Wichita County is a county in Texas, United States, on the Red River across from Oklahoma. It had a population of 129,350 at the 2020 census and covers 633 square miles (1,640 km2) centred near 33°59′N 98°43′W.
Wichita Falls is the county seat, and its postal code is 76301. The county has four incorporated cities, several unincorporated communities, and no civil townships. It sits in the Central time zone and is anchored economically by Sheppard Air Force Base.
Towns & Villages in Wichita County
Wichita County has four incorporated cities — Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Electra, and Iowa Park — plus a scatter of unincorporated communities and one census-designated place tied to Sheppard Air Force Base. “CDP” below marks a Census Bureau-recognized unincorporated place; “Unincorp.” marks a smaller community with no formal municipal boundary.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita Falls | City · seat | 102,316 | 76301 |
| Burkburnett | City | 10,939 | 76354 |
| Iowa Park | City | — | 76367 |
| Electra | City | — | 76360 |
| Sheppard AFB | CDP | — | 76311 |
| Kamay | Unincorp. | — | 76369 |
| Pleasant Valley | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Valley View | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Haynesville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cashion Community | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Allendale | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Clara | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Thrift | Unincorp. | — | — |
Sheppard AFB is a distinct census-designated place from the city of Wichita Falls that surrounds it, even though the two are contiguous. Kamay uses a PO Box-only ZIP rather than home delivery.
ZIP Codes
- 76301 — Wichita Falls (downtown/central)
- 76302 — Wichita Falls
- 76305 — Wichita Falls
- 76306 — Wichita Falls
- 76307 — Wichita Falls (PO Box only)
- 76308 — Wichita Falls
- 76309 — Wichita Falls
- 76310 — Wichita Falls
- 76311 — Sheppard AFB
- 76354 — Burkburnett
- 76360 — Electra
- 76367 — Iowa Park
- 76369 — Kamay (PO Box only)
Wichita Falls alone carries eight ZIP codes; Pleasant Valley, Valley View, Haynesville, Cashion Community, Allendale, Clara, and Thrift have no ZIP of their own and are served by the nearest post office, usually Wichita Falls or Iowa Park.
Geography
Wichita County sits on the rolling Rolling Plains of North Texas, with the Red River forming its northern boundary against Oklahoma. The Wichita River crosses the county from west to east before joining the Red River, and Lake Wichita and Lake Arrowhead lie within or near the county as local water-supply reservoirs. Terrain is mostly flat to gently rolling prairie, historically grazing and farmland now mixed with oil and gas infrastructure.
Wichita County borders Clay County to the east, Archer County to the south, Baylor County and Wilbarger County to the west, and across the Red River to the north, Tillman County and Cotton County in Oklahoma.
Demographics
Wichita County had 129,350 residents at the 2020 census. Wichita Falls is by far the largest community, followed by Burkburnett. Median household income in the county runs below the Texas median of $75,780, reflecting a mix of military, healthcare, and blue-collar oil-field employment. Population density is roughly 206 people per square mile, concentrated almost entirely in and around Wichita Falls and Burkburnett; most of the rest of the county is sparsely settled farm and ranch land.
Economy & Local Life
Sheppard Air Force Base is the county’s largest single employer, home to Air Education and Training Command’s 82nd Training Wing and the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program, which trains pilots for the U.S. and several NATO allies. United Regional Health Care System anchors the healthcare sector in Wichita Falls, and Midwestern State University adds a higher-education presence. Oil and gas production, agriculture, and light manufacturing round out the base. Wichita Falls hosts the Hotter’N Hell Hundred, one of the largest single-day cycling events in the country, each August.
History
Wichita County was created from surrounding territory in 1858 and formally organized in 1882, taking its name from the Wichita people, whose historic range included this stretch of the Red River valley. Wichita Falls grew from a small rail stop into the county’s dominant city after oil was discovered nearby in the 1910s, drawing an early-20th-century boom that still shapes its downtown architecture. Sheppard Air Force Base, established in 1941 during the World War II training buildup, became the county’s most durable economic anchor and remains active as a NATO pilot-training hub today.
Getting There
U.S. Highway 287 and U.S. Highway 82 cross Wichita Falls, with Texas 79 and Texas 240 serving Burkburnett, Electra, and Iowa Park. The county is roughly:
- Dallas — 140 miles southeast
- Oklahoma City — 140 miles north
- Lawton, Oklahoma — 50 miles north
- Abilene — 110 miles south
Wichita Falls Regional Airport, shared with Sheppard Air Force Base, offers limited commercial service; most travelers connect through Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wichita County, Texas?
It is in North Texas on the Red River, directly across the river from Oklahoma, centered on the city of Wichita Falls.
What is the population of Wichita County?
129,350 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Wichita County?
633 square miles (1,640 km2), including about 5.3 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Wichita County?
Wichita Falls, the county’s largest city.
How many towns are in Wichita County?
Four incorporated cities — Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Electra, and Iowa Park — plus several unincorporated communities and the Sheppard AFB census-designated place.
What ZIP codes are in Wichita County?
Thirteen, from 76301 through 76311, 76354, 76360, 76367, and 76369, mostly centered on Wichita Falls.
What is Sheppard Air Force Base’s role in the county?
It is the county’s largest employer and trains military pilots for the U.S. Air Force and NATO partner nations under the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.