Fort Bend County, Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fort Bend County, Texas | |
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 Location in the state of Texas |
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 Texas's location in the U.S. |
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| Seat | Richmond |
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| Largest city | Sugar Land |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
886 sq mi (2,295 km²) 875 sq mi (2,265 km²) 11 sq mi (30 km²), 1.29% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
354,452 |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Named for | A blockhouse positioned in a bend of the Brazos River, which was the center of life in the future county in early days. |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Website | www.co.fort-bend.tx.us |
Fort 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; in 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population to have reached 532,141, a 50% growth rate in eight years from the last U.S. Census.
Since the 1970s Fort Bend County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. It is named for a blockhouse at a bend of the Brazos River; the fort was the start of the community in early days. Its county seat is Richmond[1], while its largest city is Sugar Land.
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[edit] History
Prior to Anglo settlement, the area was inhabited by the Karankawa Indians. A group of Stephen F. Austin's colonists, headed by William Little, built a fort at the present site of Richmond around 1822. The fort was called "Fort Bend" since it was built in the bend of the Brazos River. The city of Richmond was incorporated under the Republic of Texas along with nineteen other towns in 1837. Fort Bend County was created from Austin, Harris, and Brazoria Counties in 1838. In April 2009, as part of a settlement with the United States Department of Justice, Fort Bend County agreed to increase assistance to Spanish-speaking voters in elections held in the county.[2] Fort Bend County was the site of the Jaybird-Woodpecker War.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 886 square miles (2,295 km²), of which, 875 square miles (2,265 km²) of it is land and 11 square miles (30 km²) of it (1.29%) is water.
[edit] Major Highways
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Waller County (north)
- Harris County (east)
- Brazoria County (southeast)
- Wharton County (southwest)
- Austin County (northwest)
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 16,538 |
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| 1910 | 18,168 | 9.9% | |
| 1920 | 22,931 | 26.2% | |
| 1930 | 29,718 | 29.6% | |
| 1940 | 32,963 | 10.9% | |
| 1950 | 31,056 | −5.8% | |
| 1960 | 40,527 | 30.5% | |
| 1970 | 52,314 | 29.1% | |
| 1980 | 130,846 | 150.1% | |
| 1990 | 225,421 | 72.3% | |
| 2000 | 354,452 | 57.2% | |
| Est. 2008 | 532,141 | 50.1% | |
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 354,452 people, 110,915 households, and 93,057 families residing in the county. The population density was 405 people per square mile (156/km²). There were 115,991 housing units at an average density of 133 per square mile (51/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.96% White (46.21% White Non-Hispanic), 19.85% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 11.20% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.10% from other races, and 2.56% from two or more races. 21.12% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Other self-identifications were 8.8% of German ancestry, 6.3% American and 5.8% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
In 2006 Fort Bend county had a population of 493,187. This represented a growth of 39.1% since 2000. The county's racial or ethnic makeup was 53.96% White (39.63% White Non-Hispanic), 20.88% African American, 14.77% Asian, 0.51% Native American, 7.73% other races and 2.14% from two or more races. 22.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.82% of the population was foreign born; of this, 50.24% came from Asia, 37.17% came from Latin America, 5.74% from Africa, 5.28% from Europe and 1.57% from other parts of the world.
Since the 1970s Fort Bend County has been attracting people from all types of racial and ethnic backgroups and according to a 2001 Claritas study, it is the 5th most diverse county in the United States among counties of 100,000+ population.[4] It is one of a growing number of counties with no clear ethnic-racial group in the majority. Fort Bend County also has the highest percentage of Asian Americans in the Southern United States, with primarily Vietnamese Americans, Chinese Americans, Indian Americans, and Filipino Americans having large populations in Fort Bend County.
