Bailey County is one of 46 prohibition or entirely dry counties in the state of Texas.
The Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, located in the county, was founded in 1935 and is the oldest such refuge in Texas.
Bailey County history is highlighted in the Muleshoe Heritage Center located off U.S. Highways 70 and 64 in Muleshoe.
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,594 people, 2,348 households, and 1,777 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 2,738 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.68% White, 1.27% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 28.60% from other races, and 2.65% from two or more races. 47.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,348 households out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.90% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.30% were non-families. 22.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the county, the population was spread out with 30.30% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,901, and the median income for a family was $32,898. Males had a median income of $25,150 versus $18,309 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,979. About 13.50% of families and 16.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.