Blanco County, Texas
County in Texas, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blanco County (Spanish: "white", /ˈblæŋkoʊ/ BLANG-koh) is a United States county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located in Central Texas and its county seat is Johnson City.[2]
Blanco County, Texas | |
|---|---|
The Blanco County Courthouse of 1916 was the first permanent courthouse built after the county seat moved to Johnson City in 1890. | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Texas | |
| Coordinates: 30°16′N 98°24′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Founded | February 12, 1858 |
| Named after | Blanco River |
| Seat | Johnson City |
| Largest city | Blanco |
| Area | |
• Total | 713 sq mi (1,850 km2) |
| • Land | 709 sq mi (1,840 km2) |
| • Water | 4.2 sq mi (11 km2) 0.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 11,374 |
• Estimate (2025) | 13,581  [1] |
| • Density | 16.0/sq mi (6.19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 21st |
| Website | www |
As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,374.[3][4]
The county is named for the Blanco River that traverses the county.
History
- 1150 AD Indigenous peoples first inhabitants, possible ancestors of the Lipan Apache.[5]
- 1721 José de Azlor y Virto de Vera names the Blanco River.
- 1826 Benjamin Milam is given a contract to settle 300 families between the Colorado and Guadalupe rivers.
- 1836 Comanches claim all land in Blanco County.
- 1847 Meusebach–Comanche Treaty[6]
- 1850s Samuel Ealy Johnson, Sr., grandfather of President Lyndon B. Johnson, and his brother Jesse Thomas Johnson, set up a cattle business in Johnson City. The town is named after their nephew James Polk Johnson. The Johnson family emigrated from Alabama.[7]
- 1854-1855 Captain James Hughes Callahan and Eli Clemens Hinds become Blanco's first white settlers. Joseph Bird establishes Birdtown, now Round Mountain.[8] General John D. Pitts, Judge William S. Jones, Andrew M. Lindsay, James Hughes Callahan and F.W. Chandler charter the Pittsburgh Land Company. They purchase the league granted to Horace Eggleston by the government of Coahuila y Tejas in 1835 and lay out the town of Pittsburgh, Texas, named for General Pitts, across the river from the site of future Blanco.[5]
- 1858, February 12 - Blanco County is formed from parts of Comal, Hays, Burnet and Gillespie, and is named for the Blanco River. County seat is also named Blanco.[5]
- 1860 Population of 1218, includes 98 slaves. Settlers are mostly Anglo-Saxon Protestants hailing from Tennessee and Alabama. Agriculture and livestock are central to the economy.[5]
- 1861 County votes against secession from the Union.[5]
- 1862 Legislature establishes Kendall from part of Blanco southwestern border. Legislature in turn incorporates parts of Hays and Burnet into Blanco.[5]
- 1872 Texas Rangers attacked Comanches cooking stolen meat after a raid at Deer Creek.[9]
- 1873 The last Indian raid in the county happens when Thomas Phelps and his wife are killed by Comanches near North Cypress Creek.[10]
- 1885 Replacement of courthouse by limestone structure now known as “The Old Courthouse”.[11]
- 1883 Blanco High School is chartered.
- 1890 Johnson City becomes the new county seat.[12]
- 1910 Cotton becomes one of the county's most important crops.
- 1900-1930 County farmers diversify into peanuts, peaches, pecans, pears, plums, grapes, and figs.
- 1915 Samuel Ealy Johnson, Jr. and his wife Rebekah Baines Johnson, parents of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, move into their home in Johnson City with their five children, Lucia, Sam Houston, Josefa, Rebekah, and Lyndon Baines Johnson.[13]
- 1929 More than 20,000 peach and pecan trees harvested in the county.
- 1933-1942 Civilian Conservation Corps public work relief program helps improve county parks and infrastructure.[5]
- 1934 Blanco State Park opens.[14]
- 1937 Lyndon Baines Johnson launches his first campaign for Congress from the east porch of the family's Johnson City home.[15]
- 1938 LBJ becomes a fierce advocate for rural electrification. First light bulb turned on in rural Blanco County.[16]
- 1960s Lyndon B. Johnson becomes Vice President of the United States and subsequently President of the United States. Tourism becomes an important industry.
