Guadalupe County, Texas
Guadalupe County | |
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UTC−5 (CDT) | |
Congressional districts | 15th, 28th |
Website | www |
Guadalupe County (Local
Guadalupe County is part of the
History
In 1689,
In 1806,
Following Mexico's independence from Spain, Anglo-Americans from the United States settled in Texas in 1821, and claimed Mexican citizenship. In 1825, Guadalupe County was part of Green DeWitt's petition for a land grant to establish a colony in Texas, which was approved by the Mexican government. From 1827 to 1835, 22 families settled the area as part of DeWitt's colony.[4]
Following
In 1840, the Virginian Michael Erskine acquired the El Capote Ranch[7] for use as a cattle ranch. In 1842, the Republic of Texas organized Guadalupe County as a judicial county. The Texas Supreme Court declared judicial counties to be unconstitutional. In 1845, Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels secured title to 1,265 acres (512 ha) of the Veramendi grant in the northern part of the former judicial county.[4]
Following the
In 1846, during the war between the United States and Mexico, a wagon train of German immigrant settlers bought Guadalupe land from August Schumann. The following year, the town of
The last Indian raid into the area was made by the Kickapoo in 1855.[4]
By 1860, 1,748
By 1876, the
In 1929, oil was discovered at the Darst Creek oilfield.[12] By 1930, tenant farming and sharecropping comprised 64% of the county's farms.
Over the next five decades, the economy changed markedly, as the area became more urbanized and less dependent on agriculture. By 1982, professional and related services, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade involved nearly 60% of the workforce in the area.[4]
Geography
According to the
Major highways
- Interstate 10
- Interstate 35
- U.S. Highway 90
U.S. Highway 90 Alternate
State Highway 46
State Highway 123
State Highway 130
Adjacent counties
- Hays County (north)
- Caldwell County (northeast)
- Gonzales County (southeast)
- Wilson County (south)
- Bexar County (southwest)
- Comal County (northwest)
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 1,511 | — | |
1860 | 5,444 | 260.3% | |
1870 | 7,282 | 33.8% | |
1880 | 12,202 | 67.6% | |
1890 | 15,217 | 24.7% | |
1900 | 21,385 | 40.5% | |
1910 | 24,913 | 16.5% | |
1920 | 27,719 | 11.3% | |
1930 | 28,925 | 4.4% | |
1940 | 25,596 | −11.5% | |
1950 | 25,392 | −0.8% | |
1960 | 29,017 | 14.3% | |
1970 | 33,554 | 15.6% | |
1980 | 46,708 | 39.2% | |
1990 | 64,873 | 38.9% | |
2000 | 89,023 | 37.2% | |
2010 | 131,533 | 47.8% | |
2020 | 172,706 | 31.3% | |
2022 (est.) | 182,760 | 5.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[14] 1850–2010[15] 2010[16] 2020[17] |
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH)
|
72,086 | 84,063 | 54.80% | 48.67% |
Black or African American alone (NH)
|
7,963 | 11,947 | 6.05% | 6.92% |
Alaska Native alone (NH)
|
436 | 476 | 0.33% | 0.28% |
Asian alone (NH) | 1,748 | 3,066 | 1.33% | 1.78% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 146 | 353 | 0.11% | 0.20% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 177 | 774 | 0.13% | 0.45% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 2,088 | 6,794 | 1.59% | 3.93% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 46,889 | 65,233 | 35.65% | 37.77% |
Total | 131,533 | 172,706 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
As of the
Of the 30,900 households, 38.30% had children under 18 living with them, 61.60% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.90% were not families. About 18.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.83, and the average family size was 3.23.
In the county, the age distribution was 28.50% under 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household was $43,949, and for a family was $49,645. Males had a median income of $32,450 versus $23,811 for females. The
Education
School districts
School districts include:[19]
- Comal Independent School District
- La Vernia Independent School District
- Luling Independent School District
- Marion Independent School District
- Navarro Independent School District
- New Braunfels Independent School District
- Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School District
- Prairie Lea Independent School District
- San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District
- Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District
- Seguin Independent School District
Colleges and universities
Most of the county is in the service area of
Texas Lutheran University has about 1,400 students. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It was ranked number three among the best west regional universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2013. Texas Lutheran is now a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, NCAA Division III, with Austin College, Colorado College, Centenary College of Louisiana, Schreiner University, Southwestern University, Trinity University, and the University of Dallas.
