Wikipedia

Cherokee County, Texas

Cherokee Countyis acountylocated in theU.S. stateofTexas.As of the2020 census,its population was 50,412.[1][2]Thecounty seatisRusk,which lies 130 miles southeast ofDallasand 160 miles north ofHouston.[3]The county was named for theCherokee,who lived in the area before being expelled in 1839. Cherokee County comprises theJacksonvillemicropolitan statistical area,which is also included in theTyler–Jacksonville combined statistical area.

Cherokee County
County
The Cherokee County Courthouse in Rusk
The Cherokee County Courthouse in Rusk
Map of Texas highlighting Cherokee County
Location within the U.S. state ofTexas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within theU.S.
Coordinates:31°50′N95°10′W/ 31.84°N 95.17°W/31.84; -95.17
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
FoundedJuly 13, 1846
Named forCherokee people
SeatRusk
Largest cityJacksonville
Area
• Total
1,062 sq mi (2,750 km2)
• Land1,053 sq mi (2,730 km2)
• Water9.3 sq mi (24 km2) 0.9%
Population
(2020)
• Total
50,412
• Density47/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6(Central)
• Summer (DST)UTC−5(CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.co.cherokee.tx.us

History

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Native Americans

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Caddo Mounds at theCaddo Mounds State Historic Sitein Cherokee County

TheHasinaigroup of theCaddotribe built a village in the area in around AD 800[4][5]and continued to live in the area until the 1830s, when they migrated to theBrazos River.The federal government moved them to the Brazos Indian Reservation in 1855 and later to Oklahoma.

TheCherokee,Delaware,Shawnee,andKickapooNative American peoples began settling in the area around 1820. TheTexas Cherokeetried unsuccessfully to gain a grant to their own land from theMexicangovernment.

Sam Houston,adopted son of Chief Oolooteka (John Jolly) of the Cherokee, negotiated the January 14, 1836, treaty betweenChief Bowl[6]of the Cherokee and theRepublic of Texas.[7][8]On December 16, 1837, the Texas Senate declared the treaty null and void,[9]and encroachment upon Cherokee lands continued. On October 5, 1838, Indians massacred members ofthe Isaac Killough family[10][11]at their farm northwest of the site of presentJacksonville,leading to theCherokee War of 1839and the expulsion of some to Oklahoma. Some went toMonclovain Mexico, and some toRuskandGreggcounties (many had relatives among theChoctaw/Chickasaw/Creekcommunity there). Later, in 1844,President Polkissued an executive order known as "The Right to return", allowing many Cherokee to return to Texas. Some came to what is now Cherokee County.

Early exploration and settlers

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Domingo Terán de los Ríos[12]and Father Damián Massanet[13]explored the area on behalf ofSpainin 1691.Louis Juchereau de St. Denis[14]began trading with the Hasinais in 1705.Nuestro Padre San Francisco de los Tejas[15]was originally established in 1690, but was re-established in 1716 by CaptainDomingo Ramon.It was abandoned again because of French incursions and re-established in 1721 by the Marques de San Miguel de Aguyao.

In 1826, empresarioDavid G. Burnetreceived a grant from theCoahuila y Tejaslegislature to settle 300 families.[16]The settlers were mostly from the Southern states, and brought the lifestyle of that region with them. By contracting how many families each grantee could settle, the government sought to have some control over colonization.

County established and growth

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Cherokee Veterans Monument inJacksonville,Texas

Cherokee County was formed from land given byNacogdoches Countyin 1846.[17]It was organized in the same year. The town ofRuskbecame thecounty seat.Cherokee County voted in favor ofsecessionfrom theUnion,during the build-up to theAmerican Civil War.

In 1872, theInternational – Great Northern Railroad[18]causedJacksonville[19]to relocate two miles east, to be near the tracks. The Kansas and Gulf Short Line Railway[20]was built north-to-south through the county between 1882 and 1885. TheTexas and New Orleans Railroad[21]in 1905, and theTexas State Railroad[22]in 1910, each gave rise to new county towns along their tracks.

