Galveston County

Galveston County Offices

Galveston County Town List

Galveston County, Texas, has existed since 1838. It was named after Galveston Bay, which borders one side and Houston city limits to its north.  

The county seat is Galveston, the largest city, and houses most county offices and businesses. The county has many parks and recreation areas, including beaches, lakes, golf courses, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and historical sites. 

The county population is estimated at 342,139 based on 2019 census estimates. This makes it the second-most populous county in Texas behind Harris County. Its current population density is 1,827 people per square mile. 

History 

Galveston Bay was first settled by Native Americans as early as 10,000 BC. In 1519 Spanish explorer Juan de Onate claimed all land west of a line from Nueces River southward along the coast for Spain. He called this region New Andalusia.  

After Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, Mexican authorities established their claim over Coahuila y Tejas. They sent José Antonio Navarro to explore the bay in 1822. 

Other early settlers of Galveston were the Indians who lived there before the Europeans arrived. These included Karankawa, Goliad Apaches, Tonkawas, Matagorda Island Comanches, and others.  

Most of these tribes had been forced out or exterminated by other groups. These included the Apache, Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, and various European nations.  

In 1785 France controlled Louisiana Territory, French explorers Jean Baptiste Bénard De La Harpe and Pierre Laclède Dubreton explored North America.  

They sailed up the Mississippi River into present-day Illinois and Missouri. From there, they traveled down the Ohio River through Kentucky and Tennessee. At that point, they turned east toward the Atlantic Ocean. 

Currently, the county has many races, with whites being the majority race. Hispanics make up 28% of the total population, while African Americans account for 5%. Other minorities include Asians, Pacific Islanders, Arabs, and mixed-race individuals. 

Besides the ethnicities mentioned above, the county contains several languages spoken among residents. English is the primary language used in schools and business transactions. However, some residents speak Spanish because of immigration patterns.  

The Economy of Galveston County 

Galveston county has large parcels of land suitable for agriculture, but not much industry exists. Agriculture accounts for about half of the jobs available in the county.  

Many farms have cattle ranches where beef is raised. Others have birds like chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and guinea fowls. The residents also keep dogs for hunting purposes. 

Most towns in the county are conducive for businesses because of low taxes and easy access to major highways. Some examples of cities with industries are Galveston city, Kemar, Texas, and Santa Fe. 

Additionally, the government gives incentives and loans to companies looking to relocate to the area. The city of Houston provides financial assistance to new businesses so long as they create more than 100 jobs. Companies can also receive tax breaks if they invest 1 million dollars in capital improvements.  

Towns and Cities in Galveston 

Galveston Town is the county seat of Galveston County. It is home to most of the county’s services, including the courthouse, jail, post office, fire department, police station, library, public works building, and health center.  

There are two hospitals in town; one private hospital and another state-run facility. Both offer emergency care 24 hours per day. 

Kemah town is a small community on the west side of Galveston Bay. Kemah was founded in 1836 after the first hurricane destroyed all previous settlements along the bay. Today it serves as an industrial hub for manufacturing seafood products.  

Its economy relies heavily upon tourism since it sits at the end of Seawall Boulevard, from downtown Galveston to Clear Lake City. 

Santa Fe is a small unincorporated community south of Galveston. It lies between Galveston and League City. Santa Fe is known for its historic buildings dating back to the 1800s. A few of them still stand today. One example is the old Santa Fe Hotel built around 1900.  

Bacliff is a census-designated place in southern Galveston County. Bacliff is part of the Greater Katy Area Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the CDP population was 1,933. 

Texas City is a coastal city that borders the Gulf Coast. In recent years, Texas City has become a popular tourist destination thanks to its unique history.  

During World War II, Texas City became a port of call for ships carrying troops into battle. After the war ended, Texas City continued to be a busy shipping point until Hurricane Ike struck in 2008. 

Hitchcock city is a small unincorporated village near the coast of Galveston County, Texas. Hitchcock is best known for being the birthplace of actor John Wayne. He lived there during his childhood before moving to California. Hitchcock is now a ghost town.  

County Offices 

The County Judge Office is under Mark Henry, who was elected in 2010. His role is to oversee the operations of the court system and ensure the courts serve justice. Contact them at (409) 766.2244. 

Sheriff Henry A. Trochesset heads up the sheriff’s office. This office oversees law enforcement throughout the county. Contact them at : (409)766-2300. 

The County Clerk’s office is responsible for recording births, deaths, marriages, divorces, adoptions, and property transfers. It is under Dwight D. Sullivan. Contact them at (409) 762-8621. 

The Office of the Attorney is under Jack Roady, who handles civil matters such as probate cases, guardianships, conservatorships, and child support issues. Contact them at (409) 762-8621. 

Tax Assessor – Collector’s Office is under Cheryl E. Johnson. They collect taxes, handle tax sales and provide information about real estate transactions. Contact them at (409) 762-8621. 

The County Treasurer’s office is under Mr. Kevin C. Walsh. Contact them at (409) 770-5395.  

Conclusion 

In summary, Galveston County is made up of several towns and cities with different histories and cultures. The people here have been through many hardships, but they continue to survive.  

The county has a friendly business environment because of its proximity to Houston and other major metropolitan areas. There are also plenty of recreational activities available, including fishing, boating, swimming, surfing, golfing, and camping.