Communities
Cities (multiple counties)
- Cibolo (a small portion in Bexar County)
- Luling (mostly in Caldwell County)
- New Braunfels (mostly in Comal County as well as its seat)
- San Marcos (mostly in Hays County and a small part in Caldwell County)
- Schertz (partly in Bexar and Comal Counties)
- Selma (partly in Bexar and Comal Counties)
- Universal City (mostly in Bexar County)
Cities
- Kingsbury
- Marion
- New Berlin
- Santa Clara
- Seguin (county seat)
- Staples
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Ghost town
Public Safety
Public Safety Departments
Guadalupe County is covered by eight career and eight volunteer fire departments. There are multiple law enforcement agencies within the county, each city with the exception of Kingsbury provides their own police force along with the Guadalupe County Sheriffs Office and Constables.
Career Fire Departments
The eight career fire departments respond with their city limits as well as to fires in small portions in the county. Guadalupe County established its first career department in 2020, and became full time in December 2022. Guadalupe County Fire Rescue was established to augment and assist the volunteer departments with responses due to the increasing volume of emergencies.
- Seguin Fire/EMS
- Schertz Fire Department
- Cibolo Fire Department
- Luling Fire Department
- San Marcos Fire Department
- New Braunfels Fire Department
- Selma Fire Department
- Guadalupe County Fire Rescue
Volunteer Fire Departments
The eight volunteer departments are based in small towns, or unincorporated areas. These volunteer departments are required to have a first responder organization license through the State of Texas, as well as a certain amount of training hours per year.
- Geronimo VFD- Covers the Geronimo Community and surrounding areas.
- Marion VFD- Covers the Marion, Santa Clara, and surrounding areas.
- Kingsbury VFD- Covers Kingsbury, and surround area.
- McQueeney VFD- Covers the McQueeney Community and surrounding area.
- Lake Dunlap VFD- Covers a small unincorporated area around Lake Dunlap.
- York Creek VFD- Covers, the communities of Zorn, Staples, Redwood, and surrounding areas.
- New Berlin VFD- Covers New Berlin, the Zuehl Community, and surrounding areas.
- Sand Hills VFD- Covers the unincorporated area of southeastern Guadalupe County.
EMS Agencies
Emergency Medical Services is provided by Schertz EMS that contracts to other agencies within the county to provide such services.
- Seguin Fire/EMS
- Schertz EMS
- San Marcos/Hays County EMS
- Luling EMS
- Acadian Ambulance
- Wilson County ESD 3 EMS
Law Enforcement Departments
- Guadalupe County Sheriffs Department
- Guadalupe County Constables Precinct 1-4
- Seguin PD
- Schertz PD
- Cibolo PD
- Selma PD
- Marion PD
- New Berlin Marshals Office
- Staples Police Department
- Santa Clara Marshals Office
Politics
Guadalupe is a strongly Republican county that possessed strong GOP leanings even during the Solid South era. The only Democratic presidential candidate to carry Guadalupe County since 1940 has been Hill Country native Lyndon B. Johnson during his 1964 landslide.
