Orange County is a county of the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 84,966. The county seat is the city of Orange. It is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

The county is bordered on the east by the Sabine River and on the southwest by the Neches River. The geography of Orange County varies considerably, with saltwater marshes in much of the southwestern part of the county that borders Sabine Lake, and Piney Woods in the north. Elevation rarely reaches 30 feet above sea level.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 380 square miles (983 km²), of which, 356 square miles (923 km²) of it is land and 23 square miles (60 km²) of it (6.10%) is water.

Major highways

• Interstate 10
• State Highway 12
• State Highway 62
• State Highway 87

See List of Highways in Orange County for more roadways in Orange County.

Adjacent counties

• Jasper County (north)
• Newton County (north)
• Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (east)
• Cameron Parish, Louisiana (southeast)
• Jefferson County (south & west)
• Hardin County (northwest)

National protected area

• Big Thicket National Preserve (part)

History

Orange County was formed in 1852 from portions of Jefferson County. It was named after the orange, the most cultivated fruit of the early settlers at the mouth of the Sabine River.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 84,966 people, 31,642 households, and 23,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 238 people per square mile (92/km²). There were 34,781 housing units at an average density of 98 per square mile (38/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.98% White, 8.38% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 3.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 31,642 households out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,586, and the median income for a family was $44,152. Males had a median income of $40,185 versus $21,859 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,554. About 11.40% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.50% of those under age 18 and 12.40% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Primary economic activities in Orange County are the petroleum refining industry, paper milling, rice farming, and shrimping.

Cities and towns

Bridge City Lemonville Little Cypress Mauriceville Orange Orangefield	Pine Forest Pinehurst Rose City Texla Vidor West Orange

Transportation

Orange County Airport operates general aviation flights.

Nearby Southeast Texas Regional Airport (Port Arthur) operates commercial flights.

Notes

External links

• Orange County government's website
• Orange County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas
• Historic materials from the Heritage House Museum in Orange, hosted by the UNT's Portal to Texas History