Nueces County, Texas
Nueces County (/njuˈeɪsɪs/ new-AY-siss) is located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2024 census, the population was 352,955, making it the 17th-most populous county in the state.[1] The county seat is Corpus Christi,[2] which is also the most populous city in the Nueces County,[3] at 317,773 people, as of 2021.[4] The county was formed in 1846 from portions of San Patricio County and organized the following year.[5] It is named after the Nueces River, which marks the county's northwestern boundary with San Patricio County before emptying into its mouth at Nueces Bay north of the port of Corpus Christi.[5] Nueces County is part of the Corpus Christi metropolitan area.
Native Americans & History
[edit]Earliest signs of life in the county were estimated at 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. The earliest group were a culture named the Aransas. They were a nomadic group of hunter-gatherers, who had left the coastal region around 700–800 years ago, where the region remained uninhabited for about a century. The next group to migrate into the region were the Karankawa people, about 600 years ago, then being followed by other groups.[5]
The area was disputed between Mexico and Texas, with Texas claiming the Rio Grande as the border and Mexico claiming the Nueces Strip as the border.[6] The county was officially created on April 18, 1846, with Texas only gaining control over the county after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.[7]
The Indian tribes that lived in and raided the county were the Lipan Apache, Karankawa, Coahuiltecan, Kickapoo, and the Seminole. Relentless attacks from these tribes, along with its isolation and diseases, kept the counties population at a minimum in the counties beginning.[8] The final recorded Indian raid in the county happened in April 1878, when Lipan Apache, Kickapoo, Seminole, Mexicans, and a white man briefly entered the county and onto ranches, before returning west to Laredo.[9] Around this time, a band of Texas Rangers would clear out the outlaws that had embedded themselves into the Nueces Strip during the disputes between Texas and Mexico.[10]
The county faced various trials and tribulations in its first few decades. It was only after the Civil War that the county began to see steady success, mainly due to Corpus Christi, which contributed value as a major shipping port.[8] Another asset that contributed to the county's growth was a narrow-gauge railroad built in 1879 that went from San Diego to Laredo. As shipping became less consistent due to competition with railroading business, Corpus Christi shifted away from shipping to tourism.[7]
Geography
[edit]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,166 square miles (3,020 km2), of which 838 square miles (2,170 km2) are land and 327 square miles (850 km2) (28%) are covered by water.[11] It borders the Gulf of Mexico, located about 210 miles southwest of Houston and 145 miles southeast from San Antonio. The elevation, in the county, ranges from sea level to about 180 feet above sea level. In the county, about 61 to 70 percent of the land is ideal farmland for many agricultural purposes.[5]
Major highways
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Adjacent counties
[edit]- San Patricio County (north)
- Kleberg County (south)
- Jim Wells County (west)
- Aransas County (northeast)
Demographics
[edit]| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[12] | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 118,178 | 111,870 | 106,165 | 37.68% | 32.88% | 30.06% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 12,718 | 12,178 | 12,651 | 4.05% | 3.58% | 3.58% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 933 | 882 | 907 | 0.30% | 0.26% | 0.26% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3,458 | 5,495 | 7,712 | 1.10% | 1.62% | 2.18% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 136 | 209 | 281 | 0.04% | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Other Race alone (NH) | 308 | 399 | 1,264 | 0.10% | 0.12% | 0.36% |
| Mixed Race or Multiracial (NH) | 2,963 | 2,897 | 7,146 | 0.94% | 0.85% | 2.02% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 174,951 | 206,293 | 217,052 | 55.78% | 60.63% | 61.46% |
| Total | 313,645 | 340,223 | 353,178 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 353,178, and the median age was 37.2 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.2 males age 18 and over.[15]
The racial makeup of the county was 54.2% White, 4.1% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 12.6% from some other race, and 25.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 61.5% of the population.[16]
Around 93.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 6.3% lived in rural areas.[17]
There were 130,687 households in the county, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.3% were married-couple households, 20.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]
There were 151,255 housing units, of which 13.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 59.6% were owner-occupied and 40.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.1%.[15]
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 census,[18] 313,645 people, 110,365 households, and 79,683 families resided in the county. The population density was 375 people per square mile (145 people/km2). The 123,041 housing units averaged 147 units per square mile (57/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.03% White, 4.24% African American, 0.64% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 18.74% from other races, and 3.13% from two or more races. About 55.78% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 110,365 households, 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 15.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were not families. About 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the county, the age distribution was 28.40% under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males. The largest perecentage of citizens is in the age group's 10–19, 20–29, and 30–39.[19]
2024 American Community Survey estimates
[edit]As of the 2024 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates,[20] the median income for a household in Nueces County was $66,927, and it was $79,880 for a family. The per capita income for the county was $33,465. Approximately 15% of the population were below the poverty line, with 21% of them under age 18, 12.4% between the ages 18 to 64, and 15.6% of them were at age 65 or over.
