Palacios, Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Palacios, Texas | |
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| Nickname: City by the Sea | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Matagorda |
| Area | |
| - Total | 5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²) |
| - Land | 5.0 sq mi (13.1 km²) |
| - Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 5,153 |
| - Density | 1,021.4/sq mi (394.4/km²) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 77465 |
| Area code(s) | 361 |
| FIPS code | 48-54684[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1364710[2] |
Palacios (pronounced puh-LASH-uhs) is a city in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,153 at the 2000 census.
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[edit] Geography
Palacios is located on the Gulf Coast at (28.709153, -96.217588),[3] about halfway between Houston and Corpus Christi. It is connected to both cities by State Highway 35.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 square miles (16.6 km²), of which, 5.0 square miles (13.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (4.36%) is water. It is located on the shores of Tres Palacios Bay, an arm of Matagorda Bay.
The Palacios area is known among birders for its wide diversity of bird life. Since 1997, as part of the 15-mile-diameter Matagorda County-Mad Island Marsh count circle of the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, it has consistently reported more bird species than anywhere else in the United States. On December 19, 2005, a record 250 species were observed.[4]
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,153 people, 1,661 households, and 1,244 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,021.4 people per square mile (394.8/km²). There were 1,976 housing units at an average density of 391.7/sq mi (151.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 57.07% White, 4.74% African American, 0.68% Native American, 12.13% Asian, 22.36% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.19% of the population.
Palacios has an unusually high percentage of Asian-Americans as it is home to a large community of Vietnamese immigrants and their families.
There were 1,661 households out of which 44.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.64.
In the city the population was spread out with 35.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,623, and the median income for a family was $35,518. Males had a median income of $27,483 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,107. About 19.8% of families and 24.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.9% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Economy
Home to approximately 400 vessels, Palacios is the third largest shrimping port on the Texas Gulf Coast and claims to be the "Shrimp Capital of Texas." [5]
[edit] Education
Palacios and neighboring areas are served by the Palacios Independent School District.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/texas/press/press2757.html Nature Conservancy in Texas
- ^ http://www.palacioschamber.com/tourist.htm Palacios Chamber of Commerce
[edit] External links
- Palacios, Texas is at coordinates Coordinates:
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