Karnes County, Texas

Karnes County, Texas
Karnes County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,710. Its county seat is Karnes City. The county is named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution. The former San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway passed through Karnes County in its connection linking San Antonio with Corpus Christi.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.8%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 181
State Highway 72
State Highway 80
State Highway 123
State Highway 239
Adjacent counties
Gonzales County (northeast)
DeWitt County (east)
Goliad County (southeast)
Bee County (south)
Live Oak County (southwest)
Atascosa County (west)
Wilson County (northwest)
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,710 people, 4,552 households, and 3,156 families residing in the county.
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,446 people, 4,454 households, and 3,246 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 5,479 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 68.55% White, 10.79% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.43% Asian American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 17.23% of other races, and 2.26% of two or more races. 47.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino American of any race.
There were 4,454 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.40% 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 2.66 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.80% under the age of 18, 11.50% from 18 to 24, 34.20% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 146.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 162.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,526, and the median income for a family was $30,565. Males had a median income of $27,260 versus $19,367 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,603. About 18.50% of families and 21.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.10% of those under age 18 and 20.50% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Around 2008 ConocoPhillips drilled a well in Karnes County and struck oil, causing an economic boom.
Communities
Cities
Falls City
Karnes City (county seat)
Kenedy
Town
Runge
Unincorporated communities
Cestohowa
Choate
Ecleto
Gillett
Hobson
Panna Maria
Ghost towns
Helena
Wintergreen
Politics
Education
School districts include:
Falls City Independent School District
Karnes City Independent School District
Kenedy Independent School District
Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School District
Nordheim Independent School District
Pawnee Independent School District
Pettus Independent School District
Runge Independent School District
Coastal Bend College (formerly Bee County College) is the designated community college for the county.
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Karnes County, Texas
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Karnes County
References
External links
The Karnes Countywide newspaper
Henry Karnes' entry in Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas hosted by the Portal to Texas History].
Genealogy in Karnes County, Texas
1854 establishments in Texas
Populated places established in 1854