Hays County is a county located in the state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 97,589. Its county seat is San Marcos⁶. Hays County is named for Jack C. Hays , a Texas Ranger and Mexican-American War officer.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,761 km² (680 mi²). 1,756 km² (678 mi²) of it is land and 5 km² (2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.28% water.

Adjacent counties

• Travis County (northeast)
• Caldwell County (southeast)
• Guadalupe County (south)
• Comal County (southwest)
• Blanco County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 97,589 people, 33,410 households, and 22,150 families residing in the county. The population density is 56/km² (144/mi²). There are 35,643 housing units at an average density of 20/km² (53/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 78.92% White, 3.68% Black or African American, 0.69% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 13.36% from other races, and 2.49% from two or more races. 29.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 33,410 households out of which 34.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% are married couples living together, 9.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% are non-families. 21.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.21.

In the county, the population is spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 20.50% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 19.10% from 45 to 64, and 7.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 28 years. For every 100 females there are 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 99.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $45,006, and the median income for a family is $56,287. Males have a median income of $35,209 versus $27,334 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,931. 14.30% of the population and 6.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.30% of those under the age of 18 and 9.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Bear Creek
• Buda
• Dripping Springs
• Hays
• Kyle
• Mountain City
• Wimberley
• Woodcreek

Education

In the northern portion of the county, students in kindergarten through high school grade levels attend Hays Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD). The HCISD website can be found at hayscisd.net. As of 2004, there are there are two high schools (Hays & Lehmann), three middle schools (Dahlstrom, Kyle, and Green), and seven elementary schools.

One of the middle schools is Dahlstrom Middle School, located on the outskirts of Buda, Texas.

One of the high schools is Hays High School, located between Buda and Kyle. Enrollment for the 2004–2005 school year is approximately 2,000. School days are divided into eight 48 minute periods with 6 minute passing periods. After 3 minutes during a passing period a warning bell rings. Tardy students are sent to a "tardy room" for the period. The school has recently expanded, with a new building being added between the two older buildings.

Under the Academy@Hays program, students may graduate early from high school. Students are allowed to work at their own accelerated pace, opting out of electives such as Physical Education and Sports.

Other school districts in Hays county include the San Marcos and Dripping Springs ISDs.

External links

• Hays County government’s website
• Hays County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas