In 1828, 200 Irish Catholic families, recruited from Ireland and the Irish population of New York City, contracted with the Mexican government to settle on 80 leagues of land in this area. By 1836, about 500 people lived in the colony on 84 Mexican land grants. During the Texas Revolution, most fled from the colony because of fighting in the area. By 1841, a small number of permanent residents had returned. When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, the area was stabilized by the presence of U.S. troops under Gen. Zachary Taylor. In 1845, the county was formed, and Corpus Christi was designated as the county seat. The following year, the county south of the Nueces River was reorganized as Nueces County, and San Patricio became its county seat. In 1848, additional counties were formed out of San Patricio, which further reduced its size. The 1850 U.S. Census listed only 200 people in the county, including three slaves. The local economy was based on cattle raising. In the mid-1860s, more settlers moved, drawn by the cheap land. By 1870, 602 people lived in the county, and the agricultural census reported 51 farms and ranches, totalling, in the area, with about described as "improved." Development of the county intensified during the early 20th century, as hundreds of farmers moved in from northern Texas and other states. The population reached 7,307 by 1910, and was 11,386 by 1920; 470 farms were counted in 1910, and 757 farms in 1920. Cattle ranching remained important, but vegetables and cotton also became important. The acres planted in the cotton increased from about in 1910 to by 1930.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The Gulf of Mexico is situated to the east of the county.
As of the census of 2000, 67,138 people, 22,093 households, and 17,232 families resided in the county. The population density was 97 people per square mile. The 24,864 housing units averaged 36 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 76.76% White, 2.81% Black or African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 15.94% from other races, and 3.05% from two or more races. About 49.42% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 22,093 households, 41.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.00% were not families. About 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.40. In the county, the population was distributed as 31.10% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males. The median income for a household in the county was $34,836, and for a family was $40,002. Males had a median income of $31,132 versus $20,730 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,425. About 14.60% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.50% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.
