Scurry County is a county in Texas, United States, on the eastern edge of the Permian Basin oil field. It had a population of 16,932 at the 2020 census and covers 908 square miles (2,350 km2) centred near 32°45′N 100°55′W.
Snyder is the county seat and largest city, and its postal code is 79549. The county has one incorporated city, two census-designated places, and several unincorporated communities. Scurry County is in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Scurry County
Scurry County has one incorporated city, two census-designated places (CDPs), and a handful of small unincorporated communities scattered across its ranching and oilfield land. Texas has no civil townships, so places are listed county-wide.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snyder | City · seat | 10,760 | 79549 / 79550 |
| Hermleigh | CDP | 337 | 79526 |
| Fluvanna | CDP | 129 | 79517 |
| Ira | Unincorp. | — | 79527 |
| Dunn | Unincorp. | — | 79516 |
| Camp Springs | Unincorp. | — | — |
| China Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Inadale | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Union | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dermott | Unincorp. | — | — |
Snyder and Hermleigh sit on U.S. Route 84; Ira, Dunn, Fluvanna, and Camp Springs are strung along the county’s ranch roads to the east and south. Several old community names from historical maps — Arah, Brand, Franklin Center, Fullerville, Hudd, Knapp, and Midway — no longer appear on current U.S. Census or postal records and are not included above; they are noted in the county’s history rather than as active places.
ZIP Codes
- 79549 — Snyder (standard delivery)
- 79550 — Snyder (PO Box only)
- 79526 — Hermleigh
- 79527 — Ira
- 79517 — Fluvanna
- 79516 — Dunn (PO Box only)
Camp Springs, China Grove, Inadale, Union, and Dermott have no ZIP code of their own; residents there use Snyder’s 79549.
Geography
Scurry County lies on the Rolling Plains where they meet the Caprock Escarpment, with mesquite rangeland and mesa-like caprock formations in the north and west. The Colorado River’s Deep Creek and Bull Creek drainages cross the county, and most of the terrain is used for cattle ranching and cotton farming over the Permian-age oil fields beneath it. Scurry County borders Kent County to the north, Fisher County to the east, Mitchell County to the south, Borden County to the west, and Garza County to the northwest.
Demographics
Scurry County had 16,932 residents at the 2020 census, with a population density of about 18.7 people per square mile. Snyder is by far the largest community, home to roughly 91% of the county’s population, followed distantly by Hermleigh. Scurry County’s median household income runs below the Texas median of $75,780, reflecting the county’s ranching- and oilfield-dependent economy.
Economy & Local Life
Oil and gas production has driven Scurry County’s economy since the 1948 discovery of the Kelly-Snyder Field, one of Texas’s largest oil fields, and the industry still anchors local employment alongside cotton farming and cattle ranching. Western Texas College, a two-year community college in Snyder, is a major local institution and employer. Snyder hosts an annual county fair and rodeo, and the city’s downtown square is known for its white buffalo statue, a nod to a rare white bison killed nearby in 1876.
History
Scurry County was created by the Texas Legislature in 1876 and organized in 1884. It is named for William Read Scurry, a lawyer and Confederate Army general who died in the 1864 Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry. The county was one of 46 “dry” counties in Texas for decades; voters in Snyder approved beer and wine sales in 2006, and countywide sales of liquor by the drink followed a 2008 vote. The 1948 discovery of oil transformed Snyder from a small ranching town into a boomtown almost overnight.
Getting There
U.S. Routes 84 and 180 cross at Snyder, and State Highways 208 and 350 serve the county’s smaller communities.
- Lubbock — 70 miles northwest
- Abilene — 45 miles southeast
- Big Spring — 40 miles southwest
- Sweetwater — 35 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Abilene Regional Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Scurry County?
It is in West Texas, on the eastern edge of the Permian Basin, about 45 miles northwest of Abilene.
What is the population of Scurry County?
16,932 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Scurry County?
908 square miles (2,350 km2).
What is the Scurry County seat?
Snyder is the county seat and largest city.
How many towns are in Scurry County?
One incorporated city (Snyder) and two census-designated places (Hermleigh and Fluvanna), plus several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Scurry County?
79549 and 79550 (Snyder), 79526 (Hermleigh), 79527 (Ira), 79517 (Fluvanna), and 79516 (Dunn).
Who is Scurry County named for?
William Read Scurry, a Confederate Army general who died in 1864.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.