Shelby County, Texas


Shelby County is a county located in the far eastern portion of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 24,022. Its county seat is Center. The county was established in 1835 as a municipality of Mexico and organized as a county in 1837. It is named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier in the American Revolution who became the first governor of Kentucky.
WWW co.shelby.tx.us

History

Shelby County was established in 1837. It was named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier from Tennessee during the American Revolution, and first Governor of Kentucky.

Geography

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

Adjacent counties and parishes

National protected area

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 24,022. The median age was 40.1 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.2 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 62.9% White, 16.0% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 10.6% from some other race, and 8.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 19.5% of the population.
21.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 78.7% lived in rural areas.
There were 9,309 households in the county, of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.7% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 11,420 housing units, of which 18.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.0% were owner-occupied and 26.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.5%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 25,224 people, 9,595 households, and 6,908 families resided in the county. The population density was. The 11,955 housing units averaged. The racial makeup of the county was 72.65% White, 19.44% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.87% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. About 9.87% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 9,595 households, 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were notfamilies. About 25.40% 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 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was distributed as 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,112, and for a family was $34,021. Males had a median income of $26,501 versus $20,280 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,186. About 14.90% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

These school districts serve Shelby County:
All of Shelby County is in the service area of Panola College.

Media

The Light and Champion, a news and information company, marked its 140th year of operation in 2017. It serves Shelby County, as well as Logansport, Louisiana. The Light and Champion produces a weekly print edition, a weekly free-distribution print product called The Merchandiser, operates a web site, www.lightandchampion.com, and a Facebook page. The Light and Champion is owned by Moser Community Media, based in Brenham, Texas.

Transportation

Major highways

US 59 passes through Shelby County. It is planned to be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the planned Interstate 69 up to Tenaha, where the planned Interstate 369 will follow US 59 northward to both Interstate 30 and Interstate 49 in Texarkana. US 84 is planned to be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the planned Interstate 69 from Tenaha to the Louisiana state line.

Mass transportation

Greyhound Lines operates the Center Station at the Shelby County's Best Yogurt store in Center.

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Politics

An example of the political trends of rural East Texas, Shelby usually voted Democrat in the 20th century, but has turned into a Republican stronghold in the 21st.