Liberty County, Texas

Liberty County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 75,653.[1] The county seat is Liberty.[2] The county was created in 1831 as a municipality in Mexico and organized as a county in 1837.[3][4] It is named for the popular American ideal of liberty.[5]

Liberty County
U.S. county
The Liberty County Courthouse in Liberty
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°09′N 94°49′W
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1837
SeatLiberty
Largest cityLiberty
Area
 • Total1,176 sq mi (3,050 km2)
 • Land1,158 sq mi (3,000 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  1.5%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total75,643
 • Density65/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district36th
Websitewww.co.liberty.tx.us

Liberty County is included in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,176 square miles (3,050 km2), of which 1,158 square miles (3,000 km2) are land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (1.5%) are covered by water.[6]

The Trinity River flows through this county, dividing the county roughly in half. The river begins on the northern border of Liberty County, forming the San Jacinto - Polk County line through the Liberty County line. The east fork of the San Jacinto River flows through far northeast parts of the county, flowing through Cleveland. Tarkington Bayou begins in the Sam Houston National Forest in San Jacinto County, working its way south through northeast and east Liberty County and joining other feeders, before traveling into Harris County and emptying into Galveston Bay. The highest point in Liberty County is "Davis Hill", the roof of a salt dome in the northern part of the county.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18502,522—
18603,18926.4%
18704,41438.4%
18804,99913.3%
18904,230−15.4%
19008,10291.5%
191010,68631.9%
192014,63737.0%
193019,86835.7%
194024,54123.5%
195026,7298.9%
196031,59518.2%
197033,0144.5%
198047,08842.6%
199052,72612.0%
200070,15433.1%
201075,6437.8%
Est. 201988,219[7]16.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1850–2010[9] 2010–2014[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, 70,154 people, 23,242 households, and 17,756 families resided in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile (23/km²). The 26,359 housing units averaged 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.90% White, 12.82% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 6.06% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. About 10.92% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 23,242 households, 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were not families. About 20.40% 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 2.80 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the county, the population was distributed as 27.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,361, and for a family was $43,744. Males had a median income of $37,957 versus $22,703 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,539. About 11.10% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.

Of Liberty County's residents, 8.8% have a college degree, the lowest percentage of any U.S. county with a population exceeding 50,000.[11]

Government and politics

Liberty County, formerly strongly Democratic like much of the rest of Texas, has trended sharply Republican in recent years.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 77.9% 18,892 20.0% 4,862 2.1% 513
2012 76.2% 17,323 22.9% 5,202 1.0% 221
2008 71.2% 15,448 27.6% 5,991 1.1% 248
2004 68.3% 14,821 31.3% 6,780 0.4% 90
2000 62.1% 12,458 36.4% 7,311 1.5% 308
1996 46.4% 7,784 41.0% 6,877 12.6% 2,112
1992 38.0% 6,959 38.4% 7,036 23.7% 4,344
1988 50.2% 8,524 49.2% 8,343 0.6% 106
1984 62.3% 10,504 37.3% 6,292 0.4% 70
1980 47.7% 6,470 50.2% 6,810 2.1% 281
1976 38.9% 4,552 60.5% 7,086 0.6% 66
1972 64.8% 6,111 35.1% 3,311 0.1% 10
1968 28.6% 2,746 36.1% 3,469 35.3% 3,393
1964 34.9% 2,884 64.9% 5,357 0.2% 16
1960 45.8% 3,361 53.1% 3,902 1.1% 82
1956 63.5% 4,129 35.7% 2,318 0.9% 56
1952 53.0% 4,106 46.9% 3,632 0.1% 8
1948 18.8% 735 56.1% 2,199 25.1% 983
1944 9.7% 336 74.1% 2,561 16.2% 558
1940 12.5% 497 87.2% 3,458 0.3% 11
1936 8.0% 244 91.7% 2,813 0.4% 11
1932 8.8% 247 90.4% 2,527 0.8% 22
1928 53.6% 1,070 46.0% 918 0.4% 7
1924 29.2% 639 68.8% 1,506 2.0% 44
1916 22.9% 235 68.7% 704 8.4% 86
1912 9.5% 81 68.6% 584 21.9% 186

