Walker County, Texas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Walker County
state = Texas

---

map size = 250
founded = 1846
seat = Huntsville | area_total_sq_mi =801
area_land_sq_mi =787
area_water_sq_mi =14
area percentage = 1.75%
census yr = 2000
pop = 61758
density_km2 =30
web = www.co.walker.tx.us
|

Walker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 61,758. The 2006 Census estimate placed the county's population at 63,304. Its county seat is HuntsvilleGR|6.

Initially, Walker County was named for Robert J. Walker, a legislator from Mississippi who introduced into the United States Congress the resolution to annex Texas. However, Walker later supported the Union during the Civil War; thus, in order to keep the county's name from being changed, it was renamed for Samuel H. Walker, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the American Army.

Walker County is part of the Huntsville Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Houston–Baytown–Huntsville Combined Statistical Area.

James Mitchell (1795-1870) and his wife, the former Calpernia Franklin (1805-1865), came to the future Walker County under a Mexican land grant in 1833. Mitchell, who became one of the first county commissioneers, established the Mitchell House and Inn on the Old San Antonio Road, also known as El Camino Real. During the 1840s, the house was a stop for weary stagecoach travelers. [Texas Historical Marker east of Caldwell]

The premier historian of Texas, Eugene C. Barker, for whom the Barker History Center on the University of Texas campus in Austin is named, was born in Walker County in 1874.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 801 square miles (2,076 km²), of which, 787 square miles (2,039 km²) of it is land and 14 square miles (37 km²) of it (1.75%) is water.

Major Highways

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Adjacent counties

*Houston County (north)
*Trinity County (northeast)
*San Jacinto County (east)
*Montgomery County (south)
*Grimes County (west)
*Madison County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 61,758 people, 18,303 households, and 11,384 families residing in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile (30/km²). There were 21,099 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.12% White, 23.88% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.42% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 14.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,303 households out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.80% were married couples living together, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.80% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out with 18.00% under the age of 18, 23.00% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 18.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 151.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 161.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,468, and the median income for a family was $42,589. Males had a median income of $27,634 versus $22,579 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,508. About 10.60% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.10% of those under age 18 and 13.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Dodge (unincorporated)
*Huntsville
*New Waverly
*Riverside

Education

*Sam Houston State University
* [http://www.huntsville-isd.org Huntsville Independent School District]
* [http://www.new-waverly.k12.tx.us New Waverly Independent School District]

Transportation

The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the planned Trans-Texas Corridor goes through Walker County [ [http://ttc.keeptexasmoving.com/projects/i69/detailed_maps_dn.aspx TxDoT, TTC Section D, Detailed Maps 3 & 4, 2007-12-19] ] .

References

External links

* [http://www.co.walker.tx.us/ Walker County government's website]
*Handbook of Texas|id=WW/hcw1|name=Walker County