Karnes County, Texas

Karnes County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,710.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seat is Karnes City.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county is named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The former San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway passed through Karnes County in its connection linking San Antonio with Corpus Christi.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Major highways

• File:US 181.svg U.S. Highway 181
• File:Texas 72.svg State Highway 72
• File:Texas 80.svg State Highway 80
• File:Texas 123.svg State Highway 123
• File:Texas 239.svg State Highway 239

Adjacent counties

• Gonzales County (northeast)
• DeWitt County (east)
• Goliad County (southeast)
• Bee County (south)
• Live Oak County (southwest)
• Atascosa County (west)
• Wilson County (northwest)

Demographics

2020 census

Karnes County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2000	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	6,309	5,956	5,388	40.85%	40.18%	36.63%
Black or African American alone (NH)	1,603	1,351	1,116	10.38%	9.11%	7.59%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	37	37	26	0.24%	0.25%	0.18%
Asian alone (NH)	62	25	145	0.40%	0.17%	0.99%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	2	2	1	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%
Other race alone (NH)	7	18	61	0.05%	0.12%	0.41%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	102	59	239	0.66%	0.40%	1.62%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	7,324	7,376	7,734	47.42%	49.76%	52.58%
Total	15,446	14,710	14,710	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,710 people, 4,552 households, and 3,156 families residing in the county.

As of the census<ref name="GR8">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 15,446 people, 4,454 households, and 3,246 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,479 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 68.55% White, 10.79% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.43% Asian American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 17.23% of other races, and 2.26% of two or more races. 47.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino American of any race.

There were 4,454 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.80% under the age of 18, 11.50% from 18 to 24, 34.20% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 146.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 162.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,526, and the median income for a family was $30,565. Males had a median income of $27,260 versus $19,367 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,603. About 18.50% of families and 21.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.10% of those under age 18 and 20.50% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Template:Expand section Around 2008 ConocoPhillips drilled a well in Karnes County and struck oil, causing an economic boom.<ref>MacCormack, John. "Shale play turns Karnes County around, but not without trouble." Houston Chronicle. February 23, 2013. Retrieved on March 2, 2013.</ref>

Communities

Cities

• Falls City
• Karnes City (county seat)
• Kenedy

Town

• Runge

Unincorporated communities

• Cestohowa
• Choate
• Ecleto
• Gillett
• Hobson
• Panna Maria
• Pawelekville

Ghost towns

• Helena
• Wintergreen

Education

School districts include:<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>

• Falls City Independent School District
• Karnes City Independent School District
• Kenedy Independent School District
• Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School District
• Nordheim Independent School District
• Pawnee Independent School District
• Pettus Independent School District
• Runge Independent School District

Coastal Bend College (formerly Bee County College) is the designated community college for the county.<ref>Texas Education Code Sec. 130.167. BEE COUNTY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. The legislation calls it "Bee County College".</ref>

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Karnes County, Texas
• Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Karnes County

External links

• The Karnes Countywide newspaper
• Henry Karnes' entry in Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas hosted by the Portal to Texas History].
• Template:Handbook of Texas
• Genealogy in Karnes County, Texas