Matagorda County, Texas
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Matagorda County is a county located in the state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 37,957. Its county seat is Bay City6. Matagorda county is named for the canebrakes which once grew along the coast (Matagorda is a Spanish word meaning "thick bush").
Map_of_Texas_highlighting_Matagorda_County.png
Image:Map of Texas highlighting Matagorda County.png
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,176 km² (1,612 mi²). 2,886 km² (1,114 mi²) of it is land and 1,289 km² (498 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 30.87% water, which includes Matagorda Bay.
Adjacent counties
- Brazoria County (northeast)
- Gulf of Mexico (southeast)
- Jackson County (west)
- Wharton County (northwest)
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 37,957 people, 13,901 households, and 9,925 families residing in the county. The population density is 13/km² (34/mi²). There are 18,611 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (17/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 67.83% White, 12.72% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 2.38% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 13.98% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. 31.35% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 13,901 households out of which 36.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% are married couples living together, 12.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% are non-families. 25.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.70 and the average family size is 3.25.
In the county, the population is spread out with 30.00% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $32,174, and the median income for a family is $40,586. Males have a median income of $37,733 versus $21,871 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,709. 18.50% of the population and 14.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.00% of those under the age of 18 and 13.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
External links
- Matagorda County government’s website (http://www.co.matagorda.tx.us/)
- Matagorda County in Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/MM/hcm5.html) at the University of Texas
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| Metropolitan Areas: Abilene | Amarillo | Austin-Round Rock | Beaumont-Port Arthur | Brownsville-Harlingen | College Station-Bryan | Corpus Christi | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | El Paso | Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown | Killeen-Temple | Laredo | Longview-Marshall | Lubbock | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | Midland | Odessa | San Angelo | San Antonio | Sherman-Denison | Texarkana | Tyler | Victoria | Waco | Wichita Falls | |
| See also: List of Texas counties |