In the 1920s a brick high school building was completed. In 1929, the "Childress News" appeared in competition with the "Childress Index". In 1942, the "News" was leased by the "Index". In 1947, the "Childress Reporter" was established. After the depression and Dust Bowl era, modern farm machinery and improved highways reduced the rate of growth in Childress. The population was 6,464 in 1940. The railroad closed several shops, which were eventually razed. Lanchart Industries, Royal Park Fashions, and Fiberglass Corporation of America supplanted the railroad as the economic anchor of Childress. The population decreased from 6,399 in 1960 to 5,817 by 1980.