Cameron County, Texas

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




map size = 225
founded = 1848
seat = Brownsville | area_total_sq_mi =1276
area_land_sq_mi =906
area_water_sq_mi =371
area percentage = 29.03%
census yr = 2000
pop = 335227
density_km2 =143
web = www.co.cameron.tx.us
|

Cameron County is the southernmost county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 335,227. Its county seat is BrownsvilleGR|6. Cameron is named for Captain Ewen Cameron [http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/captains.htm#cameron] , a soldier during the Texas Revolution and in the ill-fated Mier Expedition.

Cameron County is part of the Brownsville–Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,276 square miles (3,306 km²), of which, 906 square miles (2,346 km²) of it is land and 371 square miles (960 km²) of it (29.03%) is water.

Major highways

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=Adjacent counties and municipios=

*Willacy County, Texas (north)
*Hidalgo County, Texas (west)
*Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico (south)

To the east, the county borders the Gulf of Mexico.

National protected areas

* Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
* Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 335,227 people, 97,267 households, and 79,953 families residing in the county. The population density was 370 people per square mile (143/km²). There were 119,654 housing units at an average density of 132 per square mile (51/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.29% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 15.98% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races. 84.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 97,267 households out of which 45.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.80% were non-families. 15.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.40 and the average family size was 3.81.

In the county, the population was spread out with 33.80% under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 17.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,155, and the median income for a family was $27,853. Males had a median income of $22,755 versus $18,182 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,960. About 28.20% of families and 33.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.10% of those under age 18 and 22.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

*Brownsville
*Harlingen
*La Feria
*Los Fresnos
*Palm Valley
*Port Isabel
*Rio Hondo
*San Benito

Towns

*Bayview
*Combes
*Indian Lake
*Laguna Vista
*Los Indios
*Primera
*Rancho Viejo
*Santa Rosa
*South Padre Island

Villages

*Rangerville

Unincorporated areas

Education

Cameron County is served by several school districts. They include:
* Brownsville Independent School District
* Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District
* La Feria Independent School District
* Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District
* Lyford Consolidated Independent School District (partially)
* Point Isabel Independent School District
* Rio Hondo Independent School District
* San Benito Consolidated Independent School District
* Santa Maria Independent School District
* Santa Rosa Independent School District
* Diocese of Brownsville (Private)

In addition, residents are eligible to apply to South Texas Independent School District's magnet schools.

Radio Stations

* KFRQ 94.5FM - [http://www.q945rocks.com Official Site]
* KKPS 99.5FM - [http://www.995quepasa.com Official Site]
* KNVO 101.1FM - [http://www.romantica101.com Official Site]
* KVLY 107.9FM - [http://www.mix1079.net Official Site]

References

External links

* [http://www.co.cameron.tx.us/ Cameron County government's website]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/CC/hcc4.html Cameron County in "Handbook of Texas Online"] at the University of Texas