Goliad County (/ˈɡoʊliæd/ GOH-lee-ad) is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population is 7,012.[1] Its county seat is Goliad.[2] The county is named for Father Miguel Hidalgo; "Goliad" is an anagram,[3] minus the silent H. The county was created in 1836 and organized the next year.[4]
Goliad County | |
|---|---|
 The Goliad County Courthouse in Goliad. The courthouse and the surrounding square were added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 29, 1976. | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Texas | |
 Texas's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 28°39′N 97°26′W / 28.65°N 97.43°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Named for | Miguel Hidalgo |
| Seat | Goliad |
| Largest city | Goliad |
| Area | |
• Total | 859 sq mi (2,220 km2) |
| • Land | 852 sq mi (2,210 km2) |
| • Water | 7.4 sq mi (19 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,012 |
| • Density | 8.2/sq mi (3.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 27th |
| Website | www |
Goliad County is a part of the Victoria, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
editPajalat and Siquipil, both Coahuiltecan peoples, were Indigenous peoples who lived in what became Goliad County.[5] A 1727 Spanish map records them living in the area.[5]
The first declaration of independence for the Republic of Texas was signed in Goliad on December 20, 1835, although the formal declaration was made by the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Goliad County was the site of two battles in the Texas Revolution. The Battle of Goliad was a minor skirmish early in the war. However, the subsequent battle of Coleto was an important battle that culminated on March 27, 1836. Col. James Fannin and his Texan soldiers were executed by the Mexican army, under orders from Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna, in what became known as the Goliad Massacre. This event led to the Texas Revolutionary battle cry "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" Although many remember the Alamo today, fewer remember Goliad. The site of the massacre is located near Presidio la Bahia, just south of the town of Goliad.
In 1874, Juan Moya, a prominent Tejano landowner and Mexican army captain who fought in the Texas Revolution, was lynched, along with his two sons, by a mob who suspected them of murdering a neighboring family in Goliad County.[6]
Goliad County is also the birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza, who led the Mexican army against the invading forces of Napoleon III in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 ("Cinco de Mayo").
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 859 square miles (2,220 km2), of which 852 square miles (2,210 km2) is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (0.9%) is water.[7]
Major highways
edit
U.S. Highway 59
Interstate 69W is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places.
U.S. Highway 77 Alternate/U.S. Highway 183
State Highway 119
State Highway 239
Farm to Market Road 81
Farm to Market Road 622
Farm to Market Road 883
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Adjacent counties
edit- DeWitt County (north)
- Victoria County (northeast)
- Refugio County (southeast)
- Bee County (southwest)
- Karnes County (northwest)
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 648 | — | |
| 1860 | 3,384 | 422.2% | |
| 1870 | 3,628 | 7.2% | |
| 1880 | 5,832 | 60.7% | |
| 1890 | 5,910 | 1.3% | |
| 1900 | 8,310 | 40.6% | |
| 1910 | 9,909 | 19.2% | |
| 1920 | 9,348 | −5.7% | |
| 1930 | 10,093 | 8.0% | |
| 1940 | 8,798 | −12.8% | |
| 1950 | 6,219 | −29.3% | |
| 1960 | 5,429 | −12.7% | |
| 1970 | 4,869 | −10.3% | |
| 1980 | 5,193 | 6.7% | |
| 1990 | 5,980 | 15.2% | |
| 2000 | 6,928 | 15.9% | |
| 2010 | 7,210 | 4.1% | |
| 2020 | 7,012 | −2.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1850–2010[9] 2020[10] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[11] | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[10] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 4,115 | 4,337 | 4,246 | 59.40% | 60.15% | 60.55% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 317 | 310 | 235 | 4.58% | 4.30% | 3.35% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 9 | 29 | 18 | 0.13% | 0.40% | 0.26% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 14 | 11 | 24 | 0.20% | 0.15% | 0.34% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 6 | 16 | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.23% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 33 | 55 | 185 | 0.48% | 0.76% | 2.64% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,439 | 2,462 | 2,288 | 35.20% | 34.15% | 32.63% |
| Total | 6,928 | 7,210 | 7,012 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 6,928 people, 2,644 households, and 1,975 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 3,426 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.62% White, 4.82% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 10.05% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. 35.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,644 households, out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.10% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.30% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,201, and the median income for a family was $40,446. Males had a median income of $30,954 versus $20,028 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,126. About 11.90% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.70% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.
