Van Zandt County, Texas

Van Zandt County, Texas
The Van Zandt County Courthouse in Canton.
Location in the state of Texas
Texas's location in the U.S.
Founded	1848
Seat	Canton
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	859 sq mi (2,225 km²) 849 sq mi (2,199 km²) 10 sq mi (26 km²), 1.26%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	52,579 57/sq mi (22/km²)
Website	www.co.van-zandt.tx.us

Van Zandt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 52,579. Its county seat is Canton. The county is named for Isaac Van Zandt, a member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas.

Until May 2009, Van Zandt County was a completely dry county. On May 9, 2009, the citizens of Wills Point voted to allow beer and wine sales within its limits.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 859 square miles (2,220 km²), of which 849 square miles (2,200 km²) is land and 10 square miles (26 km²) (1.26%) is water.

Major highways

• Interstate 20
• U.S. Highway 80
• State Highway 19
• State Highway 64

Adjacent counties

• Rains County (north)
• Wood County (northeast)
• Smith County (east)
• Henderson County (south)
• Kaufman County (west)
• Hunt County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	1,348		—
1860	3,777		180.2%
1870	6,494		71.9%
1880	12,619		94.3%
1890	16,225		28.6%
1900	25,481		57.0%
1910	25,651		0.7%
1920	30,784		20.0%
1930	32,315		5.0%
1940	31,155		−3.6%
1950	22,593		−27.5%
1960	19,091		−15.5%
1970	22,155		16.0%
1980	31,426		41.8%
1990	37,944		20.7%
2000	48,140		26.9%
2010	52,579		9.2%
U.S. Decennial Census Texas Almanac: 1850-2010

As of the census of 2000, there were 48,140 people, 18,195 households, and 13,664 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 20,896 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.96% White, 2.94% Black or African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.71% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. 6.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,195 households out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,029, and the median income for a family was $41,175. Males had a median income of $31,887 versus $21,344 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,930. About 10.30% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.

Local media

Van Zandt County is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth DMA. Local media outlets are: KDFW-TV, KXAS-TV, WFAA-TV, KTVT-TV, KERA-TV, KTXA-TV, KDFI-TV, KDAF-TV, and KFWD-TV. Other nearby stations that provide coverage for Van Zandt County County come from the Tyler/Longview/Jacksonville market and they include: KLTV-TV, KYTX-TV, KFXK-TV, KCEB-TV, and KETK-TV. The only Van Zandt County radio station is KRDH 1510 AM.

Political Officers

Pat Burnett is the Sheriff (as of December 2007) of Van Zandt County.

Cities and towns

Ben Wheeler (unincorporated) Canton Edgewood Edom Fruitvale

Grand Saline Martin's Mill (unincorporated) Van Wills Point

Newspapers and publications

• Canton Herald
• Van Banner
• Wills Point Chronicle
• Canton Guide
• Van Zandt County News
• East Texas Homes & Farms
• Grand Saline Sun

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Van Zandt County, Texas

Additional sources

• Clausen, C. A. ed., The Lady with the Pen: Elise Wærenskjold in Texas (Northfield, Minnesota: Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1961)
• Hall, Margaret Elizabeth A History of Van Zandt County (Austin,, Texas: Jenkins, 1976)

External links

• Van Zandt County government's website
• Van Zandt County News
• Van Zandt County from the Handbook of Texas Online