Gillespie County, Texas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Gillespie County
state = Texas

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map size = 250
founded = 1848
seat = Fredericksburg | area_total_sq_mi =1061
area_land_sq_mi =1061
area percentage = 0.01%
census yr = 2000
pop = 20814
density_km2 =8
web = www.gillespiecounty.org
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Gillespie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 20,814. It is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Gillespie is named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who came to Texas in 1837. He was a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a merchant and a soldier in the Mexican-American War. The seat of the county is Fredericksburg.

Notable residents

President Lyndon Baines Johnson was born in Stonewall, in the eastern part of the county. The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, which includes much of the former president's "LBJ Ranch", is located just outside of Stonewall.

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was born in a house that still stands on Main Street in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, who grew up in Fredericksburg and in nearby Kerrville, graduated from the United States Naval Academy, rose to the rank of Fleet Admiral and commanded the Pacific War during World War II.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,061 square miles (2,749 km²), virtually all of which is land.

Adjacent Counties

*Mason County - northwest
*Llano County - northeast
*Blanco County - east
*Kendall County - south
*Kerr County - southwest
*Kimble County - west

Major Highways

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*Farm to Market Road 783

National protected area

* Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 20,814 people in the county, organized into 8,521 households, and 6,083 families. The population density is 20 people per square mile (8/km²). There are 9,902 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.82% White, 0.33% Native American, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.27% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 15.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 8,521 households out of which 25.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.10% are married couples living together, 7.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% are non-families. 25.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.20% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 2.84.

In the county, the population is spread out with 21.60% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 21.20% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 25.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 46 years. For every 100 females there are 89.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $38,109, and the median income for a family is $45,315. Males have a median income of $26,675 versus $20,918 for females. The per capita income for the county is $20,423. 10.20% of the population and 7.10% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.40% of those under the age of 18 and 9.90% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

*Albert
*Doss
*Fredericksburg
*Harper
*Luckenbach
*Stonewall

External links

*Handbook of Texas|id=GG/hcg4|name=Gillespie County