Bolivar Peninsula, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bolivar Peninsula, Texas
settlement_type = CDP
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Bolivar Peninsula, Texas

---

mapsize1 = 250px
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Galveston

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 120.9
area_land_km2 = 117.0
area_water_km2 = 3.8
area_total_sq_mi = 46.7
area_land_sq_mi = 45.2
area_water_sq_mi = 1.5

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3853
population_density_km2 = 32.9
population_density_sq_mi = 85.3

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 3
elevation_ft = 10
latd = 29 |latm = 27 |lats = 52 |latNS = N
longd = 94 |longm = 36 |longs = 28 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-09250GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1852688GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Bolivar Peninsula is a census-designated place (CDP) in Galveston County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,853 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Bolivar Peninsula is located at coor dms|29|27|52|N|94|36|28|W|city (29.464442, -94.607665)GR|1. It forms a narrow strip of land in Galveston County, Texas, separating the eastern part of Galveston Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. The peninsula's width ranges from half a mile down to a quarter-mile near the unincorporated community of Gilchrist, where the peninsula is divided by Rollover Pass.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 46.7 square miles (120.9 km²), of which, 45.2 square miles (117.0 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.8 km²) of it (3.17%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,853 people, 1,801 households, and 1,138 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 85.3 people per square mile (32.9/km²). There were 5,425 housing units at an average density of 120.0/sq mi (46.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.69% White, 0.47% African American, 0.80% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 2.80% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.96% of the population.

There were 1,801 households out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 17.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 35.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 104.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,235, and the median income for a family was $42,448. Males had a median income of $36,477 versus $24,519 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,137. About 8.3% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Bolivar Peninsula residents are divided between the Galveston Independent School District and the High Island Independent School District.

The western portion of the Bolivar Peninsula, including the unincorporated communities of Port Bolivar and Crystal Beach, are within the Galveston Independent School District. That portion is served by the K-8 [https://www.edline.net/pages/GISD_Crenshaw_School Crenshaw Elementary and Middle School] , located in Port Bolivar, and Ball High School (9-12), located in Galveston.

The eastern portion of the peninsula, including the unincorporated communities of High Island and Gilchrist, is served by the High Island Independent School District.

Galveston College also serves Bolivar Peninsula.

Community information

The peninsula is named for South American revolutionary Simón Bolívar.

The Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services operates the Joe Faggert Community Center at 1760 State Highway 87 in the Crystal Beach area. [ [http://www.galvestonparks-seniors.org/locations/ls_overview.asp Facilities Overview] ." "Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services".]

The Texas Department of Transportation provides ferry service from Port Bolivar at the western end of the Bolivar Peninsula to Galveston.

2008's Hurricane Ike

In September 2008, the peninsula was devastated by Hurricane Ike. The catastrophic damage predicted for Galveston Island actually occurred here when the hurricane's forecasted path shifted before landfall. Most buildings were destroyed by the wide storm's massive storm surge, and survivors are being asked to leave after many were rescued after and just before the storm. As of September 17th, there were about 200 people remaining, and authorities said martial law may be imposed in a few days in order to force them off. Public utilities are not expected to be restored for several weeks or months, as there is very little left to restore utilities to.

References

External links

* [http://www.bolivarchamber.org Bolivar Chamber of Commerce] The official source for business, tourism and government information for the Bolivar Peninsula
* [http://www.bolivarpeninsula.com/home BolivarPeninsula.com- The Virtual Resource for the Peninsula Communities]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/BB/rrb6.html Handbook of Texas Online article]
* [http://www.fun365days.com/ Fun365Days.com -- regional tourism web site]
* [http://setx.org/ Partnership of Southeast Texas -- regional economic development site]
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Bolivar-Peninsula-Texas.html City profile and map]
*http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/us/18ike.html?ref=us
*http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=6398156