Angelina

Angelina County

Updated on: November 13, 2021
Coordinates
31 15' 36" N, 94 36' 36" W (31.26, -94.61)
State
Texas
Region
Central East
County Seat:
Lufkin
Year Organized:
1846
Total Square Miles:
864.706
798 square miles (2,070 km2) land
67 square miles (170 km2) water
Population:
87805 (2017)
Population: 86,715 est. (2019) 86,771 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
102
Angelina County Website
http://www.angelinacounty.net/

Contiguous Counties

Nacogdoches (N)
San Augustine (NE)
Jasper (SE)
Tyler (S)
Polk (SW)
Houston (W)
Cherokee (NW)

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Dillon's Rule
Legislative Body:
Commisioners Court
Size of Legislative Body:
5

Demographics

2018 Population:
87805
25 to 64 Years of Age:
49.42%
65 Years of Age and Older:
16.33%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$3.4 B
Labor Force:
36,211
Unemployment Rate:
4.40%

County Contact

PO BOX 908
County Courthouse
Lufkin, TX, 75902-0908

http://www.angelinacounty.net/

Angelina is a County in the U.S. state of Texas, situated on the east of Texas. The county seat is Lufkin. The county was named Angelina after a Hasinai Native American. She was later known as “the mother of Texas.” Angelina county has an area of 807 square miles. The Angelina County Airport serves the county. 

Nacogdoches borders Angelina county to the north, San Augustine to the northeast, Tyler to the south, Polk to the southwest, Houston & Trinity to the west, and Cherokee to the northwest.  

Demographic Analysis of Angelina County  

Angelina county was established in 1846 from land ceded by the Nacogdoches. The first settlers were Anglo-Americans who arrived at Burris Prairie, currently known as Lufkin, in 1820.   

They settled along the banks of the Angelina and Neches rivers, which provided water for their crops and transportation to markets by water. By 1850 about 1,165 people were living in Angelina County. The population snowballed due to the availability of suitable land for farming and timber resources.  

In 1880, Angelina County’s population reached 5,239. At this point, Angelina County became one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. As more businesses opened up, jobs began to be available for all classes of workers. Between 1900 and 1910, the population of Angelina County rose from 13,481 to 17,705, of whom 2,435 were black. As of the 2010 census, its population was 86,771. 

Angelina County Economy  

During the great depression, Angelina County suffered greatly economically. Most farms went out of business, and most families lost everything. The booming timber demand caused lumber mills to open around the area. Joseph H. Kurth, Sr., founded the Angelina County Lumber Company and Southern Pine Lumber Company around 1893.  

These mills employed thousands of local laborers. However, when World War II broke out, these industries closed down until the war ended. After the war, the economy slowly recovered but never regained its former glory. Today, timber production in Angelina County remains vital to the economic well-being of the community. Agriculture continues to play a significant role in the lives of the people of Angelina. 

Angelina County Offices 

This is a list of all the county offices in Angelina County. It includes information on each office, including contact information and links to their websites. The county offices include County Commissioners, Clerk/Register of Deed, Texas House Representative, Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney, Juvenile Probation, Health Department, and Zoning Administrator. Other agencies that are not listed here but impact Angelina County residents. 

The elected commissioners serve two or four-year terms with no term limits. They represent the entire county at large. Each commissioner has one vote for any decision made by the board. Five members are serving on the commission, with the county judge presiding over all meetings:  

County Judge -Don Lymbery 

Commissioner 1: Rodney Paulette 

Commissioner 2: Kermit Kennedy 

Commissioner 3: Terry Pitts 

Commissioner 4: Steve Smith 

Commissioners meet monthly during regular business hours. Meetings can be online through the official website or via live stream from the meeting room. All meetings are open to the public unless otherwise noted.    

The County Clerk of Angelina is Amy Fincher. She records deeds, mortgages and keeps minutes of the various boards and commissions within the county. She also issues marriage licenses and performs civil marriages. In addition, she maintains vital statistics such as birth certificates, death certificates, and voter registration rolls. 

Representative Trent Ashby is responsible for representing the interests of his constituents in Austin. He works closely with state senators to pass legislation affecting the citizens of Texas. Texas Senate Representatives represent the residents of each district. Their job is to pass bills that affect the lives of Texans. Senators work together with members of Congress from other states to create policies on issues important to all locals.  

Greg Sanches is the County Sheriff of Angelina. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Department enforces local laws and provides security at county facilities. It has jurisdiction over crimes occurring anywhere inside the county limits. Deputies patrol roads and respond to calls for service. They investigate criminal activity ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.   

Janet Cassels works for the prosecution team handling felony charges against suspects in Angelina County. District Attorneys prosecute people charged with violating federal, state, and municipal laws. They prepare evidence for trials and present it during hearings. Prosecutors often seek harsher sentences than defense lawyers do. 

The juvenile probation officer works closely with judges and attorneys to ensure juveniles who violate laws get appropriate punishment. He helps rehabilitate young offenders, so they do not commit more crimes later in life. The staff members in the juvenile probation departments that support and enhance juvenile probation services are: 

  • Mark Gorman – The Director 
  • Dwana Nowak –The Office Manager 
  • Youlanda Lane – Juvenile Probation Officer 
  • Regina Davis – Juvenile Probation Officer 
  • Jessica Rucobo – Juvenile Probation Officer 
  • Rance Nerren – Juvenile Probation Officer 
  • Kristina Brooks – Juvenile Probation Officer 
  • Garry Hults – Juvenile Probation Officer 
  • Katherine Patrick – Juvenile Probation Officer 

The health department oversees the operation of hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care facilities throughout the county. The Angelina County & Cities Health District’s mission is to protect the health and safety of citizens while promoting quality healthcare delivery systems.  

The zoning administrator oversees land use regulations for property owners. Zoning ordinances determine what types of businesses can operate and where. For example, commercial properties must obtain permits before opening new stores, while residential areas cannot allow certain activities. 

The climate in Angelina County, Texas 

The average rainfall in Angelina county is about 51 inches per year, and the temperature goes from an average high of 93 degrees in July to a low of 37 degrees in January. The best time to visit this area would be October, April, and May when it’s not too hot or cold. The least favorable months to visit are July through August because it can be scorching during these times. 

The average number of sunny days in Angelina county is around 210. On average, there are usually 93 rainy days per year. There can also be snowfall during the winter months, but that doesn’t happen very often.  

Is Angelina County Safe Place to Live  

Angelina is a safe and best place to live considering the housing, education, cost of living, climate, crime rate, health care, transportation, recreation, economy. According to FBI statistics, the county has one of the safest places in Texas. It is ranked 68th percentile in Texas with the lowest violent and property crimes per 1,000 residents.  

The crime rate in Angelina county is lower than most counties in Texas. Property crimes such as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, arson, robbery, and vandalism have decreased over the years. 

Education  

Many schools in Angelina County offer excellent programs such as high school diploma programs, college degree programs, vocational training, adult learning centers, career technical institutes, community colleges, public & private institutions, etc.  

There are also several post-secondary educational opportunities available through distance learning or online courses. In addition, there are numerous trade or vocational schools located throughout the area offering job skills training.  

Here are some of the school districts in Angelina County: 

  • Central High School 
  • Lufkin High School  
  • Diboll High School 
  • Huntington High School 
  • Zavalla High School 
  • Hudson High School 
  • Stubblefield Learning Center 
  • Pineywoods Community Academy 
  • Saint Patrick Catholic School 
  • Crimson Christian Academy 
  • Saint Cyprian’s Episcopal School