Refugio

Refugio County

Updated on: January 13, 2022
Coordinates
Decimal 28 19' 12" N, 97 10' 12" W (28.32, -97.17)
State
Texas
Region
South
County Seat:
Refugio
Year Organized:
1856
Total Square Miles:
818.243
770 square miles (2,000 km2) land
48 square miles (120 km2) water
Population:
7224 (2017)
Population:7,321 est. (2016) 7,383 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
9
Refugio County Website
http://www.co.refugio.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Victoria (N)
Calhoun (NE)
Aransas (SE)
San Patricio (S)
Bee (W)
Goliad (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
7224
25 to 64 Years of Age:
47.13%
65 Years of Age and Older:
22.61%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$516.3 M
Labor Force:
3,160
Unemployment Rate:
4.70%

County Contact

808 Commerce St Ste 104
County Courthouse
Refugio, TX, 78377-3151

http://www.co.refugio.tx.us

San Patricio County borders Refugio County on the south, Bee and Goliad counties border Refugio County on the west, Victoria and Calhoun counties border Refugio County on the north, and Hynes Bay and Copano Bay border Refugio County on the east.  

The county seat, Refugio, can be found at latitude 28°19′ north and longitude 97°09′ west. It is located 35 miles north of Corpus Christi and serves as the county seat of government and the county’s major urban center. The Mission Nuestra Senora del Refugio inspired the county’s name.  

Refugio County History 

Anglo-Americans were not allowed to settle in the region until 1836. Many of the families brought in were not Catholic, despite what was said in the contract. Refugio was established on the site of a former mission but did not deter the settlement from growing.   

Since the municipality was created, politicians have had difficulty agreeing on what to title it. As a result of widespread disapproval, the original name was dropped. 

People in the county had diverse allegiances during the conflict with Mexico, which led to the creation of the state of Texas. Most people, on the other hand, yearned for autonomy. In 1836, enemies defeated an outnumbered Texan force led by Amon King and William Ward at the Battle of Refugio. The Texan army was routed by the Mexican General Urrera, who slew King and Ward. While most of Ward’s troops could escape, King’s army was decimated, with most of its members being either killed or taken captive. They were later killed in the Goliad Massacre by those who arrested them. 

After Texas declared its independence from Mexico, Refugio was one of its thirteen original counties. Refugio County was well-known by the 1850s as a producer of hides and tallow. Three dry goods stores, two hotels, three churches, two schools, two doctors, one dentist, and one lawyer formerly dotted the city of Refugio. One thousand seven hundred forty-eight persons lived in the county by 1860, with 234 slaves and six free blacks of African descent.  

Confederate soldiers from the county made up a sizable portion of the local population. The Civil War had a significant impact on the county’s economy. This county’s history was marred by a gloomy period following World War II. The deaths of white ranchers were frequently the result of vigilante violence. Few Mexican-American ranchers remained at the turn of the century. 

Refugio County Geography 

The 771 square miles of flat area in Refugio County, covered mainly in tall prairie grasses, is dotted with prickly pear trees and tall grasses. The sea level drops by 100 feet at the northernmost point. 

Soils in the county’s lowland areas are waxy, whereas those found higher up tend to be sandy loam. There are drainage basins south of the Aransas River and north of the Guadalupe-San Antonio river confluence in the county. 

Copano and Willow Creeks and the Mission River run through the region. 91% of the county’s land was used for agriculture, with farmland accounting for the remaining 8%. Nearly two-thirds of the area’s agricultural income was generated by livestock, mainly cattle and pigs, and crops such as sorghum and cotton. Aside from that, watermelons and walnuts are also grown nearby by local growers.  

Natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, and industrial sand.   

Highway 77 connects Refugio County to the rest of Texas. Secondary transportation is the Missouri Pacific Railroad’s forte. 

Refugio County Demographics 

With 7,15k residents, Refugio County in Texas boasts a 99.4% American citizenry rate. A mere 1.8% of Refugio County, Texas’ current population is hailed from countries other than the United States (130 people).  

White (non-Hispanic) residents in Refugio County, TX numbered 2.98k in 2019, more than one and a half times the population of any other race or ethnicity. 2.79k White (Hispanic) people and 555 Other people were the second and third most common ethnic groupings, respectively (Hispanic). 

Refugio County Climate 

On average, Refugio has the hottest day of the year in August (94.1°). There aren’t many places in Texas like that. People in Refugio live in temperatures from 70 to 85 degrees for four months of the year. These months have good weather. It’s best to go to Refugio in late April, November, and March when the weather is the nicest.  

It’s 44.1° at night in Refugio in January, making it the coldest month there.  

On the other hand, the summers in Refugio can be scorching. It’s almost impossible to breathe in the summer months of July and August because of the high humidity, say people who live there. When it’s humid, it’s from May to October. The best months are from November to April, when it’s not so moist.  

During September, an average of 4.5 inches of rain falls. In January, there are only 2.0 inches of rain. Precipitation is more likely to fall during the winter months than at any other time of the year. It rains 18 percent of the year in the spring. The amount of rain that falls in Refugio, Texas, is about the same as in other parts of Texas. 

How much snow does Refugio get? It’s about the same as in other parts of Texas. It snows a lot in December, with an average of about 0.4 inches on the ground. In any other month, there is very little snowfall.  

Refugio County Places To Visit 

Texas SouthWind Winery And Vineyard 

Texas SouthWind is a winery and vineyard located on Alternate 77/Hwy. 183 between the historic communities of Refugio and Goliad, Texas. The winery and vineyard are located on ranch land in the style of South Texas. They have 145 acres in the heart of the countryside. Both the vineyards and wineries are owned and operated by the same family.  

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park 

Birders go to Bentsen because of the area’s unique combination of wetland, scrub brush, river, and forest habitats, all of which work together to provide an unmatched viewing experience. 

Some of the country’s most diversified species are still in the remnants of the Rio Grande Valley’s native ecosystem. 

The Rio Grande Valley is home to 530 different species of birds, including 20 that are unique to this part of the United States. Bentsen is home to 365 other species.  

Bentsen’s bird-feeding stations attract a wide variety of species during the winter months. In addition to trails, a bird blind and the wildlife Observation Tower are available.  

Lake Casa Blanca State Park 

Honey mesquite and prickly pear cacti line the Mesquite Bend Trail, thus the trail’s 

name. Cactus wrens and green jays frequently call throughout the trail’s many turns and bend, so be prepared to hear them. You may even spot a white-tailed deer or javelina rushing through the undergrowth! 

An easy 1.5-mile-long walking or cycling path is available. Also within are the trailheads for the track at Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, where parking is plentiful. 

Refugio County Offices 

Rita Trojcack is in charge of the county treasurer’s office. She handles matters concerning human resources in the county. You can get in touch with her through by telephone at 361-526-4223. 

The office of Justice and Peace has two judges: Judge Mary Canales and Judge Emi Riemenschneider. You can reach them through their official office lines at 361-526-4877 and 361-526-1635, respectively.  

The County Constables include Mark Moore and J.J. Garza as precincts 1 and 2 in that order. For any inquiry, you can visit their office on Commerce Street in Refugio or contact them by telephone at 361-526-2351.  

Also in charge of law and order is the County Sheriff, who currently is Raul “Pinky” Gonzalez. Gary Wright deputizes him, and you can communicate with them through telephone at 361-526-2352 or through fax at 361-526-1668.