Jim Wells County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Wells County
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The Jim Wells County Courthouse in Alice
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Location within the U.S. state of Texas
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 Texas's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Named for | James Babbage Wells Jr. |
| Seat | Alice |
| Largest city | Alice |
| Area | |
| • Total | 868 sq mi (2,250 km2) |
| • Land | 865 sq mi (2,240 km2) |
| • Water | 3.4 sq mi (9 km2) 0.4% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 38,891 |
| • Density | 44.805/sq mi (17.299/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 15th |
Jim Wells County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 38,891. The county was founded in 1911 and is named for James B. Wells Jr. (1850–1923), for three decades a judge and Democratic Party political boss in South Texas.
Jim Wells County comprises the Alice, Texas micropolitan statistical area, which is included in the Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice combined statistical area.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 868 sq mi (2,250 km2), of which 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km2) (0.4%) are covered by water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 281
Interstate 69C is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 281 in most places.
State Highway 44
State Highway 141
State Highway 359
Farm to Market Road 624
Farm to Market Road 665
Farm to Market Road 716
Farm to Market Road 2295
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Adjacent counties
- Live Oak County (north)
- San Patricio County (northeast)
- Nueces County (east)
- Kleberg County (east)
- Brooks County (south)
- Duval County (west)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 6,587 | — | |
| 1930 | 13,456 | 104.3% | |
| 1940 | 20,239 | 50.4% | |
| 1950 | 27,991 | 38.3% | |
| 1960 | 34,548 | 23.4% | |
| 1970 | 33,032 | −4.4% | |
| 1980 | 36,498 | 10.5% | |
| 1990 | 37,679 | 3.2% | |
| 2000 | 39,326 | 4.4% | |
| 2010 | 40,838 | 3.8% | |
| 2020 | 38,891 | −4.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–2010 2010 2020 |
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| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 9,001 | 8,062 | 6,963 | 22.89% | 19.74% | 17.90% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 166 | 156 | 180 | 0.42% | 0.38% | 0.46% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 75 | 97 | 58 | 0.19% | 0.24% | 0.15% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 167 | 134 | 140 | 0.42% | 0.33% | 0.36% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 13 | 4 | 15 | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Other Race alone (NH) | 13 | 28 | 95 | 0.03% | 0.07% | 0.24% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 119 | 103 | 605 | 0.30% | 0.25% | 1.56% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 29,772 | 32,254 | 30,835 | 75.71% | 78.98% | 79.29% |
| Total | 39,326 | 40,838 | 38,891 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
At the 2000 census, 39,326 people, 12,961 households and 10,096 families were residing in the county. The population density was 46 people/sq mi (18 people/km2). The 14,819 housing units had an average density of 17 per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.90% White, 0.60% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 118.83% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. About 75.71% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
Of the 12,961 households, 40.2% had children under 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were not families. About 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.99, and the average family size was 3.45.
Age distribution was 31.4% under 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.
The median household income was $28,843, and the median family income was $32,616. Males had a median income of $30,266 versus $17,190 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,252. About 20.1% of families and 24.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those aged 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
- Alice (county seat)
- Orange Grove
- Premont
- San Diego (mostly in Duval County)
Village
- Pernitas Point (mostly in Live Oak County)
Census-designated places
Former census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Education
School districts in the county include:
- Agua Dulce Independent School District
- Alice Independent School District
- Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District
- La Gloria Independent School District
- Orange Grove Independent School District
- Premont Independent School District
- San Diego Independent School District
Coastal Bend College (formerly Bee County College) is the designated community college for the county.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Jim Wells para niños
