Karnes County, Texas

Karnes County
County
The Karnes County Courthouse in Karnes City
The Karnes County Courthouse in Karnes City
Map of Texas highlighting Karnes County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 28°55′N 97°52′W / 28.91°N 97.86°W / 28.91; -97.86
Country United States
State Texas
FoundedFebruary 4, 1854
Named forHenry Karnes
SeatKarnes City
Largest cityKenedy
Area
 • Total
754 sq mi (1,950 km2)
 • Land748 sq mi (1,940 km2)
 • Water6.0 sq mi (16 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
14,710
 • Density20/sq mi (7.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.co.karnes.tx.us

Karnes County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,710.[1] Its county seat is Karnes City.[2] The county is named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.[3] The former San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway passed through Karnes County in its connection linking San Antonio with Corpus Christi.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 754 square miles (1,950 km2), of which 748 square miles (1,940 km2) is land and 6.0 square miles (16 km2) (0.8%) is water.[4]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602,171—
18701,705−21.5%
18803,27091.8%
18903,63711.2%
19008,681138.7%
191014,94272.1%
192019,04927.5%
193023,31622.4%
194019,248−17.4%
195017,139−11.0%
196014,995−12.5%
197013,462−10.2%
198013,5931.0%
199012,455−8.4%
200015,44624.0%
201014,824−4.0%
202014,710−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1850–2010[6] 2010–2014[7]

2020 census

Karnes County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[8] Pop 2010[9] Pop 2020[10] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 6,309 5,956 5,388 40.85% 40.18% 36.63%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,603 1,351 1,116 10.38% 9.11% 7.59%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 37 37 26 0.24% 0.25% 0.18%
Asian alone (NH) 62 25 145 0.40% 0.17% 0.99%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2 2 1 0.01% 0.01% 0.01%
Other race alone (NH) 7 18 61 0.05% 0.12% 0.41%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 102 59 239 0.66% 0.40% 1.62%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7,324 7,376 7,734 47.42% 49.76% 52.58%
Total 15,446 14,710 14,710 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,710 people, 4,552 households, and 3,156 families residing in the county.

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 15,446 people, 4,454 households, and 3,246 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8.1 people/km2). There were 5,479 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 68.55% White, 10.79% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.43% Asian American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 17.23% of other races, and 2.26% of two or more races. 47.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino American of any race.

There were 4,454 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.80% under the age of 18, 11.50% from 18 to 24, 34.20% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 146.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 162.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,526, and the median income for a family was $30,565. Males had a median income of $27,260 versus $19,367 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,603. About 18.50% of families and 21.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.10% of those under age 18 and 20.50% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Around 2008 ConocoPhillips drilled a well in Karnes County and struck oil, causing an economic boom.[12]

Communities

Cities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Politics

United States presidential election results for Karnes County, Texas[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,001 78.84% 1,051 20.71% 23 0.45%
2020 3,968 75.54% 1,234 23.49% 51 0.97%
2016 2,965 70.63% 1,145 27.27% 88 2.10%
2012 2,825 67.50% 1,325 31.66% 35 0.84%
2008 2,736 60.44% 1,760 38.88% 31 0.68%
2004 3,114 66.64% 1,543 33.02% 16 0.34%
2000 2,638 61.23% 1,617 37.53% 53 1.23%
1996 1,869 43.12% 2,154 49.70% 311 7.18%
1992 1,990 42.34% 1,897 40.36% 813 17.30%
1988 2,383 48.31% 2,529 51.27% 21 0.43%
1984 3,068 62.84% 1,802 36.91% 12 0.25%
1980 2,719 53.59% 2,284 45.01% 71 1.40%
1976 1,675 35.50% 2,996 63.50% 47 1.00%
1972 2,639 59.60% 1,780 40.20% 9 0.20%
1968 1,342 31.22% 2,271 52.83% 686 15.96%
1964 993 23.77% 3,178 76.08% 6 0.14%
1960 1,526 37.36% 2,556 62.57% 3 0.07%
1956 1,764 51.62% 1,636 47.88% 17 0.50%
1952 2,374 55.73% 1,884 44.23% 2 0.05%
1948 592 19.93% 2,198 73.98% 181 6.09%
1944 692 24.23% 1,920 67.23% 244 8.54%
1940 631 23.88% 2,010 76.08% 1 0.04%
1936 371 15.16% 2,067 84.47% 9 0.37%
1932 186 7.02% 2,458 92.75% 6 0.23%
1928 855 44.83% 1,052 55.17% 0 0.00%
1924 531 21.27% 1,727 69.19% 238 9.54%
1920 484 31.27% 642 41.47% 422 27.26%
1916 238 20.95% 889 78.26% 9 0.79%
1912 66 7.96% 710 85.65% 53 6.39%

Education

School districts include:[14]

Coastal Bend College (formerly Bee County College) is the designated community college for the county.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "QuickFacts: Karnes County, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 172.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  5. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  6. ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  8. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Karnes County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Karnes County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Karnes County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. ^ MacCormack, John. "Shale play turns Karnes County around, but not without trouble." Houston Chronicle. February 23, 2013. Retrieved on March 2, 2013.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  14. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Karnes County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2024. - Text list
  15. ^ Texas Education Code Sec. 130.167. BEE COUNTY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. The legislation calls it "Bee County College".

28°55′N 97°52′W / 28.91°N 97.86°W / 28.91; -97.86