Geography

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According to theU.S. Census Bureau,the county has a total area of 1,062 square miles (2,750 km2), of which 1,053 square miles (2,730 km2) is land and 9.3 square miles (24 km2) (0.9%) is covered by water.[23]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18506,673—
186012,09881.3%
187011,079−8.4%
188016,72350.9%
189022,97537.4%
190025,1549.5%
191029,03815.4%
192037,63329.6%
193043,18014.7%
194043,9701.8%
195038,694−12.0%
196033,120−14.4%
197032,008−3.4%
198038,12719.1%
199041,0497.7%
200046,65913.7%
201050,8459.0%
202050,412−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[24]
1850–2010[25]2010[26]2020[27]
Cherokee County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[28] Pop 2010[26] Pop 2020[27] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
Whitealone (NH) 32,347 31,892 30,095 69.33% 62.72% 59.70%
Black or African Americanalone (NH) 7,409 7,401 6,359 15.88% 14.56% 12.61%
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH) 143 125 128 0.31% 0.25% 0.25%
Asianalone (NH) 177 221 263 0.38% 0.43% 0.52%
Pacific Islanderalone (NH) 8 6 18 0.02% 0.01% 0.04%
Other Racealone (NH) 17 36 123 0.04% 0.07% 0.24%
Mixed Race or Multiracial(NH) 380 665 1,629 0.81% 1.31% 3.23%
Hispanic or Latino(any race) 6,178 10,499 11,797 13.24% 20.65% 23.40%
Total 46,659 50,845 50,412 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

At the2000 United States censusthere were 46,659 people, 16,651 households, and 12,105 families resided in the county.[29]Thepopulation densitywas 44 people per square mile (17 people/km2). The 19,173 housing units averaged 18 units per square mile (6.9/km2). Theracial and ethnic makeupof the county was 74.34%White,15.96% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 7.43% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. About 13.24% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. By 2020, its population increased to 50,412.[27]The racial and ethnic makeup at the2020 United States censuswas 59.70%non-Hispanic white,12.61%Black or African American,0.25%American Indian and Alaska Native,0.52%Asian,0.04%Pacific Islander,0.24% some other race, 3.23%two or more races,and 23.40%Hispanic or Latinoof any race. The increase among its Hispanic and Asian American populations represented the nationwide demographic shift since the 2020 census.[30]

Of the 16,651 households in 2000, 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 12.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were not families. Around 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63, and the average family size was 3.11. In 2020 according to theAmerican Community Survey,there were 18,540 households with an average household size of 2.65 and average family size of 3.07.[31]

At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $29,313, and for a family was $34,750. Males had a median income of $26,410 versus $19,788 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $13,980. About 13.70% of families and 17.90% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 23.30% of those under age 18 and 15.10% of those age 65 or over. The 2020 American Community Survey's estimates determined there was a median household income of $50,199 with a per capita income of $66,658.[32]

Media

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Cherokee County is part of theTyler/Longview/JacksonvilleDMA. Local media outlets are:KLTV,KTRE-TV,KYTX-TV,KFXK-TV,KCEB-TV,andKETK-TV.

Newspapers in the county include theJacksonville Progress,which publishes three editions a week in Jacksonville, and the weeklyCherokeean Heraldin Rusk.

Education

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School districts within Cherokee County Texas include the following:

Areas in Bullard, Jacksonville, New Summerfield, Rusk, and Troup are assigned toTyler Junior College.Areas of Cherokee County in Alto ISD and Wells ISD are assigned toAngelina College.Areas in Carlisle ISD are assigned toKilgore College.[33]Legislation does not specify a community college for the remainder of the county.

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Cherokee County, Texas[34]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 16,593 80.91% 3,744 18.26% 170 0.83%
2020 15,101 77.41% 4,210 21.58% 197 1.01%
2016 12,919 76.94% 3,469 20.66% 402 2.39%
2012 12,094 75.00% 3,875 24.03% 157 0.97%
2008 11,695 71.24% 4,610 28.08% 112 0.68%
2004 11,329 71.53% 4,439 28.03% 71 0.45%
2000 9,599 66.03% 4,755 32.71% 183 1.26%
1996 6,483 51.07% 5,185 40.85% 1,026 8.08%
1992 5,847 41.36% 5,003 35.39% 3,288 23.26%
1988 7,520 57.12% 5,604 42.57% 41 0.31%
1984 8,187 64.41% 4,494 35.36% 30 0.24%
1980 5,629 49.01% 5,726 49.85% 131 1.14%
1976 3,921 37.47% 6,509 62.20% 35 0.33%
1972 5,743 69.29% 2,467 29.77% 78 0.94%
1968 2,575 26.80% 3,242 33.74% 3,791 39.46%
1964 3,043 35.64% 5,485 64.25% 9 0.11%
1960 3,233 41.02% 4,544 57.65% 105 1.33%
1956 4,022 57.78% 2,912 41.83% 27 0.39%
1952 3,825 49.63% 3,868 50.19% 14 0.18%
1948 1,154 24.01% 3,079 64.07% 573 11.92%
1944 598 11.62% 3,918 76.14% 630 12.24%
1940 801 13.12% 5,293 86.71% 10 0.16%
1936 302 7.16% 3,908 92.65% 8 0.19%
1932 233 5.33% 4,125 94.44% 10 0.23%
1928 1,933 49.94% 1,938 50.06% 0 0.00%
1924 666 13.06% 4,343 85.17% 90 1.77%
1920 478 13.38% 2,233 62.51% 861 24.10%
1916 241 9.67% 2,002 80.34% 249 9.99%
1912 145 7.67% 1,684 89.10% 61 3.23%

