Cotton and irrigated farming built Hale County's economy

Cotton was first planted in Hale County in 1903. After 1910, farmers started pumping water from the Ogallala Aquifer underground. That made large-scale irrigation possible. By 1982, the county had 468,000 acres of irrigated land. In one year it produced nearly 85,000 cotton bales.

Feedlots, grain elevators, and farm-equipment businesses all grew up to support the farming trade. Starting in 1912, the Texas Land and Development Company brought settlers to Hale County. The company sold pre-improved land that already had buildings and farm equipment on it. That growth helped Plainview become a regional market town.

Farming is still the main driver of the local economy today. If you are moving here, expect to live near active farms. Irrigation equipment, crop-dusting aircraft, and farm machinery are everyday sights and sounds in Hale County.