Austin County, Texas

Last updated

Austin County
County
Austin County Courthouse Bellville Wiki (1 of 1).jpg
The Austin County Courthouse in Bellville
Flag of Austin County, Texas.svg
Flag
Map of Texas highlighting Austin County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas in United States.svg
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 29°53′N96°17′W / 29.88°N 96.28°W / 29.88; -96.28
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Texas.svg  Texas
Founded1837
Named for Stephen F. Austin
Seat Bellville
Largest city Sealy
Area
 • Total656 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land647 sq mi (1,680 km2)
 • Water9.9 sq mi (26 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total30,167
 • Density46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 10th
Website www.austincounty.com

Austin County is a rural, agricultural dominated county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,167. [1] [2] Its seat is Bellville. [3] The county and region was settled primarily by German emigrants in the 1800s. [4]

Contents

Austin County is included in the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Austin County does not contain the city of Austin, the state capital of Texas, which lies in Travis County, about 110 miles to the northwest.

History

In 1836, the Texas Legislature established Austin County, naming it for Stephen F. Austin, who facilitated Texas' Anglo-American colonization.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 656 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 647 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 9.9 square miles (26 km2) (1.5%) is covered by water. [5]

Adjacent counties

Communities

Cities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850 3,841—
1860 10,139164.0%
1870 15,08748.8%
1880 14,429−4.4%
1890 17,85923.8%
1900 20,67615.8%
1910 17,699−14.4%
1920 18,8746.6%
1930 18,860−0.1%
1940 17,384−7.8%
1950 14,663−15.7%
1960 13,777−6.0%
1970 13,8310.4%
1980 17,72628.2%
1990 19,83211.9%
2000 23,59018.9%
2010 28,41720.5%
2020 30,1676.2%
2023 (est.)31,6775.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [6]
1850–2010 [7] 2010 [8] 2020 [9]
Austin County, Texas - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
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 / EthnicityPop 2010 [8] Pop 2020 [9] % 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)18,65718,48065.65%61.26%
Black or African American alone (NH)2,6222,3529.23%7.80%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)79780.28%0.26%
Asian alone (NH)1102010.39%0.67%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)180.00%0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH)361070.13%0.35%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)2718890.95%2.95%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)6,6418,05223.37%26.69%
Total28,41730,167100.00%100.00%

As of the census [10] of 2000, 23,590 people, 8,747 households, and 6,481 families resided in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14 people/km2). The 10,205 housing units averaged 16 units per square mile (6.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.22% White, 10.64% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 6.99% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. About 16.13% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 26.9% were of German, 8.0% Czech, 6.4% English, and 5.0% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

Of the 8,747 households, 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were not families; 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was distributed as 27.00% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,615, and for a family was $46,342. Males had a median income of $32,455 versus $22,142 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,140. About 8.80% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

United States presidential election results for Austin County, Texas [11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 11,44778.48%2,95120.23%1881.29%
2016 9,63778.52%2,32018.90%3172.58%
2012 9,26579.53%2,25219.33%1321.13%
2008 8,78674.96%2,82124.07%1140.97%
2004 8,07275.43%2,58224.13%480.45%
2000 6,66172.19%2,40726.09%1591.72%
1996 4,66958.36%2,71933.98%6137.66%
1992 4,01550.89%2,27828.87%1,59720.24%
1988 4,52463.18%2,59336.22%430.60%
1984 4,87271.29%1,94128.40%210.31%
1980 3,73464.91%1,89332.90%1262.19%
1976 2,68653.37%2,31345.96%340.68%
1972 3,08474.24%1,04325.11%270.65%
1968 1,97145.27%1,29929.83%1,08424.90%
1964 1,54539.46%2,36560.41%50.13%
1960 1,97852.92%1,72546.15%350.94%
1956 2,50167.12%1,21532.61%100.27%
1952 2,96467.17%1,44532.74%40.09%
1948 1,26043.98%1,25243.70%35312.32%
1944 61919.44%1,31641.33%1,24939.23%
1940 1,40049.88%1,40450.02%30.11%
1936 29015.03%1,63584.76%40.21%
1932 1424.81%2,80694.96%70.24%
1928 46617.94%2,12981.98%20.08%
1924 45712.60%2,60171.71%56915.69%
1920 56819.65%53818.62%1,78461.73%
1916 67340.96%96058.43%100.61%
1912 24416.43%1,16178.18%805.39%

Austin County was one of the earliest counties in Texas to turn Republican. After 1944, the only time a Democrat has carried this county is in 1964. Every Republican presidential candidate since 2000 has carried more than 70% of the county vote.

United States Congress

Austin County is part of Texas's 10th congressional district, which as of 2019 is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Michael McCaul.

