# Robstown, Texas

Robstown is a city in Nueces County, Texas, of the United States of America, and is a western suburb of Corpus Christi. It was founded in 1907 by a land speculator from Keota, Iowa by the name of George H. Paul. Paul purchased 10,410.43 acres of the Driscoll Ranch located north of the Texas-Mexican Railroad built in 1875. The population was 10,143 as of the 2020 census.
The Texas State Legislature recognizes Robstown as the birthplace of Texas hold 'em poker. Texas Hold'em was birthed in the early 1900's, but did not become widely known until 1967 when it was launched in Las Vegas, Nevada.

## Geography

Robstown is located at 27°47′33″N 97°40′10″W﻿ / ﻿27.79250°N 97.66944°W﻿ / 27.79250; -97.66944 (27.792615, –97.669386).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31 km$^2$), all land.

### Climate

The climate in Robstown is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Robstown has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.
Climate data for Robstown, Texas (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1953–2012) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 92 (33) | 95 (35) | 104 (40) | 106 (41) | 104 (40) | 108 (42) | 107 (42) | 113 (45) | 109 (43) | 101 (38) | 98 (37) | 90 (32) | 113 (45) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 67.2 (19.6) | 70.8 (21.6) | 76.9 (24.9) | 82.9 (28.3) | 87.8 (31.0) | 92.7 (33.7) | 94.8 (34.9) | 96.0 (35.6) | 91.7 (33.2) | 85.4 (29.7) | 77.0 (25.0) | 68.9 (20.5) | 82.7 (28.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 56.6 (13.7) | 60.1 (15.6) | 66.3 (19.1) | 72.8 (22.7) | 78.8 (26.0) | 83.3 (28.5) | 85.0 (29.4) | 85.8 (29.9) | 81.7 (27.6) | 74.8 (23.8) | 66.5 (19.2) | 58.1 (14.5) | 72.5 (22.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 46.0 (7.8) | 49.4 (9.7) | 55.7 (13.2) | 62.7 (17.1) | 69.8 (21.0) | 73.9 (23.3) | 75.2 (24.0) | 75.6 (24.2) | 71.8 (22.1) | 64.2 (17.9) | 55.9 (13.3) | 47.2 (8.4) | 62.3 (16.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 16 (−9) | 20 (−7) | 23 (−5) | 37 (3) | 43 (6) | 58 (14) | 63 (17) | 64 (18) | 50 (10) | 32 (0) | 25 (−4) | 12 (−11) | 12 (−11) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.79 (45) | 2.05 (52) | 1.86 (47) | 1.64 (42) | 3.06 (78) | 2.92 (74) | 3.31 (84) | 3.05 (77) | 4.81 (122) | 3.62 (92) | 2.41 (61) | 1.62 (41) | 32.14 (816) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.2 (0.51) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 5.7 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 5.4 | 8.6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 72.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Source: NOAA ||||||||||||||

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Robstown racial composition (NH = Non-Hispanic) :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (NH) | 562 | 5.54% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 114 | 1.12% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 8 | 0.08% |
| Asian (NH) | 17 | 0.17% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 5 | 0.05% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 25 | 0.25% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 39 | 0.38% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 9,373 | 92.41% |
| Total | 10,143 | |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,143 people, 4,137 households, and 2,731 families residing in the city.

### 2019

As of 2019, the Census Bureau estimates the population to be 11,261 people and consisting of 3,728 households. Owner-occupied housing is 58.1%. The average household has 3.06 persons. The racial makeup of the city was 5.6% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 93.8% of the population. Non-Hispanic Whites were 5.8% of the population. Median value of housing was $52,900. Median gross rent was $688 per month.
In the city, the age distribution of the population was 9.2% under the age of 5, 31.0% under the age of 18, and 17.1% who were 65 or older. Females were 51.1% of the population. Foreign-born persons were 5.3% of the population.
Population density was 741.0 persons/sq mi. Land area is 15.50 sq mi. The FIPS code is 4862600
The median income for a household in the city was $29,218. Per capita income was $14,178. The poverty rate was 41.1%.

## Point of interest

The Robstown post office contains a mural, Founding and Subsequent Development of Robstown, Texas, painted in 1941 by Alice Reynolds. Federally commissioned murals were produced from 1934 to 1943 in the United States through the Section of Painting and Sculpture, later called the Section of Fine Arts, of the Treasury Department.

## Neighborhoods

Robstown is divided into several distinct neighborhoods. The Ashburn, Kissling area is located just east of Bluebonnet, next to the Robstown Early College High School. The area locally known as Bluebonnet is located in the northwest area of town, right next to Robstown Early College High School. The area locally known as Casa Blanca is considered to be south of the city and south of the Kansas City Railroad. San Pedro is on the westside, next to San Pedro Elementary School.

## Education

The City of Robstown is known for being the home of the Robstown Cotton Picker's, and is served by the Robstown Independent School District. The name "Cotton Pickers" originates all the way back to 1923 from the resident's who lived in the town and picked cotton in the nearby fields for a living. It is known that the community takes pride in their history to help show how far they have come. The Robstown Early College High School's early college program is also assisted by Del Mar College, Coastal Bend College, and the University of Texas.
Del Mar College is the designated community college for all of Nueces County.

## Industry

Robstown is the site of a 1,200 acre lithium refinement plant owned and operated by Tesla. Ground was broken on the $375 million facility in 2023 and the plant began operation in December 2024. The plant is expected to employ 160 people and produce battery grade lithium hydroxide. Environmental concerns as to the expected water usage by the plant have been raised.

## Media

* Robstown Record (1926-1977)
* Nueces County Record Star, weekly, owned by GateHouse Media

## Notable people

* Damian Chapa, starred in the famous Mexican American film Blood In, Blood Out
* Eddie Jackson, is the bassist for Seattle progressive metal band Queensrÿche
* Brooks Kieschnick, a former MLB player for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, and Milwaukee Brewers, was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame
* Solomon P. Ortiz, former U.S. Representative for Texas's 27th congressional district
* Gene Upshaw, a former NFL player for the Oakland Raiders and executive director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Marvin Upshaw, was a player for the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Cardinals