Brazoria County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Brazoria County[p] is a county in the U.S. state
of Texas
, located on the Gulf Coast
within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
metropolitan area. Regionally, parts of the county are within the extreme southern-most fringe of the regions locally known as Southeast Texas
. Brazoria County is among a number of counties that are part of the region known as the Texas Coastal Bend. Its county seat is Angleton
, and its largest city is Pearland
. Brazoria County, like nearby Brazos County, takes its name from the Brazos River
. The county also includes what was once Velasco, Texas
, which was the first capital of the Republic of Texas
. It served as the first settlement area for Anglo-Texas, whereby the Old Three Hundred
immigrated from the United States
in 1821. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the county is 313,166.http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
, takes its name from the Brazos River
, which flows through it. Anglo-Texas began in Brazoria County when the first of Stephen F. Austin
's authorized 300 American
settlers arrived at the mouth of the Brazos River
in 1821. Many of the events leading to the Texas Revolution
developed in Brazoria County. In 1832, Brazoria was organized as a separate municipal district by the Mexican government, and so became one of Texas original counties at independence in 1836. Stephen F. Austin's original burial place is located at a church cemetery Gulf Prairie Cemetery
in the town of Jones Creek
, but was exhumed in 1910 and brought to the state capital in Austin
. Also, the town of West Columbia
served as the first capital of Texas, dating back to pre-revolutionary days.
Congressman and 2008 Presidential Candidate Ron Paul
lives in Brazoria County, in Lake Jackson
.
Brazoria County resembles both rural
and suburban life, as it is part of the Greater Houston
area.
, the county has a total area of 1597 square miles (4,136.2 km²), of which 1386 square miles (3,589.7 km²) is land and 211 square miles (546.5 km²) (13.2%) is water.
of 2000, there were 241,767 people, 81,954 households, and 63,104 families residing in the county. The population density
was 174 people per square mile (67/km²). There were 90,628 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.09% White
, 8.50% Black
or African American
, 0.53% Native American
, 2.00% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 9.63% from other races
, and 2.22% from two or more races. 22.78% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 12.1% were of German
, 11.2% American
and 7.2% English
ancestry according to Census 2000. 79.0% spoke only English
at home, while 18.1% spoke Spanish
.
There were 81,955 households, out of which 40.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples
living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.00% were non-families. 19.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82, and the average family size was 3.23.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 32.40% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 107 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.4 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $48,632, and the median income for a family was $55,282. Males had a median income of $42,193 versus $27,728 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $20,021. About 8.1% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2010 Brazoria County had a population of 313,166. The racial and ethnic make-up of the population was 53.22% Non-Hispanic white, 12.06% black, 0.57% Native American, 5.50% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.15% Non-Hispanics reporting some other race and 2.63% of the population reporting more than one race. 27.67% of the county population was Hispanic or Latino.
(TDCJ) operates six prisons for men and its Region III office in unincorporated
Brazoria County. As of 2007 there were 1,495 full-time correctional job positions in the county. In 1995, of the counties in Texas, Brazoria had the second highest number of state prisons and jails, after Walker County
. In 2003 there were a total of 2,572 employees at the six TDCJ facilities. The 6 TDCJ units are:
(The following 3 are co-located in Otey
, near Rosharon.)
In 2007, TDCJ officials said that discussions to move the Central Unit
from Sugar Land
to Brazoria County were preliminary.
Alvin Community College
and Brazosport College
serve as higher education
facilities.
The Brazoria County Library System has branches in Alvin, Angleton, Brazoria, Clute, Danbury, Freeport, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Pearland, Sweeny and West Columbia, and runs the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
, in central unincorporated Brazoria County, is the county's sole publicly owned airport.
The following airports, located in the county, are privately owned and for public use:
The closest airport with regularly scheduled commercial service is Houston's William P. Hobby Airport
, located in southern Houston in adjacent Harris County
. The Houston Airport System
has stated that Brazoria County is within the primary service area of George Bush Intercontinental Airport
, an international airport in Houston in Harris County.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, located on the Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast of the United States
The Gulf Coast of the United States, sometimes referred to as the Gulf South, South Coast, or 3rd Coast, comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States...
within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
Greater Houston
Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas...
metropolitan area. Regionally, parts of the county are within the extreme southern-most fringe of the regions locally known as Southeast Texas
Southeast Texas
Southeast Texas is a subregion of East Texas located in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Texas. The subregion is geographically centered around the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown and Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan areas...
