Coryell County vs. Garza County
Military Roots & High Plains Resolve
Coryell County and Garza County highlight two Texas traditions: one anchored in military service and small-town growth, the other in ranching, mesas, and High Plains endurance. Coryell County, home to Copperas Cove and Gatesville, sits beside Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood): one of the largest military installations in the world. Garza County, anchored by Post, showcases the steady, quiet resilience of rural West Texas. While one county navigates growth tied to military families and regional infrastructure, the other preserves a way of life shaped by ranching, agriculture, and frontier geography. Together, they show how Texans unite around service, community, and local leadership.
Coryell County (Population approx. 85,000)
Coryell County’s identity is strongly tied to Fort Cavazos, whose service members, families, and civilian workforce shape much of the region’s daily life. Copperas Cove and Gatesville offer a mix of suburban development, local businesses, and community institutions. Residents value their connection to the military and the strength that comes from being a community built on service. Challenges include school capacity, road congestion, and ensuring long-term economic stability that isn’t entirely dependent on the base.
Garza County (Population approx. 1,600)
Garza County centers around Post, a historic community founded by cereal magnate C.W. Post. It’s a place defined by mesas, cotton fields, ranchlands, and a close-knit population that takes pride in its frontier roots. The economy is rooted in agriculture, wind energy, and small businesses. Garza faces the challenges common to rural West Texas counties: population decline, limited healthcare access, and the need to maintain essential services across a large geographic area. But the county’s resilience and connection to its history remain strong.
Why It Matters
These counties reveal how different Texas communities can be in geography and lifestyle; yet how aligned they are in wanting fairness, opportunity, and leaders who reflect their values.
Why Forward
Forward’s mission is to strengthen representation for counties shaped by both large institutions and small-town heritage.
In Coryell County, open primaries and Ranked Choice Voting elevate leaders who understand the real needs of military families: housing, school capacity, veteran services, healthcare access, and reliable transportation. RCV encourages problem-solvers who can collaborate across city, county, and federal boundaries to support a community built on service.
In Garza County, Forward reforms protect rural voices by making sure elections produce leaders who represent the majority of the community, not just small partisan factions. Ranked Choice Voting empowers ranchers, agricultural workers, small business owners, and families whose needs differ from larger metro counties.
Together, these reforms reinforce Forward’s core belief: Texas thrives when every county, large or small, has a fair voice in shaping its future.
Did You Know…
Fort Cavazos (Coryell County) is one of the largest military bases in the United States by population.
Garza County’s mesas and canyons are part of the scenic Caprock region of the High Plains.
Why Texans Love Living Here
In Coryell County, residents love the strong culture of service, the connection to military families, the sense of duty, and the welcoming small-town atmosphere. They appreciate the schools, the parks, the local businesses, and the pride that comes with supporting those who serve.
In Garza County, Texans love the quiet mornings, the ranchland values, the small-town friendliness, and the feeling that they belong to a place where history still shapes the horizon. Both counties show the best of Texas: commitment, community, and a deep love of home.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Ogletree Gap Heritage Festival (Coryell County) – A popular community celebration featuring vendors, music, reenactments, and family activities.
Post Stampede Rodeo (Garza County) – A classic West Texas rodeo and community tradition running for decades.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
