Smith County, Texas

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Smith County, Texas
Seal of Smith County, Texas
Map
Map of Texas highlighting Smith County
Location in the state of Texas
Map of the USA highlighting Texas
Texas's location in the USA
Statistics
Founded July, 1846
Seat Tyler
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
2,459 km² (949 mi²)
2,404 km² (928 mi²)
55 km² (21 mi²), 2.22%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density
174,706
73/km² 
Website: www.smith-county.com

Smith County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 174,706. Its county seat is Tyler6. Smith county is named for James Smith. a general during the Texas Revolution. Smith County is primarily dry, but the city of Tyler is "damp" allowing wine sales at KE cellars in town without a local option election. The first ever storefront to open and sell alcohol in Smith County since the late 1930s.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,459 km² (949 mi²). 2,404 km² (928 mi²) of it is land and 55 km² (21 mi²) of it (2.22%) is water. The county infrastructure includes some 1180 miles of two lane county road. 70% of these county roads were rated as "bad" and "poor" in 2004. The county Commissioners Court appointed a new County Engineer in 2005 and an aggressive reconstruction campaign was initiated to improve the infrastructure.

[edit] Major Highways

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 174,706 people, 65,692 households, and 46,904 families residing in the county. The population density was 73/km² (188/mi²). There were 71,701 housing units at an average density of 30/km² (77/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 72.61% White, 19.06% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 5.74% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 11.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 65,692 households out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males. According to official state of Texas records Smith county now incarcerates its residents at a rate twice as high as the state average and is currently embroiled in a debate over the building of a new county jail.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,148, and the median income for a family was $44,534. Males had a median income of $32,451 versus $22,351 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,072. About 10.20% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.40% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.

The county has been unable to house approximately 30% of its growing inmate population since 2000 in its own facilities and spends approximately 10% of its annual budget (estimated to be $62 Million in 2007) for housing prisoners in out of county facilities.


[edit] Cities and towns

[edit] See also

[edit] Roads and highways

[edit] External links


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