Matagorda, Texas
Town in Texas, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matagorda (/ˈmætəˈɡɔːrdə/ ⓘ[2]) is a census-designated place in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. It is located near the mouth of the Colorado River on the upper Texas coast in the United States. In 2020, its population was 313.[3] Matagorda is primarily a tourist town, with commercial and recreational fishing being the top industries. Approximately 23 miles (37 km) of the beach are accessible by vehicle and 35 additional miles are accessible only by boat. Matagorda is at the end of State Highway 60 and the beginning of Farm to Market Road 2031, which runs over the Intracoastal Waterway and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Matagorda | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Sign indicating Matagorda | |
  Matagorda | |
| Coordinates: 28°41′49″N 95°58′00″W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Matagorda |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 313 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central Time Zone) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2586960[1] |
History
Matagorda is the third-oldest Anglo-American town in Texas.[4] It was established in 1827 when Stephen F. Austin obtained permission from the Mexican government to build a town to protect incoming settlers.[5] Elias R. Wightman, one of Stephen F. Austin's early surveyors, traveled to Matagorda in 1829 with 60 immigrant settlers. On August 1, 1829, Wightman, Hosea H. League, James E. B. Austin, and partners Thomas M. Duke and William Selkirk met and elected town officers. In 1830, Matagorda was incorporated.[6]
In 1837, Matagorda served as the county seat of Matagorda County. After the Texas Revolution, the town became a shipping port and social center. Theaters and hotels were in operation by 1838.[7]
24 historical markers are in the township of Matagorda.[8] Matagorda was named by early Spanish settlers after the dense foliage which grew near the coast. The name means "fat thicket" in Spanish [9]
Demographics
Matagorda first appeared as a census-designated place in the 2010 U.S. census.[22]
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[24] | Pop 2020[23] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 426 | 276 | 84.69% | 88.18% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4 | 5 | 0.80% | 1.60% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 3 | 0 | 0.60% | 0.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 0 | 0.20% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 4 | 9 | 0.80% | 2.88% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 65 | 23 | 12.92% | 7.35% |
| Total | 503 | 313 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 313 people, 242 households, and 167 families residing in the CDP.
Characteristics
Matagorda's beach area has access to both East and West Matagorda Bays, Matagorda Beach, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Since 1997, 234 different species of birds have been spotted by the North American Audubon Christmas Bird Count.[25] Among the species reported are the prairie warbler, common poorwill, broad-winged hawk, MacGillivray's warbler, and Swainson's warbler.
Education
Matagorda has had several schools in town including the Matagorda Academy, which was established in 1839. Other schools in town were the Lafayette Academy and a 'Young Ladies School'. In 1854, after the Texas Education Act was implemented, Matagorda county was divided into six school districts, with the first public schools open in Matagorda. [26] Matagorda is currently served by the Matagorda Independent School District and serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade.
The designated community college for Matagorda Independent School District is Wharton County Junior College.[27]