Fayette County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Texas
. As of 2000, the population was 21,804. Its county seat
is La Grange
. Fayette is named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War
hero. Fayette County is the location of the real Chicken Ranch
, which was the basis of the movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
.
, the county has a total area of 960 square miles (2,486.4 km²), of which 950 square miles (2,460.5 km²) is land and 10 square miles (25.9 km²) (1.02%) is water.
of 2000, there were 21,804 people, 8,722 households, and 6,044 families residing in the county. The population density
was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 11,113 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.58% White
, 7.01% Black
or African American
, 0.36% Native American
, 0.22% Asian
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 6.66% from other races
, and 1.11% from two or more races. 12.78% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 34.9% were of German
, 16.4% Czech, 7.6% American
and 5.3% English
ancestry according to census 2000.
There were 8,722 households out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples
living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 22.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,526, and the median income for a family was $43,156. Males had a median income of $29,008 versus $20,859 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,888. About 8.10% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 13.50% of those age 65 or over.
, in an unincorporated area west of LaGrange.
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...
. As of 2000, the population was 21,804. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is La Grange
La Grange, Texas
La Grange is a city in Fayette County, Texas, near the Colorado River. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimated population was 4,645. But a 2010 census estimated that the city had a population of 4,923...
. Fayette is named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
hero. Fayette County is the location of the real Chicken Ranch
Chicken Ranch (Texas)
The Chicken Ranch was as an illegal but tolerated brothel in the U.S. state of Texas that operated from 1905 until 1973. It was located in Fayette County about 2.5 miles east of downtown La Grange...
, which was the basis of the movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall...
.
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 960 square miles (2,486.4 km²), of which 950 square miles (2,460.5 km²) is land and 10 square miles (25.9 km²) (1.02%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 10
U.S. Highway 77
U.S. Highway 90
U.S. Highway 290
State Highway 71State Highway 71 (Texas)State Highway 71 or SH 71 is a Texas state highway that runs . The northern terminus is at US 87 and US 377 south of Brady and its southern terminus is at SH 35 near Blessing. This highway is designated the "10th Mountain Division Highway" from SH 95 to Interstate 35.Through Austin, SH 71 is known...
State Highway 95State Highway 95 (Texas)State Highway 95, or SH 95, runs from U.S. Highway 190 in Temple, Texas, south to U.S. Highway 77 in Yoakum. The route was designated in 1926 along a route from Temple to Elgin, absorbing SH 2F...
State Highway 159
State Highway 237
Adjacent counties
- Lee County (north)
- Washington County (northeast)
- Austin CountyAustin County, TexasAustin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas adjacent to the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 28,417 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Bellville. Austin County is named for Stephen F...
(east) - Colorado County (southeast)
- Lavaca County (south)
- Gonzales CountyGonzales County, TexasGonzales County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,628. It is named for its seat, the city of Gonzales.-History Timeline:* Paleo-Indians Hunter-gatherers, and later Coahuiltecan, Tonkawa, Karankawa...
(southwest) - Caldwell CountyCaldwell County, TexasCaldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. In 2000, the population was 32,194. Its county seat is Lockhart...
(west) - Bastrop CountyBastrop County, TexasBastrop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2006, the population was 71,700. Its county seat is Bastrop. Bastrop County is named for Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop , an early Dutch settler who assisted Stephen F...
(northwest)
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 21,804 people, 8,722 households, and 6,044 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 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 11,113 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.58% 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...
, 7.01% 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...
, 0.36% 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...
, 0.22% 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...
, 0.06% 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...
, 6.66% 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 1.11% from two or more races. 12.78% 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. 34.9% 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....
, 16.4% Czech, 7.6% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 5.3% 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.
There were 8,722 households out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% 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, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 22.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,526, and the median income for a family was $43,156. Males had a median income of $29,008 versus $20,859 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 $18,888. About 8.10% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 13.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- CarmineCarmine, Texas-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 228 people, 91 households, and 60 families residing in the city. The population density was 138.4 people per square mile . There were 118 housing units at an average density of 71.6 per square mile...
- FayettevilleFayetteville, TexasFayetteville is a city in Fayette County, Texas, roughly halfway between Austin and Houston. The population was 261 at the 2000 census.The town is about twelve miles east of La Grange and U.S. Highway 77; it is about twelve miles north of Borden and Interstate 10.-History:Fayetteville's first...
- FlatoniaFlatonia, Texas-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 504 households, and 347 families residing in the town. The population density was 850.8 people per square mile . There were 568 housing units at an average density of 350.9 per square mile...
