Live Oak County, Texas

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1079 sqmi, of which 39 sqmi (3.6%) are covered by water. It is home to the Choke Canyon Reservoir.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

• Karnes County (northeast)
• Bee County (east)
• San Patricio County (southeast)
• Jim Wells County (south)
• Duval County (southwest)
• McMullen County (west)
• Atascosa County (northwest)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1850–2010 2020

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 11,335. The median age was 44.4 years; 18.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 129.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 133.6 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 74.3% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian,

There were 4,067 households in the county, of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.5% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 5,927 housing units, of which 31.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.8% were owner-occupied and 20.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 24.4%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 12,309 people, 4,230 households, and 3,070 families were residing in the county. The population density was 12 /mi2. The 6,196 housing units had an average density of 6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 87.28% White, 2.45% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 7.74% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. About 38.05% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 4,230 households, 30.9% had children under 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were not families. About 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the age distribution was 22.3% under 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 122.2 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 129.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,057 and for a family was $38,235. Males had a median income of $30,061 versus $19,665 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,886. About 14.1% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under 18 and 11.7% of those 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Institution, Three Rivers, is located in unincorporated Live Oak County near Three Rivers.

Politics

Live Oak County voted predominantly Democratic at the presidential level during the first half of the 20th century. Native son Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1952 win was an exception. Jimmy Carter in 1976, however, was the last Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county, with Republicans winning since 1980.

Communities

Cities

• George West (county seat)
• Three Rivers

Village

• Pernitas Point (small part in Jim Wells County)

Unincorporated communities

• Dinero
• Oakville
• Ray Point
• Swinney Switch
• Whitsett
• Clegg

Ghost town

• Lebanon

Education

School districts include:

• George West Independent School District
• Mathis Independent School District
• Three Rivers Independent School District

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

References

References

1. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". U.S. Government Printing Office.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. "Live Oak County, Texas".
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. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Live Oak County, Texas".
8. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Live Oak County, Texas".
9. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Live Oak County, Texas".
10. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
12. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
13. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
14. link. (December 3, 2010 ." [[Federal Bureau of Prisons]]. Retrieved on December 12, 2010. "US HIGHWAY 72 WEST THREE RIVERS, TX 78071")
15. (January 2018)
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: Live Oak 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".