Although Al Smith did win the county in 1928 due to anti-Prohibition sentiment,[21] Guadalupe had even leaned Republican before Warren G. Harding's 1920 landslide, voting Republican in every election between 1896 and 1924 except the divided 1912 contest.[22]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 47,553 | 61.16% | 28,805 | 37.04% | 1,400 | 1.80% |
2016 | 36,632 | 63.02% | 18,391 | 31.64% | 3,100 | 5.33% |
2012 | 33,117 | 66.73% | 15,744 | 31.73% | 765 | 1.54% |
2008 | 30,869 | 64.91% | 16,156 | 33.97% | 535 | 1.12% |
2004 | 28,208 | 72.79% | 10,290 | 26.55% | 254 | 0.66% |
2000 | 21,499 | 70.33% | 8,311 | 27.19% | 757 | 2.48% |
1996 | 14,254 | 58.41% | 8,079 | 33.11% | 2,070 | 8.48% |
1992 | 10,818 | 46.79% | 6,567 | 28.40% | 5,735 | 24.81% |
1988 | 13,265 | 64.37% | 7,111 | 34.50% | 233 | 1.13% |
1984 | 14,382 | 73.80% | 5,060 | 25.96% | 46 | 0.24% |
1980 | 9,901 | 64.18% | 5,049 | 32.73% | 478 | 3.10% |
1976 | 6,766 | 52.31% | 6,054 | 46.80% | 115 | 0.89% |
1972 | 8,287 | 70.84% | 3,404 | 29.10% | 7 | 0.06% |
1968 | 4,332 | 47.59% | 3,529 | 38.77% | 1,241 | 13.63% |
1964 | 2,731 | 37.37% | 4,568 | 62.51% | 9 | 0.12% |
1960 | 3,657 | 53.88% | 3,116 | 45.91% | 14 | 0.21% |
1956 | 4,296 | 66.86% | 2,099 | 32.67% | 30 | 0.47% |
1952 | 4,396 | 65.22% | 2,330 | 34.57% | 14 | 0.21% |
1948 | 2,502 | 50.98% | 2,119 | 43.17% | 287 | 5.85% |
1944 | 2,556 | 58.85% | 1,583 | 36.45% | 204 | 4.70% |
1940 | 2,473 | 53.06% | 2,182 | 46.81% | 6 | 0.13% |
1936 | 1,266 | 29.88% | 2,962 | 69.91% | 9 | 0.21% |
1932 | 691 | 15.52% | 3,751 | 84.27% | 9 | 0.20% |
1928 | 1,442 | 43.46% | 1,872 | 56.42% | 4 | 0.12% |
1924 | 1,657 | 40.52% | 831 | 20.32% | 1,601 | 39.15% |
1920 | 1,839 | 56.90% | 560 | 17.33% | 833 | 25.77% |
1916 | 1,812 | 68.38% | 830 | 31.32% | 8 | 0.30% |
1912 | 1,065 | 38.71% | 1,128 | 41.00% | 558 | 20.28% |
Government
Guadalupe County is run by a commissioners court presided by the county judge. The court has four members elected for two-year terms. The commissioners are elected by and represent individual districts. The county judge is elected through a county-wide at-large election.
County judge past and present
- Donald Schraub (2003 - 2007)[24]
- Michael T. Wiggins (2007 - 2012)[25]
- Larry Jones (2012 - 2014)[26]
- Kyle Kutscher (2014–present)
See also
- List of museums in Central Texas
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Guadalupe County, Texas
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Guadalupe County
References
- ^ "Texas Almanac Pronunciation Guide" (PDF).
- ^ "Guadalupe County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Smyrl, Vivian Elizabeth. "Guadalupe County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ Texas Historical Marker, El Capote Ranch Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Gesick, John. "Seguin, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-292-77709-5.
- ^ Harper, Cecil Jr. "Freedman's Bureau". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ISBN 1-57168-688-6.
- ^ "Nixon v. Condon. Disfranchisement of the Negro in Texas", The Yale Law Journal, Vol. 41, No. 8, June 1932, p. 1212, accessed March 21, 2008
- ^ Longhorn Chapter of the N.H.R.S. "Seguin and The Railroad". Texas transportation Museum, San Antonio. Archived from the original on May 4, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ Smith, Julie Cauble. "Darst Creek Oilfield". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
- US Census Bureau.
- ^ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Guadalupe County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Guadalupe County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.162. ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. Sec. 130.166. AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA..
- ISBN 087049435X
- ISBN 0786422173
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- ^ "Obituary for Donald L. Schraub at Tres Hewell Mortuary". www.treshewell.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
- ^ "Mike Wiggins - Ballotpedia". Retrieved June 23, 2018.
- ^ "Larry Jones (Guadalupe County) - Ballotpedia". Retrieved June 23, 2018.
External links
- Guadalupe County government's website Archived September 11, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
- Guadalupe County from the Handbook of Texas Online