Upton County is a county in Texas, United States, on the Edwards Plateau in the west-central part of the state. It had a population of 3,308 at the 2020 census and covers 1,242 square miles (3,220 km2) centred near 31°22′N 102°02′W.
Rankin is the county seat and its postal code is 79778. The county has two incorporated towns (Rankin and McCamey) and a handful of small unincorporated communities. Upton County observes Central time and has no civil townships.
Towns & Villages in Upton County
Upton County has two incorporated towns and a small number of unincorporated places. McCamey is the largest community; Rankin is the seat. CDP = census-designated place; Unincorp. = unincorporated community with no formal municipal government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin | Town · seat | 762 | 79778 |
| McCamey | Town | 1,721 | 79752 |
| Midkiff | Unincorp. | — | 79755 |
| Flat Rock | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sevenmile Corner | Unincorp. | — | — |
Midkiff and Flat Rock sit along US 67/US 385 north of Rankin toward Midland County; Sevenmile Corner is a rural crossroads community closer to McCamey.
ZIP Codes
- 79778 — Rankin (county seat)
- 79752 — McCamey
- 79755 — Midkiff
Flat Rock and Sevenmile Corner have no dedicated ZIP code and are served by the nearest post office town.
Geography
Upton County sits on the Edwards Plateau in the Permian Basin oil country of West Texas. The terrain is gently rolling rangeland cut by shallow draws, with almost no surface water — only about 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of the county is water. Bobcat Hills, a summit rising to 2,697 feet (822 m), is the county’s high point.
Upton County borders Midland County to the north, Reagan County to the east, Crockett County to the south, Crane County to the west, and Ector County to the northwest.
Demographics
Upton County had 3,308 residents at the 2020 census. McCamey, with 1,721 people, is the largest community; Rankin, the county seat, had 762. Median household income in the county runs well below the Texas median of $75,780, reflecting the boom-bust rhythm of an oil-dependent local economy. Population density is roughly 2.7 people per square mile, among the lowest in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Oil and gas dominate the local economy. The county sits atop the Spraberry Trend, the third-largest oil field in the United States by remaining reserves, and much of the workforce is tied to drilling, well servicing, and oilfield trucking. Upton County Independent School District and Rankin Independent School District are the two public school systems and among the larger local employers outside energy. Ranching remains a secondary presence on the plateau grassland surrounding both towns.
History
Upton County was created from Tom Green and Crockett counties in 1887 and formally organized in 1910, with Rankin named county seat. It is named for brothers John C. Upton and William F. Upton, both colonels in the Confederate Army. The county’s modern era began in September 1925, when wildcatter George McCamey’s Baker No. 1 well opened the McCamey oil field, drawing the boomtown growth that founded the town later named for him.
Getting There
US Highway 67/385 runs through Rankin and McCamey, linking the county to Interstate 20 to the north. Reaching Upton County:
- Midland — 45 miles north
- Odessa — 55 miles northwest
- San Angelo — 75 miles east
- Fort Stockton — 60 miles southwest
The nearest commercial airport is Midland International Air & Space Port, about 45 miles north of Rankin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Upton County, Texas?
It is in west-central Texas on the Edwards Plateau, part of the Permian Basin oil country between Midland and San Angelo.
What is the population of Upton County?
3,308 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Upton County?
1,242 square miles (3,220 km2), of which about 0.2 square miles is water.
What is the county seat of Upton County?
Rankin, population 762.
How many towns are in Upton County?
Two incorporated towns, Rankin and McCamey, plus a few unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Upton County?
79778 (Rankin), 79752 (McCamey) and 79755 (Midkiff).
Why is it called Upton County?
It is named for John C. and William F. Upton, two brothers who served as colonels in the Confederate Army.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.