Communities
[edit]Cities (multiple counties)
[edit]- Aransas Pass (partly in San Patricio and Aransas Counties)
- Corpus Christi (county seat) (San Patricio and Aransas Counties)
- Ingleside (mostly in San Patricio County)
- Portland (mostly in San Patricio County)
In the 2000 U.S. census, a portion of San Patricio was indicated as being in Nueces County.[21] As of the 1990 U.S. census, the 2010 U.S. census, and the 2020 U.S. census, that particular area is indicated as being in San Patricio County.[22][23][24]
Cities
[edit]Census-designated places
[edit]Unincorporated communities
[edit]Education
[edit]School districts:[25]
- Agua Dulce Independent School District
- Aransas Pass Independent School District
- Banquete Independent School District
- Bishop Consolidated Independent School District
- Calallen Independent School District
- Corpus Christi Independent School District
- Driscoll Independent School District
- Flour Bluff Independent School District
- London Independent School District
- Port Aransas Independent School District
- Robstown Independent School District
- Tuloso-Midway Independent School District
- West Oso Independent School District
Del Mar College is the designated community college for all of Nueces County.[26]
Politics
[edit]Historically, Nueces County leaned Democratic in presidential elections, though in recent years has narrowly voted Republican. Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 became the first Republican candidate to carry the county. Prior to that year, the only times Nueces County did not vote for the national Democratic candidate was in its first presidential election in 1848 for Whig Zachary Taylor, and in 1860, supporting Southern Democratic John C. Breckinridge. Since Eisenhower's election, the only other Republicans to carry the county in the 20th century were Richard Nixon in 1972 and Ronald Reagan in 1984. So far, Bill Clinton remains the last Democratic candidate to win Nueces County, having done so in 1996.
Since 2000, Nueces County has voted for every Republican presidential candidate, with only George W. Bush in 2004 and Donald Trump in 2024 having carried it by a double digit margin, with Bush's 56.8% of the vote also the highest for any Republican in the county's history. In 2016, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the county with a plurality of 48.6% to 47.1%, or 1,568 votes, the closest race since 1956.