. Brazoria County is among a number of counties that are part of the region known as the Texas Coastal Bend. Its county seat is Angleton
Angleton, Texas
Angleton is a city in and the county seat of Brazoria County, Texas, United States, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. Angleton lies at the intersection of State Highway 288, State Highway 35, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The population was 18,130 at the 2000 census...
, and its largest city is Pearland
Pearland, Texas
Pearland , is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the US state of Texas within the metropolitan area and is in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the census of 2000, the city's population was 37,640. As of 2008, Pearland is estimated to have a population of 90,700...
. Brazoria County, like nearby Brazos County, takes its name from the Brazos River
Brazos River
The Brazos River, called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers , is the longest river in Texas and the 11th longest river in the United States at from its source at the head of Blackwater Draw, Curry County, New Mexico to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico with a drainage...
. The county also includes what was once Velasco, Texas
Velasco, Texas
Velasco was a town in Texas, United States, that was later annexed by the city of Freeport. Founded in 1831, Velasco is situated on the east side of the Brazos River in southeast Texas. It is sixteen miles south of Angleton, Texas, and four miles from the Gulf of Mexico.The town's early history is...
, which was the first capital of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
. It served as the first settlement area for Anglo-Texas, whereby the Old Three Hundred
Old Three Hundred
The Old Three Hundred is a term used to describe the 297 grantees, made up of families and some partnerships of unmarried men, who purchased 307 parcels of land from Stephen Fuller Austin and established a colony near present day Brenham in Washington County, Texas.Moses Austin was the original...
immigrated from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1821. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the county is 313,166.http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
History
Brazoria County, like nearby Brazos CountyBrazos County, Texas
Brazos County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas in the Central Texas region. In 2010, its population was 194,851. The county seat is Bryan and it is part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area. Brazos is named for the Brazos River, along with Brazoria...
, takes its name from the Brazos River
Brazos River
The Brazos River, called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers , is the longest river in Texas and the 11th longest river in the United States at from its source at the head of Blackwater Draw, Curry County, New Mexico to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico with a drainage...
, which flows through it. Anglo-Texas began in Brazoria County when the first of Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri. He was known as the Father of Texas, led the second, but first legal and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States. The capital of Texas, Austin in Travis County,...
's authorized 300 American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
settlers arrived at the mouth of the Brazos River
Brazos River
The Brazos River, called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers , is the longest river in Texas and the 11th longest river in the United States at from its source at the head of Blackwater Draw, Curry County, New Mexico to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico with a drainage...
in 1821. Many of the events leading to the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
developed in Brazoria County. In 1832, Brazoria was organized as a separate municipal district by the Mexican government, and so became one of Texas original counties at independence in 1836. Stephen F. Austin's original burial place is located at a church cemetery Gulf Prairie Cemetery
Gulf Prairie Cemetery
Gulf Prairie Cemetery is located in Jones Creek, Texas, off State Highway 36 and County Road 304 and was the original resting place of Stephen F. Austin. While Austin's remains were later moved to Austin, Texas, the ceremonies and details related to this transfer , are recorded in a book by Guy...
in the town of Jones Creek
Jones Creek, Texas
Jones Creek is a village in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,130 at the 2000 census.The Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin, first settled in Jones Creek. His original grave resides in the Gulf Prairie Cemetery located on Gulf Prairie Road in Jones Creek. Emily Austin...
, but was exhumed in 1910 and brought to the state capital in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. Also, the town of West Columbia
West Columbia, Texas
West Columbia is a city in Brazoria County in the U.S. state of Texas within 50 miles of Eastern Columbia. The population was 4,255 at the 2000 census....
served as the first capital of Texas, dating back to pre-revolutionary days.
Congressman and 2008 Presidential Candidate Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
lives in Brazoria County, in Lake Jackson
Lake Jackson, Texas
Lake Jackson is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of a 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city population was 27,614....
.
Brazoria County resembles both rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
and suburban life, as it is part of the Greater Houston
Greater Houston
Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas...
area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 1597 square miles (4,136.2 km²), of which 1386 square miles (3,589.7 km²) is land and 211 square miles (546.5 km²) (13.2%) is water.
Major highways
State Highway 6State Highway 6 (Texas)State Highway 6 runs from the Red River, the Texas–Oklahoma boundary, to northwest of Galveston. In the Houston area, it runs north to FM 1960, then northwest along US Highway 290 to Hempstead, and south to Westheimer Road and Addicks, and is known as Addicks Satsuma Road. In the...
