Karnes County, Texas

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 181
• State Highway 72
• State Highway 80
• State Highway 123
• State Highway 239

Adjacent counties

• Gonzales County (northeast)
• DeWitt County (east)
• Goliad County (southeast)
• Bee County (south)
• Live Oak County (southwest)
• Atascosa County (west)
• Wilson County (northwest)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 14,710 people, 4,594 households, and 3,156 families residing in the county.^[9]

The median age was 39.2 years; 19.4% were under the age of 18 and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 140.1 males, and among those 18 and over there were 149.6 males per 100 females.^[9]

The racial makeup of the county was 55.8% White, 8.0% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 16.7% from some other race, and 17.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 52.6% of the population.^[10]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[11]

Of those households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 43.9% were married-couple households, 22.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[9]

There were 5,796 housing units, of which 20.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.3% were owner-occupied and 30.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.9%.^[9]

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 15,446 people, 4,454 households, and 3,246 families residing in the county.^[15] The population density was 21 people per square mile (8.1 people/km²). There were 5,479 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.55% White, 10.79% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.43% Asian American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 17.23% of other races, and 2.26% two or more races. 47.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino American of any race.

There were 4,454 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.80% under the age of 18, 11.50% from 18 to 24, 34.20% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 146.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 162.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,526, and the median income for a family was $30,565. Males had a median income of $27,260 versus $19,367 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,603. About 18.50% of families and 21.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.10% of those under age 18 and 20.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Karnes County, like all counties in Texas, is governed by a commissioners' court. This court consists of the county judge (the chairperson of the court), who is elected county-wide, and four commissioners who are elected by the voters in each of four precincts.

The Commissioners' Court is the policy-making body for the county; in addition, the county judge is the senior executive and administrative position in the county. The Commissioners' Court sets the county tax rate, adopts the budget, appoints boards and commissions, approves grants and personnel actions, and oversees the administration of county government. Each commissioner supervises a Road and Bridge District. The Commissioners' Court approves the budget and sets the tax rate for the hospital district, which is charged with the responsibility for providing acute medical care for citizens who otherwise would not receive adequate medical services.

Karnes County is represented in the United States Congress as part of Texas's 15th congressional district, represented by Republican Monica De La Cruz of Edinburg. Its two senators are Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, both Republicans. At the state level, Karnes County is represented in the Texas State Legislature as part of Texas's 31st House of Representatives district, represented by Republican Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City, and Texas's 21st Senate district, represented by Democrat Judith Zaffirini of Laredo.

Politics

Historically, Karnes County, like much of Texas, was a Democratic Party stronghold despite its large number of Polish and Silesian immigrants, who were generally opposed to slavery. Despite this, the recency of their arrival (which meant most of them did not have citizenship) meant that they were unable to vote, and Karnes County thus voted decisively for both separatism and Democrats, spurred in part by intervention from the Knights of the Golden Circle.^[19] Following Texas's re-admission to the Union, Karnes County remained a Democratic stronghold for decades until it broke for Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower by a large margin. Throughout the rest of the 20th century, Karnes County would oscillate between Republicans and Democrats, frequently by large margins. In the 21st century, Karnes County shifted much more quickly towards the Republican Party than most Hispanic counties in South Texas, and it is now safely Republican, with the Republican candidate having gained in vote percentage in every election since 2008. Karnes County now votes straight-ticket Republican, only having a few Democratic elected officials at the local level.

Cities

• Falls City
• Karnes City (county seat)
• Kenedy

Town

• Runge

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

• Helena
• Wintergreen