Jim Hogg County, Texas

History

Jim Hogg County was formed in 1913 from portions of Brooks and Duval counties. It was named after Jim Hogg, the 21st Governor of Texas, and the first governor born in the state of Texas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,136 square miles (2,940 km²), virtually all of which is land.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,281 people, 1,815 households, and 1,359 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 2,308 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.44% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 15.83% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. 89.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,815 households out of which 38.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 14.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the county, the population was spread out with 31.60% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,833, and the median income for a family was $29,844. Males had a median income of $28,150 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,185. About 24.20% of families and 25.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.80% of those under age 18 and 30.20% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

The county is historically Democratic. Since the county was founded in 1913, every Democratic candidate has carried the county. Over the entire nation only Brooks County, Texas can make a similar claim since its foundation, and only neighbouring Starr and Duval Counties plus Northampton County, North Carolina also possess this distinction in elections since Jim Hogg County was founded. The Democratic candidate has consistently received more than 65 percent of the county's vote since, at least, 1992. Jim Hogg was one of the few counties in Texas that voted for Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts over the incumbent George W. Bush. Kerry won by almost a 2-to-1 majority. He received 1,344 votes while Bush only received 712 votes.

From 1981-1988, the district attorney for Jim Hogg County was noted Laredo lawyer Julio A. Garcia. The district then included Webb, Dimmit, Zapata, and Jim Hogg counties.

Education

All of the county is served by the Jim Hogg County Independent School District.

The district has three schools: Hebbronville Elementary School, Hebbronville Junior High School, and Hebbronville High School. All of the schools are considered to be in the Hebbronville community.

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

There are no incorporated areas in Jim Hogg County.