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Shelby County, Texas facts for kids

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Shelby County
Shelby County Courthouse in Center
Shelby County Courthouse in Center
Map of Texas highlighting Shelby County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Texas
Founded 1837
Named for Isaac Shelby
Seat Center
Largest city Center
Area
 • Total 835 sq mi (2,160 km2)
 • Land 796 sq mi (2,060 km2)
 • Water 39 sq mi (100 km2)  4.7%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 24,022
 • Density 28.769/sq mi (11.108/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Shelby County is a county located in the far eastern portion of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 24,022. Its county seat is Center. The county was established in 1835 as a municipality of Mexico and organized as a county in 1837. It is named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier in the American Revolution who became the first governor of Kentucky.

History

Shelby County was established in 1837. It was named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier from Tennessee during the American Revolution, and first Governor of Kentucky.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 835 square miles (2,160 km2), of which 796 square miles (2,060 km2) are land and 39 square miles (100 km2) (4.7%) are covered by water.

Adjacent counties and parishes

National protected area

  • Sabine National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 4,239
1860 5,362 26.5%
1870 5,732 6.9%
1880 9,532 66.3%
1890 14,365 50.7%
1900 20,452 42.4%
1910 26,423 29.2%
1920 27,464 3.9%
1930 28,627 4.2%
1940 29,235 2.1%
1950 23,479 −19.7%
1960 20,479 −12.8%
1970 19,672 −3.9%
1980 23,084 17.3%
1990 22,034 −4.5%
2000 25,224 14.5%
2010 25,448 0.9%
2020 24,022 −5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1850–2010 2010–2020
Shelby County, Texas - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 16,535 14,416 64.98% 60.01%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4,414 3,805 17.35% 15.84%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 61 50 0.24% 0.21%
Asian alone (NH) 76 364 0.30% 1.52%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 14 0.00% 0.06%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 17 49 0.07% 0.20%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 181 639 0.71% 2.66%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4,164 4,685 16.36% 19.50%
Total 25,448 24,022 100.00% 100.00%

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 can be of any race.

As of the census of 2000, 25,224 people, 9,595 households, and 6,908 families resided in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12 people/km2). The 11,955 housing units averaged 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.65% White, 19.44% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.87% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. About 9.87% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 9,595 households, 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were notfamilies. About 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was distributed as 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,112, and for a family was $34,021. Males had a median income of $26,501 versus $20,280 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,186. About 14.90% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

These school districts serve Shelby County:

  • Center ISD
  • Excelsior ISD
  • Joaquin ISD (small portion in Panola County)
  • San Augustine ISD (mostly in San Augustine County)
  • Shelbyville ISD (small portion in Sabine County)
  • Tenaha ISD (small portion in Panola County)
  • Timpson ISD

Media

The Light and Champion, a news and information company, marked its 140th year of operation in 2017. It serves Shelby County, as well as Logansport, Louisiana. The Light and Champion produces a weekly print edition, a weekly free-distribution print product called The Merchandiser, operates a web site, www.lightandchampion.com, and a Facebook page. The Light and Champion is owned by Moser Community Media, based in Brenham, Texas.

Transportation

Major highways

  • US 59.svg U.S. Highway 59
    • I-69 (TX).svg Interstate 69 is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places west of Tenaha.
    • I-369 (TX).svg Interstate 369 is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places north of Tenaha.
  • US 84.svg U.S. Highway 84
    • I-69 (TX).svg Interstate 69 is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 84 in most places east of Tenaha to the Louisiana state line.
  • US 96.svg U.S. Highway 96
  • Texas 7.svg State Highway 7
  • Texas 87.svg State Highway 87
  • Texas 147.svg State Highway 147
  • Texas FM 139.svg Farm to Market Road 139
  • Texas FM 1970.svg Farm to Market Road 1970

US 59 passes through Shelby County. It is planned to be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the planned Interstate 69 up to Tenaha, where the planned Interstate 369 will follow US 59 northward to both Interstate 30 and Interstate 49 in Texarkana. US 84 is planned to be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the planned Interstate 69 from Tenaha to the Louisiana state line.

Mass transportation

Greyhound Lines operates the Center Station at the Shelby County's Best Yogurt store in Center.

Communities

Cities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Shelby (Texas) para niños

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