Orange County, Texas

Geography The Sabine River forms its eastern border with Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, and the Neches River forms its southwestern border with Jefferson County, Texas and Hardin County, Texas. A surveyed east-west line separates Orange County from Newton County, Texas and Jasper County, Texas on the north.

The geography of Orange County varies considerably, with saltwater marshes in much of the southwestern part of the county that borders Sabine Lake[?], and Piney Woods[?] in the north. Elevation rarely reaches 30 feet above sea level.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 983 km² (380 mi²). 923 km² (356 mi²) of it is land and 60 km² (23 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 6.10% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 84,966 people, 31,642 households, and 23,794 families residing in the county. The population density is 92/km² (238/mi²). There are 34,781 housing units at an average density of 38/km² (98/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 87.98% White, 8.38% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 3.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 31,642 households out of which 35.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% are married couples living together, 12.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% are non-families. 21.70% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.30% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.65 and the average family size is 3.08.

In the county, the population is spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $37,586, and the median income for a family is $44,152. Males have a median income of $40,185 versus $21,859 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,554. 13.80% of the population and 11.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 18.50% are under the age of 18 and 12.40% are 65 or older.

Economy Primary economic activites in Orange County are the petroleum refining industry, paper milling, rice farming, and shrimping.

Cities and Towns

• Bridge City
• Little Cypress[?]
• Mauriceville
• Orange
• Pine Forest
• Pinehurst
• Rose City
• Vidor
• West Orange