Calhoun County, Texas

Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,381.[1] Its county seat is Port Lavaca.[2] The county is named for John Caldwell Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States.

Calhoun County
U.S. county
Calhoun County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 28°26′N 96°37′W
Country	United States
State	Texas
Founded	1846
Named for	John C. Calhoun
Seat	Port Lavaca
Largest city	Port Lavaca
Area
• Total	1,033 sq mi (2,680 km^2)
• Land	507 sq mi (1,310 km^2)
• Water	526 sq mi (1,360 km^2)  51%%
Population  (2010)
• Total	21,381
• Density	42/sq mi (16/km^2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	27th
Website	www.calhouncotx.org

Calhoun County comprises the Port Lavaca, TX Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Victoria-Port Lavaca, TX Combined Statistical Area.

History

• Paleo-Indians Hunter-gatherers, and later Comanche, Tonkawa, and Karankawa tribes, first inhabitants.[3]
• 1685-1690 René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle lands near Powderhorn Lake in Calhoun County. France plants its flag on Texas soil, but departs after only five years.[4]
• 1689 The future county is explored by Spaniards, including Alonso De León.[5]
• 1825 Martín De León of Mexico establishes a ranch near the old La Salle fort.[3]
• 1831 Linnville becomes the first Anglo settlement, established by Irish-born merchant, statesman, soldier John J. Linn.[6]
• 1840 Comanche Indians loot and sack Linnville.[7]
• 1842-1847 Empresario Henri Castro contracts to bring Alsatian immigrants from France, who use Port Lavaca as a holding site before moving on to settle Castroville in Medina County.[8]
• 1845 Thousands of German immigrants are stranded at port of disembarkation Indianaola on Matagorda Bay.[9]
• 1846 Calhoun County is formed from parts of Victoria, Jackson, and Matagorda counties. It is named for then Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee John C. Calhoun. Lavaca was the first county seat.[3]
• 1852 Indianola becomes the county seat. The Morgan steamship lines [10] runs regular service from Indianola to New York City. Slave trading peaks at Indianola.[11]
• 1854 Poles begin to arrive in Indianaola.[9]
• 1858 Half Moon Reef Lighthouse is constructed in Matagorda Bay.[12]
• 1860 County population is 2,642, including 414 slaves.[3]
• 1861 Calhoun County 276-18 votes for secession from the Union. Contributes volunteer companies-to the Confederate cause.[3] Fort Esperanza, on Matagorda Island is constructed by Confederate forces using slave labor.[13]
• 1862 Union gunboats bombard Port Lavaca.[14]
• 1875 A Gulf tropical storm heavily damages Indianola.[9]
• 1886 A hurricane destroys Indianola and causes much damage to Houston.[15]
• 1892 The Lutheran community of Olivia is established by Swedes.[16]
• 1909 Port O’Connor is established. The St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway establishes a terminus at Port O’Connor.[17]
• 1920 Port Lavaca builds a seawall to protect itself against hurricanes.[3]
• 1931 Lavaca Bay causeway is constructed.[3]
• 1934-1935 Oil and natural gas discovered near Port Lavaca.[3]
• 1947 Alcoa opens a plant at Point Comfort.[18]
• 1952 Union Carbide opens a plant near Seadrift.[3]
• 1961 Category 5 Hurricane Carla makes landfall between Port Lavaca and Port O’Connor.[19]
• 1983 Matagorda Island State Park and Wildlife Management Area is run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department under an agreement between the United States Department of the Interior and the state of Texas.[20]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,033 square miles (2,680 km²), of which 507 square miles (1,310 km²) is land and 526 square miles (1,360 km²) (51%) is water.[21] It borders the Gulf of Mexico.

Adjacent counties

• Jackson County (north)
• Matagorda County (east)
• Aransas County (southwest)
• Refugio County (west)
• Victoria County (northwest)

National protected area

• Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	1,110		—
1860	2,642		138.0%
1870	3,443		30.3%
1880	1,739		−49.5%
1890	815		−53.1%
1900	2,395		193.9%
1910	3,635		51.8%
1920	4,700		29.3%
1930	5,385		14.6%
1940	5,911		9.8%
1950	9,222		56.0%
1960	16,592		79.9%
1970	17,831		7.5%
1980	19,574		9.8%
1990	19,053		−2.7%
2000	20,647		8.4%
2010	21,381		3.6%
Est. 2019	21,290	[22]	−0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[23] 1850–2010[24] 2010–2014[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,381 people living in the county. 81.5% were White, 4.4% Asian, 2.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 8.8% of some other race and 2.1% of two or more races. 46.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[25] of 2000, there were 20,647 people, 7,442 households, and 5,574 families living in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 10,238 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.04% White, 2.63% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 3.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 13.19% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 40.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 11.4% were of German, 9.4% American and 5.5% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 67.9% spoke English, 29.1% Spanish and 1.2% Chinese as their first language.

