Starr County is a county located in the state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 53,597. Its county seat is Rio Grande City⁶. The county is named for James H. Starr who had been Secretary of the Treasury for the Republic of Texas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,184 km² (1,229 mi²). 3,168 km² (1,223 mi²) of it is land and 16 km² (6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.51% water.

Adjacent counties

• Jim Hogg County (north)
• Brooks County (northeast)
• Hidalgo County (east)
• Mexico (south)
• Zapata County (west)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 53,597 people, 14,410 households, and 12,666 families residing in the county. The population density is 17/km² (44/mi²). There are 17,589 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (14/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 87.92% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.91% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 97.54% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 14,410 households out of which 54.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.50% are married couples living together, 17.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 12.10% are non-families. 11.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.69 and the average family size is 4.01.

In the county, the population is spread out with 37.40% under the age of 18, 11.00% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 16.30% from 45 to 64, and 8.20% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $16,504, and the median income for a family is $17,556. Males have a median income of $17,398 versus $13,533 for females. The per capita income for the county is $7,069. 50.90% of the population and 47.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 59.40% of those under the age of 18 and 43.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

2004 Election

Starr County is among a handful of counties in Texas that gave the majority of their votes to Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.

Cities and towns

External link

• Starr County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas