Bastrop County, Texas

Bastrop County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in Central Texas and its county seat is Bastrop.[1]

This article is about the county in Texas. For other uses, see Bastrop.

Bastrop County
County
The Bastrop County Courthouse in Bastrop is designed in classical revival style. Built in 1883, the Courthouse and Jail Complex were listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1975.
The Bastrop County Courthouse in Bastrop is designed in classical revival style. Built in 1883, the Courthouse and Jail Complex were listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1975.
Map of Texas highlighting Bastrop County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°06′N 97°19′W
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1837
Named forFelipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop
SeatBastrop
Largest cityElgin
Area
 • Total896 sq mi (2,320 km2)
 • Land888 sq mi (2,300 km2)
 • Water7.4 sq mi (19 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total97,216
 • Density110/sq mi (42/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts10th, 27th
Websitewww.co.bastrop.tx.us
Closeup view of the Bastrop County Courthouse, located across from the Roman Catholic Church in Bastrop
Obelisk commemorating Bastrop County soldiers in the army of the Confederate States of America is located on the courthouse grounds
Veterans Memorial at Bastrop County Courthouse
The Bastrop County Historical Museum in Bastrop periodically changes its exhibits

As of the 2020 census, the population was 97,216.[2][3] Bastrop County is included in the Austin–Round Rock, Texas, metropolitan statistical area.

History

In 1834, the provincial legislature of Coahuila y Tejas – established by the Mexican Constitution of 1824 – met in Saltillo and established the Municipality and County of Mina consisting of parts of present-day Mason, Kimble, Llano, Burnet, Williamson, Gillespie, Blanco, Comal, Hays, Travis, Caldwell, Bastrop, Lee, Gonzales, Fayette, Washington and Lavaca Counties.

On December 14, 1837, the second Congress of the Republic of Texas adjusted geographical limits to create Fayette County, and remove Gonzales and Caldwell Counties from Mina's boundaries. On December 18, 1837, Sam Houston signed acts that (a) incorporated the town of Mina and (b) changed the name of the county and town of Mina to Bastrop to honor Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, an early Dutch settler who helped Stephen F. Austin obtain land grants in Texas.

On May 24, 1838, the Republic of Texas added parts of Kimble and Comal Counties to contain parts of present-day Blanco, Burnet, Williamson, Travis, Hays, Comal, Caldwell, Bastrop, Lee, Gonzales, and Fayette counties.

From January 25, 1840, to January 25, 1850, Bastrop county limits shifted nearly to its present dimensions, including small portions of Lee, Williamson, Caldwell, Gonzales and Fayette Counties.[4][5][6]

In December 1942, Bastrop was the site of an alleged military murder, in which Sgt. Walter Springs was gunned down by a White military police officer following a dispute. Springs was shot in the back, but the case remains largely unsolved to this day. A memorial scholarship in his honor has been active at his alma mater, Regis University, for most of the period since 1952 and has the backing of former NBA All Star Chauncey Billups.[7]

In September 2011, Bastrop County suffered the most destructive wildfire in Texas history, which destroyed over 1,600 homes.

In March 2022, the Refuge Ranch, a facility in rural Bastrop County for girls who had been victims of sexual trafficking, was ordered closed down after allegations that the girls had been subjected to further exploitation by ranch staffers.[8][9][10]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 896 square miles (2,320 km2), of which 888 square miles (2,300 km2) are land and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (0.8%) are covered by water.[11]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18503,099—
18607,006126.1%
187012,20974.3%
188017,21541.0%
189020,73620.5%
190026,84529.5%
191025,344−5.6%
192026,6495.1%
193023,888−10.4%
194021,610−9.5%
195019,622−9.2%
196016,925−13.7%
197017,2972.2%
198024,72642.9%
199038,26354.7%
200057,73350.9%
201074,17128.5%
202097,21631.1%
2022 (est.)106,188[12]9.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1850–2010[14] 2010[15] 2020[16]
Bastrop County, Texas - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 42,446 45,751 57.23% 47.06%
Black or African American alone (NH) 5,535 5,460 7.46% 5.62%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 315 312 0.42% 0.32%
Asian alone (NH) 449 718 0.61% 0.74%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 54 63 0.07% 0.06%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 115 417 0.16% 0.43%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,067 3,011 1.44% 3.10%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24,190 41,484 32.61% 42.67%
Total 74,171 97,216 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census[17] of 2000, 57,733 people, 20,097 households, and 14,771 families resided in the county. The population density was 65 people per square mile (25 people/km2). The 22,254 housing units averagedf 25 per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.2% White, 8.8% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 7.7% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. About 24.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 20,097 households, 35.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were not families. About 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.23. As of the 2010 census, about 7.8 same-sex couples per 1,000 households lived in the county.[18]

In the county, the population was distributed as 28.0% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,578, and for a family was $49,456. Males had a median income of $32,843 versus $25,536 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,146. About 8.4% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Historical research

Bastrop County has several societies and associations dedicated to preserving historical information and sites.

Education

The following school districts serve Bastrop County:[19]

Austin Community College is the designated community college for most of the county. Areas in Lexington ISD are in Blinn Junior College District.[20]

Transportation

Central Texas Airport has been proposed about ten miles 10 miles (16 km) NW of the town of Bastrop, but has met with local opposition.[21]

Major highways

Recreational facilities

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost Towns

Several Hollywood feature films and notable independent films have used locations in Bastrop County.