In 2000 There were 110,915 households out of which 49.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.80% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.10% were non-families. 13.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the county, the population was spread out with 32.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 32.30% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 5.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
According to the 2008 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the county was $81,456, and the median income for a family was $90,171[5]. Males had a median income of $54,139 versus $41,353 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,862. About 5.50% of families and 7.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2006 Fort Bend County is the wealthiest county in Texas and the 24th wealthiest in the US with a median household income of $75,202(In 2006 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars), having surpassed Collin and Rockwall counties(Dallas suburbs) since the 2000 census.[6] However, the Council for Community and Economic Research ranked Fort Bend County as America's 3rd wealthiest county when the local cost of living was factored into the equation with median household income.[7].
However, this estimate does not include property taxes and local taxes as they didn't measure effective tax rates and home insurance. Fort Bend County, along with other Texas counties, has one of the nation's highest property tax rates.
In 2007, it was ranked 5th in the nation for property taxes as percentage of the homes value on owner occupied housing. The list only includes counties with a population over 65,000 for accuracy.[8] Fort Bend County also ranked in the top 100 for amount of property taxes paid and for percentage of taxes of income. Part of this is due to the complex Robin Hood plan school financing law that exists in Texas.[9]
[edit] Government and politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 50.9% 102,846 | 48.6% 98,136 |
| 2004 | 57.4% 93,625 | 42.1% 68,722 |
| 2000 | 59.6% 73,567 | 38.5% 47,569 |
| 1996 | 53.8% 49,945 | 41.1% 38,163 |
| 1992 | 46.6% 41,039 | 34.1% 29,992 |
| 1988 | 62.4% 39,818 | 36.6% 23,351 |
| 1984 | 68.7% 41,370 | 31.1% 18,729 |
| 1980 | 66.3% 25,366 | 30.3% 11,583 |
| 1976 | 60.3% 17,354 | 39.1% 11,264 |
| 1972 | 69.4% 10,475 | 30.1% 4,541 |
| 1968 | 39.7% 4,573 | 39.0% 4,493 |
| 1964 | 36.0% 3,493 | 63.8% 6,186 |
| 1960 | 42.8% 3,301 | 56.3% 4,339 |
County politics in Fort Bend County, as with all counties in Texas, are centered around a Commissioners' Court. It is composed of four popularly elected County Commissioners, one representing each precinct drawn on the basis of population, and a county judge elected to represent the entire county. Other county officials include a Sheriff, District Attorney, Tax Assessor-Collector, County Clerk, District Clerk, County Treasurer, and County Attorney.
Fort Bend County, like most Texas counties, for decades was a stronghold for the Democratic Party, when the franchise was mostly limited to whites. In fact, so few Republicans resided in Fort Bend County at one time that in 1960, the county's Republican chair once received a letter addressed simply to "Mr. Republican".[10] However, after national Democratic Party support for civil rights legislation in the 1960s and cultural realignments, some voters began to move to support Republican candidates. As master-planned communities in the eastern and northern portions of the county began to develop, the Houston area's growing Republican base on the west side began to expand into Fort Bend County. Beginning in 1978, Republicans began to win several offices within the county.
Among the first Republicans elected was fiscally conservative Ron Paul to the U.S. House of Representatives. He became known for opposition to the general platforms of both major parties. He earned the nickname "Dr. No".
Another key Republican elected was future Congressman and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who was elected to the county's only seat in the Texas House of Representatives. By 1982, several county-level positions were gained by Republicans. In 1984, DeLay succeeded Paul in Congress after the latter ran for an unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign; the Senate seat was won by the Republican primary winner Phil Gramm.
In 1994 a Republican County Judge was elected to the Commissioners' Court for the first time since Reconstruction. This solidified Fort Bend County's new reputation as a Republican stronghold. Today, every elected countywide office in Fort Bend County is held by Republicans. They control a majority of precinct-based positions (County Commissioners, Constables, Justices of the Peace, etc.). No Democrat has carried Fort Bend County in the presidential election since 1964, when Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas won his second term. In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama came very close in heavy voting, when he won 48.6 percent of the vote compared to 50.9 percent for Republican John McCain.
