TheHasinai group of theCaddo tribe built a village in the area in around AD 800[4][5] and continued to live in the area until the 1830s, when they migrated to theBrazos River. The federal government moved them to the Brazos Indian Reservation in 1855 and later to Oklahoma.
Sam Houston, adopted son of Chief Oolooteka (John Jolly) of the Cherokee, negotiated the January 14, 1836, treaty betweenChief Bowl[6] of the Cherokee and theRepublic of Texas.[7][8] On December 16, 1837, the Texas Senate declared the treaty null and void,[9] and encroachment upon Cherokee lands continued. On October 5, 1838, Indians massacred members ofthe Isaac Killough family[10][11] at their farm northwest of the site of presentJacksonville, leading to theCherokee War of 1839 and the expulsion of some to Oklahoma. Some went toMonclova in Mexico, and some toRusk andGregg counties (many had relatives among theChoctaw/Chickasaw/Creek community there). Later, in 1844,President Polk issued an executive order known as "The Right to return", allowing many Cherokee to return to Texas. Some came to what is now Cherokee County.
In 1826, empresarioDavid G. Burnet received a grant from theCoahuila y Tejas legislature to settle 300 families.[16] The settlers were mostly from the Southern states, and brought the lifestyle of that region with them. By contracting how many families each grantee could settle, the government sought to have some control over colonization.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,062 square miles (2,750 km2), of which 9.3 square miles (24 km2) (0.9%) are covered by water.[23]
Cherokee County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
At the2000 United States census there were 46,659 people, 16,651 households, and 12,105 families resided in the county.[30] Thepopulation density was 44 people per square mile (17 people/km2). The 19,173 housing units averaged 18 units per square mile (6.9/km2). Theracial and ethnic makeup of the county was 74.34%White, 15.96% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 7.43% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. About 13.24% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. By 2020, its population increased to 50,412.[28] The racial and ethnic makeup at the2020 United States census was 59.70%non-Hispanic white, 12.61%Black or African American, 0.25%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.52%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.24% some other race, 3.23%two or more races, and 23.40%Hispanic or Latino of any race. The increase among its Hispanic and Asian American populations represented the nationwide demographic shift since the 2020 census.[31]
Of the 16,651 households in 2000, 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 12.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were not families. Around 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63, and the average family size was 3.11. In 2020 according to theAmerican Community Survey, there were 18,540 households with an average household size of 2.65 and average family size of 3.07.[32]
At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $29,313, and for a family was $34,750. Males had a median income of $26,410 versus $19,788 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $13,980. About 13.70% of families and 17.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 23.30% of those under age 18 and 15.10% of those age 65 or over. The 2020 American Community Survey's estimates determined there was a median household income of $50,199 with a per capita income of $66,658.[33]
Newspapers in the county include theJacksonville Progress, which publishes three editions a week in Jacksonville, and the weeklyCherokeean Herald in Rusk.
Areas in Bullard, Jacksonville, New Summerfield, Rusk, and Troup are assigned toTyler Junior College. Areas of Cherokee County in Alto ISD and Wells ISD are assigned toAngelina College. Areas in Carlisle ISD are assigned toKilgore College.[34] Legislation does not specify a community college for the remainder of the county.
