| Liberty County, Texas | |
Location in the state of Texas |
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Texas's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1836 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Liberty |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,176 sq mi (3,046 km²) 1,160 sq mi (3,004 km²) 16 sq mi (41 km²), 1.41% |
| Population - (2010) - Density |
75,643 65/sq mi (25/km²) |
| Website | www.co.liberty.tx.us |
Liberty County is a county located in Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 75,643.[1] Its county seat is Liberty.[2]
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,176 square miles (3,045.8 km2), of which 1,160 square miles (3,004.4 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41.4 km2) (1.41%) is water.
The Trinity River flows through this county, dividing the county approximately in half. The river begins on the northern border of Liberty County, forming the San Jacinto - Polk County line through the Liberty County line. The east fork of the San Jacinto River flows through far Northeast parts of the county, Flowing through Cleveland. Tarkington Bayou begins in the Sam Houston National Forest in San Jacinto County, working its way south through Northeast and east Liberty County and joining other feeders, before traveling into Harris County and emptying into Galveston Bay. The highest point in Liberty County is "Davis Hill", the roof of a salt dome in the northern part of the county.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 2,522 |
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| 1860 | 3,189 | 26.4% | |
| 1870 | 4,414 | 38.4% | |
| 1880 | 4,999 | 13.3% | |
| 1890 | 4,230 | −15.4% | |
| 1900 | 8,102 | 91.5% | |
| 1910 | 10,686 | 31.9% | |
| 1920 | 14,637 | 37.0% | |
| 1930 | 19,868 | 35.7% | |
| 1940 | 24,541 | 23.5% | |
| 1950 | 26,729 | 8.9% | |
| 1960 | 31,595 | 18.2% | |
| 1970 | 33,014 | 4.5% | |
| 1980 | 47,088 | 42.6% | |
| 1990 | 52,726 | 12.0% | |
| 2000 | 70,154 | 33.1% | |
| 2010 | 75,643 | 7.8% | |
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Texas Almanac: 1850-2010[4] |
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As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 70,154 people, 23,242 households, and 17,756 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile (23/km²). There were 26,359 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.90% White, 12.82% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.03% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 10.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,242 households out of which 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were non-families. 20.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,361, and the median income for a family was $43,744. Males had a median income of $37,957 versus $22,703 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,539. About 11.10% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.
| 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 Liberty County Represented | |
| District 2 | Ted Poe | Republican | 2004 | Western and southern areas | |
| District 8 | Kevin Brady | Republican | 1996 | Northern areas | |
| Position | Official | Party |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge | Craig McNair | Republican |
| County Commissioner Precinct 1 | Todd Fontenot | Democrat |
| County Commissioner Precinct 2 | Charlotte Warner | Republican |
| County Commissioner Precinct 3 | Melvin Hunt | Democrat |
| County Commissioner Precinct 4 | Norman Brown | Republican |
| County Attorney | Wesley Hinch | Republican |
| County Clerk | Paulette Williams | Republican |
| District Attorney | Michael R. (Blue) Little | Democrat |
| District Clerk | Donna Brown | Republican |
| Sheriff | Henry Patterson | Republican |
| Assessor-Collector | Mark McClelland | Democrat |
| County Treasurer | Kim Harris | Republican |
| Constable Precinct 1 | Tim Allison | Democrat |
| Constable Precinct 2 | Leslie Hulsey | Democrat |
| Constable Precinct 3 | Danny Frankum | Democrat |
| Constable Precinct 4 | Chad Pafford | Republican |
| Constable Precinct 5 | L.W. DeSpain | Democrat |
| Constable Precinct 6 | Royce Wheeler | Democrat |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 1 | Bobby Rader | Republican |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 2 | Ronnie E. Davis | Democrat |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 3 | Cody Parrish | Democrat |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 4 | Barry Graves | Republican |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 5 | Wade Brown | Republican |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 6 | Peggy Dunn | Democrat |
Around 1995 the economy of Liberty County was mainly focused on agriculture and oil. As of that year the economy of Liberty County was struggling. At that time the Texas Department of Criminal Justice had established four correctional facilities (Cleveland, Henley, Hightower, and Plane) in the county within a six year span. As of 1995 the facilities employed 1,045 employees and contributed $22 million in the county's annual payroll. Since Cleveland is a privately-operated facility, the county receives tax revenue from the prison's operation.[6]
†Mostly in Chambers County
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Where "ISD" means "Independent School District".
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, operated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Liberty in an unincorporated area. Judge and Mrs. Price Daniel donated 114 114 acres (46 ha) of land for the purpose of establishing a library on September 27, 1973. Construction began in the fall of 1975; by then $700,000 had been raised through private donations. The library opened on May 14, 1977.[7]
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates one women's prison and two women's state jails, all co-located with one another, in an unincorporated area. The L.V. Hightower Unit prison and the Dempsie Henley Unit and Lucille G. Plane Unit jails are 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Dayton.[8][9][10] The Cleveland Unit, a prison for men privately operated by the GEO Group, Inc. on behalf of the TDCJ, is in Cleveland.[11]
Cleveland opened in September 1989.[11] Hightower opened in March 1990.[8] Henley and Plane opened in May 1995.[9][10] As of 1995, after Henley opened, of all of the counties Liberty County had the fourth largest number of state prisons and jails, after Walker, Brazoria, and Coryell counties.[6]
Two general aviation airports are located in unincorporated sections of the county.
The Houston Airport System stated that Liberty County is within the primary service area of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, an international airport in Houston in Harris County.[12] In addition Liberty County is in proximity to Hobby Airport.
The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the planned Trans-Texas Corridor goes through Liberty County.[13]
Outside of the city limits ambulance services are provided by Liberty County EMS, and City of Cleveland EMS. Fire protection is provided mostly through Volunteer Fire Departments, two of which in Liberty County are funded by Emergency Services Districts (ESD).[14]
The headquarters of the Liberty County Sheriff's Office is within the city of Liberty. Most incorporated areas operate their own police departments, including Cleveland, Dayton, Kenefick, Liberty
Liberty County operates the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, which serves unincorporated areas and supplements police forces of incorporated areas.
Liberty County also has a constable for each of its six precincts and deputies assigned to each.
Incorporated cities of Cleveland and Liberty operate their own fire departments staffed by a combination of paid and volunteers. Both departments cover territory outside their respective city limits. Unincorporated areas have fire service through Volunteer Fire Departments.
Fire departments serving unincorporated areas:
EMS services inside the City of Cleveland are provided by the City of Cleveland EMS, who also provides EMS service to Northwest Liberty County and is made up by area that Cleveland VFD, Plum Grove VFD, and Tarkington VFD each serve.
EMS services inside the City of Liberty are provided by the City of Liberty Fire & EMS.
EMS services for the areas not covered by the above mentioned agencies is provided by Liberty County EMS.
| San Jacinto County | Polk County | |||
| Montgomery County | Hardin County | |||
| Liberty County, Texas | ||||
| Harris County | Chambers County | Jefferson County |
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