Liberty County, Texas
Encyclopedia
Liberty County is a county located in Texas
within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census
, the population was 75,643.http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml Its county seat
is Liberty
.
, the county has a total area of 1176 square miles (3,045.8 km²), of which 1160 square miles (3,004.4 km²) is land and 16 square miles (41.4 km²) (1.41%) is water.
The Trinity River
flows through this county, dividing the county approximately in half. The river begins on the northern border of Liberty County, forming the San Jacinto - Polk County line through the Liberty County line. The east fork of the San Jacinto River flows through far Northeast parts of the county, Flowing through Cleveland
. Tarkington Bayou begins in the Sam Houston National Forest in San Jacinto County, working its way south through Northeast and east Liberty County and joining other feeders, before traveling into Harris County
and emptying into Galveston Bay
. The highest point in Liberty County is "Davis Hill", the roof of a salt dome
in the northern part of the county.
of 2000, there were 70,154 people, 23,242 households, and 17,756 families residing in the county. The population density
was 60 people per square mile (23/km²). There were 26,359 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.90% White
, 12.82% Black
or African American
, 0.47% Native American
, 0.32% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 6.03% from other races
, and 1.43% from two or more races. 10.92% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 23,242 households out of which 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples
living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were non-families. 20.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,361, and the median income for a family was $43,744. Males had a median income of $37,957 versus $22,703 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,539. About 11.10% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.
had established four correctional facilities (Cleveland
, Henley
, Hightower
, and Plane
) in the county within a six year span. As of 1995 the facilities employed 1,045 employees and contributed $22 million in the county's annual payroll. Since Cleveland is a privately-operated facility, the county receives tax revenue from the prison's operation.
†Mostly in Chambers County
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center
, operated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Liberty
in an unincorporated area
. Judge and Mrs. Price Daniel
donated 114 114 acres (46.1 ha) of land for the purpose of establishing a library on September 27, 1973. Construction began in the fall of 1975; by then $700,000 had been raised through private donations. The library opened on May 14, 1977.
operates one women's prison and two women's state jails, all co-located with one another, in an unincorporated area
. The L.V. Hightower Unit
prison and the Dempsie Henley Unit
and Lucille G. Plane Unit
jails are 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Dayton
. The Cleveland Unit
, a prison for men privately operated by the GEO Group, Inc. on behalf of the TDCJ, is in Cleveland
.
Cleveland opened in September 1989. Hightower opened in March 1990. Henley and Plane opened in May 1995. As of 1995, after Henley opened, of all of the counties Liberty County had the fourth largest number of state prisons and jails, after Walker
, Brazoria, and Coryell
counties.
airports are located in unincorporated sections of the county.
The Houston Airport System
stated that Liberty County is within the primary service area of George Bush Intercontinental Airport
, an international airport in Houston in Harris County. In addition Liberty County is in proximity to Hobby Airport.
The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the planned Trans-Texas Corridor
goes through Liberty County.
Most incorporated areas operate their own police departments, including Cleveland, Dayton, Kenefick, Liberty
Liberty County operates the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, which serves unincorporated areas and supplements police forces of incorporated areas.
Liberty County also has a constable for each of its six precincts and deputies assigned to each.
Fire departments serving unincorporated areas:
EMS services inside the City of Liberty are provided by the City of Liberty Fire & EMS.
EMS services for the areas not covered by the above mentioned agencies is provided by Liberty County EMS.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
Greater Houston
Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas...
metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
, the population was 75,643.http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Liberty
Liberty, Texas
Liberty is a city in and the county seat of Liberty County, Texas, United States and a part of the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 8,033 at the 2000 census....
.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 1176 square miles (3,045.8 km²), of which 1160 square miles (3,004.4 km²) is land and 16 square miles (41.4 km²) (1.41%) is water.
The Trinity River
Trinity River (Texas)
The Trinity River is a long river that flows entirely within the U.S. state of Texas. It rises in extreme north Texas, a few miles south of the Red River. The headwaters are separated by the high bluffs on the south side of the Red River....
flows through this county, dividing the county approximately in half. The river begins on the northern border of Liberty County, forming the San Jacinto - Polk County line through the Liberty County line. The east fork of the San Jacinto River flows through far Northeast parts of the county, Flowing through Cleveland
Cleveland, Texas
Cleveland is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,605 at the 2000 census.-History:In 1854, a church and convent was built by Father Peter La Cour near the town's present site...
