DeWitt County, Texas

DeWitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 20,013. DeWitt County is named for Green DeWitt, who founded an early colony in Texas. The seat of the county is Cuero.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 910 square miles (2,358 km²), of which, 909 square miles (2,355 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (3 km²) of it (0.14%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 87
• U.S. Highway 77 Alternate/U.S. Highway 183
• State Highway 72
• State Highway 119

Adjacent counties

• Lavaca County (northeast)
• Victoria County (southeast)
• Goliad County (south)
• Karnes County (southwest)
• Gonzales County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 20,013 people, 7,207 households, and 5,131 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 8,756 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 76.42% White, 11.04% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 10.01% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. 27.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.0% were of German and 6.1% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 77.2% spoke English, 20.5% Spanish and 1.6% German as their first language.

There were 7,207 households out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,714, and the median income for a family was $33,513. Males had a median income of $27,134 versus $18,370 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,780. About 15.30% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 16.50% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Cuero
• Hochheim (unincorporated)
• Meyersville (unincorporated)
• Nordheim
• Westhoff
• Yoakum
• Yorktown

Notable residents

• James Dahlman, eight-term Omaha mayor from 1906 to 1930, was born in DeWitt County.

References

External links

• DeWitt County government's website
• DeWitt County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas