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. | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Texas | |
![]() Texas's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 28°01′N97°31′W / 28.01°N 97.52°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
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) | |
• Total | 68,755 |
• Density | 97/sq mi (37/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 27th |
Website | www |
San Patricio County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 68,755. [1] Its county seat is Sinton. [2] San Patricio County is part of the Corpus Christi metropolitan statistical area.
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 General 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 the town of San Patricio became the county seat of San Patricio County. In 1848, additional counties were formed out of San Patricio, which further reduced its size. [3]
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, totaling 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 North 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. [3] [4] [5]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 708 sq mi (1,830 km2), of which 693 sq mi (1,790 km2) are land and 14 sq mi (36 km2) (2.0%) are covered by water. [6]
The Gulf of Mexico forms the eastern border of the county.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
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 [7] 1850–2010 [8] 2010–2014 [9] |
Race | Pop 2010 [12] | Pop 2020 [13] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White (NH) | 27,330 | 26,613 | 42.17% | 38.71% |
Black or African American (NH) | 902 | 994 | 1.39% | 1.45% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 169 | 198 | 0.26% | 0.29% |
Asian (NH) | 506 | 845 | 0.78% | 1.23% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 46 | 66 | 0.07% | 0.1% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 53 | 227 | 0.08% | 0.33% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 550 | 1,592 | 0.85% | 2.32% |
Hispanic or Latino | 35,248 | 38,220 | 54.39% | 55.59% |
Total | 64,804 | 68,755 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 68,755 people, 23,422 households, and 16,838 families residing in the county.
As of the census [14] 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 people/km2). The 24,864 housing units averaged 36 units per square mile (14 units/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.
School districts include:
Del Mar College is the designated community college for all of San Patricio County. [16]
San Patricio County, like all counties in Texas, is governed by a commissioners' court. This court consists of the county judge (the chairperson of the court), who is elected county-wide, and four commissioners who are elected by the voters in each of four precincts.
The Commissioners' Court is the policy-making body for the county; in addition, the county judge is the senior executive and administrative position in the county. The Commissioners' Court sets the county tax rate, adopts the budget, appoints boards and commissions, approves grants and personnel actions, and oversees the administration of county government. Each commissioner also supervises a Road and Bridge District. [17]
Office [18] | Name | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
County Judge | David Krebs | Republican | |
Commissioner, Precinct 1 | Sonia Lopez | Democratic | |
Commissioner, Precinct 2 | Tom Yardley | Republican | |
Commissioner, Precinct 3 | Lilly Wilkinson | Republican | |
Commissioner, Precinct 4 | Howard Gillespie | Republican | |
Office [18] | Name | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
County Attorney | Tamera Cochran-May | Republican | |
County Clerk | Gracie Alaniz-Gonzales | Democratic | |
District Attorney | Sam Smith | Republican | |
District Clerk | Heather Marks | Republican | |
Sheriff | Oscar Riveria | Republican | |
Tax Assessor-Collector | Marcela Thormaehlen | Republican | |
Treasurer | April Garcia | Republican |
Office [18] | Name | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
Constable, Precinct 1 | Joe Gaitan | Democratic | |
Constable, Precinct 2 | Franciso Cantu | Democratic | |
Constable, Precinct 4 | Parnel Haynes | Republican | |
Constable, Precinct 5 | Sean Orsak | ||
Constable, Precinct 6 | Kody Fahrenthold | Republican | |
Constable, Precinct 8 | Terry Gonzales | Democratic |
Office [18] | Name | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 | Leslie DeAses | Republican | |
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 | Danny Garza | Democratic | |
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 | Karen Diaz | Republican | |
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 | Nere Villarreal | Democratic | |
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6 | Susan Price | Republican | |
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8 | Leslie Pullin | Republican |
Office [18] | Name | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
County Court at Law No. 1 | Elizabeth Welborn | Republican | |
County Court at Law No. 2 | Vicki Hesseltine Martino |
Office [18] | Name | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
36th District Court | Starr Bauer | Republican | |
156th District Court | Patrick L. Flanigan | Republican | |
343rd District Court | Jana Whatley | Republican |
Despite being majority-minority San Patricio county leans overwhelmingly Republican. The GOP does better than average among Latino residents in Texas, particularly south Texas. In 2022, Republicans won 40% of the Latino vote. [19] This has been as high as 48% in 2014. [20] These margins help Republicans win majority-minority districts, while Republicans in other parts of the country struggle - only garnering between 21% and 30% of the vote. Republicans appear to be increasing their Latino support from picking off specific segments: Men, rural Latinos, Rio Grande Valley, devout Catholics, Tejano and pro-life voters.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 16,516 | 63.79% | 8,988 | 34.71% | 387 | 1.49% |