United States Congress
Senators Name Party First Elected Level
  Senate Class 1 John Cornyn Republican 2002 Senior Senator
  Senate Class 2 Ted Cruz Republican 2012 Junior Senator
Representatives Name Party First Elected Area(s) of Liberty County Represented
  District 36 Brian Babin Republican 2014 Countywide

Texas Legislature

Texas Senate
  • District 3: Robert Nichols (R)- first elected in 2006

Texas House of Representatives

District 18: Ernest Bailes (R) - first elected in 2016

Liberty County elected officials
Position Official Party
County Judge Jay Knight Republican
County Commissioner Precinct 1 Bruce Karbowski Republican
County Commissioner Precinct 2 Greg Arthur Republican
County Commissioner Precinct 3 James "Boo" Reaves Republican
County Commissioner Precinct 4 Leon Wilson Republican
County Attorney Matthew Poston Republican
County Clerk Paulette Williams Republican
District Attorney Logan Pickett Republican
District Clerk Donna Brown Republican
Sheriff Bobby Rader Republican
Assessor-Collector Ricky Brown Republican
County Treasurer Kim Harris Republican
Constable Precinct 1 Justin Johnston Republican
Constable Precinct 2 Leslie Hulsey Democrat
Constable Precinct 3 Mark "Mad Dog" Davison Republican
Constable Precinct 4 Robbie Thornton Republican
Constable Precinct 5 David Hunter Republican
Constable Precinct 6 John Joslin Republican
Justice Of The Peace Precinct 1 Stephen Hebert Republican
Justice Of The Peace Precinct 2 Ronnie E. Davis Democrat
Justice Of The Peace Precinct 3 Cody Parrish Democrat
Justice Of The Peace Precinct 4 Barry Graves Republican
Justice Of The Peace Precinct 5 Wade Brown Republican
Justice Of The Peace Precinct 6 Ralph Fuller Republican

Economy

Around 1995, the economy of Liberty County was mainly focused on agriculture and oil. As of that year, the economy of Liberty County was struggling. At that time, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice had established four correctional facilities (Cleveland, Henley, Hightower, and Plane) in the county within a six-year span. As of 1995, the facilities employed 1,045 employees and contributed $22 million in the county's annual payroll. Since Cleveland is a privately operated facility, the county receives tax revenue from the prison's operation.[13]

Education
  • Dayton Independent School District (ISD) (portions of the district extends into another county)
  • Liberty ISD
  • Cleveland ISD (portions of the district extends into other counties)
  • Tarkington ISD
  • Hardin ISD
  • Hull-Daisetta ISD
  • Devers ISD

The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, operated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Liberty in an unincorporated area. Judge and Mrs. Price Daniel donated 114 acres (46 ha) of land for the purpose of establishing a library on September 27, 1973. Construction began in the fall of 1975; by then, $700,000 had been raised through private donations. The library opened on May 14, 1977.[14]

Infrastructure

Outside of the city limits, ambulance services are provided by Liberty County EMS and Cleveland EMS. Fire protection is provided mostly through volunteer fire departments, four of which in Liberty County are funded by emergency services districts.[15]

Police services

The headquarters of the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, which serves unincorporated areas and supplements police forces of incorporated areas, is within the city of Liberty. Most incorporated areas operate their own police departments, including Cleveland, Daisetta, Dayton, Kenefick, and Liberty.

Liberty County also has a constable for each of its six precincts and deputies assigned to each.

Fire services

Incorporated cities of Cleveland and Liberty operate their own fire departments staffed by a combination of paid and volunteer members. Both departments cover territory outside their respective city limits.

