Austin County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Austin County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Texas
adjacent to the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
metropolitan area. The population was 28,417 at the 2010 census
.http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml Its county seat
is Bellville
. Austin County is named for Stephen F. Austin
, who facilitated the Anglo American colonization of Texas and is known as the "Father of Texas." Austin County is not to be confused with the city of Austin
, the state capital city that lies in Travis County
approximately 110 miles to the northwest.
, the county has a total area of 656 square miles (1,699 km²), of which 653 square miles (1,691.3 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10.4 km²) (0.58%) is water.
of 2000, there were 23,590 people, 8,747 households, and 6,481 families residing in the county. The population density
was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 10,205 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.22% White
, 10.64% Black
or African American
, 0.28% Native American
, 0.29% Asian
, 6.99% from other races
, and 1.58% from two or more races. 16.13% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 26.9% were of German
, 8.8% American
, 8.0% Czech, 6.4% English
and 5.0% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 8,747 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.00% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,615, and the median income for a family was $46,342. Males had a median income of $32,455 versus $22,142 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,140. About 8.80% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.
(R
)- first elected in 2006.
)- first elected in 2000.
goes through Austin County.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
adjacent to the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
Greater Houston
Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas...
metropolitan area. The population was 28,417 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Bellville
Bellville, Texas
Bellville is a city in and the county seat of Austin County, Texas, United States, located in the southeastern part of the state. The population was 3,794 at the 2000 census. Bellville was named for Thomas Bell, one of Stephen F. Austin's earliest colonists, after he and his brother James Bell...
. Austin County is named for Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri. He was known as the Father of Texas, led the second, but first legal and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States. The capital of Texas, Austin in Travis County,...
, who facilitated the Anglo American colonization of Texas and is known as the "Father of Texas." Austin County is not to be confused with the city of Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, the state capital city that lies in Travis County
Travis County, Texas
As of 2009, the U.S. census estimates there were 1,026,158 people, 320,766 households, and 183,798 families residing in the county. The population density was 821 people per square mile . There were 335,881 housing units at an average density of 340 per square mile...
approximately 110 miles to the northwest.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 656 square miles (1,699 km²), of which 653 square miles (1,691.3 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10.4 km²) (0.58%) is water.
Major Highways
Interstate 10
U.S. Highway 90
State Highway 36State Highway 36 (Texas)State Highway 36 runs from Abilene to Freeport. It was designated as The 36th Division Memorial Highway between Cameron and Sealy by the Texas Legislature in 1985.-History:...
State Highway 159
Adjacent Counties
- Washington County (north)
- Waller County (east)
- Fort Bend CountyFort Bend County, TexasFort Bend County is a county located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. In 2000 its population was 354,452, while the 2010 U.S...
(southeast) - Wharton County (south)
- Colorado County (west)
- Fayette CountyFayette County, TexasFayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 21,804. Its county seat is La Grange. Fayette is named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War hero...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 23,590 people, 8,747 households, and 6,481 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 10,205 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.22% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 10.64% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.28% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.29% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 6.99% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.58% from two or more races. 16.13% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 26.9% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 8.8% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 8.0% Czech, 6.4% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 5.0% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 8,747 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.00% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,615, and the median income for a family was $46,342. Males had a median income of $32,455 versus $22,142 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $18,140. About 8.80% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.
United States Congress
| Senators | Name | Party | First Elected | Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Class 1 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Kay Bailey Hutchison Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1993 | Senior Senator | |
| Senate Class 2 | John Cornyn John Cornyn John Cornyn, III is the junior United States Senator for Texas, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 111th U.S. Congress.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2002 | Junior Senator | |
| Representatives | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Austin County Represented | |
| District 10 | Michael McCaul Michael McCaul Michael Thomas McCaul, Sr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches from Austin to Houston.-Early life, education and career:... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2004 | Entire county | |
Texas Senate
District 18:- Glenn HegarGlenn Hegar
Glenn Allen Hegar, Jr. is a Republican member of the Texas Senate representing the 18th District. Hegar formerly represented the 28th District in the Texas House. Senator Hegar, the youngest member of the Texas Senate, is a sixth generation Texan who farms on land that has been in his family since...
