Matagorda County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matagorda County
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The Matagorda County Courthouse and Confederate Soldier Statue in Bay City
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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 | 1836 |
| Seat | Bay City |
| Largest city | Bay City |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,613 sq mi (4,180 km2) |
| • Land | 1,100 sq mi (3,000 km2) |
| • Water | 512 sq mi (1,330 km2) 32% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 36,255 |
| • Density | 22.477/sq mi (8.6783/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 22nd |
Matagorda County is a county in the state of Texas. In 2020, about 36,255 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, is Bay City. This county got its name from the Spanish word matagorda, which means "thick bush." This is because of the many tall canes that used to grow along the coast.
Matagorda County is part of the Bay City area. It is also included in the larger Houston-The Woodlands region.
Contents
Exploring Matagorda County
Land and Water
Matagorda County covers about 1,613 square miles. A big part of this area, about 512 square miles, is covered by water. This includes the large Matagorda Bay. The county also touches the Gulf of Mexico.
Main Roads
Here are some of the important roads that go through Matagorda County:
State Highway 35
State Highway 60
State Highway 71
State Highway 111
Neighboring Counties
Matagorda County shares its borders with these other counties:
- Brazoria County (to the northeast)
- Calhoun County (to the southwest)
- Jackson County (to the west)
- Wharton County (to the northwest)
Protected Natural Areas
Matagorda County is home to special places where nature is protected:
People of Matagorda County
In 2020, the population of Matagorda County was 36,255 people. The county is a mix of different cultures and backgrounds. Many people speak English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Economy and Fun Activities
Matagorda County is known for growing a lot of rice and different types of grass. It also has many oil and natural gas sites. There are two large chemical plants and a nuclear power plant, called the South Texas Project, in the county.
The county has beautiful forests, wetlands, and coastal areas. It's a great place for nature lovers because many birds stop here during their migration. You can enjoy fishing, hunting, and scuba diving. The Colorado River flows through the county, offering more outdoor fun. There's also the Rio Colorado Golf Course and a special park for watching birds.
Schools and Learning
Students in Matagorda County attend several different School districts:
- Bay City Independent School District
- Boling Independent School District (part of it)
- Matagorda Independent School District
- Palacios Independent School District (part of it)
- Tidehaven Independent School District
- Van Vleck Independent School District
After high school, students from the entire county can attend Wharton County Junior College.
Towns and Communities
Cities
Census-Designated Places
These are areas that are like towns but are not officially cities:
Other Communities
These are smaller communities that are not officially cities or census-designated places:
- Allenhurst
- Buckeye
- Caney
- Cedar Lake
- Cedar Lane
- Collegeport
- El Maton
- Hawkinsville
- Midfield
- Pledger
- Sargent
- Wadsworth
Ghost Towns
- Hawley
Famous People from Matagorda County
- James Boyd Hawkins: He was a planter and rancher who started Hawkins Plantation.
- Charlie Siringo
- Hortense Sparks Ward
- Priscilla Richman: She became a chief judge.
- William Abrams (W.A.) Price: He was the first Black attorney, judge, and county attorney elected in Texas.
Images for kids
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Monument put up by the Daughters of the Confederacy on the Matagorda County Courthouse Square in Bay City in 1913
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Episcopal Church in Palacios
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Matagorda para niños
