Shelby County, Texas

Template:Short description Template:Other uses Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county

Shelby County is a county located in the far eastern portion of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 24,022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seat is Center.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county was established in 1835 as a municipality of Mexico and organized as a county in 1837.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier in the American Revolution who became the first governor of Kentucky.

History

Shelby County was established in 1837. It was named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier from Tennessee during the American Revolution, and first Governor of Kentucky.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert are land and Template:Convert (4.7%) are covered by water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Adjacent counties and parishes

National protected area

Sabine National Forest (part)

Demographics

Template:US Census population

**Shelby 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>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2000	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	17,564	16,535	14,416	69.63%	64.98%	60.01%
Black or African American alone (NH)	4,881	4,414	3,805	19.35%	17.35%	15.84%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	75	61	50	0.30%	0.24%	0.21%
Asian alone (NH)	57	76	364	0.23%	0.30%	1.52%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	3	0	14	0.01%	0.00%	0.06%
Other Race alone (NH)	14	17	49	0.06%	0.07%	0.20%
Mixed Race or Multiracial (NH)	141	181	639	0.56%	0.71%	2.66%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2,489	4,164	4,685	9.87%	16.36%	19.50%
Total	25,224	25,448	24,022	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census<ref name="GR8">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, 25,224 people, 9,595 households, and 6,908 families resided in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. The 11,955 housing units averaged Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 72.65% White, 19.44% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.87% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. About 9.87% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 9,595 households, 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were notfamilies. About 25.40% 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 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was distributed as 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,112, and for a family was $34,021. Males had a median income of $26,501 versus $20,280 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,186. About 14.90% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

These school districts serve Shelby County:<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>

Center ISD
Excelsior ISD
Joaquin ISD (small portion in Panola County)
San Augustine ISD (mostly in San Augustine County)
Shelbyville ISD (small portion in Sabine County)
Tenaha ISD (small portion in Panola County)
Timpson ISD

All of Shelby County is in the service area of Panola College.<ref>Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.194. PANOLA COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA..</ref>

Media

The Light and Champion, a news and information company, marked its 140th year of operation in 2017. It serves Shelby County, as well as Logansport, Louisiana. The Light and Champion produces a weekly print edition, a weekly free-distribution print product called The Merchandiser, operates a web site, www.lightandchampion.com, and a Facebook page. The Light and Champion is owned by Moser Community Media, based in Brenham, Texas.

Transportation

Major highways

- File:I-69 (TX).svg Interstate 69 is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places west of Tenaha and the current route of U.S. 84 in most places east of Tenaha to the Louisiana state line.
File:US 59.svg U.S. Highway 59
- File:I-369 (TX).svg Interstate 369 is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places north of Tenaha.
File:US 84.svg U.S. Highway 84
File:US 96.svg U.S. Highway 96
File:Texas 7.svg State Highway 7
File:Texas 87.svg State Highway 87
File:Texas 147.svg State Highway 147
File:Texas FM 139.svg Farm to Market Road 139
File:Texas FM 1970.svg Farm to Market Road 1970

US 59 passes through Shelby County. It is planned to be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the planned Interstate 69 up to Tenaha, where the planned Interstate 369 will follow US 59 northward to both Interstate 30 and Interstate 49 in Texarkana. US 84 is planned to be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the planned Interstate 69 from Tenaha to the Louisiana state line.

Mass transportation

Greyhound Lines operates the Center Station at the Shelby County's Best Yogurt store in Center.<ref>"Template:Cite web." Greyhound Lines. Retrieved on July 29, 2012. NOTE: The information for Center appears as a pop-up window.</ref>