According to computerannals, Sanford, Texas, is a small city located in the north-central portion of Texas. The city is situated between the cities of Abilene and Sweetwater, and is part of the Big Country region. The city has a population of around 1,300 people and covers an area of just over two square miles.
The climate in Sanford is semi-arid, characterized by hot summers and cold winters with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Average temperatures range from highs in the upper 80s during summer months to lows in the mid-30s during winter months. Precipitation levels are low with most rain falling during the spring and summer months.
Sanford’s history dates back to 1882 when it was founded by two brothers under the name “Newburg”. In 1904, Newburg was renamed Sanford after one of its founders. Early development came in the form of ranches and farms which were instrumental to Sanford’s economy until oil was discovered nearby in 1927 which led to further growth and development for several decades.
Sanford operates under a mayor-council government system with five council members who are elected at large by registered voters residing within city limits. The current mayor is Billie Jo Smith who was elected in 2016 after long-time mayor Robert Womack decided not to seek re-election for his sixth term as mayor.
The economy of Sanford is primarily based on oil production but also includes ranching and farming operations as well as some tourism related activities due to its location near several state parks such as Big Lake State Park, Abilene State Park, Kirby Lake Wildlife Refuge, and Coleman State Park.
Sanford Independent School District serves students from K through 12th grade at three campuses: North Elementary School (K-3), South Elementary School (4th & 5th grades), and Sanford High School (6th -12th grades). Students have access to advanced learning opportunities through dual credit courses offered at nearby colleges such as Hardin Simmons University located just 20 miles away in Abilene or McMurry University located just 15 miles away in Abilene.
In terms of landmarks, there are several unique sites within Sanford including the historic Old City Hall built in 1912 which now serves as a museum featuring artifacts related to local history; Stubb’s Church which was built around 1882; Old City Cemetery established around 1889; Old City Jail built circa 1889; Blackland Prairie Museum showcasing artifacts from rural life dating back to early 1900s; along with several other historic buildings scattered throughout town that help give visitors an appreciation for Sanford’s rich history and culture.
Population: 203. Estimated population in July 2020: 196 (-3.4% change)
Males: 106 (52.2%), Females: 97 (47.8%)
Hutchinson County
Zip code: 79078
Median resident age: 39.8 years
Median household income: $28,672
Median house value: $29,000
Races in Sanford:
- White Non-Hispanic (91.1%)
- Hispanic (5.4%)
- American Indian (3.0%)
- Two or more races (2.5%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: Irish (10.8%), German (8.4%), United States (7.4%), Scotch-Irish (2.0%), Dutch (1.5%), English (1.5%).
Elevation: 3028 feet
Land area: 0.1 square miles
Population
Sanford, Texas is a small town located in Jones County with a population of 1,845 people. The town is primarily rural and its economy is driven by the agricultural industry. The median household income in Sanford is $50,357 and the median age of its residents is 41.5 years old. Over a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line and many households rely on government assistance programs to make ends meet. The town has an ethnically diverse population with most residents identifying as white (69%), followed by Hispanic/Latino (17%), African American (9%) and Native American (3%). There are also small populations of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other ethnicities living in Sanford. Education levels vary widely with only 8% of adults having a bachelor’s degree or higher. Despite this, the community has several programs to help support students’ academic success such as after-school tutoring and college preparation classes. In addition to educational opportunities, there are also recreational activities available including fishing at Lake Stamford, hiking at nearby Gray’s Ranch State Park, and golfing at nearby country clubs. Overall, Sanford is a small but vibrant community that offers plenty of opportunities for education and recreation for its residents.
For population 25 years and over in Sanford
- High school or higher: 70.1%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.7%
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5%
- Unemployed: 7.5%
- Mean travel time to work: 30.8 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Sanford town
- Never married: 23.9%
- Now married: 50.5%
- Separated: 5.4%
- Widowed: 4.3%
- Divorced: 15.8%
4.4% Foreign born (4.4% Latin America).
Population change in the 1990s: -9 (-4.2%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Sanford:
- GOLDEN PLAINS COMM HOSP (about 10 miles; BORGER, TX)
- MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 33 miles; DUMAS, TX)
- HANSFORD HOSPITAL (about 41 miles; SPEARMAN, TX)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Sanford:
- AMARILLO INTL (about 36 miles; AMARILLO, TX; Abbreviation: AMA)
- LIBERAL MUNI (about 100 miles; LIBERAL, KS; Abbreviation: LBL)
- LUBBOCK INTL (about 143 miles; LUBBOCK, TX; Abbreviation: LBB)
Other public-use airports nearest to Sanford:
- HUTCHINSON COUNTY (about 11 miles; BORGER, TX; Abbreviation: BGD)
- PANHANDLE-CARSON COUNTY (about 28 miles; PANHANDLE, TX; Abbreviation: T45)
- SUNRAY (about 30 miles; SUNRAY, TX; Abbreviation: Q43)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Sanford:
- AMARILLO COLLEGE (about 44 miles; AMARILLO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,876)
- WEST TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY (about 57 miles; CANYON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,476)
- WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (about 105 miles; PLAINVIEW, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,578)
- TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY (about 146 miles; LUBBOCK, TX; Full-time enrollment: 22,439)
- SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE (about 157 miles; LEVELLAND, TX; Full-time enrollment: 3,851)
- EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 164 miles; PORTALES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,955)
- SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 196 miles; WEATHERFORD, OK; Full-time enrollment: 4,360)