Among the four Commissioners' Court precincts, two precincts, Precinct 3 and Precinct 4 which cover most of the Sugar Land and Katy areas, consistently vote Republican. Precinct 1 also votes heavily Republican, but it contains significant Democratic areas, specifically in Rosenberg and in the northeastern parts of the county near Fresno (which have large Hispanic populations). The fourth precinct, Precinct 2, contains a significant African-American voter bloc concentrated in the county's majority share of Houston and northern Missouri City. It votes mostly Democratic with a few Republican pockets, particularly around the Quail Valley neighborhood of Missouri City. All of its precinct-level officeholders are Democrats.
[edit] Commissioners' Court
| Commissioners | Name | Party | First Elected | Communities Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judge | Bob Hebert | Republican | 2002 | Countywide | |
| Precinct 1 | Richard Morrison | Democratic | 2008 | Arcola, Beasley, Fairchilds, Fresno, Greatwood, Needville, Orchard, Richmond, Rosenberg, Sienna Plantation | |
| Precinct 2 | Grady Prestage | Democratic | 1990 | eastern Stafford, most of Missouri City east of FM 1092 | |
| Precinct 3 | Andy Meyers | Republican | 1996 | Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Lakemont, Mission Bend, Pecan Grove, Simonton, north Sugar Land, western Stafford | |
| Precinct 4 | James Patterson | Republican | 1998 | Missouri City west of FM 1092, New Territory, western and southern areas of Sugar Land (including the planned development of First Colony) | |
[edit] United States Congress
| Senators | Name | Party | First Elected | Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Class 1 | Kay Bailey Hutchison | Republican | 1993 | Senior Senator | |
| Senate Class 2 | John Cornyn | Republican | 2002 | Junior Senator | |
| Representatives | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Fort Bend County Represented | |
| District 9 | Al Green | Democrat | 2004 | Mission Bend, eastern portion of Stafford, northern and eastern portions of Missouri City, county’s entire share of Houston | |
| District 14 | Ron Paul | Republican | 1996 (also served 1976-1977 and 1979-1985) | Far northern and western areas | |
| District 22 | Pete Olson | Republican | 2008 | Sugar Land, Rosenberg, western and southern portions of Missouri City | |
[edit] Texas Legislature
[edit] Texas Senate
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Fort Bend County Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Rodney Ellis | Democrat | 1990 | Northern portions of Missouri City, Stafford, county’s share of Houston | |
| 17 | Joan Huffman | Republican | 2008 | Sugar Land and southern Missouri City | |
| 18 | Glenn Hegar | Republican | 2006 | Richmond, Rosenberg, Katy | |
[edit] Texas House of Representatives
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Fort Bend County Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Charlie Howard | Republican | 1994 | Sugar Land | |
| 27 | Dora Olivo | Democrat | 1996 | Rosenberg, most of Missouri City, county’s share of Houston | |
| 28 | John Zerwas | Republican | 2006 | Far northern and western areas | |
[edit] Communities
[edit] Cities
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† Katy is incorporated in Harris County, with portions in Fort Bend County and Waller County.
[edit] Towns
[edit] Villages
[edit] Unincorporated areas
[edit] Census-designated areas
- Cinco Ranch
- Cumings
- Fifth Street
- Four Corners
- Fresno
- Greatwood
- Mission Bend
- New Territory
- Pecan Grove
- Sienna Plantation
[edit] Other unincorporated areas
[edit] Economy
Fort Bend County has jobs in the education, energy, hospitality, and other sectors. The Houston Business Journal said in 2010 that the diversity of industries promoted decades of rapid population growth.[11]
[edit] Education
[edit] Public school districts
- Brazos Independent School District
- Fort Bend Independent School District
- Katy Independent School District
- Kendleton Independent School District
- Lamar Consolidated Independent School District
- Needville Independent School District
- Stafford Municipal School District
[edit] Colleges and universities
- Houston Community College System
- University of Houston System at Cinco Ranch
- University of Houston System at Sugar Land
- Wharton County Junior College
- Bay Ridge Christian College
[edit] Libraries
Fort Bend County Libraries operates many libraries in the county.