State Highway 35State Highway 35 (Texas)State Highway 35, or SH 35, is a largely north–south highway in southeastern and southern Texas between Houston, junction of I-45 on the southeast side of the city and Corpus Christi, where it terminates on I-37....
State Highway 36State Highway 36 (Texas)State Highway 36 runs from Abilene to Freeport. It was designated as The 36th Division Memorial Highway between Cameron and Sealy by the Texas Legislature in 1985.-History:...
State Highway 288State Highway 288 (Texas)State Highway 288, or SH 288, is a north–south highway in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Texas, between I-45 in downtown Houston and Freeport, where it terminates on FM 1495...
Adjacent counties
- Harris CountyHarris County, TexasAs of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
(north) - Galveston CountyGalveston County, TexasGalveston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 291,309. Its county seat is Galveston. League City is the largest city in Galveston County in terms of population; between...
(northeast) - Matagorda County (southwest)
- Wharton County (west)
- Fort Bend CountyFort Bend County, TexasFort Bend County is a county located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. In 2000 its population was 354,452, while the 2010 U.S...
(northwest)
National protected areas
- Brazoria National Wildlife RefugeBrazoria National Wildlife RefugeThe Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife conservation area along the coast of Texas , east of the towns of Angleton and Lake Jackson, Texas...
- San Bernard National Wildlife RefugeSan Bernard National Wildlife RefugeThe San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife conservation area along the coast of Texas , south of the towns of Sweeny and Brazoria, Texas. It encloses a bay behind a barrier island at the Gulf of Mexico...
(part)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 241,767 people, 81,954 households, and 63,104 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 174 people per square mile (67/km²). There were 90,628 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.09% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 8.50% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.53% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.00% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 9.63% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.22% from two or more races. 22.78% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 12.1% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 11.2% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 7.2% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 79.0% spoke only English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
at home, while 18.1% spoke Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
.
There were 81,955 households, out of which 40.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.00% were non-families. 19.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82, and the average family size was 3.23.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 32.40% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 107 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.4 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $48,632, and the median income for a family was $55,282. Males had a median income of $42,193 versus $27,728 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $20,021. About 8.1% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2010 Brazoria County had a population of 313,166. The racial and ethnic make-up of the population was 53.22% Non-Hispanic white, 12.06% black, 0.57% Native American, 5.50% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.15% Non-Hispanics reporting some other race and 2.63% of the population reporting more than one race. 27.67% of the county population was Hispanic or Latino.
County representation
The Brazoria County Jail is located at 3602 County Road 45 in unincorporated central Brazoria County, north of Angleton.State representation
The Texas Department of Criminal JusticeTexas Department of Criminal Justice
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The TDCJ is responsible for statewide criminal justice for adult offenders, including managing offenders in state prisons, state jails and private correctional facilities, funding and certain...
(TDCJ) operates six prisons for men and its Region III office in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Brazoria County. As of 2007 there were 1,495 full-time correctional job positions in the county. In 1995, of the counties in Texas, Brazoria had the second highest number of state prisons and jails, after Walker County
Walker County, Texas
Walker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 67,861. Its county seat is Huntsville.Initially, Walker County was named for Robert J. Walker, a legislator from Mississippi who introduced into the United States Congress the resolution to annex Texas...
. In 2003 there were a total of 2,572 employees at the six TDCJ facilities. The 6 TDCJ units are:
- Clemens UnitClemens UnitClemens Unit is a prison farm of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas. The prison, with about , is located at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 2004 and Texas State Highway 36...
, near BrazoriaBrazoria, TexasBrazoria is a city of Brazoria County in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 2,787.Brazoria was originally founded as a port for Stephen F... - Darrington UnitDarrington UnitThe Darrington Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice men's prison located in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas, near Sandy Point, The unit is along Farm to Market Road 521, north of Rosharon, and south of Houston. The prison has about of land...
, near RosharonRosharon, TexasRosharon, also known as "Buttermilk Station," is an unincorporated area in Brazoria County, Texas at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 521 and Farm to Market Road 1462.- History :...
- The Windham School DistrictWindham School District (Texas)The Windham School District is a non-geographical school district that provides educational services to offenders in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice . The district has its headquarters in Building B in the Wynne Unit in Huntsville. The school district is a separate and...
Region III office is within the unit. - Wayne Scott UnitWayne Scott UnitThe Wayne Scott Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison located in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas. The unit, southwest of Houston, is along County Road 290, south of Angleton. Scott, which was established in September 1919, has about of land.-History:The prison was formerly...
