Cattle and wheat rule the roost in the Northeast Rolling Plains region of Texas. It is a region of ranches and farms and a considerably smaller population of people when compared to the rest of Texas. The region is bordered by the Red River in the north and the Colorado River in the south. Portions of the Brazos and Trinity flow through the region, as do tributaries of the rivers.
Today, the numerous large ranch holdings that once dominated the region are slowly being subdivided into smaller plots. To learn more about how to purchase properties in Northeast Rolling Plains, reach out to an agent with West and Swope Ranches and we'll answer all your Texas ranch real estate questions.
Geography & Economy
The Northeast Rolling Plains region of Texas is bordered by the Edwards Plateau Ecological Region to the south and the High Plains Ecological Region to the west. About 1/3 of the area is used for agricultural farmland and the remaining 2/3 is used for agricultural ranch land. Major crops include wheat, cotton, and sorghum. Wheat is grown on large acreages for harvest and livestock grazing. The large ranches in the region provide an ideal habitat for the cattle they raise. The valleys provide shelter, the grasslands provide food, and the rivers provide water. The region receives an average annual rainfall of 22”-30”.
In addition to cattle ranching and farming, the region provides economic opportunities in oil and game hunting.
Wildlife
The ranches in the Rolling Plains TX region provide habitat for the pronghorn antelope. The watersheds of the major rivers bordering and flowing through the region provide ideal habitats for white-tailed deer, Rio Grande turkeys, small mammals, waterfowl, reptiles, and songbirds.
Culture & History
Choctaw Native Americans settled in the region in the 1800s after being displaced from the Mississippi area. American settlers arrived in the region in the 1860s as cattle ranchers. Wichita Falls was named in 1876. The Fort Worth & Denver City Railway arrived in Wichita Falls in 1882. Abilene was established by ranchers in 1881 as a shipping point for cattle along the Texas and Pacific Railway.
U.S. Air Force bases were built in Wichita Falls in the 1940s and in Abilene in the 1950s. The air force bases are the top employer for each city.
Counties & Cities
The Northeast Rolling Plains TX region includes portions of Archer, Baylor, Callahan, Clay, Coke, Concho, Howard, Irion, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Shackelford, Sterling, Taylor, Throckmorton, Tom Green, Wichita, and Wilbarger counties.
Abilene and Wichita Falls are the region’s largest cities. Each city has meat and dairy processing plants. Abilene had a population of 125,182 in 2020. Wichita Falls had a population of 102,640 in 2020.
Find Ranches in Northeast Rolling Plains
Interested in moving to the Northeast Rolling Plains Texas region, or just want to learn more about the area? Our agents with West and Swope Ranches are experts in the local Northeast Rolling Plains real estate market and are ready to help you find the land, ranch, or farm property to meet your needs.
Contact us online or call 844-888-3384 to start your search for Northeast Rolling Plains ranches and land today. To learn more about ranch living in Texas, you can find local information and real estate news on our blog or discover more with our Coordinates Land Magazine.
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