Texas

Runnels

9,900
2020 population
1880
first census record
15
census records

About Runnels

Runnels, Texas, first appears in the United States federal census in 1880, when it recorded a population of 980. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 9,900.

Its recorded population peaked at 21,821 in 1930, and has since declined by roughly 55 percent.

On the ground today, one documented military engagement has been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Cottonwood Springs, and 4 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20209,900
201010,501
200011,495
199011,294
198011,872
197012,108
196015,016
195016,771
194018,903
193021,821
192017,074
191020,858
19005,379
18903,193
1880980
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Runnels

Military engagements that took place in Runnels, Texas.

Battle of Cottonwood Springs
1869

Historic places in Runnels

National Register of Historic Places listings in Runnels, Texas.

Ballinger Carnegie Library
Ballinger
Browse all Texashistoric sites ›

Other counties in Texas

Explore census history and historic records for more Texas counties.

KingKinneyKlebergKnoxLa SalleLamarLambLampasasLavacaLeeLeonLibertyLimestoneLipscombLive OakLlanoLovingLubbockLynnMadison
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Runnels County, Texas

This page charts the census history of Runnels County, Texas. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Runnels County, Texas report
Or see a real report first

Explore Texas records

Texashistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Texas›

Frequently asked about Runnels

When does Runnels first appear in the US census?
Runnels, Texas first appears in the federal census in 1880, with a recorded population of 980.
What is the population of Runnels?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Runnels had a recorded population of 9,900.
When did Runnels's population peak?
Runnels's recorded population peaked at 21,821 in 1930.
Were any battles fought in Runnels?
1 documented military engagement took place in Runnels, including Battle of Cottonwood Springs.
How many historic places are in Runnels?
4 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Runnels, Texas.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report