Education
editGoliad County is served by the Goliad Independent School District.
Communities
editCity
edit- Goliad (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
editPolitics
edit| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 3,178 | 79.73% | 778 | 19.52% | 30 | 0.75% |
| 2020 | 3,085 | 77.22% | 877 | 21.95% | 33 | 0.83% |
| 2016 | 2,620 | 70.66% | 973 | 26.24% | 115 | 3.10% |
| 2012 | 2,294 | 66.34% | 1,127 | 32.59% | 37 | 1.07% |
| 2008 | 2,298 | 62.87% | 1,329 | 36.36% | 28 | 0.77% |
| 2004 | 2,267 | 64.75% | 1,219 | 34.82% | 15 | 0.43% |
| 2000 | 2,108 | 62.15% | 1,233 | 36.35% | 51 | 1.50% |
| 1996 | 1,335 | 50.66% | 1,135 | 43.07% | 165 | 6.26% |
| 1992 | 1,236 | 43.66% | 1,069 | 37.76% | 526 | 18.58% |
| 1988 | 1,427 | 51.11% | 1,358 | 48.64% | 7 | 0.25% |
| 1984 | 1,540 | 64.79% | 836 | 35.17% | 1 | 0.04% |
| 1980 | 1,170 | 51.16% | 1,081 | 47.27% | 36 | 1.57% |
| 1976 | 846 | 48.87% | 875 | 50.55% | 10 | 0.58% |
| 1972 | 1,018 | 68.60% | 464 | 31.27% | 2 | 0.13% |
| 1968 | 707 | 45.52% | 690 | 44.43% | 156 | 10.05% |
| 1964 | 549 | 35.63% | 990 | 64.24% | 2 | 0.13% |
| 1960 | 741 | 50.93% | 711 | 48.87% | 3 | 0.21% |
| 1956 | 902 | 72.33% | 338 | 27.11% | 7 | 0.56% |
| 1952 | 1,065 | 70.16% | 452 | 29.78% | 1 | 0.07% |
| 1948 | 450 | 43.48% | 454 | 43.86% | 131 | 12.66% |
| 1944 | 609 | 45.18% | 641 | 47.55% | 98 | 7.27% |
| 1940 | 580 | 39.92% | 868 | 59.74% | 5 | 0.34% |
| 1936 | 323 | 21.38% | 1,184 | 78.36% | 4 | 0.26% |
| 1932 | 170 | 9.90% | 1,542 | 89.76% | 6 | 0.35% |
| 1928 | 554 | 54.10% | 468 | 45.70% | 2 | 0.20% |
| 1924 | 438 | 32.86% | 733 | 54.99% | 162 | 12.15% |
| 1920 | 513 | 44.11% | 448 | 38.52% | 202 | 17.37% |
| 1916 | 548 | 45.03% | 605 | 49.71% | 64 | 5.26% |
| 1912 | 425 | 39.57% | 500 | 46.55% | 149 | 13.87% |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Goliad County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 139.
- ^ "Goliad County". Texas Almanac. Texas State Historical Association. May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
- ^ a b Campbell, Thomas N. (April 26, 2007). "Indian Groups at Mission Concepcion". San Antonio Missions. National Park Service. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ Marsh, Gloria Candelaria (August 6, 2003). "Handbook of Texas Online:Juan Moya". Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
- ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
- ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
- ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Goliad County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Goliad County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Goliad County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 24, 2018.