- 1970 Pedernales Falls State Park opens to the public.[17]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 1,281 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,187 | −7.3% | |
| 1880 | 3,583 | 201.9% | |
| 1890 | 4,649 | 29.8% | |
| 1900 | 4,703 | 1.2% | |
| 1910 | 4,311 | −8.3% | |
| 1920 | 4,063 | −5.8% | |
| 1930 | 3,842 | −5.4% | |
| 1940 | 4,264 | 11.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,780 | −11.4% | |
| 1960 | 3,657 | −3.3% | |
| 1970 | 3,567 | −2.5% | |
| 1980 | 4,681 | 31.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,972 | 27.6% | |
| 2000 | 8,418 | 41.0% | |
| 2010 | 10,497 | 24.7% | |
| 2020 | 11,374 | 8.4% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 13,581 | [18] | 19.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[19] 1850–2010[20] 2010[21] 2020[22] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 11,374. The median age was 52.6 years. 17.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 28.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.4 males age 18 and over.[23][24]
The racial makeup of the county was 81.4% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 6.6% from some other race, and 10.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 18.4% of the population.[24]
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[25]
There were 4,787 households in the county, of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 56.6% were married-couple households, 17.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[23]
There were 6,056 housing units, of which 21.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.8% were owner-occupied and 21.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.[23]
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[26] | Pop 1990[27] | Pop 2000[28] | Pop 2010[21] | Pop 2020[22] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 4,159 | 5,038 | 6,912 | 8,336 | 8,707 | 88.85% | 84.36% | 82.11% | 79.41% | 76.55% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 77 | 56 | 60 | 62 | 68 | 1.64% | 0.94% | 0.71% | 0.59% | 0.60% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 3 | 17 | 27 | 47 | 36 | 0.06% | 0.28% | 0.32% | 0.45% | 0.32% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2 | 19 | 15 | 49 | 38 | 0.04% | 0.32% | 0.18% | 0.47% | 0.33% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [29] | x [30] | 1 | 4 | 0 | x | x | 0.01% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 8 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 70 | 0.17% | 0.03% | 0.12% | 0.05% | 0.62% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [31] | x [32] | 103 | 85 | 363 | x | x | 1.22% | 0.81% | 3.19% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 432 | 840 | 1,290 | 1,909 | 2,092 | 9.23% | 14.07% | 15.32% | 18.19% | 18.39% |
| Total | 4,681 | 5,972 | 8,418 | 10,497 | 11,374 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 8,418 people, 3,303 households, and 2,391 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 4,031 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.97% White, 0.74% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.88% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 15.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[33]
There were 3,303 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.50% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,369, and the median income for a family was $45,382. Males had a median income of $31,717 versus $21,879 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,721. About 8.10% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 713 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 709 square miles (1,840 km2) is land and 4.2 square miles (11 km2) (0.6%) is water.[34]
Blanco County is located in the Hill Country of central Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio. Two significant rivers, the Blanco and the Pedernales, flow through the county.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Burnet County (north)
- Travis County (northeast)
- Hays County (east)
- Comal County (southeast)
- Kendall County (southwest)
- Gillespie County (west)
- Llano County (northwest)
National protected area
Texas Parklands
Politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 126 | 19.30% | 448 | 68.61% | 79 | 12.10% |
| 1916 | 235 | 26.55% | 628 | 70.96% | 22 | 2.49% |
| 1920 | 378 | 22.13% | 426 | 24.94% | 904 | 52.93% |
| 1924 | 317 | 29.41% | 586 | 54.36% | 175 | 16.23% |
| 1928 | 615 | 53.25% | 539 | 46.67% | 1 | 0.09% |
| 1932 | 127 | 9.29% | 1,233 | 90.20% | 7 | 0.51% |
| 1936 | 313 | 22.81% | 1,056 | 76.97% | 3 | 0.22% |
| 1940 | 520 | 33.18% | 1,042 | 66.50% | 5 | 0.32% |
| 1944 | 533 | 35.25% | 846 | 55.95% | 133 | 8.80% |
| 1948 | 497 | 31.68% | 1,003 | 63.93% | 69 | 4.40% |
| 1952 | 919 | 56.80% | 697 | 43.08% | 2 | 0.12% |
| 1956 | 796 | 56.14% | 615 | 43.37% | 7 | 0.49% |
| 1960 | 557 | 39.96% | 830 | 59.54% | 7 | 0.50% |
| 1964 | 290 | 19.49% | 1,197 | 80.44% | 1 | 0.07% |
| 1968 | 614 | 42.14% | 620 | 42.55% | 223 | 15.31% |
| 1972 | 1,215 | 71.68% | 460 | 27.14% | 20 | 1.18% |
| 1976 | 1,015 | 51.89% | 923 | 47.19% | 18 | 0.92% |
| 1980 | 1,434 | 62.32% | 794 | 34.51% | 73 | 3.17% |
| 1984 | 1,957 | 73.43% | 700 | 26.27% | 8 | 0.30% |
| 1988 | 1,680 | 61.79% | 1,012 | 37.22% | 27 | 0.99% |
| 1992 | 1,370 | 44.07% | 891 | 28.66% | 848 | 27.28% |
| 1996 | 1,919 | 57.87% | 1,028 | 31.00% | 369 | 11.13% |
| 2000 | 2,777 | 73.72% | 811 | 21.53% | 179 | 4.75% |
| 2004 | 3,277 | 71.49% | 1,267 | 27.64% | 40 | 0.87% |
| 2008 | 3,418 | 69.20% | 1,467 | 29.70% | 54 | 1.09% |
| 2012 | 3,638 | 73.16% | 1,220 | 24.53% | 115 | 2.31% |
| 2016 | 4,212 | 74.09% | 1,244 | 21.88% | 229 | 4.03% |
| 2020 | 5,443 | 72.97% | 1,911 | 25.62% | 105 | 1.41% |
| 2024 | 6,447 | 75.64% | 1,973 | 23.15% | 103 | 1.21% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 6,243 | 73.47% | 2,071 | 24.37% | 183 | 2.15% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 5,457 | 73.66% | 1,816 | 24.51% | 135 | 1.82% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2022 | 5,142 | 75.91% | 1,522 | 22.47% | 110 | 1.62% |
Communities
Education
School districts:[38]
- Blanco Independent School District
- Fredericksburg Independent School District
- Johnson City Independent School District
Austin Community College is the designated community college for the county.[39]
