Population11,644 (2020 Census)
Sandhills, rail history and Pecos River communities
Ward County, TexasRailroad stations and the Pecos River helped shape Ward County. Monahans Sandhills State Park offers a striking landscape of wind-shaped dunes.
Ward County at a Glance
Population11,644 (2020 Census)
County SeatMonahans
CommunitiesBarstow, Grandfalls, Pyote and Wickett
Created1887
Land Area835.6 sq mi
Water Area0.2 sq mi
RegionWest Texas
Census Year2020
Discover the County
Ward County
Railroad stations and the Pecos River helped shape Ward County. Barstow was the original county seat before county government moved to Monahans in 1939. Monahans, Grandfalls, Pyote and Wickett each tell a different part of the county story.
The county’s railway stations and oil industry left a particularly unusual landmark in Monahans: the Million Barrel tank. Built in 1928, the concrete reservoir was intended for crude-oil storage, but leaking made it impractical. The site later became the setting for the Ward County Museum. Exhibits and relocated historic buildings connect that industrial story with everyday life, railway work and the communities that grew across the county.
Monahans Sandhills State Park offers a striking landscape of wind-shaped dunes. Use the park guide to check conditions and plan a visit; the exposed sand can become very hot. Pair an outdoor stop with time in Monahans rather than treating every community as one destination.
A visit can combine the sand dunes with the Ward County Museum at the Million Barrel. The museum adds local context to the landscape, including the Holman House and railway-related displays. Use the museum’s current visitor information when arranging an indoor stop.
History & Places
Monahans
Monahans is the county seat. Start here for county government and a look at the community around it.
Monahans Sandhills State Park
Monahans Sandhills State Park offers a striking landscape of wind-shaped dunes. Use the park guide to check conditions and plan a visit; the exposed sand can become very hot. Pair an outdoor stop with time in Monahans rather than treating every community as one destination.
Communities across the county
Barstow, Grandfalls, Pyote and Wickett. Check the relevant town or county office for services at a specific address.
Sandhills, rail history and Pecos River communities
My Local Guide
Ward County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min readNews & resources for Ward County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
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Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year.…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min readCounty Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find county offices and official services. Statewide directories are clearly labelled so you can locate the provider serving your address.
Government
County offices, public meetings and elections.
County & local resources
Ward County — county offices
Public offices, departments, records and resident services.
Ward County official website
Public offices, departments, records and resident services.
Texas resources
Texas voter information
Public offices, departments, records and resident services.
Food, housing & family support
West Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Ward County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
West Texas Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
Look up public schools and districts by address; school attendance boundaries do not always follow county lines.
Texas resources
Texas Education Agency school finder
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Ward County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals & Health
Find nearby health services through Texas 2-1-1. Confirm the provider, location and services directly. For an immediate emergency, call 911.
County & local resources
Ward County government — department directory
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Texas resources
Texas 2-1-1 — health and community services
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
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Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
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Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
For an immediate emergency, call 911. Use the county directory for current non-emergency contacts.
County & local resources
Ward County — sheriff’s office
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
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County & local resources
Ward County government — department directory
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Texas resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
Find park locations, reservations and current notices. The statewide park finder includes options beyond county boundaries.
Texas resources
Texas State Parks — official park finder
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails & Outdoors
Choose a designated public route and check current access. Private ranches and industrial roads are not public trails.
County & local resources
Monahans Sandhills State Park
Outdoor recreation, routes and visitor planning information.
Texas resources
Texas Parks & Wildlife — hiking guide
Outdoor recreation, routes and visitor planning information.
Utilities
Confirm the water, electricity and communications providers for your address. Service territories can differ within a county.
County & local resources
Ward County — local utility information
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
Texas resources
Public Utility Commission — consumer help
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
Find public library locations, contact information and services in the state directory.
County & local resources
Ward County — local library information
Library locations, collections and public services.
Texas resources
Texas State Library — public library directory
Library locations, collections and public services.
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Search the official court directory by county and court name. Confirm filing and hearing details with the court.
County & local resources
Ward County — district clerk
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Texas resources
Texas Judicial Branch — court directory
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
County tax offices handle vehicle registration and titles; Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Ward County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Texas DPS — driver licenses
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
Check road conditions and find transit providers before setting out. Confirm routes, eligibility and booking requirements with the operator.
Texas resources
DriveTexas — road conditions
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Postal Services
Find current post office locations and hours, or look up the ZIP Code for a specific address.
National resources
Veterans
Connect with Texas veterans services and use the county directory for local assistance.
County & local resources
Ward County — veterans services
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Texas resources
Texas Veterans Commission
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
Find job-search support and check county job postings directly.
County & local resources
Ward County — county employment
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Texas resources
Texas Workforce Commission — job-search services
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Plan your visit and connect with public services.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
County facts and practical next steps.
Monahans is the county seat of Ward County.
The 2020 Census recorded 11,644 residents. This is a census count, not a current population estimate.
Census geography records 835.6 square miles of land and 0.2 square miles of water.
Monahans Sandhills State Park offers a striking landscape of wind-shaped dunes. Use the park guide to check conditions and plan a visit; the exposed sand can become very hot. Pair an outdoor stop with time in Monahans rather than treating every community as one destination. Official visitor information
Ward County government provides current office and meeting information.
Use the Texas school finder and confirm attendance boundaries with the district.
Find the county tax office through TxDMV. Driver licenses are handled separately by Texas DPS.
Check DriveTexas road conditions and the weather forecast on this page before travelling.
Use the USPS address lookup. A county can contain several ZIP Codes.
Find restaurants near Monahans or browse nearby shops. Map results are discovery tools; confirm opening hours with the business.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore at your own paceLocal highlights and practical tools for planning your day.
Local Highlights
Monahans Sandhills State Park offers a striking landscape of wind-shaped dunes. Use the park guide to check conditions and plan a visit; the exposed sand can become very hot. Pair an outdoor stop with time in Monahans rather than treating every community as one destination.
Food & Drink
Browse restaurants near Monahans
Compare current map listings and confirm menus and opening hours directly.
Shopping
Use the map to locate shops, then contact the business before a special trip.
Family Time
Check visitor information for suitability, admission and access before travelling with children.
History
Explore the Texas Historical Commission Atlas
Search by county for historic markers and places. A historic designation does not guarantee public access.
Outdoors
Find public parks and recreation
Choose an official public destination and check weather, entry arrangements and current notices.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.