Rockport, Texas
| City of Rockport | |
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| — City — | |
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| Nickname(s): The Texas Riviera | |
| Motto: "Come Sea the Beauty and Charm of Rockport!" | |
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| Coordinates: 28°1′52″N 97°3′0″W / 28.03111°N 97.05000°WCoordinates: 28°1′52″N 97°3′0″W / 28.03111°N 97.05000°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Aransas |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Charles J. "C.J." Wax |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.5 sq mi (37.6 km2) |
| • Land | 9.4 sq mi (24.3 km2) |
| • Water | 5.1 sq mi (13.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 8,766 |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 78381-78382 |
| Area code(s) | 361 |
| FIPS code | 48-62804[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1345420[2] |
| Website | City of Rockport, Texas |
Rockport is a city in Aransas County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,766 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Aransas County[3]. The coastal community has approximately 8000 citizens. The towns of Rockport and Fulton intermingle and many refer to the combined communities as "Rockport-Fulton."
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History [edit]
In 1870, Rockport was established as a cattle slaughtering, packing, and shipping port. The city is named for the rock ledge that runs along its shore.[4]
Geography [edit]
Rockport is located at 28°1′52″N 97°3′0″W / 28.03111°N 97.05000°W (28.031032, -97.049990)[5]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.5 square miles (38 km2), of which, 9.4 square miles (24 km2) of it is land and 5.1 square miles (13 km2) of it (35.29%) is water.
Demographics [edit]
2000 Census data [edit]
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 7,385 people, 3,157 households and 2,127 families residing in the city. The population density was 786.4 people per square mile (303.7/km²). There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 482.7 per square mile (186.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.68% White, 1.31% African American, 0.50% Native American, 3.64% Asian, 3.40% from other races, and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.50% of the population.
There were 3,157 households out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.74.
In the city the population was 21.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $32,741, and the median income for a family was $40,880. Males had a median income of $36,195 versus $22,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,135. About 16.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.3% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture [edit]
Area attractions [edit]
Rockport is a popular tourist destination for its fishing and ski basin. The city's beach offers a wide variety of ways to have fun including a playground and beach pavilion. The city hosts several fairs and expositions each year including the Oyster fest, Seafair, and a Wine Festival. There are also historic sites such as the Fulton Mansion and a Heritage district in downtown Rockport that offers a friendly and fun shopping environment. Key Allegro Marina is also a popular attraction, especially during The Rockport Offshore Challenge or The R.O.C.
The community has a Maritime Museum, The Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, art galleries and shops.
Parks and recreation [edit]
The Big Tree [edit]
Large windswept live oaks are a dominating feature of the area and the state's oldest live oak, "Big Tree", resides on nearby Lamar Peninsula.
Whooping cranes [edit]
Local operators offer wintertime tours of nesting whooping cranes in the large Aransas National wildlife refuge located nearby. Local birders and organizations such as the Aransas Bird and Nature Club have helped preserve unique bird watching reserves such as the Connie Hagar sanctuary and Aransas Woods that are easily accessible. Located along the migration route of several species of hummingbirds, the city hosts an annual "Hummer and Birding Expo" which includes tours of local residences where hundreds of ruby throated hummingbirds can be viewed at feeders.
Education [edit]
Public schools [edit]
All of Rockport is served by the Aransas County Independent School District and home to the Rockport-Fulton High School Pirates. Sacred Heart School also serves the community.[6]
Library [edit]
The city is also served by the Aransas County Public Library which is located at 701 E. Mimosa Rockport, Texas.
Notable people [edit]
- Ernie Caceres, musician.
- Dat Nguyen, football player; grew up in Rockport.
- Margaret Skeete, oldest living American from 1993 to 1994, and oldest person ever from Texas.
- John H. Wood, Jr., first federal judge assassinated in the 20th century.
- Jack Wyatt, TV personality; retired in Rockford.
References [edit]
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ "Rockport, Tx". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ Sacred Heart School
External links [edit]
- Aransas County Independent School District
- Aransas County, Texas
- City of Rockport, Texas
- Rockport-Fulton Chamber Commerce
- Handbook of Texas Online article about Rockport
- Coastal Bend Redbook Portal
- Rockport Texas Fishing Guides
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