Initially, the land was dominated by cattlemen who took advantage of the open range, many of whom organized a cattle company known as the "Comanche Pool."

A large number of homesteaders arrived to claim and farm the land in 1884, and by 1885 most of the desirable homesteads had been claimed and the fencing in of the open range had ended the dominance of the cattlemen[5].

The town of Coldwater was founded in 1884 by a group from Harper, Kansas, who saw potential in the northern part of Comanche County.

The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in 1887 boosted prosperity population growth by improving transportation in the county.

The opening of the Indian Territory to homesteading led to a temporary depopulation, however, and the dry years from 1891 to 1897 brought economic hardship, reducing the population significantly[5].

The first decades of the 20th century brought economic and population recovery[5], but the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and subsequent rural flight in the 20th and 21st centuries have significantly impacted the county's fortunes.

Of all households 35.90% were made up of individuals, and 21.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.