Karnes County, Texas

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 754 sqmi, of which 748 sqmi is land and 6.0 sqmi (0.8%) is water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 181.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 181
• [[Image:Texas 72.svg|20px]] State Highway 72
• [[Image:Texas 80.svg|20px]] State Highway 80
• [[Image:Texas 123.svg|20px]] State Highway 123
• [[Image:Texas 239.svg|20px]] State Highway 239

Adjacent counties

• Gonzales County (northeast)
• DeWitt County (east)
• Goliad County (southeast)
• Bee County (south)
• Live Oak County (southwest)
• Atascosa County (west)
• Wilson County (northwest)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1850–2010 2010–2014

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 14,710 people, 4,594 households, and 3,156 families residing in the county.

The median age was 39.2 years; 19.4% were under the age of 18 and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 140.1 males, and among those 18 and over there were 149.6 males per 100 females.

The racial makeup of the county was 55.8% White, 8.0% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian,

Of those households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 43.9% were married-couple households, 22.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 5,796 housing units, of which 20.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.3% were owner-occupied and 30.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.9%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 15,446 people, 4,454 households, and 3,246 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 /mi2. There were 5,479 housing units at an average density of 7 /mi2. 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% 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.

Communities

Cities

• Falls City
• Karnes City (county seat)
• Kenedy

Town

• Runge

Unincorporated communities

• Cestohowa
• Choate
• Ecleto
• Gillett
• Hobson
• Panna Maria
• Pawelekville

Ghost towns

• Helena
• Wintergreen

Politics

Education

School districts include:

• Falls City Independent School District
• Karnes City Independent School District
• Kenedy Independent School District
• Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School District
• Nordheim Independent School District
• Pawnee Independent School District
• Pettus Independent School District
• Runge Independent School District

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

References

References

1. "QuickFacts: Karnes County, Texas".
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
4. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
5. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". [[US Census Bureau]].
6. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010". Texas Almanac.
7. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
8. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
9. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
10. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
11. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Karnes County, Texas". [[United States Census Bureau]].
12. "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]].
13. "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]].
14. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. MacCormack, John. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Shale-play-turns-Karnes-County-around-but-not-4303201.php Shale play turns Karnes County around, but not without trouble]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. February 23, 2013. Retrieved on March 2, 2013.
16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
17. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
18. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Karnes County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
19. [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code Sec. 130.167. BEE COUNTY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.] The legislation calls it "Bee County College".