Starr County, Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Starr County
County
The Starr County Courthouse in Rio Grande City
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Texas
Founded	1848
Named for	James Harper Starr
Seat	Rio Grande City
Largest city	Rio Grande City
Area
• Total	1,229 sq mi (3,180 km2)
• Land	1,223 sq mi (3,170 km2)
• Water	88.5 sq mi (229 km2)  0.5%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	65,920
• Density	53.637/sq mi (20.709/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	28th

Starr County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 65,920. Its county seat is Rio Grande City. The county was created in 1848. It is named for James Harper Starr, who served as secretary of the treasury of the Republic of Texas.

Starr County comprises the Rio Grande City micropolitan statistical area, which also includes other small cities, which itself is part of the larger Rio Grande Valley region. It is directly northeast of the Mexican border.

The county population is almost entirely Hispanic or Latino. With 97.7% of its population identifying as such, it is the county with the highest proportion of Hispanics in the continental United States.

History

From 2000 to 2010, the population of Starr County increased from 53,597 to 60,968.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,229 square miles (3,180 km²), of which 5.9 square miles (15 km²) (0.5%) are covered by water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 83

Adjacent counties and municipalities

National protected area

• Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, 65,920 people, 16,281 households, and 12,836 families were residing in the county. As of the 2010 United States Census, 60,968 people living in the county. About 0.4% were Non-Hispanic White, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Black or African American, 3.0% of some other race, and 0.5% of two or more races; 95.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). According to the Census Bureau, Starr County had the highest percentage of Hispanic residents of any county in the United States, and the lowest percentage of non-Hispanic White residents.

As of the census of 2000, 53,597 people, 14,410 households, and 12,666 families were living in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile (17 people/km²). The 17,589 housing units had an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.92% White, 0.15% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 9.95% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races.

Of the 14,410 households, 54.7% had children under 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.1% were not families. About 11.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65or older. The average household size was 3.69, and the average family size was 4.01.

In the county, the age distribution was 37.4% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 88.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $16,504, and for a family was $17,556. Males had a median income of $17,398 versus $13,533 for females. The per capita income for the county was $7,069, which is the third-lowest in the United States. About 47.40% of families and 50.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 59.40% of those under age 18 and 43.30% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2009 the median household income was $22,418.

Economy

Starr County is especially known for oilseeds and dry beans, one of the highest-producing counties in the state.

Education

Residents of eastern Starr County are zoned to schools in the Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District. Residents of western Starr County are zoned to schools in the Roma Independent School District. Residents of northeastern Starr County are zoned to schools in the San Isidro Independent School District.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brownsville operates area Catholic schools. Immaculate Conception School, located in Rio Grande City and founded in 1884, is the only Catholic school in Starr County and provides a faith-based pre-K through eighth-grade education to approximately 250 students each year.

All of the county is in the service area of South Texas College.

Communities

As of 2011, Starr County had approximately 55 colonias. By that year, many families were moving to the colonias.

Between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, Starr County went through many changes. Four CDPs were deleted, one gained area, 12 lost area, and 92 new CDPs were created. Only 11 remained unchanged.

Cities

• Escobares
• La Grulla
• Rio Grande City (county seat)
• Roma

Unincorporated communities

• La Gloria
• La Reforma
• Santa Catarina
• Santa Elena

Former communities

• Viboras

Census-designated places

Former census-designated places

• Escobar I
• Los Villareales
• Northridge
• Old Escobares
• Rivera
• Roma Creek
• Santa Cruz (old)

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Starr para niños