Kenedy County, Texas

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


map size = 225
founded = 1921
seat = Sarita | area_total_sq_mi =1946
area_land_sq_mi =1457
area_water_sq_mi =489
area percentage = 25.12%
census yr = 2000
pop = 414
density_km2 = 011
web =
|

Kenedy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Kingsville Micropolitan Statistical Area. In 2000, its population was 414. Its seat is SaritaGR|6, and the county is named for Mifflin Kenedy, an early rancher in the area. Kenedy County has the distinction of having the fourth lowest-population of any county in the United States, following Loving County, Texas, Kalawao County, Hawaii, and King County, Texas. It is also the easternmost county in the United States that has more square miles than people. The county was created in 1921 from parts of Hidalgo and Willacy counties. In 1999, Hurricane Bret struck the county, but damage was minimal due to the county's low population. A wind turbine plant is being built near Sarita and is expected to slightly raise the population of the area.

The King Ranch covers a large part of the county. [http://www.king-ranch.com/images/kr_map.jpg]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,946 square miles (5,039 km²), of which, 1,457 square miles (3,773 km²) of it is land and 489 square miles (1,266 km²) of it (25.12%) is water. The area made Kenedy the 13th largest county in Texas in total area." [http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/rural/1defining.html What is Rural?] ," "Rural Texas in Transition." "Window on State Government".] In land area only, it is the 25th-largest county in Texas.

Major highways

*US 77 is the only highway (federal or state) in Kenedy County.

Adjacent counties

*Kleberg County (north)
*Gulf of Mexico (east)
*Willacy County (south)
*Hidalgo County (southwest)
*Brooks County (west)

National protected area

* Padre Island National Seashore (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 414 people, 138 households, and 110 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.28 people per square mile (0.11/km²). There were 281 housing units at an average density of 0.19 per square mile (0.07/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.49% White, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 31.88% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 78.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 138 households out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.60% were non-families. 18.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the county, the population was spread out with 29.20% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 110.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,000, and the median income for a family was $26,719. Males had a median income of $18,125 versus $12,188 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,959. 15.30% of the population and 9.90% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 15.60% are under the age of 18 and 18.80% are 65 or older.

Kenedy County, the third least populous county in Texas, had 108 times more cattle than people in 1999.

Events

The Dick Cheney hunting incident occurred in Kenedy County. [" [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0216061cheney1.html Texas Cops Release Cheney Shooting Report] ," "The Smoking Gun"]

2004 Election

Kenedy County gave a slim majority to Senator John Kerry over incumbent George W. Bush.Kerry won by three votes, 85 to 82.

Communities

*Sarita
*Armstrong

Education

Almost all of Kenedy County is served by Sarita Elementary School (PreK-6) of the Kenedy County Wide Common School District. Of the nine schools in the counties with one school apiece, the population of Sarita Elementary School was the smallest.

A small portion of Kenedy County is served by the Riviera Independent School District.

References

External links

* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/KK/hck4.html Kenedy County in "Handbook of Texas Online"] at the University of Texas
* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-25201:1 "Inventory of county records, Kenedy County Courthouse, Sarita, Texas"] , hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History]