There were 7,442 households out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.50% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,849, and the median income for a family was $39,900. Males had a median income of $35,957 versus $19,772 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,125. About 12.70% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Education

All of Calhoun County is served by the Calhoun County Independent School District.

Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic school, pre-K through grade 8, has also served the county since 1996.

Transportation

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 87
• State Highway 35
• State Highway 185

Airport

Calhoun County Airport, a general aviation airport, is located in unincorporated Calhoun County northwest of Port Lavaca.

Communities

Cities

• Point Comfort
• Port Lavaca (county seat)
• Seadrift

Census-designated place

• Port O'Connor

Unincorporated communities

• Alamo Beach
• Long Mott
• Magnolia Beach

Ghost Town

• Indianola

Politics

Presidential elections results

Presidential elections results[26]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2016	66.5% 4,638	30.4% 2,118	3.1% 218
2012	62.3% 4,144	36.3% 2,410	1.4% 94
2008	59.7% 4,106	39.7% 2,729	0.6% 44
2004	62.8% 4,348	37.0% 2,561	0.3% 20
2000	56.7% 3,724	42.2% 2,766	1.1% 73
1996	46.3% 2,832	45.0% 2,753	8.6% 528
1992	38.9% 2,640	37.6% 2,550	23.4% 1,589
1988	48.8% 3,183	50.8% 3,314	0.4% 27
1984	63.0% 4,434	36.7% 2,586	0.3% 19
1980	50.6% 3,312	46.3% 3,034	3.1% 203
1976	39.2% 2,377	60.1% 3,642	0.7% 42
1972	64.9% 3,614	34.8% 1,936	0.3% 16
1968	31.3% 1,672	48.8% 2,612	19.9% 1,066
1964	23.3% 1,031	76.6% 3,398	0.1% 5
1960	44.5% 1,599	54.6% 1,961	1.0% 34
1956	63.9% 1,912	35.7% 1,067	0.4% 13
1952	63.3% 1,406	36.6% 813	0.1% 3
1948	33.6% 346	57.2% 589	9.2% 95
1944	14.7% 158	68.2% 732	17.1% 183
1940	14.0% 152	85.9% 935	0.1% 1
1936	11.8% 92	87.7% 685	0.5% 4
1932	10.6% 100	88.4% 834	1.1% 10
1928	46.8% 333	52.7% 375	0.4% 3
1924	20.1% 181	76.1% 686	3.9% 35
1920	16.9% 95	64.7% 363	18.4% 103
1916	15.4% 84	71.3% 388	13.2% 72
1912	7.8% 36	77.3% 355	14.8% 68

See also

• List of museums in the Texas Gulf Coast
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Calhoun County, Texas
• Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Calhoun County

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
3. Kleiner, Diana. "Calhoun County". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
4. Little, Carol Morris (1996). A Comprehensive Guide to Outdoor Sculpture in Texas. University of Texas Press. pp. 358–359. ISBN 978-0-292-76036-3.
5. Wade, Marian F and Don E; Hester, Thomas R (2002). The Native Americans of the Texas Edwards Plateau, 1582-1799. University of Texas Press. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-292-79156-5.
6. Roell, Craig H. "John Joseph Linn". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
7. Roell, Craig H. "Linnville Raid of 1840". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
8. Morgenthaler, Jefferson (2009). Promised Land: Solms, Castro, and Sam Houston's Colonization Contracts. TAMU Press. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-60344-119-3.
9. "Indianola". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
10. "MORGAN LINES". tshaonline.org. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
11. Obedele-Starks, Ernest (2007). Freebooters and Smugglers: The Foreign Slave Trade in the United States after 1808. University of Arkansas Press. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-55728-858-5.
12. Jones, Ray (2002). American Lighthouses, 2nd: A Definitive Guide. Globe Pequot. pp. 169–170. ISBN 978-0-7627-2269-3.
13. Townsend, Stephen A (2006). The Yankee Invasion of Texas. TAMU Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-58544-487-8.
14. "Port Lavaca". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
15. Norcross, Bryan (2007). Hurricane Almanac: The Essential Guide to Storms Past, Present, and Future. St. Martin's Griffin. pp. 38–39.
16. "Oliva, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
17. "Port O'Connor". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
18. "Point Comfort". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
19. Michaels, Patrick J (2005). Meltdown: The Predictable Distortion of Global Warming by Scientists, Politicians, and the Media. Cato Institute. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-930865-79-2.
20. "Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area". Shannon D. Moore. Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
21. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
22. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
23. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
24. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
25. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
26. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 10 April 2018.

External links

• Calhoun County government
• Calhoun County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas
• "Calhoun County Profile" from the Texas Association of Counties