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Rockport, Texas

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City of Rockport
City
Nickname: 
The Texas Riviera
Location of Rockport, Texas
Location of Rockport, Texas
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyAransas
Government
 • MayorTodd W. Pearson
Area
 • Total14.5 sq mi (37.6 km2)
 • Land9.4 sq mi (24.3 km2)
 • Water5.1 sq mi (13.3 km2)
Elevation
7 ft (2 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,766
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
78381-78382
Area code361
FIPS code48-62804Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1345420Template:GR
Website[1]

Rockport is a city in Aransas County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,385 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Aransas CountyTemplate:GR. The coastal community has approximately 8000 citizens. 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. The towns of Rockport and Fulton intermingle and many refer to the combined communities as "Rockport-Fulton." The community has a Maritime Museum, The Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, art galleries and shops.

Area attractions

Rockport is a popular tourist destination for its beach, ski basin, and sport fishing. The city's beachfront park has won awards for "The Nation's Cleanest Beach".[citation needed] The city hosts several fairs and expositions each year including the Fiesta De La Playa, 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.

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.

Geography

Rockport is located at 28°1′52″N 97°3′0″W / 28.03111°N 97.05000°W / 28.03111; -97.05000Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (28.031032, -97.049990)Template:GR. 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

2000 Census data

As of the censusTemplate:GR 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.

Education

All of Rockport is served by the Aransas County Independent School District. Sacred Heart School also serves the community.

The city is also served by the Aransas County Public Library. The library is located at 701 E. Mimosa Rockport, Texas.

Notable residents

May 2008 Elections[1]

Aransas County had four general elections on May 10, 2008 involving the City of Rockport, the Town of Fulton, Aransas County Independent School District, and Aransas County.

City of Rockport

Rockport residents chose Ward 2 and Ward 4 council member, as well as a mayor. The polling place will be at the Rockport City Hall.

Currently, Leo Villa (Ward 2), Jerry Beattie (Ward 4), and Todd Pearson (mayor) hold those positions. Villa is opposed by Brian C. Olsen. Beattie is not seeking re-election. H.L. “Herb” Wisch is the only candidate in Ward 4. Pearson is opposed by William “Bill” James Cobb.

Mayor Todd Pearson held his position against Cobb, 993-328.

ACISD

Aransas County residents chose Place 1, Place 2, and Place 5 trustees. The polling place was at the Rockport City Hall.

Prior to the race, Melanie Brewer (Place 1), Jim Remley (Place 2), and Rusty Little (Place 5) held those positions. Brewer was opposed by teacher Nancy Bolting. Remley was opposed by retired teacherSheryl “Sam” Kenney and pharmacist Alan Putman. Little was opposed by attorney and investor Steve Fischer.

Challenger Steve Fischer was the only challenger to defeat an incumbent in all of the races held in the county that day, 958-934. Brewer and Remley continued maintain their positions on the school board.

Town of Fulton

Fulton residents elected a mayor, and an alderman/woman in Place 1 and Place 5. The polling place was held at the Fulton Town Hall.

Prior to the race, Russel Cole (mayor), Carol Thompson (Place 1), and Dale Owens (Place 5) held those positions. Thompson was opposed by Thomas J. Belichick. Cole and Owens ran unopposed.

Incumbent Carol Thompson defeated Belichick, 72-44.

Aransas County

Voters also cast ballots on a proposition authorizing the split of the road and bridge tax to address county drainage issues. The polling place was held at the regular precinct polling stations.

References

  1. ^ "LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS", The Rockport Pilot
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