Cherokee County, Texas

Cherokee County: County in Texas, United States

About

Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 50,845 and a population density of 18 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 52,875 inhabitants. Its county seat is Rusk. The county was created 178 years ago in 1845.

Cherokee County is located in East Texas near the border with Louisiana. It was established in 1846 and named for the Cherokee Native Americans who once inhabited the area.

Anglo settlers began arriving in the 1830s and the economy focused on timber, cattle ranching, and growing cotton. The county population expanded rapidly between 1870 and 1900 as railroads were constructed through the region.

Oil was discovered near Rusk in 1902, further boosting the local economy. Cherokee County became a center for the petroleum industry in the early 1900s.

Major Cities and Attractions

Rusk is the county seat and most populous town with around 5,500 residents. Other cities include:

  • Jacksonville - Home to the annual Tomato Fest celebration
  • New Summerfield - Known for its historic downtown and antique shops
  • Reklaw - Hosts a popular Bluegrass Music Festival each April

Outdoor attractions include Lake Jacksonville for fishing and boating. The Old Rusk County Courthouse in downtown Rusk is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Key Industries

Oil and gas production is the leading industry, with many wells and pipelines throughout the county.

Agriculture, especially poultry farming and hay production, provides many jobs. Timber is also still harvested from the East Texas pine forests.

Tourism draws visitors to the county's historic sites, festivals, and outdoor recreation areas.

In summary, Cherokee County has a rich heritage shaped by oil, timber, ranching, and railroad expansion. Its natural areas and small-town charm make it a popular East Texas travel destination.

Cherokee County locator map
Location of Cherokee County on Texas map.

Quick Facts about Cherokee County

Population : 52,875 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Texas (United States)
Different from : Cherokee County, Cherokee County, Cherokee County, Cherokee County, Cherokee County, Cherokee County, Cherokee County
Area : 2750 km2
Water as percent of area : 0.9%
Land as percent of area : 99.1%
Named for : Cherokee
Capital : Rusk
Establishment : January 01, 1846
Time Zone : Central Time Zone
Local time : 00:33:22 (19th March 2024)
Density : 19 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 3.84% (2010-2020)
Cherokee county tx courthouse image
Cherokee county tx courthouse
Cherokee county tx courthouse image

Geography

Cherokee County is located at 31°50'13"N 95°9'55"W (31.8369500, -95.1651800). It has 7 neighbors: Houston County, Anderson County, Angelina County, Henderson County, Nacogdoches County, Rusk County and Smith County.

Cherokee County map

The largest city of Cherokee County is Jacksonville with a population of 14,829. Other cities include, Rusk population 5,664, New Summerfield population 1,187 and Gallatin population 435. See all Cherokee County cities & populated places.

Cherokee County Populated Places

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Cherokee County.

City Name Population Title
Jacksonville 14,829 City in Texas, United States
Rusk 5,664 City in Cherokee County, Texas
Cross Roads 1,578 Town of the United States
Alto 1,239 Town in Texas, USA
New Summerfield 1,187 City in Cherokee County, Texas, United States
Wells 781 Town in Cherokee County, Texas, United States
Gallatin 435 Human settlement in Cherokee County, Texas, United States of America
Cuney 140 Town of the United States

Cherokee County has 7 neighbours.

  • Rusk

Demographics

The population of Cherokee County increased by 3.84% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 50,845 - census
2011 51,090 0.48% estimation process
2012 51,277 0.36% estimation process
2013 51,093 -0.36% estimation process
2014 51,189 0.19% estimation process
2015 51,568 0.73% estimation process
2016 51,879 0.6% estimation process
2017 52,116 0.45% estimation process
2018 52,381 0.51% estimation process
2019 52,646 0.5% estimation process
2020 52,875 0.43% estimation process

Cherokee, Cherokee Comitatus, Cherokee Kun, Cherokee Kūn, Cherokee konderria, Cherokee megye, Cheroki, Comitatul Cherokee, Comte de Cherokee, Comté de Cherokee, Condado de Cherokee, Condado han Cherokee, Contea di Cherokee, County Cherokee, Hrabstwo Cherokee, Okrug Cheroki, Quan Cherokee, Quận Cherokee, ceruki ka'unti, cheroki jun, mqatʿt shyrwky, qie luo ji xian, shhrstan chrwky tgzas, Округ Чероки, Чероки, Черокі, Չերոկի շրջան, شهرستان چروکی، تگزاس, مقاطعة شيروكي, چروکی کاؤنٹی، ٹیکساس, چیروکی کاؤنٹی, চেরুকী কাউন্টি, チェロキー郡, 切羅基縣

People born in Cherokee County (1)

American politician (1857-1933) John B. Kendrick was born in Cherokee County

Other places with the same name (8)

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