%)
  • American Indian (1.1%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: Irish (11.7%), United States (10.7%), German (8.0%), English (6.8%), Dutch (2.5%), Scotch-Irish (1.8%).

Elevation: 1216 feet

Land area: 8.1 square miles

Vernon, Texas

Population

The population of Vernon, Texas is estimated to be around 11,000 people. This small town is located in Wilbarger County and is the county seat. It has a diverse population with a majority of White (76.1%) and Black/African American (16.2%) residents. The Hispanic/Latino population makes up 6.3% of the population, while the remaining 1.4% are made up of Asian, Native American, and other races or ethnicities. The median age for Vernon is 32 years old and the median household income is $35,922 per year.

Vernon also has a fairly large military presence with an estimated 6% of the population being veterans or active duty military personnel. Additionally, it has a strong agricultural presence as farming is still an important part of life in this rural area. The most common industries are manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, educational services, finance and insurance services, and construction services. These industries offer employment opportunities for many people living in Vernon or nearby towns who may not have access to larger cities nearby with more job options available.

Finally, Vernon has several attractions that draw visitors to the area including its historic downtown district which features several local businesses as well as its proximity to Lake Kemp which offers visitors plenty of opportunities for fishing and boating activities during warmer months of the year. There are also several parks located within town limits that provide residents with recreational activities such as walking trails and playgrounds for children to enjoy during their free time throughout the year making it a great place to live or visit!

For population 25 years and over in Vernon

  • High school or higher: 71.0%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.6%
  • Unemployed: 3.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 11.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Vernon city

  • Never married: 20.0%
  • Now married: 57.6%
  • Separated: 2.3%
  • Widowed: 11.1%
  • Divorced: 9.0%

4.7% Foreign born (3.2% Latin America, 1.0% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: -403 (-3.3%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Vernon:

  • WILBARGER GENERAL HOSPITAL (920 HILLCREST DR)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Vernon:

  • CHILLICOTHE HOSPITAL DISTRICT (about 18 miles; CHILLICOTHE, TX)
  • ELECTRA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 26 miles; ELECTRA, TX)
  • MEMORIAL HOSPITAL & PHYSICIAN (about 29 miles; FREDERICK, OK)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Vernon:

  • ALTUS AFB (about 35 miles; ALTUS, OK; Abbreviation: LTS)
  • SHEPPARD AFB/WICHITA FALLS MUNI (about 58 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Abbreviation: SPS)
  • LAWTON-FORT SILL REGIONAL (about 68 miles; LAWTON, OK; Abbreviation: LAW)

Other public-use airports nearest to Vernon:

  • WILBARGER COUNTY (about 5 miles; VERNON, TX; Abbreviation: F05)
  • TIPTON MUNI (about 23 miles; TIPTON, OK; Abbreviation: 1O8)
  • FREDERICK MUNI (about 26 miles; FREDERICK, OK; Abbreviation: FDR)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Vernon:

  • VERNON REGIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 1,255; Location: 4400 COLLEGE DR; Public; Website: www.vrjc.cc.tx.us)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Vernon:

  • MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 56 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,619)
  • CAMERON UNIVERSITY (about 66 miles; LAWTON, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,529)
  • SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 103 miles; WEATHERFORD, OK; Full-time enrollment: 4,360)
  • HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY (about 120 miles; Abilene, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,026)
  • ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (about 120 miles; ABILENE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,380)
  • OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 147 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 5,220)
  • UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN CAMPUS (about 147 miles; NORMAN, OK; Full-time enrollment: 20,154)

Schools

Public high school in Vernon:

  • VERNON H S (Students: 665; Location: 2102 YUCCA LN; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Vernon:

  • VERNON MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 530; Location: 2200 YAMPARIKA ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • T G MCCORD EL (Students: 394; Location: 2915 SAND RD; Grades: PK – 01)
  • SHIVE EL (Students: 345; Location: 3130 BACON ST; Grades: 04 – 05)
  • CENTRAL EL (Students: 335; Location: 1300 PARADISE ST; Grades: 02 – 03)
  • VICTORY FIELD CORRECTIONAL ACADEMY (Students: 257; Location: 8407 FM 433 W; Grades: 05 – 12)
  • NORTHSIDE SCHOOL (Students: 183; Location: 18040 HWY 283 N; Grades: KG – 12)
  • NORTH TEXAS STATE HOSPITAL – AFP – (Students: 74; Location: 1713 WILBARGER ST # 203; Grades: 06 – 12)

Private primary/middle school in Vernon:

  • ST PAUL LUTHERAN PS – KDG (Students: 14; Location: 4405 HOSPITAL DRIVE; Grades: KG – KG)

Libraries

Library in Vernon:

  • CARNEGIE CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY (Operating income: $95,404; Location: 2810 WILBARGER ST; 42,000 books; 1,450 audio materials; 2,350 video materials; 80 serial subscriptions)