Port Lavaca, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Port Lavaca, Texas
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Downtown Port Lavaca
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| Nickname(s):
Port of the Cow,
Paradise on the Bay |
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Location of Port Lavaca, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Calhoun |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.11 sq mi (36.54 km2) |
| • Land | 10.15 sq mi (26.29 km2) |
| • Water | 3.96 sq mi (10.25 km2) |
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,557 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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11,259 |
| • Density | 819.1/sq mi (316.28/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77979
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| Area code(s) | 361 |
| FIPS code | 48-58916 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411464 |
Port Lavaca (
i/ləˈvɑːkə/ lə-VAH-kə) is a city in Calhoun County, Texas. It is located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2020, about 11,557 people lived there. Port Lavaca is the main city of Calhoun County. It is also part of the Port Lavaca micropolitan area. The city is about 130 miles southwest of Houston.
Contents
History of Port Lavaca
Port Lavaca was first known simply as Lavaca. The city grew quickly after a big event in 1840. This event was called the Linnville Raid. During this raid, the nearby town of Linnville was badly damaged by the Comanche tribe. Because of this, many people from Linnville moved to what is now Port Lavaca. Thomas McConnell bought land from Isidro Benavides and used it to start the new town.
Exploring Port Lavaca's Geography
Port Lavaca is in the northern part of Calhoun County. It sits on the west side of Lavaca Bay. This bay is connected to Matagorda Bay. The city covers about 36.5 square kilometers (14.1 square miles). Most of this area is land, but about 10.2 square kilometers (3.96 square miles) is water.
Understanding Port Lavaca's Climate
Port Lavaca holds a state record for the fastest wind ever recorded. In September 1961, during Hurricane Carla, winds reached 170 miles per hour!
In 2004, Port Lavaca and the surrounding South Texas area saw a lot of snow, with up to 12 inches falling.
During Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, Port Lavaca experienced the highest storm surge. The water level rose about 6 feet.
The city also faced damage from hurricanes in 1942 and 1945. In September 2020, Tropical Storm Beta also hit Port Lavaca, causing flooding.
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 315 | — | |
| 1860 | 526 | 67.0% | |
| 1870 | 768 | 46.0% | |
| 1890 | 365 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,699 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,212 | −28.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,367 | 12.8% | |
| 1940 | 2,069 | 51.4% | |
| 1950 | 5,599 | 170.6% | |
| 1960 | 8,864 | 58.3% | |
| 1970 | 10,491 | 18.4% | |
| 1980 | 10,911 | 4.0% | |
| 1990 | 10,886 | −0.2% | |
| 2000 | 12,035 | 10.6% | |
| 2010 | 12,248 | 1.8% | |
| 2020 | 11,557 | −5.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Port Lavaca has changed a lot over the years. In 1850, only 315 people lived there. By 2010, the population grew to 12,248. In 2020, the number of people living in the city was 11,557.
Port Lavaca's Economy
The Port of Port Lavaca is a very important part of the city's economy. Many people who live in Port Lavaca work at large factories nearby. These include companies like Alcoa, Formosa Plastics, and DuPont.
Fishing is also a big part of the local economy. People especially catch shrimp and oysters here. Tourism also helps the economy. Many "Winter Texans" visit from colder states and Canada. They stay in the city's many RV and camping parks from October to April.
Fun Things to Do in Port Lavaca
You can find fresh, locally caught seafood at some of the city's restaurants.
In 2006, two new fishing piers were built in Port Lavaca. They even have lights for fishing at night! One pier is at the end of Main Street. The second, called Lighthouse Pier, is on Highway 35 at Lavaca Bay. Another pier is at 6 Mile Park. Popular fish to catch in the area include redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and drum.
Lighthouse Beach, located where Highway 35 meets Lavaca Bay, is a great spot. It has covered picnic tables, places to swim, and a trail for watching birds.
Learning and Education
The Calhoun County Independent School District serves Port Lavaca. There are two elementary schools for students from Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade: H.J.M. Elementary School and Jackson/Roosevelt Elementary School. All students then go to Travis Middle School for grades 6 through 8. After that, they attend Calhoun High School for grades 9 through 12. Hope High School is another option for students who might need a different learning environment. Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic school also teaches students from Pre-K to 8th grade.
Victoria College has a campus in Port Lavaca. Most of the classes there are taught through distance learning or television from the main Victoria College campus.
City Services and Travel
Healthcare in Port Lavaca
Memorial Medical Center is a small hospital located in Port Lavaca. It serves the city and the surrounding county.
Getting Around Port Lavaca
Calhoun County Airport is a small airport for private planes. It is about 5 miles northwest of Port Lavaca.
U.S. 87 (Main Street) is a major road that goes through Port Lavaca. It connects the city to Victoria, which is about 28 miles away. Texas State Highway 35 is another important road. It goes northeast to Palacios, about 29 miles away. To the southwest, it leads to Corpus Christi, which is about 82 miles away.
Famous People from Port Lavaca
- Nelva Gonzales Ramos (born 1965), a judge who serves on a United States District Court.
- Steven Saylor (born 1956), a writer known for his historical novels.
- Brucene Smith, who won Miss World USA in 1971 and Miss International in 1974.
Images for kids
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Downtown Port Lavaca
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Location of Port Lavaca, Texas
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Map of Calhoun County showing Port Lavaca
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Halfmoon Reef Light
See also
In Spanish: Port Lavaca (Texas) para niños