Democratic strength is concentrated within the inland portion of the county, with particular strengths in center portion of Corpus Christi whereas neighborhoods that are predominately Hispanic and the city of Robstown. Republicans performed well in areas particularly in the suburbs of the city, North Padre Island and Port Aransas.[27]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 85 | 6.50% | 910 | 69.63% | 312 | 23.87% |
| 1916 | 404 | 16.85% | 1,830 | 76.35% | 163 | 6.80% |
| 1920 | 383 | 21.55% | 1,246 | 70.12% | 148 | 8.33% |
| 1928 | 2,481 | 45.36% | 2,985 | 54.58% | 3 | 0.05% |
| 1932 | 967 | 12.62% | 6,659 | 86.91% | 36 | 0.47% |
| 1936 | 1,234 | 15.54% | 6,597 | 83.09% | 109 | 1.37% |
| 1940 | 3,065 | 23.87% | 9,740 | 75.84% | 37 | 0.29% |
| 1944 | 3,819 | 24.21% | 11,091 | 70.32% | 863 | 5.47% |
| 1948 | 5,577 | 25.60% | 15,240 | 69.96% | 966 | 4.43% |
| 1952 | 19,124 | 48.59% | 20,156 | 51.21% | 79 | 0.20% |
| 1956 | 19,985 | 49.89% | 19,912 | 49.71% | 162 | 0.40% |
| 1960 | 18,907 | 39.09% | 29,361 | 60.70% | 100 | 0.21% |
| 1964 | 14,048 | 25.75% | 40,426 | 74.10% | 84 | 0.15% |
| 1968 | 21,307 | 31.57% | 39,025 | 57.82% | 7,159 | 10.61% |
| 1972 | 41,682 | 55.39% | 33,277 | 44.22% | 291 | 0.39% |
| 1976 | 32,797 | 37.99% | 52,755 | 61.11% | 773 | 0.90% |
| 1980 | 40,586 | 46.84% | 43,424 | 50.12% | 2,634 | 3.04% |
| 1984 | 54,333 | 53.68% | 46,721 | 46.16% | 159 | 0.16% |
| 1988 | 46,337 | 48.30% | 49,209 | 51.30% | 386 | 0.40% |
| 1992 | 36,781 | 36.49% | 46,317 | 45.95% | 17,693 | 17.55% |
| 1996 | 37,470 | 40.22% | 50,009 | 53.68% | 5,689 | 6.11% |
| 2000 | 49,906 | 51.28% | 45,349 | 46.59% | 2,071 | 2.13% |
| 2004 | 59,359 | 56.77% | 44,439 | 42.50% | 762 | 0.73% |
| 2008 | 52,391 | 51.75% | 47,912 | 47.33% | 927 | 0.92% |
| 2012 | 48,966 | 50.95% | 45,772 | 47.63% | 1,366 | 1.42% |
| 2016 | 50,766 | 48.62% | 49,198 | 47.12% | 4,441 | 4.25% |
| 2020 | 64,617 | 50.75% | 60,925 | 47.85% | 1,780 | 1.40% |
| 2024 | 67,201 | 55.23% | 53,248 | 43.76% | 1,229 | 1.01% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
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See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Texas Counties by Population (2026)". www.texas-demographics.com. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ "About Us – Nueces County Appraisal District". nuecescad.net. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ↑ Association (TSHA), Texas State Historical. "Nueces County". Texas Almanac. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Association, Texas State Historical. "Nueces County: Geography, History, and Economy". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Map of the Month: July 2022 - ASU Library". lib.asu.edu. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "History of Nueces County, Texas". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Association, Texas State Historical. "Nueces County: Geography, History, and Economy". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ↑ "INDIAN RAID IN DUVAL AND NUECES COUNTIES | Texas History and genealogy, written by those who lived it".
- ↑ Association, Texas State Historical. "Leander Harvey McNelly: Confederate Officer and Texas Ranger". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Nueces County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Nueces County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Nueces County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ↑ "Census profile: Nueces County, TX". Census Reporter. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
- ↑ "CENSUS 2000 BLOCK MAP: NUECES County (Page 2)" (PDF). 2000 U.S. census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ↑ "1990 COUNTY BLOCK MAP (RECREATED): NUECES County (Page 2)" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ↑ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Nueces County, TX (Page 2)" (PDF). 2010 U.S. census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ↑ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Nueces County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Nueces County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2024. - Text list
- ↑ Texas Education Code Sec. 130.177. DEL MAR COLLEGE-CORPUS CHRISTI JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
- ↑ Rohla, Ryne. "2016 Presidential General Election Maps". Ryne Rohla.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nueces County, Texas. |
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- Template:Handbook of Texas
- Historic Nueces County materials, hosted by the Portal to Texas History.
Template:Nueces County, Texas Template:Texas counties Template:Texas Template:Corpus Christi, Texas Coordinates: 27°44′N 97°31′W / 27.74°N 97.52°W