YearFilmTop Billed CastLocation
1974Lovin' MollyAnthony Perkins, Blythe DannerBastrop
1974The Texas Chain Saw MassacreMarilyn Burns, Allen DanzigerBastrop (Gas station and BBQ shack)
1975The Great Waldo PepperRobert Redford, Bo SvensonElgin
1994Love and a .45Gil Bellows, Renée ZellwegerBastrop (Gas station)
1995The Big GreenSteve Guttenberg, Olivia d'AboElgin
1996Courage Under FireDenzel Washington, Meg RyanBastrop
1996The Whole Wide WorldVincent D'Onofrio, Renée ZellwegerBastrop
1997The Only ThrillDiane Keaton, Sam ShepardBastrop
1998The Dentist 2Corbin Bernsen, Jillian McWhirterSmithville
1998Home FriesDrew Barrymore, Luke WilsonBastrop
1998Hope FloatsSandra Bullock, Harry Connick Jr.Smithville
1999Varsity BluesJames Van Der Beek, Amy SmartElgin
1999The Soul CollectorBruce Greenwood, Melissa GilbertBastrop
2004Friday Night LightsBilly Bob Thornton, Lucas BlackElgin
2004The AlamoDennis Quaid, Billy Bob ThorntonBastrop
Jim Small's Big Thicket (Lake camp scenes)
Steiner Ranch (Bexar & Alamo scenes)
2006All the Boys Love Mandy LaneAmber Heard, Anson MountBastrop
2008Fireflies in the GardenJulia Roberts, Ryan ReynoldsBastrop (T. A. Hasler House)
Smithville
2009The Tree of LifeBrad Pitt, Sean PennSmithville
2009Friday the 13th (2009 film)Jared Padalecki, Derek MearsCamp
2010BernieMatthew McConaughey, Jack BlackBastrop
Smithville
2013Prince AvalanchePaul Rudd, Emile HirschBastrop
2014BoyhoodPatricia Arquette, Ethan HawkeBastrop

Politics
United States presidential election results for Bastrop County, Texas[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 20,516 55.81% 15,474 42.09% 772 2.10%
2016 16,328 56.96% 10,569 36.87% 1,768 6.17%
2012 14,033 57.32% 9,864 40.29% 584 2.39%
2008 13,817 53.02% 11,687 44.84% 558 2.14%
2004 13,290 56.70% 9,794 41.78% 357 1.52%
2000 10,310 56.31% 6,973 38.09% 1,025 5.60%
1996 6,323 43.35% 6,773 46.44% 1,489 10.21%
1992 4,980 34.41% 6,252 43.19% 3,242 22.40%
1988 5,991 42.51% 8,004 56.80% 97 0.69%
1984 6,439 57.38% 4,744 42.28% 38 0.34%
1980 3,768 43.07% 4,716 53.91% 264 3.02%
1976 2,383 33.08% 4,788 66.46% 33 0.46%
1972 3,097 61.82% 1,906 38.04% 7 0.14%
1968 1,455 28.43% 2,687 52.51% 975 19.05%
1964 1,130 22.38% 3,912 77.48% 7 0.14%
1960 1,208 29.61% 2,866 70.25% 6 0.15%
1956 1,531 37.85% 2,504 61.90% 10 0.25%
1952 1,540 32.81% 3,148 67.06% 6 0.13%
1948 443 13.69% 2,518 77.79% 276 8.53%
1944 385 11.71% 2,604 79.17% 300 9.12%
1940 502 16.76% 2,492 83.18% 2 0.07%
1936 198 7.61% 2,395 92.04% 9 0.35%
1932 180 5.52% 3,077 94.42% 2 0.06%
1928 850 35.65% 1,534 64.35% 0 0.00%
1924 494 14.31% 2,711 78.53% 247 7.16%
1920 484 22.35% 1,088 50.23% 594 27.42%
1916 550 28.81% 1,335 69.93% 24 1.26%
1912 216 15.30% 1,021 72.31% 175 12.39%

See also

References
  1. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bastrop County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  3. "Bastrop County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  4. "TxGenWeb". Archived from the original on February 3, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  5. "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  6. "Bastrop County". Texas Almanac. Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  7. Reed, Byron (May 17, 2021). "Regis University restarting scholarship named for Walter Springs". KUSA.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  8. Oxner, Reese. "Kids in foster care who’d been victims of sex trafficking endured fresh abuse at a state shelter, report says" Texas Tribune March 10, 2022
  9. Oxner, Reese. "State-licensed shelter where sex trafficking victims were reportedly abused ordered to close: The Refuge, which closed Friday, said it fired an employee accused of coercing the victims to sell nude photos as soon as it found out. The Bastrop-based shelter has not addressed the other eight staff members also accused of causing harm to the girls." Texas Tribune March 11, 2022
  10. Bever, Lindsey. "Victims of child sex trafficking went to a foster facility that allegedly trafficked them again" The Washington Post March 11, 2022
  11. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  13. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  14. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 26, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  15. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bastrop County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bastrop County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  18. "Where Same-Sex Couples Live", The New York Times, June 26, 2015, archived from the original on June 29, 2015, retrieved July 6, 2015
  19. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bastrop County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022. - List
  20. Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.166. AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. Sec. 130.168. BLINN JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA..
  21. "New corporate center, airport announced Archived 2012-03-02 at the Wayback Machine." KXAN. Tuesday October 19, 2010. Retrieved on November 5, 2010.
  22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
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