See also

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References

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  1. ^"U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cherokee County, Texas".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2022.
  2. ^"Cherokee County, Texas".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedFebruary 23,2021.
  3. ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties. Archived fromthe originalon May 9, 2015.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
  4. ^Long, Christopher and Standifer, Mary M:Caddoan Mounds State Historic Sitefrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  5. ^"Caddo Mounds".Texas State Historical Association.RetrievedMay 4,2010.Texas State Historical Association
  6. ^"Houston, Sam".The Sam Houston Memorial Museum. Archived fromthe originalon May 24, 2010.RetrievedMay 4,2010.The Sam Houston Memorial Museum
  7. ^"The Texas Cherokee".R. Edward Moore and Texarch Associates.RetrievedMay 4,2010.R. Edward Moore and Texarch Associates
  8. ^"Houston, Sam".PBS.RetrievedMay 4,2010.
  9. ^Cherokee Warfrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  10. ^Long, Christopher:Killough Massacrefrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  11. ^Whitington, Mitchell."A Monument to the Killough Massacre".Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC.RetrievedMay 4,2010.Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC.
  12. ^Blake, Robert Bruce:Terán de los Ríos, Domingofrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  13. ^Chipman, Donald E:Massanet, Father Damianfrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  14. ^Chipman, Donald E and Lemee, Patricia R:St. Denis, Louis Juchereau defrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  15. ^Nuestro Padre San Francisco de los Tejas Missionfrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  16. ^"Empresario Contracts in the Colonization of Texas 1825-1834".Texas A & M University. Archived fromthe originalon June 15, 2010.RetrievedMay 4,2010.Wallace L. McKeehan,
  17. ^Alvarez, Elizabeth Cruce (November 8, 2011).Texas Almanac 2012–2013.Texas A&M University Press. pp. Contents.ISBN9780876112571.RetrievedNovember 17,2013.
  18. ^Werner, George C:International-Great Northern Railroadfrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  19. ^"Jacksonville, Texas".Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC.RetrievedMay 4,2010.Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC.
  20. ^"Kansas and Gulf Short Railway".History Map.com.RetrievedMay 4,2010.
  21. ^Williams, Howard C:Texas and New Orleans Railroadfrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  22. ^Richards, Amy:Texas State Railroadfrom theHandbook of TexasOnline.Retrieved May 4, 2010. Texas State Historical Association
  23. ^"2010 Census Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2015.
  24. ^"Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades".US Census Bureau.
  25. ^"Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010"(PDF).Texas Almanac.Archived(PDF)from the original on October 9, 2022.RetrievedApril 20,2015.
  26. ^ab"P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cherokee County, Texa".United States Census Bureau.
  27. ^abc"P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cherokee County, Texa".United States Census Bureau.
  28. ^"P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cherokee County, Texa".United States Census Bureau.
  29. ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 14,2011.
  30. ^"US census: Hispanic and Asian-American driving US population growth".BBC News.August 12, 2021.RetrievedMay 12,2022.
  31. ^"2020 ACS Selected Social Characteristics".data.census.gov.RetrievedMay 12,2022.
  32. ^"2020 ACS Annual Income Estimates".data.census.gov.RetrievedMay 12,2022.
  33. ^Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.165. ANGELINA COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. Sec. 130.184. KILGORE JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. Sec. 130.206. TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA..
  34. ^Leip, David."Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".uselectionatlas.org.RetrievedJuly 20,2018.
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