San Patricio County, Texas

San Patricio County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 68,755.[1] Its county seat is Sinton.[2] San Patricio County is part of the Corpus Christi metropolitan statistical area.

San Patricio County
County
Built in 1927 (Henry T. Phelps), this is the eighth structure to serve as the San Patricio County Courthouse in Sinton.
Built in 1927 (Henry T. Phelps), this is the eighth structure to serve as the San Patricio County Courthouse in Sinton.
Map of Texas highlighting San Patricio County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 28°01′N 97°31′W
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1836
Named forSaint Patrick
SeatSinton
Largest cityCorpus Christi
Area
 • Total708 sq mi (1,830 km2)
 • Land693 sq mi (1,790 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  2.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total68,755
 • Density97/sq mi (37/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district27th
Websitewww.co.san-patricio.tx.us

History

In 1828, 200 Irish Catholic families, recruited from Ireland and the Irish population of New York City, contracted with the Mexican government to settle on 80 leagues of land in this area. By 1836, about 500 people lived in the colony on 84 Mexican land grants. During the Texas Revolution, most fled from the colony because of fighting in the area. By 1841, a small number of permanent residents had returned. When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, the area was stabilized by the presence of U.S. troops under General Zachary Taylor. In 1845, the county was formed (San Patricio is Spanish for Saint Patrick, the primary patron saint of the colonists' home country of Ireland), and Corpus Christi was designated as the county seat. The following year, the county south of the Nueces River was reorganized as Nueces County, and the town of San Patricio became the county seat of San Patricio County. In 1848, additional counties were formed out of San Patricio, which further reduced its size.[3]

The 1850 U.S. Census listed only 200 people in the county, including three slaves. The local economy was based on cattle raising. In the mid-1860s, more settlers moved, drawn by the cheap land. By 1870, 602 people lived in the county, and the agricultural census reported 51 farms and ranches, totaling 52,000 acres (210 km2), in the area, with about 2,400 acres (9.7 km2) described as "improved". Development of the county intensified during the early 20th century, as hundreds of farmers moved in from North Texas and other states. The population reached 7,307 by 1910, and was 11,386 by 1920; 470 farms were counted in 1910, and 757 farms in 1920. Cattle ranching remained important, but vegetables and cotton also became important. The acres planted in the cotton increased from about 15,000 acres (61 km2) in 1910 to 155,000 acres (630 km2) by 1930.[3][4][5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 708 sq mi (1,830 km2), of which 693 sq mi (1,790 km2) are land and 14 sq mi (36 km2) (2.0%) are covered by water.[6]

The Gulf of Mexico forms the eastern border of the county.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850200—
1860620210.0%
1870602−2.9%
18801,01067.8%
18901,31229.9%
19002,37280.8%
19107,307208.1%
192011,38655.8%
193023,836109.3%
194028,87121.1%
195035,84224.1%
196045,02125.6%
197047,2885.0%
198058,01322.7%
199058,7491.3%
200067,13814.3%
201064,804−3.5%
202068,7556.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1850–2010[8] 2010–2014[9]
San Patricio County racial/ethnic composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Pop 2010[12] Pop 2020[13] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 27,330 26,613 42.17% 38.71%
Black or African American (NH) 902 994 1.39% 1.45%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 169 198 0.26% 0.29%
Asian (NH) 506 845 0.78% 1.23%
Pacific Islander (NH) 46 66 0.07% 0.1%
Some Other Race (NH) 53 227 0.08% 0.33%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 550 1,592 0.85% 2.32%
Hispanic or Latino 35,248 38,220 54.39% 55.59%
Total 64,804 68,755

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 68,755 people, 23,422 households, and 16,838 families residing in the county.

As of the census[14] of 2000, 67,138 people, 22,093 households, and 17,232 families resided in the county. The population density was 97 people/sq mi (37 people/km2). The 24,864 housing units averaged 36 units per square mile (14 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.76% White, 2.81% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 15.94% from other races, and 3.05% from two or more races. About 49.42% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 22,093 households, 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were not families. About 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.97, and the average family size was 3.40.

In the county, the age distribution was 31.1% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,836, and for a family was $40,002. Males had a median income of $31,132 versus $20,730 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,425. About 14.60% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.50% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities (multiple counties)

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated community

Education

School districts include:

Del Mar College is the designated community college for all of San Patricio County.[15]

Government and politics

Government

San Patricio County, like all counties in Texas, is governed by a commissioners' court. This court consists of the county judge (the chairperson of the court), who is elected county-wide, and four commissioners who are elected by the voters in each of four precincts.