, near AngletonAngleton, TexasAngleton is a city in and the county seat of Brazoria County, Texas, United States, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. Angleton lies at the intersection of State Highway 288, State Highway 35, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The population was 18,130 at the 2000 census...
.
(The following 3 are co-located in Otey
Otey, Texas
Otey is an unincorporated area located within the boundaries of the Ramsey Unit, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison, in northwest Brazoria County, Texas, United States. Otey, on Oyster Creek, is on the westernmost extension of Farm to Market Road 655....
, near Rosharon.)
- Ramsey UnitRamsey UnitThe W. F. Ramsey Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison located in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas. The prison is located on Farm to Market Road 655, near Rosharon, west of Farm to Market Road 521,. and south of Houston. The unit is co-located with the Stringfellow Unit and...
- The unit is co-located with Stringellow and Terrell. The TDCJ Region III Maintenance Headquarters is within this unit. - Stringfellow UnitStringfellow UnitThe A. M. "Mac" Stringfellow Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison located in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas. The prison is located on Farm to Market Road 655, near Rosharon, west of Farm to Market Road 521, and about south of Houston...
, near Rosharon - The unit is co-located with Ramsey and Terrell. The unit was originally named Ramsey II Prison Unit. - C. T. Terrell Unit - The unit is co-located with Ramsey and Stringfellow. It was originally known as the Ramsey III Unit.
In 2007, TDCJ officials said that discussions to move the Central Unit
Central Unit
The Central Unit was a Texas Department of Criminal Justice men's prison in Sugar Land, Texas. The approximately facility is from central Sugar Land on U.S. Highway 90A. The unit first opened in April 1909. The unit had 950 beds for men...
from Sugar Land
Sugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area and Fort Bend County. Sugar Land is one of the most affluent and fastest-growing cities in Texas, having grown more than 158 percent in the last decade. In the time period of 2000–2007, Sugar Land also enjoyed a...
to Brazoria County were preliminary.
United States Congress
| Senators | Name | Party | First Elected | Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Class 1 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Kay Bailey Hutchison Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1993 | Senior Senator | |
| Senate Class 2 | John Cornyn John Cornyn John Cornyn, III is the junior United States Senator for Texas, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 111th U.S. Congress.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2002 | Junior Senator | |
| Representatives | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Brazoria County Represented | |
| District 14 | Ron Paul Ron Paul Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1996 (also served 1976-1977 and 1979–1985) | Central and southern areas (Alvin Alvin, Texas Alvin is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and Brazoria County. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 21,413. Alvin's claim to fame is Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, who moved with his family to the city in 1947 as... , Lake Jackson Lake Jackson, Texas Lake Jackson is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of a 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city population was 27,614.... , Angleton Angleton, Texas Angleton is a city in and the county seat of Brazoria County, Texas, United States, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. Angleton lies at the intersection of State Highway 288, State Highway 35, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The population was 18,130 at the 2000 census... , Freeport Freeport, Texas Freeport is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and is situated in Southeast Texas. As of the 2000 U.S... , [also part of Galveston County Galveston County, Texas Galveston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 291,309. Its county seat is Galveston. League City is the largest city in Galveston County in terms of population; between... ]) |
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| District 22 | Pete Olson Pete Olson Peter Graham "Pete" Olson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes much of southeastern Houston, as well as most of the city's southern suburbs such as Pearland, Sugar Land, and Pasadena.-Early life, education, and military... |
Republican | 2008 | Northern areas (Pearland Pearland, Texas Pearland , is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the US state of Texas within the metropolitan area and is in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the census of 2000, the city's population was 37,640. As of 2008, Pearland is estimated to have a population of 90,700... ) |
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Texas Senate
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Brazoria County Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Mike Jackson | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1999 | Northern and central areas | |
| 17 | Joan Huffman Joan Huffman Joan J. Huffman is a former felony court judge in Houston, Texas, and an incoming Republican member of the 31-member Texas State Senate from District 17, which includes a portion of populous Harris County. Huffman will also be the sixth currently serving female member of the chamber... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2008 | Southern areas, Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula (Galveston County) | |
Texas House of Representatives
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Brazoria County Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Dennis Bonnen | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1996 | Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport | |
| 29 | Randy Weber | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2008 | Pearland, Alvin | |
Cities