Houston Public Library operates one branch in the county.
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Airports
The sole publicly-owned airport in the county is Sugar Land Regional Airport in Sugar Land
Privately-owned airports for public use include:
- Happy Landings Airport is in an unincorporated area east of Beasley.
- Houston Southwest Airport in Arcola
- Westheimer Air Park is in an unincorporated area between Fulshear and Houston.
Privately-owned airports for private use include:
- Cardiff Brothers Airport is in an unincorporated area near Fulshear and Katy
The following general aviation heliports (all privately owned, for private use) exist in unincorporated areas:
- Dewberry Heliport is in an unincorporated area between Fulshear and Katy
The closest airport with regularly scheduled commercial service is Houston's William P. Hobby Airport in Harris County. The closest airport with regularly scheduled international commercial service is George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in Harris County.
[edit] Mass transit
Fort Bend County officially created a department of Public Transportation in 2005 that provides commuter buses to Uptown, Greenway Plaza, and Texas Medical Center. It also provides Demand and Response Buses to Senior Citizens and the General Public that travel only in Fort Bend County to anywhere in Fort Bend County. www.co.fort-bend.tx.us
[edit] Freeway system
The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the planned Trans-Texas Corridor goes through Fort Bend County [12].
[edit] Corrections
The Fort Bend County Jail is located at 1410 Ransom Road in Richmond.[13]
Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the following facilities in Fort Bend County:
State jails for men:
- Central Unit (Sugar Land)[14][15]
- Jester III Unit (Unincorporated area)[16] (Co-located with the Jester units)
- Vance Unit (Unincorporated area)[17] (Co-located with the Jester units)
Other facilities:
- Jester I Unit - Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility (Unincorporated area)[18] (Co-located with the Jester units)
- Jester IV Unit - Psychiatric Facility (Unincorporated area)[19] (Co-located with the Jester units)
[edit] References
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Bernstein, Alan and Zen T. C. Zheng. "Fort Bend accepts vote decree." Houston Chronicle. April 10, 2009. Retrieved on April 11, 2009.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Claritas Study Ranks Racial/Ethnic Diversity in Counties Nationwide
- ^ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US48157&-qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on
- ^ "2006 American Community Survey: Fort Bend County, Texas". census.gov. 2006. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US48157&-qr_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_S1901&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_&-redoLog=false. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ Cost of Living Can Significantly Affect “Real” Median Household Income, Council for Community and Economic Research website (accessed December 9, 2007)
- ^ http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/1888.html
- ^ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04E5DB173BF934A35753C1A9629C8B63
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Fort Bend County tops Forbes growth list." Houston Business Journal. Tuesday February 2, 2010. Retrieved on February 8, 2010.
- ^ TxDoT, TTC Section C & S, Detailed Maps 2 & 3, 2007-12-17
- ^ "Detention." Fort Bend County. October 3, 2006.
- ^ "CENTRAL (C)." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 14, 2008.
- ^ "Street/Address Locator." City of Sugar Land. Accessed September 14, 2008.
- ^ "JESTER III (J3)." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 14, 2008.
- ^ "VANCE (J2)." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 14, 2008.
- ^ "JESTER I (J3)." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 14, 2008.
- ^ "JESTER IV (J4)." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 14, 2008.
[edit] External links
- Fort Bend County official website
- Historic Images from the Fort Bend Museum hosted by the Portal to Texas History
- Fort Bend Museum Web site
- Fort Bend County, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Fort Bend County profile from The County Information Project
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Austin County | Waller County | |
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 Fort Bend County, Texas  |
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