The Commissioners' Court is the policy-making body for the county; in addition, the county judge is the senior executive and administrative position in the county. The Commissioners' Court sets the county tax rate, adopts the budget, appoints boards and commissions, approves grants and personnel actions, and oversees the administration of county government. Each commissioner also supervises a Road and Bridge District.[16]

County Commissioners
Office[17] Name Party
  County Judge David Krebs Republican
  Commissioner, Precinct 1 Sonia Lopez Democratic
  Commissioner, Precinct 2 Tom Yardley Republican
  Commissioner, Precinct 3 Lilly Wilkinson Republican
  Commissioner, Precinct 4 Howard Gillespie Republican

County Officials
Office[17] Name Party
  County Attorney Tamera Cochran-May Republican
  County Clerk Gracie Alaniz-Gonzales Democratic
  District Attorney Sam Smith Republican
  District Clerk Heather Marks Republican
  Sheriff Oscar Riveria Republican
  Tax Assessor-Collector Marcela Thormaehlen Republican
  Treasurer April Garcia Republican

Constables
Office[17] Name Party
  Constable, Precinct 1 Joe Gaitan Democratic
  Constable, Precinct 2 Franciso Cantu Democratic
  Constable, Precinct 4 Parnel Haynes Republican
  Constable, Precinct 5 Sean Orsak
  Constable, Precinct 6 Kody Fahrenthold Republican
  Constable, Precinct 8 Terry Gonzales Democratic

Justices of the Peace
Office[17] Name Party
  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 Leslie DeAses Republican
  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Danny Garza Democratic
  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 Karen Diaz Republican
  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 Nere Villarreal Democratic
  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6 Susan Price Republican
  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8 Leslie Pullin Republican

County Courts
Office[17] Name Party
  County Court at Law No. 1 Elizabeth Welborn Republican
  County Court at Law No. 2 Vicki Hesseltine Martino

District Courts
Office[17] Name Party
  36th District Court Starr Bauer Republican
  156th District Court Patrick L. Flanigan Republican
  343rd District Court Jana Whatley Republican

Politics

Despite being majority-minority San Patricio county leans overwhelmingly Republican. The GOP does better than average among Latino residents in Texas, particularly south Texas. In 2022, Republicans won 40% of the Latino vote.[18] This has been as high as 48% in 2014.[19] These margins help Republicans win majority-minority districts, while Republicans in other parts of the country struggle - only garnering between 21% and 30% of the vote. Republicans appear to be increasing their Latino support from picking off specific segments: Men, rural Latinos, Rio Grande Valley, devout Catholics,Tejano and pro-life voters.

United States presidential election results for San Patricio County, Texas[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 16,516 63.79% 8,988 34.71% 387 1.49%
2016 13,030 60.17% 7,871 36.35% 755 3.49%
2012 12,005 59.79% 7,856 39.13% 217 1.08%
2008 12,404 57.97% 8,854 41.38% 138 0.64%
2004 13,474 63.20% 7,764 36.42% 82 0.38%
2000 10,599 56.68% 7,840 41.93% 260 1.39%
1996 7,678 45.21% 8,132 47.88% 1,173 6.91%
1992 7,456 39.48% 8,202 43.43% 3,229 17.10%
1988 9,159 47.07% 9,920 50.98% 379 1.95%
1984 11,074 55.48% 8,838 44.27% 50 0.25%
1980 8,326 47.59% 8,627 49.31% 541 3.09%
1976 5,853 38.02% 9,469 61.51% 73 0.47%
1972 7,179 57.42% 5,097 40.77% 226 1.81%
1968 3,717 29.95% 6,818 54.94% 1,876 15.12%
1964 2,188 23.32% 7,176 76.47% 20 0.21%
1960 3,129 37.29% 5,246 62.52% 16 0.19%
1956 3,302 46.82% 3,728 52.86% 22 0.31%
1952 3,220 49.24% 3,315 50.69% 5 0.08%
1948 963 25.19% 2,649 69.29% 211 5.52%
1944 878 22.86% 2,712 70.61% 251 6.53%
1940 980 24.73% 2,963 74.77% 20 0.50%
1936 482 17.69% 2,213 81.21% 30 1.10%
1932 407 15.86% 2,142 83.48% 17 0.66%
1928 1,388 70.56% 579 29.44% 0 0.00%
1924 987 45.63% 1,097 50.72% 79 3.65%
1920 308 32.25% 620 64.92% 27 2.83%
1916 130 16.31% 594 74.53% 73 9.16%
1912 175 19.60% 551 61.70% 167 18.70%

See also

References
  1. "QuickFacts: San Patricio County, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. San Patricio County from the Handbook of Texas Online
  4. Guthrie, Keith; San Patricio County Historical Commission (1986). The history of San Patricio County. Austin, Texas: Eakin Publications. LCCN 87108045. OCLC 1154053506.
  5. Stewart, Bennie L. (1960). History of San Patricio County. Kingsville, Texas. OCLC 27020541.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  7. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  8. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  10. https://www.census.gov/
  11. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. Texas Education Code Sec. 130.177. DEL MAR COLLEGE-CORPUS CHRISTI JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  16. "Dallas County". www.dallascounty.org.
  17. "San Patricio County, TX Elections" (PDF).
  18. "Texas Republicans lost Latino voters support in election setback". Dallas News. November 10, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  19. Krogstad, Jens Manuel (November 7, 2014). "Hispanic Voters in the 2014 Election". Pew Research Center's Hispanic Trends Project. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  1. 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.[10][11]
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