According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 835 square miles (2,160 km2), of which 796 square miles (2,060 km2) are land and 39 square miles (100 km2) (4.7%) are covered by water.[5]
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1850–2010[7] 2010–2020[8]
Shelby 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.
As of thecensus[11] of 2000, 25,224 people, 9,595 households, and 6,908 families resided in the county. Thepopulation density was 32 people per square mile (12 people/km2). The 11,955 housing units averaged 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 72.65% White, 19.44% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.87% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. About 9.87% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 9,595 households, 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were notfamilies. About 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% 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 3.08.
In the county, the population was distributed as 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,112, and for a family was $34,021. Males had a median income of $26,501 versus $20,280 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,186. About 14.90% of families and 19.40% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.
The Light and Champion, a news and information company, marked its 140th year of operation in 2017. It serves Shelby County, as well as Logansport, Louisiana. The Light and Champion produces a weekly print edition, a weekly free-distribution print product called The Merchandiser, operates a web site, www.lightandchampion.com, and a Facebook page. The Light and Champion is owned by Moser Community Media, based inBrenham, Texas.
Interstate 69 is currently under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places west of Tenaha and the current route of U.S. 84 in most places east of Tenaha to the Louisiana state line.
US 59 passes through Shelby County. It is planned to be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the plannedInterstate 69 up to Tenaha, where the plannedInterstate 369 will follow US 59 northward to bothInterstate 30 andInterstate 49 in Texarkana.US 84 is planned to be upgraded to interstate standards as part of the plannedInterstate 69 from Tenaha to the Louisiana state line.
An example of the political trends of ruralEast Texas, Shelby usually voted Democrat in the 20th century, but has turned into a Republican stronghold in the 21st.
United States presidential election results for Shelby County, Texas[16]
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