Port Lavaca, Texas
Encyclopedia
Port Lavaca is a city in Calhoun County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 12,248 at the 2010 census. The County had a 3.6% growth which brought the county population to 21,381. The city itself is bringing in more business into the area. It is the county seat
of Calhoun County
. It is a part of the Victoria, Texas
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, the city has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35.2 km²), of which, 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²) of it is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²) of it (28.23%) is water.
ever reached. During Hurricane Carla in September 1961, the winds were recorded to gust up to 170 mph.
of 2000, there were 12,248 people, 4,189 households, and 3,133 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,229.9 people per square mile (474.6/km²). There were 4,791 housing units at an average density of 489.6 per square mile (188.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.95% White, 4.05% African American, 0.47% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 16.92% from other races
, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52.11% of the population. 38.5% of the white population are of Moravian (German/Czech) origin.
There were 4,189 households out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples
living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 100.0% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the city the population was 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $33,626, and the median income for a family was $38,250. Males had a median income of $35,526 versus $18,427 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,431. About 16.8% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.
. Port Lavaca is served by two Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade elementary schools: H.J.M Elementary School and Jackson/Roosevelt Elementary School. All residents are zoned to Travis Middle School (grades 6 through 8) and Calhoun High School (9 through 12). Hope High School is another high school, mainly for students with special needs. Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic school, pre-K through grade 8, has also served the county since 1996.
Victoria College has an extension campus at the former Harrison Elementary School campus. Most of the courses offered there are through distance learning and "ITV" television learning from the VC main campus.
, a general aviation
airport, is located in unincorporated Calhoun County northwest of Port Lavaca. R-Transit is a bus transportation within the V.M.A.
In 2006, two new fishing piers with light for night fishermen were constructed in Port Lavaca and one at the 6 Mile Park. This pier is located at the eastern end of Main St. in the vicinity of the Nautical Landings Marina. The second pier, Lighthouse Pier, is located on Hwy 35 at Lavaca Bay. The 6 Mile pier (and boat ramp) is located northwest on FM 1090 about six miles from the intersection of Hwy 35 and FM 1090 (Virginia St.) Common game fish caught in the area include Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Drum.
Lighthouse Beach at the intersection of Hwy 35 and Lavaca Bay has covered picnic tables, swimming, and a bird watching trail.
Calhoun County, Texas
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, the population was 20,647. Its county seat is Port Lavaca. It is a part of the Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, 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...
. The population was 12,248 at the 2010 census. The County had a 3.6% growth which brought the county population to 21,381. The city itself is bringing in more business into the area. It is the 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....
of Calhoun County
Calhoun County, Texas
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, the population was 20,647. Its county seat is Port Lavaca. It is a part of the Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. It is a part of the Victoria, Texas
Victoria, Texas
Victoria is a city in and the seat of Victoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 60,603 at the 2000 census. The three counties of the Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 111,163 at the 2000 census,...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Victoria metropolitan area
The Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in the Coastal Bend region of Texas, anchored by the city of Victoria. The area is sometimes referred to as the Golden Crescent Region, though this term is sometimes...
.
Geography
Port Lavaca is located at 28°36′56"N 96°37′47"W (28.615635, -96.629741). According to the United States 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 city has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35.2 km²), of which, 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²) of it is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²) of it (28.23%) is water.
Climate
Port Lavaca holds the state record of the highest wind speedWind speed
Wind speed, or wind velocity, is a fundamental atmospheric rate.Wind speed affects weather forecasting, aircraft and maritime operations, construction projects, growth and metabolism rate of many plant species, and countless other implications....
ever reached. During Hurricane Carla in September 1961, the winds were recorded to gust up to 170 mph.
2000 Census data
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 12,248 people, 4,189 households, and 3,133 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 1,229.9 people per square mile (474.6/km²). There were 4,791 housing units at an average density of 489.6 per square mile (188.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.95% White, 4.05% African American, 0.47% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 16.92% 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 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52.11% of the population. 38.5% of the white population are of Moravian (German/Czech) origin.
