Leon County, Texas

Leon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 16,801.[1] Its county seat is Centerville.[2]

Leon County
U.S. county
The Leon County Courthouse in Centerville, originally built of slate brick in 1887. Two previous structures have occupied the current site.
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 31°18′N 96°00′W
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1846
Named forMartín De León
SeatCenterville
Largest cityBuffalo
Area
 • Total1,081 sq mi (2,800 km2)
 • Land1,073 sq mi (2,780 km2)
 • Water7.5 sq mi (19 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total16,801
 • Density16/sq mi (6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts8th, 17th
Websitewww.co.leon.tx.us
Rural Leon High School is located off U.S. Highway 79.

History

The legislature of the Republic of Texas authorized Leon County in 1846 from part of Robertson County, and named it in honor of Martín De León, the founder of Victoria, Texas. However, local tradition holds that it is named for a yellow wolf of the region commonly called the león ("lion" in Spanish). The county was organized that same year with its first county seat at Leona. In 1851, the county seat was moved to Centerville, since Leona was in the far southern part of the county.

The 1886 Leon County Courthouse was designed by architect George Edwin Dickey of Houston, incorporating remnants of an earlier 1858 courthouse that was destroyed by fire. The courthouse was rededicated on July 1, 2007, following a full restoration to a 1909 date.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,081 square miles (2,800 km2), of which 1,073 square miles (2,780 km2) are land and 7.5 square miles (19 km2) (0.7%) are covered by water.[4]

Major highways

Additionally, State Highway OSR runs along the south and southwest county line of Leon County, where it borders with Madison County.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18501,946—
18606,781248.5%
18706,523−3.8%
188012,81796.5%
189013,8418.0%
190018,07230.6%
191016,583−8.2%
192018,28610.3%
193019,8988.8%
194017,733−10.9%
195012,024−32.2%
19609,951−17.2%
19708,738−12.2%
19809,5949.8%
199012,66532.0%
200015,33521.1%
201016,8019.6%
2019 (est.)17,404[5]3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1850–2010[7] 2010–2014[1]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 15,335 people, 6,189 households, and 4,511 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (6/km2). There were 8,299 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.53% White, 10.39% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.50% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 7.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,189 households, out of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,981, and the median income for a family was $38,029. Males had a median income of $32,036 versus $19,607 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,599. About 12.60% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities and towns

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Politics
Faded "Vote Republican" sign off U.S. Highway 79 in Marquez in Leon County

Leon County is so heavily Republican that in 2014 none of the statewide GOP nominees fell below 87 percent of the votes cast. U.S. Representative Kevin Brady of Texas's 8th congressional district led the ticket with 97 percent of the ballots cast in Leon County.[9]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[10]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 86.7% 7,523 12.4% 1,072 0.9% 79
2016 85.9% 6,391 12.2% 909 1.9% 139
2012 83.5% 5,814 15.3% 1,062 1.2% 84
2008 79.1% 5,566 20.1% 1,418 0.8% 57
2004 73.9% 5,023 25.8% 1,754 0.3% 22
2000 69.0% 4,362 29.9% 1,893 1.1% 71
1996 51.0% 2,839 39.8% 2,217 9.2% 510
1992 40.2% 2,212 37.1% 2,042 22.8% 1,254
1988 54.3% 2,778 45.3% 2,316 0.4% 21
1984 63.7% 3,207 36.2% 1,821 0.2% 10
1980 44.9% 1,821 54.0% 2,190 1.0% 42
1976 35.6% 1,161 63.9% 2,085 0.5% 15
1972 66.2% 1,699 33.6% 863 0.2% 6
1968 21.4% 659 50.0% 1,536 28.6% 880
1964 21.2% 642 78.5% 2,373 0.2% 7
1960 32.3% 868 67.2% 1,803 0.5% 13
1956 46.0% 1,079 53.7% 1,260 0.3% 7
1952 40.7% 1,266 59.2% 1,842 0.2% 6
1948 10.9% 184 72.8% 1,231 16.3% 275
1944 7.4% 140 82.7% 1,569 10.0% 189
1940 9.7% 252 90.3% 2,349
1936 5.3% 97 94.7% 1,748 0.1% 1
1932 5.2% 108 94.3% 1,958 0.5% 10
1928 38.6% 543 61.3% 862 0.1% 2
1924 13.0% 311 83.7% 2,004 3.3% 79
1920 10.6% 220 54.1% 1,124 35.4% 735
1916 22.7% 335 66.3% 979 11.0% 162
1912 13.9% 191 62.4% 856 23.6% 324

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Texas Historical Commission.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  7. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  9. "2014 General Election, Leon County". Texas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  10. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-07-26.

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