Hardin County vs. Haskell County
Big Thicket & Rolling Plains
Today matches the dense forests of Southeast Texas with the open farm country of the Rolling Plains. Hardin County, bordering the Big Thicket National Preserve, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and timber. Haskell County, north of Abilene, is classic cotton and cattle country. One is defined by its canopy and creeks; the other by its soil and sky. Both are resilient communities that have weathered floods and droughts to preserve their way of life.
Hardin County (Population Approx. 57,000)
Hardin County is where the Piney Woods meet the coastal plain. Kountze and Silsbee are gateways to the Big Thicket, offering incredible biodiversity and recreation. The economy is driven by timber, oil, and bedroom communities for the Golden Triangle. Residents are tough, having rebuilt after multiple hurricanes, and they value their close connection to nature. Challenges include flood mitigation and economic diversification.
Haskell County (Population Approx. 5,400)
Haskell County is the definition of "salt of the earth." It is a quiet agricultural stronghold where the seasons dictate the schedule. The landscape is dominated by cotton fields and pasture. The community is tight-knit, where neighbors help neighbors harvest crops and the high school scoreboard dictates the mood. Challenges include retaining young people in a rural economy and maintaining rural hospitals.
Why It Matters
Hardin County protects one of the most ecologically significant areas in North America. Haskell County plays a direct role in the agricultural supply chain. Both counties rely on state policies that often feel disconnected from their reality, whether it's flood insurance rates or farm subsidies.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the logger in Kountze and the farmer in Haskell deserve a government that functions as reliably as they do.
In Hardin County, the threat of natural disasters is real. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who prioritize flood control and infrastructure resilience over partisan talking points. Ranked Choice Voting would ensure that the diverse voices of the county are heard.
In Haskell County, the population is small but the impact is huge. Ranked Choice Voting protects the influence of rural voters, allowing them to support candidates who prioritize the Farm Bill and rural broadband. It gives the Rolling Plains a seat at the table to demand that rural Texas isn't left behind.
Did You Know…
The Big Thicket National Preserve in Hardin County was the first such preserve established in the U.S. and is known as the "Biological Crossroads of North America."
Haskell County was the childhood home of former Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Saratoga (Hardin) is the birthplace of country music legend George Jones.
Haskell County was named for Charles Ready Haskell, a soldier killed in the Goliad massacre.
Village Creek State Park in Hardin County offers some of the best canoeing in the state.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Hardin residents love canoeing, fishing, and hunting in their backyard "ark." Haskell locals love the friendly waves on farm-to-market roads, the vast cotton fields, and the pace of life that values connection over convenience.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Big Thicket Festival (Hardin): Celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
Wild Horse Prairie Days (Haskell): A celebration of the cowboy way of life with ranch rodeos and chuckwagon cooking.
Kountze Big Thicket Trade Days: A regular community market event.
Haskell County Junior Livestock Show: The biggest event of the year for local youth.
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:
