San Patricio County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Patricio County
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Built in 1927 (Henry T. Phelps), this is the eighth structure to serve as the San Patricio County Courthouse in Sinton.
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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 |
| Named for | Saint Patrick |
| Seat | Sinton |
| Largest city | Corpus Christi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 708 sq mi (1,830 km2) |
| • Land | 693 sq mi (1,790 km2) |
| • Water | 14 sq mi (40 km2) 2.0%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 68,755 |
| • Density | 97.11/sq mi (37.495/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional districts | 27th, 34th |
San Patricio County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 68,755. Its county seat is Sinton. San Patricio County is part of the Corpus Christi metropolitan statistical area.
Contents
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.
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.
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.
The Gulf of Mexico is situated to the east of the county.
Major highways
Interstate 37
U.S. Highway 77
The future route of Interstate 69E is planned to follow the current route of U.S. 77 in most places.
U.S. Highway 181
State Highway 35
State Highway 188
State Highway 359
State Highway 361
Farm to Market Road 136
Adjacent counties
- Bee County (north)
- Refugio County (north)
- Aransas County (northeast)
- Nueces County (south)
- Jim Wells County (southwest)
- Live Oak County (northwest)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| 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% | |
| 2020 | 68,755 | 6.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–2010 2010–2014 |
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As of the census of 2000, 67,138 people, 22,093 households, and 17,232 families resided in the county. The population density was 97 people/sq mi (37/km2). The 24,864 housing units averaged 36/sq mi (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.76% White, 2.81% 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, 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were not families. About 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.97, and the average family size was 3.40.
In the county, the age distribution was 31.1% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 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
Cities (multiple counties)
- Aransas Pass (partly in Aransas and Nueces counties)
- Corpus Christi (mostly in Nueces County with small parts in Kleberg and Aransas counties)
- Ingleside (small part in Nueces County)
- Portland (small part in Nueces County)
- San Patricio (small part in Nueces County)
Cities
Towns
Census-designated places
Education
School districts include:
- Aransas Pass Independent School District
- Gregory-Portland Independent School District
- Ingleside Independent School District
- Mathis Independent School District
- Odem-Edroy Independent School District
- Sinton Independent School District
- Taft Independent School District
Del Mar College is the designated community college for all of San Patricio County.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de San Patricio para niños
