Karnes County, Texas

Karnes County, Texas
The Karnes County Courthouse in Karnes City.
Location in the state of Texas
Texas's location in the U.S.
Founded	February 4, 1854
Seat	Karnes City
Largest city	Kenedy
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	754 sq mi (1,952 km²) 750 sq mi (1,943 km²) 3 sq mi (8 km²), 0.43%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	14,824 21/sq mi (8/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	www.co.karnes.tx.us

Karnes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,824. Its county seat is Karnes City. Karnes County is named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 754 square miles (1,952.9 km²), of which 750 square miles (1,942.5 km²) is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km²) (0.43%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 183
• State Highway 72
• State Highway 80
• State Highway 123
• 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

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	2,171		—
1870	1,705		−21.5%
1880	3,270		91.8%
1890	3,637		11.2%
1900	8,681		138.7%
1910	14,942		72.1%
1920	19,049		27.5%
1930	23,316		22.4%
1940	19,248		−17.4%
1950	17,139		−11.0%
1960	14,995		−12.5%
1970	13,462		−10.2%
1980	13,593		1.0%
1990	12,455		−8.4%
2000	15,446		24.0%
2010	14,824		−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census Texas Almanac: 1850-2010

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,446 people, 4,454 households, and 3,246 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 5,479 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). 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.

Cities and towns

• Cestohowa
• Ecleto
• Falls City
• Gillett
• Helena (ghost town)
• Hobson
• Karnes City
• Kenedy
• Panna Maria
• Runge
• Wintergreen (ghost town)

See also

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

External links

• The Countywide -- Karnes County's newspaper
• Read Henry Karnes' entry in Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas hosted by the Portal to Texas History.
• Karnes County from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Genealogy in Karnes County, TX