Kenedy County, Texas

Not to be confused with Kenedy, Texas.
Kenedy County, Texas
Map of Texas highlighting Kenedy County
Location in the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location in the U.S.
Founded 1921
Named for Mifflin Kenedy
Seat Sarita
Largest community Sarita
Area
 • Total 1,946 sq mi (5,040 km2)
 • Land 1,458 sq mi (3,776 km2)
 • Water 487 sq mi (1,261 km2), 25%
Population
 • (2010) 416
 • Density 0.3/sq mi (0/km²)
Congressional district 34th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.kenedy.tx.us

Kenedy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 416.[1] It is the third-least populous county in Texas and fourth-least populous in the United States. Its county seat is Sarita.[2] The county was created in 1921 from parts of Hidalgo and Willacy counties and is named for Mifflin Kenedy, an early area rancher and steamboat operator.[3]

Kenedy County is included in the Kingsville, TX Kingsville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice, TX Combined Statistical Area. There are no incorporated municipalities in Kenedy County.

In 1999, Hurricane Bret struck the county, but damage was minimal because of the low population. The Peñascal Wind Power Project was built near Sarita in the early 21st Century and is expected to slightly raise the population of the area.

The King Ranch, of which Mifflin Kenedy had been a partner prior to 1868, covers a large part of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,946 square miles (5,040 km2), of which 1,458 square miles (3,780 km2) is land and 487 square miles (1,260 km2) (25%) is water.[4] In total area, Kenedy is the 13th largest county in Texas.[5] In land area only, it is the 25th-largest county in Texas. It borders the Gulf of Mexico. Baffin Bay makes up much of the border with Kleberg County.

Major highways

US 77 is the only highway (federal or state) in Kenedy County.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19201,033—
1930701−32.1%
1940700−0.1%
1950632−9.7%
196088439.9%
1970678−23.3%
1980543−19.9%
1990460−15.3%
2000414−10.0%
20104160.5%
Est. 2015407[6]−2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1850–2010[8] 2010–2014[1]

As of the census[9] in 2000, there were 414 people, 138 households, and 110 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.28 people per square mile (0.11/km²). There were 281 housing units at an average density of 0.19 per square mile (0.07/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.49% White, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 31.88% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 78.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 138 households, out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.60% were non-families. 18.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the county, the population had widespread age groups including 29.20% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years old. For every 100 females there were 110.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,000, and the median income for a family was $26,719. Males had a median income of $18,125 versus $12,188 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,959. 15.30% of the population and 9.90% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 15.60% are under the age of 18 and 18.80% are 65 or older.

Kenedy County, the third least populous county in Texas, had 108 times more cattle than people in 1999.[5]

Education

Almost all of Kenedy County is served by Sarita Elementary School (PreK-6) of the Kenedy County Wide Common School District. Of the nine Texas counties having only one school apiece, the population of Sarita Elementary School was the smallest.[5]

A small portion of Kenedy County is served by the Riviera Independent School District.

Communities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated community

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "Kenedy, Mifflin". The Handbook of Texas On-Line. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "[www.youtube.com What is Rural?]," Rural Texas in Transition. Window on State Government.
  6. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  9. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kenedy County, Texas.
 Kleberg County
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Hidalgo County Willacy County

Coordinates: 26°56′N 97°37′W / 26.93°N 97.62°W / 26.93; -97.62

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