Fire departments serving unincorporated areas:

  • Ames VFD 1 station
  • Cleveland VFD 2 stations (Covering areas inside the City of Cleveland and North Cleveland, and unincorporated Liberty County)
  • Cypress Lakes VFD 1 station
  • Dayton VFD 2 stations (covering areas inside the City of Dayton, and unincorporated Liberty County)
  • Devers VFD 1 station
  • Hardin VFD 1 station (covering areas inside the City of Hardin, and unincorporated Liberty County)
  • Highway 321 VFD 1 station
  • Hull-Daisetta VFD 1 station (covering areas inside the City of Daisetta, and unincorporated Liberty County)
  • Kenefick VFD 1 station (covering areas inside the City of Kenefick, and unincorporated Liberty County)
  • Liberty VFD 1 station (covering areas inside the City of Liberty, and unincorporated Liberty County)
  • Moss Bluff VFD 1 station
  • North Liberty County VFD 1 station
  • Plum Grove VFD 1 station (covering areas inside the City of Plum Grove, and unincorporated Liberty County)
  • Raywood VFD 1 Station
  • Tarkington VFD 2 stations
  • Westlake VFD 1 station
  • Woodpecker VFD 1 station

Emergency medical services

Emergency medical services are provided by Liberty County EMS, with the only exception being inside the City of Liberty, for which service is provided by the City of Liberty Fire and EMS Department.

Corrections

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates one women's prison and two women's state jails, all co-located in an unincorporated area. The L.V. Hightower Unit prison and the Dempsie Henley Unit and Lucille G. Plane Unit jails are 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Dayton.[16][17][18] The Cleveland Unit, a prison for men privately operated by the GEO Group, Inc. on behalf of the TDCJ, is in Cleveland.[19]

Cleveland opened in September 1989.[19] Hightower opened in March 1990.[16] Henley and Plane opened in May 1995.[17][18] Also, in 1992 Community Education Centers opened a private detention center under federal contract with the United States Marshals Service for 372 beds, co-located at the old decommissioned Liberty County Jail.[20]

As of 1995, of all Texas counties, Liberty County had the fourth-largest number of state prisons and jails, after Walker, Brazoria, and Coryell Counties.[13]

Transportation

Major highways
Main article: List of highways in Liberty County, Texas

Aviation

Two general aviation airports are located in unincorporated sections of the county.

The Houston Airport System stated that Liberty County is within the primary service area of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, an international airport in Houston in Harris County.[21]

Toll roads
Liberty County Toll Road Authority
Authority overview
FormedJuly 2007 (2007-07)[22]
JurisdictionLiberty County, Texas
HeadquartersLiberty County Commissioners Court

The Liberty County Toll Road Authority does not operate any toll roads at present. In July, 2007, Liberty County created the Liberty County Toll Road Authority to have a say in any and all future toll-road projects located within the county.[22]

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Notable people
  • William Fields (1810-1858), American politician
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See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". Texas Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  4. "Liberty County". Texas Almanac. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 186.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  9. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. Silver, Nate. "Education, Not Income, Predicted Who Would Vote For Trump". FiveThirtyEight. November 22, 2016.
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  13. Horswell, Cindy. "For hard-hit economy of Liberty County, crime officially pays." Houston Chronicle. Thursday June 29, 1995. A30. Retrieved on July 23, 2010.
  14. "Sam Houston Center." Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.
  15. What is an Emergency Services District?.
  16. "Hightower Unit Archived 2010-07-25 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 10, 2010.
  17. "Henley Unit Archived 2010-07-25 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 10, 2010.
  18. "Plane Unit Archived 2010-07-25 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 10, 2010.
  19. "Cleveland Unit Archived 2010-07-25 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 10, 2010.
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-10-15. Retrieved 2014-01-31.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. "Master Plan Executive Summary Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." George Bush Intercontinental Airport Master Plan. [[Houston Airport System]]. December 2006. 2-1 (23/130). Retrieved on December 14, 2010.
  22. Mike George (October 1, 2007). "Creation of local toll authority set in motion". Chron.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.

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