Reeves County is a county in Texas, United States, part of the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. It had a population of 14,748 at the 2020 census and covers 2,642 square miles (6,843 km2) centred near 31°18′N 103°43′W.
Pecos is the county seat, and its postal code is 79772. The county has two incorporated cities, one town, one census-designated place and several unincorporated communities. Texas has no civil townships, so places are grouped only by incorporation status. Reeves County sits in the Central time zone; its FIPS code is 48389.
Towns & Villages in Reeves County
Reeves County has a small number of named places spread across a large, arid area. Pecos and Balmorhea are incorporated cities, Toyah is an incorporated town, Lindsay is a census-designated place, and Saragosa, Toyahvale and Orla are unincorporated communities (Orla is now largely a ghost town). Older place lists for this county circulate a long tail of ranch, camp and rail-siding names — Angeles, Arno, Burchard Place, Collier, Cuatro Caminos, Gozar, Hermosa, Hoban, Locker, Mann, Old House Place, Pueblo Vitoria, Red Bluff, Riverton, Robinson Arms Landing, San Martine, Seven Heart Crossing, Verhalen and Worsham among them — that cannot currently be verified against a modern gazetteer or census record and are omitted here rather than republished unverified.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pecos | City · seat | 12,916 | 79772 |
| Balmorhea | City | 408 | 79718 |
| Toyah | Town | — | 79785 |
| Lindsay | CDP | — | — |
| Saragosa | Unincorp. | — | 79780 |
| Toyahvale | Unincorp. | — | 79786 |
| Orla | Unincorp. | — | 79770 |
ZIP Codes
- 79772 — Pecos (also serves the surrounding county seat area)
- 79718 — Balmorhea
- 79785 — Toyah
- 79780 — Saragosa
- 79786 — Toyahvale
- 79770 — Orla
Lindsay has no dedicated ZIP code and is served by a neighbouring post office.
Geography
Reeves County lies in the Trans-Pecos basin-and-range country of far West Texas, crossed by the Pecos River and by Toyah Creek. Terrain ranges from river-valley farmland near Pecos and Balmorhea to broad desert flats toward the New Mexico line. The county borders Loving County to the northeast, Ward County to the east, Pecos County to the southeast, Jeff Davis County to the south, and Culberson County to the west; Eddy County, New Mexico, lies across the state line to the north.
Demographics
Reeves County recorded 14,748 residents at the 2020 census. Pecos, the seat, is by far the largest community, followed by Balmorhea. Median household income in the county runs well below the Texas median of $75,780, reflecting the area’s reliance on oilfield and prison-related wages rather than diversified employment. Population density is light, at roughly six people per square mile across the county’s 2,642 square miles.
Economy & Local Life
The oil and gas industry of the Permian Basin dominates the county’s economy, supporting drilling, trucking and oilfield-service jobs centred on Pecos. The Reeves County Detention Complex, a large private prison in Pecos, is also a major employer. Irrigated farming around Pecos and Balmorhea — cantaloupes historically, along with cotton and alfalfa — and the spring-fed swimming pool at Balmorhea State Park round out the county’s economic base and its best-known visitor draw.
History
Reeves County was created from Pecos and Jeff Davis counties and organised on November 4, 1884. It is named for George R. Reeves, a Texas state legislator and Confederate Army colonel. Pecos, the seat, grew as a railroad town on the Texas and Pacific Railway and hosted a Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) training base during World War II. The county’s oil boom, beginning in the 20th century, remains the dominant force in its economy today.
Getting There
Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 285 cross the county through Pecos, with U.S. Highway 80 also serving the city.
- Odessa — about 80 miles east
- Midland — about 100 miles east
- Fort Stockton — about 55 miles southeast
- El Paso — about 200 miles west
Midland International Air and Space Port, roughly 100 miles east of Pecos, is the nearest major commercial airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Reeves County?
Reeves County is in the Trans-Pecos region of far West Texas, along Interstate 20 and the Pecos River.
What is the population of Reeves County?
Reeves County had a population of 14,748 at the 2020 census.
How big is Reeves County?
Reeves County covers 2,642 square miles (6,843 km2), most of it land.
What is the county seat of Reeves County?
Pecos is the county seat and largest city.
How many towns are in Reeves County?
Reeves County has two cities, one town, one census-designated place, and a handful of smaller unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Reeves County?
Reeves County’s ZIP codes include 79772 (Pecos), 79718 (Balmorhea), 79785 (Toyah), 79780 (Saragosa), 79786 (Toyahvale) and 79770 (Orla).
What is Reeves County known for?
Reeves County is known for Permian Basin oil production, the Reeves County Detention Complex prison, and the spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.