Karnes County, Texas


Karnes County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,710. Its county seat is Karnes City. The county is named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution. The former San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway passed through Karnes County in its connection linking San Antonio with Corpus Christi.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 14,710 people, 4,594 households, and 3,156 families residing in the county.
The median age was 39.2 years; 19.4% were under the age of 18 and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 140.1 males, and among those 18 and over there were 149.6 males per 100 females.
The racial makeup of the county was 55.8% White, 8.0% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 16.7% from some other race, and 17.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 52.6% of the population.
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
Of those households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 43.9% were married-couple households, 22.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 5,796 housing units, of which 20.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.3% were owner-occupied and 30.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.9%.

Racial and ethnic composition

Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010
White alone 6,3095,9565,38840.85%40.18%36.63%
Black or African American alone 1,6031,3511,11610.38%9.11%7.59%
Native American or Alaska Native alone 3737260.24%0.25%0.18%
Asian alone 62251450.40%0.17%0.99%
Pacific Islander alone 2210.01%0.01%0.01%
Other race alone 718610.05%0.12%0.41%
Mixed race or Multiracial 102592390.66%0.40%1.62%
Hispanic or Latino 7,3247,3767,73447.42%49.76%52.58%
Total15,44614,71014,710100.00%100.00%100.00%

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 15,446 people, 4,454 households, and 3,246 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 5,479 housing units at an average density of. 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% 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.

Economy

Around 2008 ConocoPhillips drilled a well in Karnes County and struck oil, causing an economic boom.

Communities

Cities

Education

School districts include:
Coastal Bend College is the designated community college for the county.