2016 | 13,030 | 60.17% | 7,871 | 36.35% | 755 | 3.49% |
2012 | 12,005 | 59.79% | 7,856 | 39.13% | 217 | 1.08% |
2008 | 12,404 | 57.97% | 8,854 | 41.38% | 138 | 0.64% |
2004 | 13,474 | 63.20% | 7,764 | 36.42% | 82 | 0.38% |
2000 | 10,599 | 56.68% | 7,840 | 41.93% | 260 | 1.39% |
1996 | 7,678 | 45.21% | 8,132 | 47.88% | 1,173 | 6.91% |
1992 | 7,456 | 39.48% | 8,202 | 43.43% | 3,229 | 17.10% |
1988 | 9,159 | 47.07% | 9,920 | 50.98% | 379 | 1.95% |
1984 | 11,074 | 55.48% | 8,838 | 44.27% | 50 | 0.25% |
1980 | 8,326 | 47.59% | 8,627 | 49.31% | 541 | 3.09% |
1976 | 5,853 | 38.02% | 9,469 | 61.51% | 73 | 0.47% |
1972 | 7,179 | 57.42% | 5,097 | 40.77% | 226 | 1.81% |
1968 | 3,717 | 29.95% | 6,818 | 54.94% | 1,876 | 15.12% |
1964 | 2,188 | 23.32% | 7,176 | 76.47% | 20 | 0.21% |
1960 | 3,129 | 37.29% | 5,246 | 62.52% | 16 | 0.19% |
1956 | 3,302 | 46.82% | 3,728 | 52.86% | 22 | 0.31% |
1952 | 3,220 | 49.24% | 3,315 | 50.69% | 5 | 0.08% |
1948 | 963 | 25.19% | 2,649 | 69.29% | 211 | 5.52% |
1944 | 878 | 22.86% | 2,712 | 70.61% | 251 | 6.53% |
1940 | 980 | 24.73% | 2,963 | 74.77% | 20 | 0.50% |
1936 | 482 | 17.69% | 2,213 | 81.21% | 30 | 1.10% |
1932 | 407 | 15.86% | 2,142 | 83.48% | 17 | 0.66% |
1928 | 1,388 | 70.56% | 579 | 29.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 987 | 45.63% | 1,097 | 50.72% | 79 | 3.65% |
1920 | 308 | 32.25% | 620 | 64.92% | 27 | 2.83% |
1916 | 130 | 16.31% | 594 | 74.53% | 73 | 9.16% |
1912 | 175 | 19.60% | 551 | 61.70% | 167 | 18.70% |
Nueces County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 353,178, making it the 16th-most populous county in the state. The county seat is Corpus Christi. The county was formed in 1846 from portions of San Patricio County and organized the following year. It is named for the Nueces River, which marks the county's northwestern boundary with San Patricio County before emptying into its mouth at Nueces Bay north of the port of Corpus Christi. Nueces County is part of the Corpus Christi metropolitan statistical area.
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Kendall County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2020 census, its population was 44,279. Its county seat is Boerne. The county is named for George Wilkins Kendall, a journalist and Mexican–American War correspondent.
Karnes County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,710. Its county seat is Karnes City. The county is named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution. The former San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway passed through Karnes County in its connection linking San Antonio with Corpus Christi.
Jim Wells County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 38,891. The county was founded in 1911 and is named for James B. Wells Jr. (1850–1923), for three decades a judge and Democratic Party political boss in South Texas.
Aransas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in South Texas and its county seat is Rockport.
Mathis is a city in San Patricio County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,333 at the 2020 census.
Sinton is a city in and the county seat of San Patricio County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,504 at the 2020 census. It was founded in 1886 and was named in honor of David Sinton, a influential business owner and rancher.
Aransas Pass is a city in Aransas, Nueces, and San Patricio counties in Texas, United States. The population was 8,011 at the 2021 Census.
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat and largest city of Nueces County with portions extending into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. It is 130 miles (210 km) southeast of San Antonio and 208 miles (335 km) southwest of Houston. Its political boundaries encompass Nueces Bay and Corpus Christi Bay. Its zoned boundaries include small land parcels or water inlets of three neighboring counties.
Ingleside is a city primarily in San Patricio County, with small parts in Nueces County, in the U.S. state of Texas. Its population was 9,519 at the 2020 census.
Portland is a city primarily located in San Patricio County with some water bodies extending into Nueces County in the U.S. state of Texas. Its population was 20,383 as of the 2020 United States census. Current population calculated by the City of Portland is 22,783. Portland is a suburb of Corpus Christi, located on the north shore of Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays.
San Patricio is a city in San Patricio County in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 384 at the 2020 census.
North American area code 361 is a state of Texas telephone area code for numbers in the Corpus Christi area, the Coastal Bend and the Victoria Crossroads. It was created prior to February 13, 1999, in a split from area code 512.
The Coastal Bend Council of Governments (CBCOG) is a voluntary association of cities, counties and special districts in South Texas.
Aransas Pass Independent School District is a public school district based in Aransas Pass, Texas (USA). Aransas Pass serves portions of Aransas, Nueces, and San Patricio counties, including most of the city of Aransas Pass.
State Highway 361 is a state highway in San Patricio and Nueces counties that runs from Gregory in southern Texas, near Corpus Christi, east and south to Padre Island on the Gulf of Mexico coast.
The Corpus Christi metropolitan statistical area is a metropolitan area in South Texas that covers three counties–Aransas, Nueces, and San Patricio. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 413,280.
The Corpus Christi–Kingsville–Alice Combined Statistical Area is made up of six counties in South Texas. The statistical area consists of the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Statistical Area, the Kingsville Micropolitan Statistical Area, and the Alice Micropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the CSA had a population of 501,500.
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