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Sarita, Texas
The Kenedy Pasture Company Headquarters in Sarita
The Kenedy Pasture Company Headquarters in Sarita
Location in Kenedy County and the state of Texas
Location in Kenedy County and the state of Texas
Sarita, Texas is located in Texas
Sarita, Texas
Sarita, Texas
Location in Texas
Sarita, Texas is located in the United States
Sarita, Texas
Sarita, Texas
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Texas
County Kenedy
Area
 • Total 1.22 sq mi (3.17 km2)
 • Land 1.19 sq mi (3.08 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation
36 ft (11 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 205
 • Density 200/sq mi (77.3/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
78385
Area code(s) 361
FIPS code 48-65876
GNIS feature ID 1346706

Sarita is a small community in Kenedy County, Texas, United States. It is the main town and the county seat (the place where the county government is located) for Kenedy County. Sarita is also called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a community that the U.S. Census Bureau identifies for gathering population data, even though it's not officially a city. In 2020, about 205 people lived there.

History of Sarita, Texas

Sarita was founded in 1904. It was built on land that used to be part of the large Kenedy Ranch. A man named John G. Kenedy named the town after his daughter, Sarita Kenedy East.

The town was important for the Kenedy Pasture Company and the Kenedy Ranch. Many people living in Sarita worked for these Kenedy businesses. Some were employees, and others were farmers who grew cotton on the company's land.

In 2003, the Kenedy Ranch Museum opened in Sarita. It's located in the old Kenedy Pasture Company building. This museum shares the history of the Kenedy family and their impact on South Texas.

The "Occupation" Hoax Story

In 2014, a false story about Sarita spread online. A fake news website called National Report published an article. It wrongly claimed that a group of armed people had taken over Sarita. The story said they forced residents out of their homes. This report was completely untrue and was a type of hoax or fake news.

Geography and Location

Sarita is located in the northern part of Kenedy County. Its exact coordinates are 27°13′18″N, 97°47′21″W. It sits along U.S. Route 77, a major highway.

Sarita is about 21 miles (34 km) south of Kingsville. It's also about 61 miles (98 km) south of Corpus Christi. To the north of Harlingen, it's about 74 miles (119 km). The United States Border Patrol has a checkpoint on US 77. This checkpoint is located about 14 miles (23 km) south of Sarita.

What Sarita Looks Like

Sarita is a very small community. One writer described its main landmarks as a green sign saying "Sarita," a water tower, and a blinking yellow traffic light. The town has an elementary school and a Catholic church.

You won't find many shops in Sarita. There are no convenience stores, regular shops, or cafes. The closest place to buy groceries is in Kingsville. However, there are convenience stores at gas stations in Riviera, which is about 5 miles (8 km) north on US 77. For major medical care, residents usually travel to Corpus Christi.

Sarita's Climate

Sarita has a climate with hot, humid summers. The winters are generally mild or cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, it's often labeled as "Cfa."

Population Details

Sarita was first counted as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. Census.

Historical population
Census Pop.
2010 238
2020 205 −13.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1850–1900 1910
1920 1930 1940
1950 1960 1970
1980 1990 2000
2010 2020

Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Sarita:

Sarita CDP, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
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 (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 40 31 16.81% 15.12%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1 0 0.42% 0.00%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 6 3 2.52% 1.46%
Asian alone (NH) 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 1 0.00% 0.49%
Other race alone (NH) 2 1 0.84% 0.49%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 1 1 0.42% 0.49%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 188 168 78.99% 81.95%
Total 238 205 100.00% 100.00%

In 2020, the U.S. Census counted 205 people living in Sarita. There were 129 households and 115 families.

Education in Sarita

Students in Sarita attend Sarita Elementary School. This school teaches children from Pre-Kindergarten to 6th grade. It is part of the Kenedy County Wide Common School District.

After elementary school, students go to De La Paz Middle School. They then attend Kaufer Early College High School. These schools are run by the Riviera Independent School District. This district serves all secondary students from the Kenedy County Wide Common School District area.

All of Kenedy County is also part of the area served by Del Mar College. This is a college where students can continue their education after high school.

See also

In Spanish: Sarita (Texas) para niños

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