San Patricio County, Texas

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San Patricio County, Texas
San patricio courthouse.jpg
Built in 1927, (Henry T. Phelps) this is the eighth structure to serve as the San Patricio County Courthouse in Sinton.
Map of Texas highlighting San Patricio County
Location in the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location in the U.S.
Founded 1836
Seat Sinton
Largest city Portland
Area
 • Total 708 sq mi (1,834 km2)
 • Land 693 sq mi (1,795 km2)
 • Water 14 sq mi (36 km2), 2.0%
Population
 • (2010) 64,804
 • Density 93/sq mi (36/km²)
Congressional districts 27th, 34th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.san-patricio.tx.us

San Patricio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,804.[1] Its county seat is Sinton.[2]

San Patricio County is part of the Corpus Christi, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

In 1828, 200 Irish Catholic families, recruited from Ireland and the Irish population of New York City, contracted with the Mexican government to settle on 80 leagues of land in this area. By 1836, about 500 people lived in the colony on 84 Mexican land grants. During the Texas Revolution, most fled from the colony because of fighting in the area. By 1841, a small number of permanent residents had returned. When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, the area was stabilized by the presence of U.S. troops under Gen. Zachary Taylor. In 1845, the county was formed (San Patricio is Spanish for Saint Patrick, the primary patron saint of the colonists home country of Ireland), and Corpus Christi was designated as the county seat. The following year, the county south of the Nueces River was reorganized as Nueces County, and San Patricio became its county seat. In 1848, additional counties were formed out of San Patricio, which further reduced its size.[3]

The 1850 U.S. Census listed only 200 people in the county, including three slaves. The local economy was based on cattle raising. In the mid-1860s, more settlers moved, drawn by the cheap land. By 1870, 602 people lived in the county, and the agricultural census reported 51 farms and ranches, totalling 52,000 acres (210 km2), in the area, with about 2,400 acres (9.7 km2) described as "improved." Development of the county intensified during the early 20th century, as hundreds of farmers moved in from northern Texas and other states. The population reached 7,307 by 1910, and was 11,386 by 1920; 470 farms were counted in 1910, and 757 farms in 1920. Cattle ranching remained important, but vegetables and cotton also became important. The acres planted in the cotton increased from about 15,000 acres (61 km2) in 1910 to 155,000 acres (630 km2) by 1930.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 708 square miles (1,830 km2), of which 693 square miles (1,790 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (2.0%) is water.[4]

The Gulf of Mexico is situated to the east of the county.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 200 —
1860 620 210.0%
1870 602 −2.9%
1880 1,010 67.8%
1890 1,312 29.9%
1900 2,372 80.8%
1910 7,307 208.1%
1920 11,386 55.8%
1930 23,836 109.3%
1940 28,871 21.1%
1950 35,842 24.1%
1960 45,021 25.6%
1970 47,288 5.0%
1980 58,013 22.7%
1990 58,749 1.3%
2000 67,138 14.3%
2010 64,804 −3.5%
Est. 2014 66,915 [5] 3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1850–2010[7] 2010–2014[1]

As of the census[8] of 2000, 67,138 people, 22,093 households, and 17,232 families resided in the county. The population density was 97 people per square mile (37/km²). The 24,864 housing units averaged 36 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 76.76% White, 2.81% Black or African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 15.94% from other races, and 3.05% from two or more races. About 49.42% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 22,093 households, 41.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.00% were not families. About 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.40.

In the county, the population was distributed as 31.10% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,836, and for a family was $40,002. Males had a median income of $31,132 versus $20,730 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,425. About 14.60% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.50% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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See also

References

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  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 San Patricio County from the Handbook of Texas Online
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External links

 Live Oak County Bee County and Refugio County Aransas County
Gulf of Mexico
  San Patricio County, Texas  
Jim Wells County Nueces County

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