Goliad County, Texas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Goliad County
state = Texas
founded year = 1836
founded date = March 2
seat wl = Goliad
largest city wl = Goliad
area_total_sq_mi = 859
area_total_km2 = 2226
area_land_sq_mi = 854
area_land_km2 = 2211
area_water_sq_mi = 6
area_water_km2 = 15
area percentage = 0.68%
census yr = 2000
pop = 6928
density_sq_mi = 8.1
density_km2 = 3.1
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset = -5
web = www.co.goliad.tx.us
named for = Father Miguel Hidalgo

Goliad County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 6,928. Its county seat is GoliadGR|6. Goliad is named for the Mexican Municipality of Goliad, which in turn is named for Father Miguel Hidalgo; "Goliad" is an anagram of Hidalgo, minus the silent H. It is a part of the Victoria, Texas, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 859 square miles (2,226 km²), of which, 854 square miles (2,211 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (15 km²) of it (0.68%) is water.

Major Highways

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Adjacent counties

*DeWitt County (north)
*Victoria County (northeast)
*Refugio County (southeast)
*Bee County (southwest)
*Karnes County (northwest)

Demographics

USCensusPop
title=Historical Populations
1850=648
1860=3384
1870=3628
1880=5832
1890=5910
1900=8310
1910=9909
1920=9348
1930=10093
1940=8798
1950=6219
1960=5429
1970=4869
1980=5193
1990=5980
2000=6928
estimate=7192
estyear=2006
estref= [ [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_state=04000US48&_county=Goliad Census] ]
footnote=As of the censusGR|2 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/km²). There were 3,426 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/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.

History

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, but 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 in Goliad State Park, just south of the town of Goliad.

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").

Localities

Cities

* Goliad

Other places

* Berclair
* Fannin
* Weesatche

Education

Goliad County is served by the Goliad Independent School District.

References

External links

* [http://co.goliad.tx.us/ips/cms Goliad County Government]
* [http://www.goliadcc.org/ Goliad County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/GG/hcg6.html Goliad County in "Handbook of Texas Online"] at the University of Texas