San Patricio

San Patricio County

Updated on: January 11, 2022
Coordinates
28° 0' 36" N, 97° 31' 12" W (28.01, -97.52)
State
Texas
Region
South
County Seat:
Sinton
Year Organized:
1836
Total Square Miles:
707.945
Population:
67215 (2017)
Persons/Square Mile:
95
San Patricio County Website
http://www.co.san-patricio.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Refugio (N)
Aransas (NE)
Nueces (S)
Jim Wells (SW)
Live Oak (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
67215
25 to 64 Years of Age:
49.60%
65 Years of Age and Older:
14.98%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$2.3 B
Labor Force:
30,351
Unemployment Rate:
6.30%

County Contact

PO BOX 578
County Courthouse
Sinton, TX, 78387-0578

http://www.co.san-patricio.tx.us

Located in Texas in the US, Congress founded San Patricio County in 1836. The County covers an estimated area of 1834 square kilometers. 

San Patricio is part of the larger Corpus Christi Metropolitan Statistical Area. Congress identified Sinto as its official county seat. 

The 2020 US censors put the population of San Patricio at 68,755 inhabitants. Additionally, at 55.5%, the Hispanic community is the majority, followed by whites at 38.7%. The county also remains number 52 out of 254 Texas counties on population density. 

Economically, San Patricio is home to chemical, energy, and maritime industries. Other sectors that thrive include agriculture, mariculture, tourism, and industrial manufacturing. 

More significantly, you can tour many places in San Patricio as it enjoys tourist attraction destinations. Also, you’ll enjoy doing several things that include sports fishing at La Boquita. 

Geographical Location 

The County, located in the lower Gulf coastal prairies region, shares a border with Bee County in the north, Refugio County in the Northeast, Asana in the East, and Nueces County and Corpus Christi Bay Southeast. 

Its center lies at 29o 03’ North latitude and 97o33’ West longitude. Sinton, the County seat, is found in the Northeast of the center of the County, 16 miles north of Corpus Christi. 

The County covers 693 square miles of essentially flat land covered with tall Prairies grass and live oak trees. Additionally, most of the County lies in the coastal plain. However, the presence of Caliche hills in the far western areas makes it a sight to behold. 

Besides, elevation ranges from sea level to 200 feet above sea level. Soils consist of dark loam on the surface, with clayey subsoils. 

The Nueces river runs on the south, and the Aransas river drains the County on the north. 

History of San Patricio County 

In 1828, Empresarios John McMullen and James McGloin had a contract with the Mexican government to settle 200 Irish Catholic families in the area. Two more groups later joined these families, and as the area’s population grew, the need for a formal settlement became clear. So, in 1834, the Municipality of San Patricio was established in the Mexican State of Coahuila and Texas.  

In 1836, the authorities issued 84 land grants in the colony that now had 500 inhabitants. However, the area found itself in the center of war during the Texas Revolution. The war proved disruptive to settlements in the area, but the situation normalized after the revolution. 

In 1836, the New Republic of Texas Congress established the County of San Patricio. The original County was far more extensive than the present County. But some of its territories were later incorporated into newly established neighboring Counties. 

The San Patricio County Offices, Texas 

The San Patricio County Government consists of several critical offices occupied by highly qualified professionals working together to provide County services to the residents of San Patricio.

These offices include; the County Judge, County Auditor, Commissioners Courts, County Attorney, County Clerk, County Tax Collector, and the Sheriff. 

Judge David Krebs presides over as the County Judge of San Patricio. As the County Judge, he remains the CEO of San Patricio County. Residents of the County can reach him using his phone: 361-364-9301. 

David Wendel is the County Auditor in San Patricio. People can reach out to him via his phone; 361-364-9301. 

Judge David Krebs presides over the Commissioners Court that includes four other members. The Court serves as the topmost decision-making counselor organ of the County. The other members include; 

Sonia Lopez, who occupies the office of the Precinct 1 Commissioner, residents of San Patricio, can reach her using her phone; 361-364-6171. 

Gay Moore remains the Precinct 2 Commissioner; residents can reach out to him via phone; 361-587-3630. 

Lily Wilkinson presides over as the Precinct 3 Commissioner. San Patricio Citizens may reach her using her phone; 361-368-6000. 

Howard Gillespie occupies the office of the Precinct 4 Commissioner in San Patricio County. Residents can reach him via his phone; 361-758-5276. 

Tamara Cochran-May is the San Patricio County Attorney. People can reach out to her using her phone; 361-364-9338.  

Gracie Alaniz-Gonzales presides over as the County Clerk. Residents can reach her via her phone: 361-364-9450. 

Denise Janak occupies the office of the County Treasurer. People may reach out to her via her phone: 361-364-9375. 

Marcela Thormaehlen presides over as the County Tax Collector. Residents can reach her via her phone: 361-364-9373.  

Oscar Rivera reigns supreme as the San Patricio County Sheriff. Residents can reach him using his phone: 361-364-9600. 

Cost of Living in San Patricio County 

The cost of living in the County of San Patricio remains relatively cheaper than in other religions of the US. It’s shown by the cost of living index of 84.5 compared to the US average of 100. 

Essential cost of living indicates grocery, health, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous fall below Texas State’s average and the larger US averages. 

Education in San Patricio County 

Education costs are relatively cheaper in San Patricio than in other regions of the US. As a parent, you’ll likely spend an average of $10,408 per student. The US average annual student expenditure for education stands at $12 383. 

Additionally, the County provides a librarian for every 15 pupils and a counselor for every 436 pupils. 

The Economy of San Patricio County 

The San Patricio economy is performing averagely. The unemployment rate stands at 10.3% compared to the US average of 6.0%. In the past year, the job market grew by 0.2%.  

Additionally, the job growth projection of the County over the next ten years stands at 21.4%. It’s lower than the US average of 33.5% over the same period. The average annual income of residents remains at $23,741 compared to the US average of $28,555. 

The economic sectors that perform well in San Patricio currently include construction, manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare and social services, accommodation and food, and public administration. 

Politics and Voting in San Patricio County 

The political climate in San Patricio remains strongly conservative. The County’s voters have consistently voted for the Republican party’s presidential candidate since 2000. 

In the last US presidential elections, 63.7% voted for the Republican party, 34.7% voted for the Democratic party, and 1.5% voted Independent.  

Top Places to Visit in San Patricio County 

As a visitor or resident of San Patricio County, you can enjoy several attraction centers. 

Here are the top 10 attraction centers: 

  • USS Lexington 
  • Hurricane alley waterpark 
  • Lake Corpus Christi state park  
  • Bowman design and framing 
  • Whataburger field 
  • Corpus museum of science and history park 
  • Hazel Bazemore park 
  • Selena museum 
  • North beach