Calhoun County, Texas

Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, the population was 20,647. Its county seat is Port Lavaca. It is a part of the Victoria, Texas, Metropolitan Statistical Area. Calhoun County is named for John Caldwell Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,032 square miles (2,673 km²), of which, 512 square miles (1,327 km²) of it is land and 520 square miles (1,346 km²) of it (50.36%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 87
• State Highway 35
• State Highway 185

Adjacent counties

• Jackson County (north)
• Matagorda County (east)
• Gulf of Mexico (southeast)
• Aransas County (southwest)
• Refugio County (west)
• Victoria County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,647 people, 7,442 households, and 5,574 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 10,238 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.04% White, 2.63% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 3.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 13.19% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 40.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 11.4% were of German, 9.4% American and 5.5% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 67.9% spoke English, 29.1% Spanish and 1.2% Chinese as their first language.

There were 7,442 households out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.50% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,849, and the median income for a family was $39,900. Males had a median income of $35,957 versus $19,772 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,125. About 12.70% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Point Comfort
• Port Lavaca
• Seadrift

Unincorporated areas

• Alamo Beach
• Indianola
• Magnolia Beach
• Port O'Connor

Education

All of Calhoun County is served by the Calhoun County Independent School District.

Transportation

Calhoun County Airport, a general aviation airport, is located in unincorporated Calhoun County northwest of Port Lavaca.

References

External links

• Calhoun County government
• Calhoun County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas