The Economic Value of Water and Ecosystem Preservation
The Economic Value of Water and Ecosystem Preservation
The Economic Value of Water and Ecosystem Preservation
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Aransas distinguishes itself from Calhoun <strong>and</strong> Refugio both demographically<br />
<strong>and</strong> economically. As the fastest growing County analyzed; its population is<br />
relatively older <strong>and</strong> significantly more homogenous than Calhoun’s <strong>and</strong><br />
Refugio’s. In addition, Aransas has the highest educational attainment <strong>of</strong> the<br />
adult population. Historically, this County had the highest percentage <strong>of</strong> people<br />
living in poverty, until 2004. After 2004, Aransas County showed the greatest<br />
decrease in the unemployment rate <strong>and</strong> it was the only County that experienced<br />
an increase in the number <strong>of</strong> jobs from 2001 to 2005.<br />
Aransas<br />
Aransas County is located on the Gulf Coast northeast <strong>of</strong> Corpus Christi. It is<br />
the most populated <strong>and</strong> the fastest growing county in the San Antonio Bay area.<br />
<strong>The</strong> population grew more than 25 percent per decade from 1980 to 2000, with<br />
the last six years experiencing accelerated growth. From 2000 to 2006, the<br />
population increased from 22,497 to 24,831 inhabitants, a growth rate <strong>of</strong> just over<br />
10 percent (Table 5-1).<br />
<strong>The</strong> age distribution indicates that Aransas County’s population is relatively<br />
older than the State’s <strong>and</strong> the other counties analyzed for this report. This is<br />
simply explained by the fact that Aransas County is a top retirement spot in<br />
Texas <strong>and</strong> has recently seen tremendous growth in the number <strong>of</strong> retirees<br />
relocating to the area (Aransas County, n.d.). In 2005, 27 percent <strong>of</strong> the<br />
population were 18 <strong>and</strong> under, 52 percent were between the ages <strong>of</strong> 19 <strong>and</strong> 65<br />
<strong>and</strong> 21 percent <strong>of</strong> the population were 65 <strong>and</strong> older. Texas’ age distribution<br />
indicates that 36 percent <strong>of</strong> the population is 18 <strong>and</strong> under, 54 percent were in<br />
between the ages <strong>of</strong> 19 <strong>and</strong> 65 <strong>and</strong> only 9.9 percent are over 65 years old (Table<br />
5-2).<br />
Table 5-1. Population <strong>and</strong> Growth Rate by County, 1980-2006<br />
Population/Growth<br />
Rate by County<br />
1980 1990 2000 2006<br />
Aransas 14,260 17,892 22,497 24,831<br />
--- 25.47% 25.74% 10.37%<br />
Calhoun 19,574 19,053 20,647 20,705<br />
--- -2.67% 8.37% 0.28%<br />
Refugio 9,289 7,976 7,828 7,596<br />
--- -14.13% -1.86% -2.96%<br />
Source: (US Census Bureau, 2007b; US Census Bureau, 2007d; US Census Bureau, 2007g)<br />
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