Live Oak County, Texas
Live Oak County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. It was named for its native groves of live oak.[1] George West is its county seat.[2] Its population was 11,335 in the 2020 census.[3]
Live Oak County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 28°21′N 98°08′W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
Founded | 1856 |
Named for | Groves of live oak |
Seat | George West |
Largest city | George West |
Area | |
• Total | 1,079 sq mi (2,790 km2) |
• Land | 1,040 sq mi (2,700 km2) |
• Water | 39 sq mi (100 km2) 3.6% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 11,335 |
• Density | 11/sq mi (4/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 15th |
Website | www |
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,079 square miles (2,790 km2), of which 1,040 square miles (2,700 km2) is land and 39 square miles (100 km2) (3.6%) is water.[4] It is home to the Choke Canyon Reservoir.
Major highways
- Interstate 37
- U.S. Highway 59
- Interstate 69W is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places.
- U.S. Highway 281
- Interstate 69C is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 281 in most places south of George West.
- SH 72
- FM 99
- FM 624
- FM 799
- FM 833
Adjacent counties
- Karnes County (northeast)
- Bee County (east)
- San Patricio County (southeast)
- Jim Wells County (south)
- Duval County (southwest)
- McMullen County (west)
- Atascosa County (northwest)
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 593 | — | |
1870 | 852 | 43.7% | |
1880 | 1,994 | 134.0% | |
1890 | 2,055 | 3.1% | |
1900 | 2,268 | 10.4% | |
1910 | 3,442 | 51.8% | |
1920 | 4,171 | 21.2% | |
1930 | 8,956 | 114.7% | |
1940 | 9,799 | 9.4% | |
1950 | 9,054 | −7.6% | |
1960 | 7,846 | −13.3% | |
1970 | 6,697 | −14.6% | |
1980 | 9,606 | 43.4% | |
1990 | 9,556 | −0.5% | |
2000 | 12,309 | 28.8% | |
2010 | 11,531 | −6.3% | |
2020 | 11,335 | −1.7% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1850–2010[6] 2020[7] |
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[8] | Pop 2020[7] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 6,805 | 5,968 | 59.01% | 52.65% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 453 | 205 | 3.93% | 1.81% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 62 | 49 | 0.54% | 0.43% |
Asian alone (NH) | 56 | 35 | 0.49% | 0.31% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 3 | 3 | 0.03% | 0.03% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 9 | 45 | 0.08% | 0.40% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 83 | 240 | 0.72% | 2.12% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4,060 | 4,790 | 35.21% | 42.26% |
Total | 11,531 | 11,335 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 12,309 people, 4,230 households, and 3,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 6,196 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.28% White, 2.45% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.72% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 38.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,230 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% 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 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 122.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 129.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,057, and the median income for a family was $38,235. Males had a median income of $30,061 versus $19,665 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,886. About 14.10% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.20% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Institution, Three Rivers is located in unincorporated Live Oak County, near Three Rivers.[10][11]
Politics
Live Oak County voted mostly Democratic for the first half of the 20th century. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1952 win was an exception. Jimmy Carter in 1976, however, was the last Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county, with Republicans winning since 1980.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 4,199 | 83.08% | 819 | 16.20% | 36 | 0.71% |
2016 | 3,464 | 80.52% | 742 | 17.25% | 96 | 2.23% |
2012 | 3,154 | 76.68% | 919 | 22.34% | 40 | 0.97% |
2008 | 3,095 | 74.11% | 1,048 | 25.10% | 33 | 0.79% |
2004 | 3,147 | 74.91% | 1,036 | 24.66% | 18 | 0.43% |
2000 | 2,828 | 70.63% | 1,114 | 27.82% | 62 | 1.55% |
1996 | 1,929 | 53.41% | 1,372 | 37.98% | 311 | 8.61% |
1992 | 1,805 | 45.52% | 1,345 | 33.92% | 815 | 20.55% |
1988 | 2,277 | 58.69% | 1,573 | 40.54% | 30 | 0.77% |
1984 | 2,481 | 66.00% | 1,260 | 33.52% | 18 | 0.48% |
1980 | 2,193 | 60.61% | 1,380 | 38.14% | 45 | 1.24% |
1976 | 1,287 | 43.47% | 1,656 | 55.93% | 18 | 0.61% |
1972 | 1,745 | 73.97% | 610 | 25.86% | 4 | 0.17% |
1968 | 938 | 40.02% | 922 | 39.33% | 484 | 20.65% |
1964 | 795 | 35.71% | 1,423 | 63.93% | 8 | 0.36% |
1960 | 1,048 | 57.52% | 770 | 42.26% | 4 | 0.22% |
1956 | 1,077 | 65.71% | 521 | 31.79% | 41 | 2.50% |
1952 | 1,443 | 71.22% | 573 | 28.28% | 10 | 0.49% |
1948 | 479 | 30.57% | 945 | 60.31% | 143 | 9.13% |
1944 | 548 | 39.00% | 642 | 45.69% | 215 | 15.30% |
1940 | 499 | 35.90% | 888 | 63.88% | 3 | 0.22% |
1936 | 231 | 20.17% | 874 | 76.33% | 40 | 3.49% |
1932 | 114 | 9.56% | 1,070 | 89.77% | 8 | 0.67% |
1928 | 484 | 55.82% | 383 | 44.18% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 323 | 31.92% | 596 | 58.89% | 93 | 9.19% |
1920 | 161 | 32.46% | 234 | 47.18% | 101 | 20.36% |
1916 | 119 | 20.73% | 397 | 69.16% | 58 | 10.10% |
1912 | 26 | 6.52% | 308 | 77.19% | 65 | 16.29% |
Communities
Cities
- George West (county seat)
- Three Rivers
Village
- Pernitas Point (small part in Jim Wells County)
Unincorporated communities
Ghost town
Education
School districts include:
- George West Independent School District
- Mathis Independent School District
- Three Rivers Independent School District
Coastal Bend College (formerly Bee County College) is the county's designated community college.[13]
See also
References
- Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 188.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- "Live Oak County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
- "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
- "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
- "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Live Oak County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Live Oak County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- "FCI Three Rivers Contact Information Archived December 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on December 12, 2010. "US HIGHWAY 72 WEST THREE RIVERS, TX 78071"
- "Three Rivers city, Texas." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 12, 2010.
- Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- Texas Education Code Sec. 130.167. BEE COUNTY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. The legislation calls it "Bee County College".