- La GrangeLa Grange, TexasLa Grange is a city in Fayette County, Texas, near the Colorado River. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimated population was 4,645. But a 2010 census estimated that the city had a population of 4,923...
- MuldoonMuldoon, TexasMuldoon is a town in southwestern Fayette County, Texas, United States, located 10 miles north of Flatonia and 16 miles southwest of La Grange. Its population, according to the 2010 census, is 114 and is growing very slowly. It is on the junction of FM 154 and FM 2237.-History:The town of Muldoon...
- Round TopRound Top, TexasRound Top is a town in Fayette County, Texas, United States. The population was 77 at the 2000 census.Round Top is the home of three visitor-drawing programs:...
- SchulenburgSchulenburg, TexasSchulenburg is a city in Fayette County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,699 at the 2000 census.Known for its German culture, Schulenburg is home of the Texas Polka Music Museum.-Geography:Schulenburg is located at ....
Unincorporated areas
- Abbott's Grove
- Ammannsville
- ArmstrongArmstrong, TexasArmstrong is an unincorporated community in central Kenedy County, Texas, United States. It has an estimated population of 20. It lies on U.S. Route 77 approximately twenty miles south of Sarita, on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. It was the location where the Dick Cheney hunting incident occurred....
- Bethany
- Biegel
- Black Jack SpringsBlack Jack Springs, TexasBlack Jack Springs is an unincorporated community in southwestern Fayette County, Texas, United States. The community was near Farm Road 609 twelve miles southwest of La Grange in southwestern Fayette County...
- BluffBluff, TexasBluff is an unincorporated community in central Fayette County, Texas, United States....
- Blum Hill
- Bridge Valley
- Buckner's Creek
- Burnham's Crossing
- Cedar
- Center Grove
- Cockrill's Hill
- CisternCistern, TexasCistern is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas, United States. It was formerly known as Whiteside's Prairie and Cockrill's Hill.-History:...
- Colony
- Colorado CityColorado City, TexasColorado City is a city in and the county seat of Mitchell County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,281 at the 2000 census....
- Cozy Corner
- DubinaDubina, TexasDubina is a small unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas, United States. It currently is home to a population of about 44 persons, but it was once a thriving community...
- EllingerEllinger, TexasEllinger is an unincorporated rural community in Fayette County, Texas, United States. It is located on State Highway 71, 12 miles east of La Grange and 2 miles from the Fayette and Colorado County line...
- Elm Grove
- EngleEngle, TexasEngle is an unincorporated community in southern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:...
- Floy
- Ford's Prairie
- Franke
- FreyburgFreyburg, TexasFreyburg is an unincorporated community in southwestern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:...
- Gay Hill
- Halsted
- Haw Creek
- High HillHigh Hill, TexasHigh Hill is an unincorporated community in southwestern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:...
- HolmanHolman, TexasHolman is an unincorporated community in southeastern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- HostynHostyn, TexasHostyn is an unincorporated community in central Fayette County, Texas, United States.It was settled by Czech settlers and named after Hostýn, hill in Moravia.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Hostyn Hill
- Hottentot
- Indian CreekIndian Creek, TexasIndian Creek is an unincorporated community in southern Brown County in the west central region of the U.S. state of Texas. It is built along the banks of Indian Creek. Annual rain fall is under 30". Howard Payne University was started in Indian Creek in 1889, but later relocated to Brownwood,...
- Ingram's Prairie
- Joiner
- KirtleyKirtley, TexasKirtley is an unincorporated community in west central Fayette County, Texas, United States. It was once known as Primm.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Kocicina
- KruegervilleKruegerville, TexasKruegerville is an unincorporated community in southwestern Fayette County, Texas, United States. It is located 0.5 miles from Muldoon, Texas....
- LedbetterLedbetter, TexasLedbetter is an unincorporated community in far northern Fayette County, Texas, United States. Although it is unincorporated, Ledbetter has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78946.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Lena
- Leevan
- Lewis Settlement
- Live Oak Hill
- LyonsLyons, TexasLyons is an unincorporated community in Burleson County, Texas, United States. Although it is unincorporated, Lyons has a post office, with the ZIP code of 77863.-External links:...
- Manton Spring
- Marly
- Mecklenburg
- Middle Creek
- Miller's Station
- Moravan
- MulberryPraha, TexasPraha is an unincorporated community located in Fayette County, Texas, United States, approximately 53 miles southeast of Austin.-History:...
