Brazoria County, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brazoria County, Texas
Map
Map of Texas highlighting Brazoria County
Location in the state of Texas
Map of the U.S. highlighting Texas
Texas's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded 1836
Seat Angleton
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
1,597 sq mi (4,136 km²)
1,386 sq mi (3,590 km²)
211 sq mi (546 km²), 13.21%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density
241,767
174/sq mi (67/km²)
Website: www.brazoria-county.com

Brazoria County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas located on the Gulf Coast within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. Its county seat is Angleton, and its largest city is Pearland. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 241,767. The 2007 Census estimate placed the county's population at 294,233.

Contents

[edit] History

Brazoria County, like nearby Brazos County, takes its name from the Brazos River, which flows through it. Anglo-Texas began in Brazoria County when the first of Stephen F. Austin's authorized 300 American settlers arrived at the mouth of the Brazos River in 1821. Many of the events leading to the Texas Revolution developed in Brazoria County. In 1832, Brazoria was organized as a separate municipal district by the Mexican government, and so became one of Texas original counties at independence in 1836. Stephen F. Austin's original burial place was located at a church cemetery (Gulf Prairie Presbyterian) in the town of Jones Creek, but was more recently exhumed and brought to the state capital in Austin. Also, the town of West Columbia served as the first capital of Texas, dating back to pre-revolutionary days.

Congressman and 2008 Presidential Candidate Ron Paul lives in Brazoria County, in Lake Jackson.

Brazoria County resembles both rural and suburban life as it is part of the Greater Houston area.

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,597 square miles (4,137 km²), of which, 1,386 square miles (3,591 km²) of it is land and 211 square miles (547 km²) of it (13.21%) is water.

[edit] Major highways

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 241,767 people, 81,954 households, and 63,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 174 people per square mile (67/km²). There were 90,628 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.09% White, 8.50% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.63% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. 22.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 12.1% were of German, 11.2% American and 7.2% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 79.0% spoke English and 18.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 81,954 households out of which 40.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.00% were non-families. 19.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 32.40% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 106.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,632, and the median income for a family was $55,282. Males had a median income of $42,193 versus $27,728 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,021. About 8.10% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.60% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Elected officials

[edit] United States Congress

Senators Name Party First Elected Level
  Senate Class 1 Kay Bailey Hutchison Republican 1993 Senior Senator
  Senate Class 2 John Cornyn Republican 2002 Junior Senator
Representatives Name Party First Elected Area(s) of Brazoria County Represented
  District 14 Ron Paul Republican 1996 (also served 1976-1977 and 1979-1985) Central and southern areas (Alvin, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport)
  District 22 Nick Lampson Democrat 2006 (also served 1997-2005) Northern areas (Pearland)

[edit] Texas Legislature

[edit] Texas Senate

District Name Party First Elected Area(s) of Brazoria County Represented
  11 Mike Jackson Republican 1999 Northern and central areas
  17 Kyle Janek Republican 2002 Southern areas

[edit] Texas House of Representatives

District Name Party First Elected Area(s) of Brazoria County Represented
  25 Dennis Bonnen Republican 1996 Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport
  29 Mike O'Day Republican 2007 Pearland, Alvin

NOTE: There was a runoff to be held in January, 2007 between two Republicans to determine the representative for the seat in House District 29.

[edit] Communities

[edit] Cities

[edit] Towns

[edit] Villages

[edit] Unincorporated areas

[edit] CDPs

[edit] Other areas

[edit] Education

A variety of school districts serve Brazoria County students. They include:

Alvin Community College and Brazosport College serve as higher education facilities.

Brazoria County Library System is the county library system.

[edit] Transportation

Two general aviation airports serve Brazoria County:

The closest airport with regularly scheduled commercial service is Houston's William P. Hobby Airport located in Houston in adjacent Harris County. The closest airport with regularly scheduled international commercial service is George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in Harris County.

[edit] References

  1. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

Flag of Texas Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
METROPOLITAN AREA
Counties Austin | Brazoria | Chambers | Fort Bend | Galveston | Harris | Liberty | Montgomery | San Jacinto | Waller
"Principal"
cities		 Houston | Sugar Land | Baytown | Galveston
Cities and
towns		 Alvin | Angleton | Bellaire | Cleveland | Clute | Conroe | Dayton | Deer Park | Dickinson | Freeport | Friendswood | Galena Park | Hitchcock | Hempstead | Humble | Jacinto City | Jersey Village | Katy | Lake Jackson | La Marque | La Porte | League City | Liberty | Meadows Place | Missouri City | Pasadena | Pearland | Richmond | Rosenberg | Santa Fe | Seabrook | Sealy | South Houston | Stafford | Texas City | Tomball | Webster | West University Place
Unincorporated areas Atascocita | Channelview | Cloverleaf | Cypress | Klein | Spring | The Woodlands
v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Brazoria County, Texas
County seat: Angleton
Cities
Brazoria County map
Towns
Villages
CDPs
Unincorporated
communities
Footnotes

‡This city also has portions in adjacent county or counties
Flag of Texas
v • d • e

 
State of Texas
Austin (capital)
Topics
Regions
Metropolitan
Areas
Counties

Coordinates: 29°10′N 95°26′W / 29.17, -95.44