Kendall County vs. Dallam County
Luxury & High Plains Grit
Today contrasts the booming, scenic Hill Country with the remote, rugged corner of the Panhandle. Kendall County, home to Boerne, is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, known for its German heritage and Main Street charm. Dallam County, in the far northwest corner, is XIT Ranch country: vast, flat, and hardworking. One is managing the pressures of wealth and suburbanization; the other is sustaining a way of life on the frontier.
Kendall County (Population Approx. 49,000)
Kendall County is the jewel of the I-10 corridor. Boerne and Comfort offer historic limestone buildings, antique shopping, and the natural beauty of Cibolo Creek. The economy is driven by high-end tourism, retail, and commuters to San Antonio. The vibe is affluent and historic, but residents are increasingly concerned about traffic, water scarcity, and losing their small-town identity to sprawl.
Dallam County (Population Approx. 7,100)
Dallam County is where Texas touches Oklahoma and New Mexico. Dalhart (shared with Hartley) serves as the hub for a massive agricultural region. The landscape is dominated by the Rita Blanca National Grassland and huge cattle operations. The community is resilient, accustomed to blizzards and droughts, and deeply proud of its "XIT" heritage. Challenges include isolation, water conservation, and rural healthcare access.
Why It Matters
Kendall County is the face of the "New Texas": wealthy, growing, and thirsty. Dallam County is the bedrock of the "Old Texas": land, cattle, and weather. Both counties face water crises: one from over-pumping for lawns and pools, the other from irrigation.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the commuter in Boerne and the rancher in Dalhart share a need for sustainable planning.
In Kendall County, the rapid growth creates political friction. Open Primaries would allow the mix of newcomers and old German families to find consensus candidates who prioritize water security and managed growth over partisan ideology. Ranked Choice Voting would help the community navigate the tension between development and preservation.
In Dallam County, the remote location means being easily forgotten. Ranked Choice Voting gives the High Plains a stronger voice to demand infrastructure support and agricultural policy that makes sense for the Panhandle, ensuring their vital contributions to the economy are recognized.
Did You Know…
Boerne (Kendall) was founded by German Freethinkers in 1849 and maintains a strong German cultural influence.
The XIT Ranch in Dallam County was once the largest fenced ranch in the world, funded by investors to pay for the Texas State Capitol.
Cave Without a Name in Kendall County is a stunning limestone cavern and National Natural Landmark.
Rita Blanca National Grassland in Dallam County offers a glimpse of the shortgrass prairie as it looked centuries ago.
Kendall County is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest counties in Texas.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Kendall residents love the "Hill Country Mile" shopping, the cool waters of the creek, and the high quality of life. Dallam locals love the endless horizon, the legacy of the cowboy, and the feeling of freedom that comes with wide-open spaces.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
XIT Rodeo & Reunion (Dalhart/Dallam): The world's largest free BBQ and rodeo, a massive community event.
Dickens on Main (Boerne): A holiday extravaganza that transforms the town into a winter wonderland.
Bi-County Stock Show (Dallam/Hartley): Supporting the youth of the region.
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:
