Port Isabel, Texas
Encyclopedia
Port Isabel is a city in Cameron County
, Texas
, United States
. It is part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville
metropolitan areas. The population was 5,006 at the 2010 census.
The town's name is also attached to the Port Isabel Detention Center
located in nearby Los Fresnos
.
caused extensive damage to much of the city of Port Isabel.
On 23 July 2008, Hurricane Dolly
, a category 2 storm, also caused extensive damage to the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²), of which, 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is water.
of 2000, there were 4,965 people, 1,649 households, and 1,225 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,215.5 people per square mile (853.8/km²). There were 2,055 housing units at an average density of 935.8 per square mile (360.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.67% White, 1.03% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 15.54% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 74.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,649 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples
living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,323, and the median income for a family was $26,077. Males had a median income of $17,105 versus $16,316 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,239. 27.3% of the population and 21.7% of families were below the poverty line. 34.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
operates the Port Isabel Post Office.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
operates the Port Isabel Service Processing Center, which is located in an unincorporated area
adjacent to Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport, near Port Isabel.
. Children go to Garriga Elementary School (Grades K-2), Derry Elementary School, (3-5), Port Isabel Junior High School (6-8), and Port Isabel High School (9-12). All of the schools are located in Port Isabel. The mascot of both the junior high and high school is the Tarpon
.
http://www.pi-isd.net/
In addition, children may apply to schools in South Texas Independent School District
.
The Port Isabel Public Library serves Port Isabel.
Cameron County, Texas
Cameron County is the southernmost county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 406,220. Its county seat is Brownsville. Cameron was founded in 1848...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville
Matamoros–Brownsville Metropolitan Area
Matamoros–Brownsville, also known as Brownsville–Matamoros, or simply as the Borderplex, is one of the six bi-national metropolitan areas along the Mexico–U.S border...
metropolitan areas. The population was 5,006 at the 2010 census.
The town's name is also attached to the Port Isabel Detention Center
Port Isabel Detention Center
The Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Los Fresnos, Texas holds detainees of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement , whose immigration status or citizenship has not been officially determined or who are awaiting repatriation...
located in nearby Los Fresnos
Los Fresnos, Texas
Los Fresnos is a city in Cameron County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,512 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan areas....
.
History
In September 1967, Hurricane BeulahHurricane Beulah
Hurricane Beulah was the second tropical storm, second hurricane, and only major hurricane during the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season. It tracked through the Caribbean, struck the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico as a major hurricane, and moved west-northwest into the Gulf of Mexico, briefly gaining...
caused extensive damage to much of the city of Port Isabel.
On 23 July 2008, Hurricane Dolly
Hurricane Dolly (2008)
Hurricane Dolly was a tropical cyclone that made landfall in extreme southern Texas in July 2008. Dolly was the fourth tropical cyclone and second hurricane to form during the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the first U.S. landfalling hurricane of the 2008 season. Dolly developed on July 20...
, a category 2 storm, also caused extensive damage to the city.
Geography
Port Isabel is located at 26°4'25" North, 97°12'48" West (26.073675, -97.213234).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²), of which, 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is water.
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 4,965 people, 1,649 households, and 1,225 families residing in the city. 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 2,215.5 people per square mile (853.8/km²). There were 2,055 housing units at an average density of 935.8 per square mile (360.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.67% White, 1.03% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 15.54% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 74.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,649 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% 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, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,323, and the median income for a family was $26,077. Males had a median income of $17,105 versus $16,316 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 city was $11,239. 27.3% of the population and 21.7% of families were below the poverty line. 34.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Port Isabel Post Office.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security , responsible for identifying, investigating, and dismantling vulnerabilities regarding the nation's border, economic, transportation, and infrastructure security...
operates the Port Isabel Service Processing Center, which is located in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
adjacent to Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport, near Port Isabel.
Education
Children living in Port Isabel are zoned to schools in Point Isabel Independent School DistrictPoint Isabel Independent School District
Port Isabel Independent School District is a public school district based in Port Isabel, Texas, United States.In addition to Port Isabel, the district serves the towns of Laguna Vista and South Padre Island as well as the unincorporated Cameron County community of Laguna Heights.In 2009, the...
. Children go to Garriga Elementary School (Grades K-2), Derry Elementary School, (3-5), Port Isabel Junior High School (6-8), and Port Isabel High School (9-12). All of the schools are located in Port Isabel. The mascot of both the junior high and high school is the Tarpon
Atlantic tarpon
The Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and rivers. Tarpons feed almost exclusively on schooling fish and occasionally crabs. Tarpons are capable of filling their swim bladder with air, like a primitive lung. This gives Tarpons a predatory advantage...
.
http://www.pi-isd.net/
In addition, children may apply to schools in South Texas Independent School District
South Texas Independent School District
South Texas Independent School District is a public school district headquartered in Mercedes, Texas . STISD operates magnet schools that draw students from three counties: Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy...
.
The Port Isabel Public Library serves Port Isabel.