Texas Legislature

Texas Senate

District 18: Lois Kolkhorst (R) – first elected in 2014

Texas House of Representatives

District 13: Ben Leman (R) – first elected in 2018

Austin County Courthouse

County Judge: Tim Lapham (R)

Tax Assessor-Collector: Marcus A. Peña (R) – first elected in 2012

Education

The following school districts serve Austin County:

(partial)

Blinn Junior College District is the designated community college for most of the county. Areas in Brazos ISD are in Wharton County Junior College District. [12]

Transportation

Major highways

The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the once-planned Trans-Texas Corridor went through Austin County. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montgomery County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the county had a population of 620,443. The county seat is Conroe. The county was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837, and is named for the town of Montgomery. Between 2000 and 2010, its population grew by 55%, the 24th-fastest rate of growth of any county in the United States. Between 2010 and 2020, its population grew by 36%. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population is 711,354 as of July 1, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wharton County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Wharton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 41,570. Its county seat is Wharton. The county was named for brothers William Harris Wharton and John Austin Wharton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Washington County is a county in Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,805. Its county seat is Brenham, which is located along U.S. Highway 290, 72 miles northwest of Houston. The county was created in 1835 as a municipality of Mexico and organized as a county in 1837. It is named for George Washington, the first president of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walker County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Walker County is a county located in the east central section of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 76,400. Its county seat is Huntsville. Initially, Walker County was named for Robert J. Walker, a legislator from Mississippi who introduced into the United States Congress the resolution to annex Texas. Walker later supported the U.S. during its Civil War and earned some enmity for it. In order to keep the county's name, the state renamed it for Samuel H. Walker, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the United States Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stonewall County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Stonewall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,245. Its county seat is Aspermont. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1888. It is named for Stonewall Jackson, a general of the Confederate States Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robertson County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Robertson County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 16,757. Its county seat is Franklin. The county was created in 1837 and organized the following year. It is named for Sterling C. Robertson, an early settler who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milam County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Milam County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 24,754. The county seat is Cameron. The county was created in 1834 as a municipality in Mexico and organized as a county in 1837. Milam County is named for Benjamin Rush Milam, an early settler and a soldier in the Texas Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matagorda County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Matagorda County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,255. Its county seat is Bay City, not to be confused with the larger Baytown in Harris and Chambers Counties. Matagorda County is named for the canebrakes that once grew along the coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madison County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 13,455. Its seat is Madisonville. The county was created in 1853 and organized the next year. It is named for James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. In 1852, Hillary Mercer Crabb was elected to serve the unexpired term of State Representative F. L. Hatch. Among Crabb's accomplishments as a legislator was the introduction of a bill to create Madison County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 17,478. Its county seat is Giddings. The county was founded in 1874 and is named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The county has many Confederate memorials and monuments to the Confederate States of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haskell County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Haskell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,416. The county seat is Haskell. The county was created in 1858 and later organized in 1885. It is named for Charles Ready Haskell, who was killed in the Goliad massacre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grimes County, Texas</span> Country in Texas, United States

Grimes County is a county located in southeastern Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 29,268. The seat of the county is Anderson. The county was formed from Montgomery County in 1846. It is named for Jesse Grimes, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and early European-American settler of the county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fayette County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,435. Its county seat is La Grange. The county was created in 1837 and organized the next year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burleson County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Burleson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,642. Its county seat is Caldwell. The county is named for Edward Burleson, a general and statesman of the Texas Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Briscoe County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Briscoe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,435. Its county seat is Silverton. The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1892. It is named for Andrew Briscoe, a soldier during the Texas Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazos County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Brazos County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 233,849. The county seat is Bryan. Along with Brazoria County, the county is named for the Brazos River, which forms its western border. The county was formed in 1841 and organized in 1843.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bastrop County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Bastrop County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in Central Texas and its county seat is Bastrop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atascosa County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Atascosa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in South Texas and its county seat is Jourdanton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellville, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Bellville is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Austin County. The city's population was 4,206 at the 2020 census. Bellville is on the eastern edge of the Texas-German belt, and Bellville is known for its German culture and descendants of those Germans still call Bellville home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallis, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Wallis is a city in far southeastern Austin County, Texas, United States. The city is located along State Highway 36 (SH 36) and the BNSF Railway between Rosenberg and Sealy. The city's population was 1,292 at the 2020 census.

References

  1. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Austin County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Austin County, Texas". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Austin County, Texas".
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Austin County, Texas". United States Census Bureau .
  9. 1 2 "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Austin County, Texas". United States Census Bureau .
  10. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  11. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  12. ↑ Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.168. BLINN JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. Sec. 130.211. WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA..
  13. ↑ TxDoT, TTC Section C & S, Detailed Map 2, 2007-12-17 Archived February 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

29°53′N96°17′W / 29.88°N 96.28°W / 29.88; -96.28

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.