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Freeport, Texas Freeport is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and is situated in Southeast Texas. As of the 2000 U.S... Lake Jackson, Texas Lake Jackson is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of a 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city population was 27,614.... Liverpool, Texas Liverpool is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States, named after the city of Liverpool, England. The population was 404 at the 2000 census.-History:In February of 2011, The first official site for the City of Liverpool, Texas went online.... Manvel, Texas Manvel is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The current population is approximately 7,160 as of April 2008, a 235% growth over the 3,046 population recorded in the last official US Census in 2000.- Geography :... Oyster Creek, Texas Oyster Creek is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,192 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oyster Creek is located at .... Pearland, Texas Pearland , is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the US state of Texas within the metropolitan area and is in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the census of 2000, the city's population was 37,640. As of 2008, Pearland is estimated to have a population of 90,700... (most of Pearland) |
Richwood, Texas Richwood is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,012 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richwood is located at .... Sandy Point, Texas Sandy Point is an city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States.Sandy Point incorporated in 2002 to avoid annexation from Missouri City. in 2005 Missouri City agreed to recognize the incorporation of Sandy Point.-Government and infrastructure:... Surfside Beach, Texas Surfside Beach is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States that is situated on the Gulf of Mexico just west of Galveston Island. The city is part of the Greater Houston area. The population was 763 at the 2000 census... Sweeny, Texas Sweeny is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, USA. The population was 3,624 at the 2000 census, 7,316 if you include unincorporated areas of Sweeny. The city's motto is "A City With Pride", and is the westernmost incorporated town in the county.-Demographics:... West Columbia, Texas West Columbia is a city in Brazoria County in the U.S. state of Texas within 50 miles of Eastern Columbia. The population was 4,255 at the 2000 census.... |
Villages
- Bailey's PrairieBailey's Prairie, TexasBailey's Prairie is a village in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 694 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bailey's Prairie is located at ....
- BonneyBonney, TexasBonney is a village in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 384 at the 2000 census.Three Texas Department of Criminal Justice prisons for men are in an unincorporated section of Brazoria County adjacent to Bonney. The prisons are:...
- HillcrestHillcrest, TexasHillcrest is a village in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 722 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hillcrest is located at ....
- Iowa ColonyIowa Colony, TexasIowa Colony is a village in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 804 at the 2000 census.Iowa Colony was founded as a major speed trap along State Highway 288 in 1965, as it has five short areas of its city limits that cross over 288. This allowed the Iowa Colony Police to...
- Jones CreekJones Creek, TexasJones Creek is a village in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,130 at the 2000 census.The Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin, first settled in Jones Creek. His original grave resides in the Gulf Prairie Cemetery located on Gulf Prairie Road in Jones Creek. Emily Austin...
Other areas
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Danciger, Texas Danciger is an unincorporated area in Brazoria County, Texas, United States.-Government and infrastructure:The United States Postal Service operates the Danciger Post Office on Farm to Market Road 1301. In July 2011 the USPS announced that it may close the post office... East Columbia, Texas East Columbia is an unincorporated area in Brazoria County, Texas, United States.... English, Brazoria County, Texas English is an unincorporated area in northern Brazoria County, Texas, USA. English is north of the Ramsey Unit and northwest of Angleton. The Handbook of Texas states that the community may have been named after the family of an area resident named "Buck" English.English began as a station of the... Old Ocean, Texas Old Ocean is an unincorporated community in Brazoria County, Texas, United States.-Geography:Old Ocean is located at 29°4′47″ North, 95°44′58″ West , at the intersection of Loop 419 and Farm to Market Road 524, just south of State Highway 35 five miles northwest of Sweeny.- Demographics :As of... Otey, Texas Otey is an unincorporated area located within the boundaries of the Ramsey Unit, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison, in northwest Brazoria County, Texas, United States. Otey, on Oyster Creek, is on the westernmost extension of Farm to Market Road 655.... |
Rosharon, Texas Rosharon, also known as "Buttermilk Station," is an unincorporated area in Brazoria County, Texas at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 521 and Farm to Market Road 1462.- History :... Snipe, Texas Snipe is an unincorporated area in central Brazoria County, Texas that formerly had a distinct community. The location of Snipe is southwest of Angleton on the Missouri Pacific Line and Oyster Creek... Silverlake, Texas Silverlake is a planned community in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas, United States, near Pearland. The community has 2,500 single family houses and of supporting commercial usage... Turtle Cove, Texas Turtle Cove is an unincorporated area in Brazoria County, Texas, United States.The community, located along Oyster Creek, mainly consists of beach houses.... |
Education
A variety of school districts serve Brazoria County students. They include:- Alvin ISDAlvin Independent School DistrictAlvin Independent School District is a school district based in Alvin, Texas .Alvin ISD is a large suburban school district south of Houston that serves the communities of Alvin, Manvel, Pearland, Hillcrest, Rosharon, Iowa Colony, Liverpool, and Amsterdam...
