Texas Porch

Oil and Gas History

Oil Has Shaped Young County's Economy Since the 1920s

Young County struck oil in the 1920s, and production peaked in the 1950s, driving a population and economic boom that still shapes the county today.

Young County History & Culture

The first significant oil well in Young County came in with the Lindy Lou No. 1 in 1917, and commercial production followed by 1920. The county's population surged from about 13,600 in 1910 to more than 20,000 by 1930, driven largely by the oil industry. Annual production peaked at over 7,256,000 barrels in 1956, according to the Handbook of Texas.

Oil and gas activity in Young County is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC). If you are buying land here, mineral rights are a real issue. In Texas, mineral rights can be owned separately from surface rights. That means someone else may own the oil and gas under your land. The RRC's online tools let you look up well records, production history, and permits tied to any property in the county.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas Online — Young County

More Young County notes

Property Tax

Two Offices Handle Your Property Tax in Young County

Young County has a separate appraisal district and tax assessor-collector office, and the tax office does not collect property taxes directly.

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Homestead Exemption

Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Tax Bill in Young County

Texas law requires school districts to give homeowners a $140,000 exemption on their main home, which can cut a significant portion of the taxable value.

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Hunting Regulations

Young County Has Antler Rules for Deer Hunters

Deer hunters in Young County can take up to 5 deer per season, but antler restrictions limit which bucks are legal to harvest.

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Quail Season

Quail Hunting Is Open in Young County Each Fall

Young County is in quail country, with a season that runs from November through late February and a daily bag limit of 15 birds.

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