There were 4,189 households out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% 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, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 100.0% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the city the population was 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $33,626, and the median income for a family was $38,250. Males had a median income of $35,526 versus $18,427 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 $15,431. About 16.8% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
An important economic hub is the Port of Port Lavaca. The city is also centrally located between several large manufacturing facilities including Alcoa, Formosa Plastics, and DuPont where many Port Lavaca residents work. Fishing is also an important part of the local economy, particularly shrimp and oysters. Tourism makes up a small portion of the Port Lavaca economy as well. "Winter Texans" from colder states and Canada stay in the city's many RV and Camping parks between October and April.Education
Port Lavaca is served by the Calhoun County Independent School DistrictCalhoun County Independent School District
Calhoun County Independent School District is a public school district based in Port Lavaca, Texas . The district's boundaries parallel that of Calhoun County.In 2009, the school district was rated "recognized" by the Texas Education Agency.- Schools :...
. Port Lavaca is served by two Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade elementary schools: H.J.M Elementary School and Jackson/Roosevelt Elementary School. All residents are zoned to Travis Middle School (grades 6 through 8) and Calhoun High School (9 through 12). Hope High School is another high school, mainly for students with special needs. Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic school, pre-K through grade 8, has also served the county since 1996.
Victoria College has an extension campus at the former Harrison Elementary School campus. Most of the courses offered there are through distance learning and "ITV" television learning from the VC main campus.
Transportation
Calhoun County AirportCalhoun County Airport (Texas)
Calhoun County Airport is a county-owned public-use airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Port Lavaca, a city in Calhoun County, Texas, United States.Although most U.S...
, a general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport, is located in unincorporated Calhoun County northwest of Port Lavaca. R-Transit is a bus transportation within the V.M.A.
Entertainment and recreation
Port Lavaca is regionally known for its large number of eateries for a city of its size. Local Tex-Mex style restaurants are particularly popular among locals. These feature a South Texas style of Mexican influenced food, heavy on cheese and a brown chili gravy. Seafood is also to be found in some degree at virtually all local restaurants.In 2006, two new fishing piers with light for night fishermen were constructed in Port Lavaca and one at the 6 Mile Park. This pier is located at the eastern end of Main St. in the vicinity of the Nautical Landings Marina. The second pier, Lighthouse Pier, is located on Hwy 35 at Lavaca Bay. The 6 Mile pier (and boat ramp) is located northwest on FM 1090 about six miles from the intersection of Hwy 35 and FM 1090 (Virginia St.) Common game fish caught in the area include Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Drum.
Lighthouse Beach at the intersection of Hwy 35 and Lavaca Bay has covered picnic tables, swimming, and a bird watching trail.
Notable residents
- Hope DworaczykHope DworaczykHope Dworaczyk , is an American Playboy model, TV host and reality television personality. She first gained fame as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for April 2009 after testing for the 55th Anniversary Playmate search, and later became the 2010 Playmate of the Year.She has since done...
(born 1984), PlayboyPlayboyPlayboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazine's 2010 Playmate of the Year - Nelva Gonzales RamosNelva Gonzales RamosNelva Gonzales Ramos is a district judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.-Early life and education:...
(born 1965), Texas State District CourtTexas District CourtsThe Texas District Courts form part of the Texas judicial system and are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. As of September 2011, 456 district courts serve the state, each with a single judge, elected by partisan election to a four-year term....
judge and a current federal judicial nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Southern District of TexasThe United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas is the Federal district court with jurisdiction over the southern part of Texas...
. - A. T. PowersA. T. PowersAustin Toliver Powers, known as A. T. Powers , was a leading figure from the 1930s to the 1970s in the theologically conservative American Baptist Association, based in Texarkana, Texas...
(1896 – 1975), Missionary Baptist clergyClergyClergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man was reared partly during his boyhood in Port Lavaca.