Atascosa County, Texas Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Atascosa County
County
The Atascosa County Courthouse in Jourdanton
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Texas
Founded	1856
Named for	Atascosa River
Seat	Jourdanton
Largest city	Pleasanton
Area
• Total	1,221 sq mi (3,160 km²)
• Land	1,210 sq mi (3,100 km²)
• Water	1.9 sq mi (5 km²) 0.2%
Population (2020)
• Total	48,981
• Density	40.2/sq mi (15.5/km²)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	28th

Atascosa County (/ˌætəsˈkoʊsə/ AT-əs-KOH-sə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in South Texas and its county seat is Jourdanton.

As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 48,981. Atascosa County is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan statistical area.

History
Geography
- Major highways
- Adjacent counties
Demographics
Education
Communities
Gallery
See also

History

In 1856, the Texas Legislature established Atascosa County from portions of Bexar County and named it for the Atascosa River.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,221 square miles (3,160 km²), of which 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) (0.2%) are covered by water.

The county contains rolling hills and knolls, sloped to the southeast. It is drained by the Atascosa River, which exits the county at its southeastern corner. The highest point is a localized hill near the northeastern border with Bexar County, between Lytle and Somerset in Bexar, at 810 ft (250 m) above sea level.

Major highways

Interstate 35
Interstate 37
U.S. Highway 281
Alt. US 281
State Highway 16
State Highway 85
State Highway 97

Adjacent counties

Bexar County - north
Wilson County - northeast
Karnes County - east
Live Oak County - southeast
McMullen County - south
La Salle County - southwest
Frio County - west
Medina County - northwest

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	1,578	—
1870	2,915	84.7%
1880	4,217	44.7%
1890	6,459	53.2%
1900	7,143	10.6%
1910	10,004	40.1%
1920	12,702	27.0%
1930	15,654	23.2%
1940	19,275	23.1%
1950	20,048	4.0%
1960	18,828	−6.1%
1970	18,696	−0.7%
1980	25,055	34.0%
1990	30,533	21.9%
2000	38,628	26.5%
2010	44,911	16.3%
2020	48,981	9.1%
2021 (est.)	49,939	11.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1850–2010 2010 2020

**Atascosa County, Texas - Demographic Profile**
(*NH = Non-Hispanic*)
*Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.*
Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	16,295	16,066	36.28%	32.80%
Black or African American alone (NH)	256	340	0.57%	0.69%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	143	116	0.32%	0.24%
Asian alone (NH)	130	170	0.29%	0.35%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	14	15	0.03%	0.03%
Some other race alone (NH)	43	177	0.10%	0.36%
Mixed/multiracial (NH)	245	919	0.55%	1.88%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	27,785	31,178	61.87%	63.65%
Total	44,911	48,981	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2010 United States census, 44,911 people resided in the county; 84.9% were White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 10.9% of some other race, and 2.3% of two or more races. About 61.9% were Hispanics or Latinos (of any race).

As of the 2000 United States census, 38,628 people, 12,816 households, and 10,022 families were in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12 people/km²). The 14,883 housing units had an average density of 12 per square mile (4.6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.23% White, 0.60% African American, 0.80% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 21.6% from other races, and 3.47% from two or more races. About 58.56% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 12,816 households, 41.7% had children under 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were not families. About 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.99, and the average family size was 3.41.

The age distribution was 31.7% under 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,081, and for a family was $37,705. Males had a median income of $27,702 versus $18,810 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,276. About 16.10% of families and 20.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 21.70% of those age 65 or over.

Education

These school districts serve Atascosa County:

Charlotte Independent School District (partial)
Jourdanton Independent School District
Karnes City Independent School District (partial)
Lytle Independent School District (partial)
Pleasanton Independent School District
Poteet Independent School District
Somerset Independent School District (partial)

Most of the county is in the service area of Alamo Community College District. The portion in Pleasanton ISD is zoned to Coastal Bend College (formerly Bee County College).

Communities

Unincorporated communities

Amphion
Anchorage
Black Hill
Campbellton
Coughran
Crown
Davis
Espey
Fashing
Hindes
Iuka
Kyote
La Parita
McCoy
Peggy
Rossville
Verdi

Ghost towns

Ditto
Dobrowolski
Leal

Gallery

Atascosa County has long been cattle country
Replica of the original Atascosa County log courthouse in Jourdanton
The old Atascosa County Jail in Jourdanton was used from 1911 to 1982
The Atascosa County Sheriff's Office and Jail in Jourdanton is located behind the old log courthouse
Gazebo at Veterans Memorial Park in Lytle
Sign at Trinity Baptist Church in Lytle