Cities and Towns in Martin County, Texas
Founded in 1876, Martin County is one of 254 counties in the state of Texas. Historically, Martin County was formed from Bexar County. The city of Stanton is the county seat. With FIPS code of 317, Martin County has a population of 5,211 and area of 915 square miles (2,370 km²).
List of all cities in Martin County, TX alphabetically
| City/Town | Postal Code | Area Code |
| Ackerly, TX | 79713 | 432 |
| Lenorah, TX | 79749 | 432 |
| Stanton, TX | 79782 | 432 |
| Tarzan, TX | 79783 | 432 |
Major Cities and Towns in Martin County, Texas
Martin County, located in the western part of Texas, is an area rich in history, agriculture, and oil production. The county’s small towns and rural communities offer a glimpse into the history of West Texas, where cattle ranching, farming, and petroleum have played a significant role in the local economy. Below are the major cities and towns in Martin County.
Stanton
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude, and Longitude
- Area: 2.0 square miles
- Population: 2,900 (2020 Census)
- Zip Code: 79782
- Latitude: 32.1166° N
- Longitude: 101.9567° W
City Location and History
Stanton, the county seat of Martin County, is situated in the western part of Texas, approximately 30 miles south of Midland and 25 miles east of the New Mexico border. The town was established in 1880, named after Edwin Stanton, the U.S. Secretary of War during the Civil War. Stanton originally grew as a stop along the railroad, which helped facilitate trade and transportation in the region. In the early 1900s, the discovery of oil in the area contributed to Stanton’s economic boom, drawing workers and businesses to the region.
The town’s development was also influenced by the agricultural industry, with cotton and cattle ranching serving as key components of its economy. By the mid-20th century, the oil and gas industry took center stage, bringing further prosperity to Stanton, though agriculture remains an important part of the community. Despite its small size, Stanton has maintained its status as a vital regional hub for business, education, and culture in Martin County. Today, Stanton retains a rural, tight-knit atmosphere with a proud history of community involvement.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Stanton is served by the Stanton Independent School District, which includes Stanton High School, Stanton Junior High School, and several elementary schools. The district offers a range of academic and extracurricular programs, with a strong emphasis on athletics and community events. Stanton High School is particularly well-regarded for its competitive football team, as well as its arts and music programs.
Key landmarks in Stanton include the Martin County Courthouse, a historic building that serves as the center of government and is a prominent feature of the town square. The Stanton City Park offers outdoor recreation opportunities, including sports fields, walking trails, and a community swimming pool. The town is also home to the Stanton Oilfield Museum, which highlights the region’s rich history in the petroleum industry. Additionally, Stanton’s location near the Permian Basin offers access to some of the country’s largest oil fields, contributing to its economic significance. Visitors also enjoy exploring the nearby natural landscapes, which include the rugged terrain and wildlife that define the West Texas region.
Tarzan
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude, and Longitude
- Area: 0.7 square miles
- Population: 150 (2020 Census)
- Zip Code: 79783
- Latitude: 31.6262° N
- Longitude: 101.9457° W
City Location and History
Tarzan is a small, rural community located in the western part of Martin County, Texas, about 20 miles north of Stanton. The town was founded in the early 1900s, during the boom of the West Texas oil industry, and was named after the popular fictional character, Tarzan. The story goes that the town’s founders were inspired by the character’s adventurous and untamed spirit, which was a fitting reflection of the early pioneering days of the region.
Tarzan’s growth was initially driven by the discovery of oil in the area, which drew workers, businesses, and residents to the town. In its early years, Tarzan was a bustling oilfield town, with a strong focus on extracting resources from the rich petroleum deposits in the Permian Basin. Over time, as the oil boom ebbed, Tarzan remained a small, tight-knit community with a focus on agriculture, including cotton farming and ranching. Today, the town is primarily residential and serves as a quiet retreat for those who appreciate its rural setting and connection to the region’s oil history.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Tarzan is served by the Stanton Independent School District, with students attending schools in Stanton, about 20 miles away. Despite its small size, the district provides educational opportunities and extracurricular programs, including sports teams and academic clubs, that help connect Tarzan’s youth to the larger community.
One of the most notable landmarks in Tarzan is the Tarzan Cemetery, which reflects the town’s long history and includes graves of early settlers and prominent local families. The town itself is marked by wide, open spaces and rustic homes, typical of rural West Texas communities. Tarzan is also near the Permian Basin oilfields, making it an ideal location for those working in the region’s oil industry. The surrounding countryside offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as hunting, hiking, and wildlife watching, with the natural beauty of the area providing a peaceful backdrop to the quiet, rural life in Tarzan.
Ackerly
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude, and Longitude
- Area: 0.4 square miles
- Population: 50 (2020 Census)
- Zip Code: 79713
- Latitude: 32.0000° N
- Longitude: 101.9756° W
City Location and History
Ackerly is a tiny unincorporated community located in the southwestern part of Martin County, Texas. Established in the early 1900s, Ackerly was primarily a farming and ranching community, with a focus on agriculture, particularly cotton and cattle. The town grew around the railroad, which allowed for the shipment of crops and goods to markets in larger cities. Ackerly was once home to several small businesses, including a general store and post office, which made it a vital local hub for farmers and ranchers.
Though it never grew into a large town, Ackerly is notable for its history as a rural Texas settlement. The community has experienced the ups and downs of agricultural and oil-based economies throughout the years, but it has remained a quiet, close-knit place with a strong sense of community. Today, Ackerly has a small but dedicated population that continues to honor the traditions of the town’s early settlers while adapting to the challenges of the 21st century.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Students from Ackerly typically attend schools in the nearby Stanton Independent School District, which offers a range of educational programs. Though the community is small, the district provides access to athletic teams, extracurricular clubs, and other opportunities for students in the area.
As a small rural community, Ackerly has few formal landmarks, but its surrounding countryside offers a glimpse into the rural life of West Texas. The town is located near vast cotton fields, cattle ranches, and the expansive desert landscape that characterizes the region. The natural beauty of the area provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, and photography, especially along the scenic roads that connect Ackerly to the rest of Martin County. The town remains a quiet and peaceful place, with much of its history tied to the agricultural and ranching roots that have shaped the community over time.
Other Communities
While Stanton, Tarzan, and Ackerly are the major settlements in Martin County, other smaller communities, such as Lenorah and Weldon, dot the landscape. These communities often serve as agricultural hubs or residential areas for those working in the oil fields. They offer a taste of rural life in the West Texas region, where agricultural practices, oil, and gas production are central to the local economy. While these towns are less populated, they contribute to the cultural fabric of Martin County, each with its own history and traditions that reflect the spirit of the Texas frontier.