- Mullins PrairieMullins Prairie, TexasMullins Prairie is an unincorporated community in eastern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Nassau
- Navidad
- NechanitzNechanitz, TexasNechanitz is an unincorporated community in north central Fayette County, Texas, United States.It was settled by Czech settlers and named after the town of Nechanice in Bohemia.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- O'QuinnO'Quinn, TexasO'Quinn is a settlement in unincorporated central Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- OldenburgOldenburg, TexasOldenburg is a settlement in unincorporated northeastern Fayette County, Texas, United States.The community was named after the Oldenburg state in Germany.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Orizaba
- Oso
- ParkPark, TexasPark is an unincorporated community in eastern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Pecan
- Pin Oak
- Pine SpringsPine Springs, TexasPine Springs is an unincorporated community in northern Culberson County, Texas, United States. It is the closest settlement to the headquarters of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which contains Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in the state of Texas. Pine Springs is located on U.S. Routes 62...
- Pisek
- PlumPlum, TexasPlum is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas, United States. Although it is unincorporated, Plum has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78952.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- PrahaPraha, TexasPraha is an unincorporated community located in Fayette County, Texas, United States, approximately 53 miles southeast of Austin.-History:...
- Prairie Valley
- Primm
- Rabbs PrairieRabbs Prairie, TexasRabbs Prairie is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Rek HillRek Hill, TexasRek Hill is an unincorporated community in eastern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Rocky Ridge
- Ross Prairie
- RoznovRoznov, TexasRoznov is an unincorporated community in northeastern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- RutersvilleRutersville, TexasRutersville is an unincorporated community in central Fayette County, Texas, United States.Rutersville College was located in the community.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- St. JohnSt. John, TexasSt. John is an unincorporated community in the southern boundary of Fayette County, Texas, United States. St. Johns is by no means a thriving community, but if there is anything that this small community/location is known for it would be their 4th of July church picnic. Though the immediate St....
- Scott
- Sedan
- StellaStella, TexasStella was a community in western Fayette County, Texas. The community was located eight miles southwest of West Point.Settled during the 1870s, a post office number the name "Stellar" opened in the 1880. A store and a voting precinct had been established by 1900 for the scattered populace.The...
- Stellar
- Swiss AlpSwiss Alp, TexasSwiss Alp is an unincorporated community in southern Fayette County, Texas, United States.It was settled by German Lutheran settlers-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Tamberg
- Toledo
- WaldeckWaldeck, TexasWaldeck is an unincorporated community in northern Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- WalhallaWalhalla, TexasWalhalla is an unincorporated community in northern Fayette County, Texas, United States.It was settled in 1830s by German settlers.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- WardaWarda, TexasWarda is an unincorporated community in northern Fayette County, Texas, United States. Although it is unincorporated, Warda has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78960.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- WarrentonWarrenton, TexasWarrenton is an unincorporated community in northeastern Fayette County, Texas, United States.The Sterling McCall Old Car Museum is one of the local attractions. On display in this museum are over 130 vehicles from the prized collection of Mr. Sterling B. McCall, Jr., ranging in vintage from 1908...
- Wendt
- West PointWest Point, TexasWest Point is an unincorporated community in western Fayette County, Texas, United States. Although it is unincorporated, West Point has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78963.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- Whiteside's Prairie
- Willow SpringsWillow Springs, Fayette County, TexasWillow Springs is an unincorporated community in northeastern Fayette County, Texas, United States.It has been named Zapp, Rock House, and German Settlement.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- WinchesterWinchester, TexasWinchester is an unincorporated community in northwest Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
- WinedaleWinedale, TexasWinedale is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas, United States.The community was originally named Truebsal and was located in Washington County; in 1879 the post office had the name Winedale. In 1881 the post office closed and at a certain point of time the community moved north...
- Wood's Fort
- Wursten
- Zapalac
- Zapp
Transportation
The county owns Fayette Regional Air CenterFayette Regional Air Center
Fayette Regional Air Center is a county-owned public-use airport in unincorporated Fayette County, Texas, United States, located two miles west of the central business district of the City of La Grange.- Facilities and aircraft :...
, in an unincorporated area west of LaGrange.
See also
- AdelsvereinAdelsvereinSociety for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas, better known as Adelsverein , organized on April 20, 1842, was a colonial attempt to establish a new Germany within the borders of Texas.-History:...
- Nassau PlantationNassau Plantation (Texas)Nassau Plantation was a endeavor purchased by the Adelsverein on January 9, 1843 in Fayette County, Texas, near what is now Round Top. Designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1968, Marker 3550.-Original purchase:...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Fayette County, Texas
- The Chicken RanchChicken Ranch (Texas)The Chicken Ranch was as an illegal but tolerated brothel in the U.S. state of Texas that operated from 1905 until 1973. It was located in Fayette County about 2.5 miles east of downtown La Grange...
, and The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasThe Best Little Whorehouse in TexasThe Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall...