Port Arthur is a city located in Jefferson County, and is situated in East Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 57,755.

The Southeast Texas Regional Airport in Nederland, Texas serves Beaumont, Texas and Port Arthur.

Port Arthur is the native town of Olympic gold medallist and champion golfer Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

Geography

Port Arthur is located on the western bank of Sabine Lake. The Rainbow Bridge across the Neches River connects Port Arthur to Bridge City.

The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway runs past the city, separated from Sabine Lake by Pleasure Island. The 18.5 mile man-made island was created from dredged material from 1899 and 1908 Corps of Engineers projects.

Port Arthur is located at 29°53'6" North, 93°56'24" West (29.884864, -93.939902).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 372.3 km² (143.8 mi²). 214.8 km² (82.9 mi²) of it is land and 157.6 km² (60.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 42.32% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 57,755 people, 21,839 households, and 14,675 families residing in the city. The population density is 268.9/km² (696.5/mi²). There are 24,713 housing units at an average density of 115.1/km² (298.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 39.01% White, 43.70% African American, 0.45% Native American, 5.89% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.88% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. 17.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 21,839 households out of which 33.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% are married couples living together, 19.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% are non-families. 29.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average family size is 3.25.

In the city the population is spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $26,455, and the median income for a family is $32,143. Males have a median income of $30,915 versus $21,063 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,183. 25.2% of the population and 22.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 35.2% of those under the age of 18 and 14.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Famous Natives of Port Arthur

• Janis Joplin, singer
• "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias, athlete
• Robert Rauschenberg, artist
• UGK, rap group
• Jimmy Johnson, football coach

External links