- Angleton ISDAngleton Independent School DistrictAngleton ISD is a public school district in Angleton, Texas , operating 5 levels of education. Established in 1897, AISD encompasses in Brazoria County, serving Angleton as well as the Village of Bonney, parts of the unincorporated area of Rosharon, and the unincorporated areas of Chocolate...
- Brazosport ISDBrazosport Independent School DistrictBrazosport Independent School District is a school district based in Freeport, Texas .The district serves the cities, towns, and villages of Clute, Freeport, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Oyster Creek, Quintana, Richwood, and Surfside Beach...
- Columbia-Brazoria ISDColumbia-Brazoria Independent School DistrictColumbia-Brazoria Independent School District is a public school district based in the Kenneth C. Welch Administration Building in West Columbia, Texas ....
- Danbury ISDDanbury Independent School DistrictDanbury Independent School District is a public school district based in Danbury, Texas .The High School's mascot is the Panther.In 2010, the school district was rated "recognized" by the Texas Education Agency.-Schools:...
- Damon ISDDamon Independent School DistrictDamon Independent School District is a public school district based in Damon, Texas .In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.- Elementary school :...
(K-8) - Pearland ISDPearland Independent School DistrictPearland Independent School District is a school district based in Pearland, Texas, United States.Pearland ISD serves most of the city of Pearland, the city of Brookside Village, and unincorporated areas in Brazoria County ....
- Sweeny ISDSweeny Independent School DistrictSweeny Independent School District is a public school district based in Sweeny, Texas .The district is approximately and serves the City of Sweeny and surrounding area...
Alvin Community College
Alvin Community College
Alvin Community College is a community college in Brazoria County in the U.S. state of Texas. Alvin Community College provides educational opportunities in workforce training, academics, technical fields, adult basic education, and personal development.As defined by the Texas Legislature, the...
and Brazosport College
Brazosport College
Brazosport College, or BC, is a public, coeducational college located in Lake Jackson, Texas. The college was opened in 1968, and offers two-year and four-year degrees...
serve as higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
facilities.
The Brazoria County Library System has branches in Alvin, Angleton, Brazoria, Clute, Danbury, Freeport, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Pearland, Sweeny and West Columbia, and runs the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
Transportation
Brazoria County AirportBrazoria County Airport
Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport , previously known as Brazoria County Airport, is a county-owned public-use airport located four miles southwest of the central business district of Angleton and north of Lake Jackson, both cities in Brazoria County, Texas, United States.Although most U.S...
, in central unincorporated Brazoria County, is the county's sole publicly owned airport.
The following airports, located in the county, are privately owned and for public use:
- Flyin' B AirportFlyin' B AirportFlyin' B Airport is an airport located in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The airport is located near Pearland.The airport is privately owned by Ned Lewis Beaman....
in western unincorporated Brazoria County - Skyway Manor AirportSkyway Manor AirportSkyway Manor Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles west of the central business district of Pearland, a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The airport is privately owned by Skyway Manor.- Facilities and aircraft :...
in PearlandPearland, TexasPearland , is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the US state of Texas within the metropolitan area and is in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the census of 2000, the city's population was 37,640. As of 2008, Pearland is estimated to have a population of 90,700... - Pearland Regional AirportPearland Regional AirportPearland Regional Airport is a public-use general aviation airport located in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas, United States south of the city limits of Pearland and 17 miles south of the central business district of Houston. It is privately owned by the Clover Acquisition Corporation and...
in eastern unincorporated Brazoria County south of the Pearland city limits
The closest airport with regularly scheduled commercial service is Houston's William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport is a public airport in Houston, Texas, located from Downtown Houston. The airport covers and has four runways. Hobby Airport is Houston's oldest commercial airport and was the city's primary air terminal until the opening of Houston Intercontinental Airport in 1969...
, located in southern Houston in adjacent Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
. The Houston Airport System
Houston Airport System
Houston Airport System is a department of the City of Houston, Texas, United States that manages city airports. Its administrative offices are on the property of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It operates Bush, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport in Houston.The city of Houston...
has stated that Brazoria County is within the primary service area of George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
, an international airport in Houston in Harris County.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Brazoria County, Texas