(R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
)- first elected in 2006.
Texas House of Representatives
District 13:- Lois Kolkhorst (RRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
)- first elected in 2000.
Cities
- BellvilleBellville, TexasBellville is a city in and the county seat of Austin County, Texas, United States, located in the southeastern part of the state. The population was 3,794 at the 2000 census. Bellville was named for Thomas Bell, one of Stephen F. Austin's earliest colonists, after he and his brother James Bell...
- Brazos CountryBrazos Country, TexasBrazos Country is a city in Austin County, Texas. It is located south of Interstate 10 and seven miles southeast of Sealy. The eastern city limits run along the west bank of the Brazos River. The only entrances to the city are from Chew Road. City limits signs state the population as 462...
- IndustryIndustry, TexasIndustry is a city in Austin County, Texas, United States. The population was 304 at the 2000 census. Industry was the first permanent German settlement in Texas...
- SealySealy, TexasSealy is a city in Austin County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 5,248 at the 2000 census. Sealy is located 50 miles west of the downtown Houston area.-Geography:...
- WallisWallis, TexasWallis is a city in Austin County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,172 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wallis is located at ....
Other localities
- BleiblervilleBleiblerville, TexasBleiblerville is an unincorporated community in northern Austin County, Texas, United States. It lies along local roads northwest of the city of Bellville, the county seat of Austin County. Its elevation is 371 feet...
- Cat SpringCat Spring, TexasCat Spring is an unincorporated community in southern Austin County, Texas, United States. It lies along FM 949 south of the city of Bellville, the county seat of Austin County. Its elevation is 308 feet...
- KenneyKenney, TexasKenney is an unincorporated community in northern Austin County, Texas, United States. It lies along State Highway 36 north of the city of Bellville, the county seat of Austin County. Its elevation is 390 feet...
- New UlmNew Ulm, TexasNew Ulm, Texas is an unincorporated community in Austin County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 650 in 2000...
- ShelbyShelby, TexasShelby is an unincorporated town in Austin County, Texas, United States. Shelby was settled in the early 1840s. The community was named for David Shelby, one of the first settlers in the area. Most of the early residents were members of Adelsverein, and for a time the community was identified with...
Education
The following school districts serve Austin County:- Bellville Independent School DistrictBellville Independent School DistrictBellville Independent School District is a public school district based in Bellville, Texas .In addition to Bellville, the district also serves the city of Industry as well as rural areas in northern Austin County....
- Brazos Independent School DistrictBrazos Independent School DistrictBrazos Independent School District is a public school district based in Wallis, Texas . The district lies in two counties, Austin and Fort Bend.In addition to Wallis, the district also serves the city of Orchard....
(partial) - Brenham Independent School DistrictBrenham Independent School DistrictBrenham Independent School District is a public school district based in Brenham, Texas .Located in Washington County, a very small portion of the district extends into Austin County...
(partial) - Columbus Independent School DistrictColumbus Independent School DistrictColumbus Independent School District is a public school district based in Columbus, Texas .Columbus ISD serves the northern portion of Colorado County, including the city of Columbus and the communities of Frelsburg and Rock Island as well as a small portion of western Austin County that includes...
(partial) - Sealy Independent School DistrictSealy Independent School DistrictSealy Independent School District is a public school district based in Sealy, Texas . In addition to Sealy, the district serves the towns of San Felipe and Brazos Country serving students in southern Austin County....
Transportation
The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the planned Trans-Texas CorridorTrans-Texas Corridor
The Trans-Texas Corridor was a transportation network that was discontinued in the planning and early construction stages in the U.S. State of Texas. The network, as originally envisioned, would have been composed of a network of supercorridors up to wide to carry parallel links of tollways,...
goes through Austin County.
See also
- AdelsvereinAdelsvereinSociety for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas, better known as Adelsverein , organized on April 20, 1842, was a colonial attempt to establish a new Germany within the borders of Texas.-History:...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Austin County, Texas