The count is real. The rate needs context.
Texas DPS reports 12 marijuana arrests for Stephens County in 2025. Census estimates 9,380 residents. Dividing those figures produces 127.9 per 100,000, but DPS county records do not establish that the people arrested were county residents. The Ledger therefore shows the calculation without ranking it.
The source record over time
| Year | Total records | Possession | Rate per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 | 11 | 117.2 |
| 2024 | 17 | 17 | 180.6 |
| 2025 | 12 | 12 | 127.9 |
Why this county is not ranked
Counties below 10,000 residents are excluded from the comparative rate ranking. Their small denominators can magnify the result, and county-reported arrests may include people who live elsewhere. 12 of 12 records were classified as possession.
How many marijuana arrests did Stephens County report in 2025?
The Texas DPS table used by the Ledger contains 12 marijuana-related arrests for Stephens County in 2025. The calculated figure is 127.9 per 100,000 residents.
How should Stephens County' rate be interpreted?
The calculation is 127.9 per 100,000, using a Census estimate of 9,380 residents. The Ledger does not rank it because county-reported arrests may involve nonresidents and the denominator is below 10,000.
How many were possession arrests?
12, or 100.0% of the county total, matched the Ledger's possession definition. Another 0 were grouped as other marijuana offenses.
What changed over this three-year series?
The reported count was 9.1% higher in 2025 than in 2023. The files show the change; they cannot establish its cause.