Goliad, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Goliad is a city located in Goliad County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,975. It is the county seat of Goliad County⁶.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 External links

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History

In 1749, at which time Goliad was part of the Spanish colony of New Spain, a Spanish fort was founded at an existing Aranama Native American village in response to French encroachment in Spanish claimed territory. The fort was called Presidio La Bahía del Espíritu Santo. A mission for the soldiers was built inside the presidio and was called our Lady of Loreto chapel.

Presidio La Bahia (Fort of the bay) was originally built near Lavaca Bay in 1721, but the site proved unsuitable. It was relocated in 1726 further inland near Victoria, Texas and finally at its present location in 1749. Although, it had moved inland, the fort was still responsible for the defense of the coastal areas and east Texas.

Franciscan priests also established the Mission of Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga outside the presidio to convert the local Karankawa Indians. The village of La Bahía grew under the protection of the presidio and the mission.

In 1829, the name of the village of La Bahía was changed to Goliad, an anagram of Hidalgo (omitting the silent initial "H"), in honor of the patriot priest Miguel Hidalgo, the father of Mexico's independence.

On October 9, 1835, a group of Texians attacked the presidio, defeated the Mexican garrison and took control of the fort. The first declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas was signed here on December 20, 1835.

On March 27, 1836 during the Texas Revolution, the Goliad massacre occurred here when General Antonio López de Santa Anna ordered the Mexican army to kill Colonel James Fannin and 341 of his men, who were captured at the Battle of Coleto.

Goliad was the birthplace of famous Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza.

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Geography

Goliad is located at 28°40'8" North, 97°23'31" West (28.668865, -97.391850)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 km² (1.5 mi²). 4.0 km² (1.5 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

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Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 1,975 people, 749 households, and 518 families residing in the city. The population density is 498.4/km² (1,294.3/mi²). There are 877 housing units at an average density of 221.3/km² (574.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 75.44% White, 6.08% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 14.99% from other races, and 2.53% from two or more races. 49.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 749 households out of which 33.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% are married couples living together, 12.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% are non-families. 28.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 3.04.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $26,200, and the median income for a family is $33,438. Males have a median income of $28,889 versus $20,167 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,997. 23.1% of the population and 19.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.5% of those under the age of 18 and 17.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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