. Tarkington Bayou begins in the Sam Houston National Forest in San Jacinto County, working its way south through Northeast and east Liberty County and joining other feeders, before traveling into Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
and emptying into Galveston Bay
Galveston Bay
Galveston Bay is a large estuary located along the upper coast of Texas in the United States. It is connected to the Gulf of Mexico and is surrounded by sub-tropic marshes and prairies on the mainland. The water in the Bay is a complex mixture of sea water and fresh water which supports a wide...
. The highest point in Liberty County is "Davis Hill", the roof of a salt dome
Salt dome
A salt dome is a type of structural dome formed when a thick bed of evaporite minerals found at depth intrudes vertically into surrounding rock strata, forming a diapir....
in the northern part of the county.
Major Highways
U.S. Highway 59
U.S. Highway 90
State Highway 61State Highway 61 (Texas)Texas State Highway 61 is a state highway in southeast Texas. It connects Anahuac in Chambers County to Devers in Liberty County.-Route description:...
State Highway 105State Highway 105 (Texas)State Highway 105, or SH 105, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Texas that runs from Brenham to the outskirts of Beaumont. The route was originally proposed in 1933 and took its current routing in 1984.-Route description:...
State Highway 146
State Highway 321State Highway 321 (Texas)State Highway 321, or SH 321, is a north–south highway in southeastern Texas, starting at US 90 in Dayton and ending at Loop 573 in Cleveland.In Cleveland, SH 321 is also known as Houston Street, providing the main street for downtown Cleveland...
- See List of Highways in Liberty County for more roadways in Liberty County.
Adjacent counties
- Polk County (north)
- Hardin County (east)
- Jefferson CountyJefferson County, TexasJefferson County is a county located in the state of Texas, United States. As of 2000, the population was 252,051. Its county seat is Beaumont, and it is named for the former U.S...
(southeast) - Chambers County (south)
- Harris CountyHarris County, TexasAs of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
(southwest) - Montgomery CountyMontgomery County, TexasMontgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The county was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837. The county was named for the town of Montgomery, Texas. In 2000, its...
(west) - San Jacinto County (northwest)
National protected areas
- Big Thicket National Preserve (part)
- Trinity River National Wildlife RefugeTrinity River National Wildlife RefugeTrinity River National Wildlife Refuge was established on January 4, 1994 with an initial purchase of . Since that time, the refuge has acquired additional acreage which now totals . The primary purpose of establishing this refuge is to protect a portion of the bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem...
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 70,154 people, 23,242 households, and 17,756 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 60 people per square mile (23/km²). There were 26,359 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.90% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 12.82% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.47% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.32% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 6.03% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.43% from two or more races. 10.92% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 23,242 households out of which 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were non-families. 20.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.60% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,361, and the median income for a family was $43,744. Males had a median income of $37,957 versus $22,703 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $15,539. About 11.10% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.
United States Congress
| Senators | Name | Party | First Elected | Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Class 1 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Kay Bailey Hutchison Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1993 | Senior Senator | |
| Senate Class 2 | John Cornyn John Cornyn John Cornyn, III is the junior United States Senator for Texas, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 111th U.S. Congress.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2002 | Junior Senator | |
| Representatives | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Liberty County Represented | |
| District 2 | Ted Poe Ted Poe Lloyd "Ted" Poe is a Republican politician currently representing Texas's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The district includes most of northern Houston, as well as most of the Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan area. He is the first Republican to ever... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2004 | Western and southern areas | |
| District 8 | Kevin Brady Kevin Brady Kevin Patrick Brady is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes a large swath of suburban and rural territory around Houston and Beaumont.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1996 | Northern areas | |
Texas Senate
- District 4: Tommy Williams (RRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
)- first elected in 2002
Texas House of Representatives
- District 18: John Otto (RRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
)- first elected in 2004
Liberty County Elected Officials
| Position | Official | Party |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge | Craig McNair | Republican |
| County Commissioner Precinct 1 | Todd Fontenot | Democrat |
| County Commissioner Precinct 2 | Charlotte Warner | Republican |
| County Commissioner Precinct 3 | Melvin Hunt | Democrat |
| County Commissioner Precinct 4 | Norman Brown | Republican |
| County Attorney | Wesley Hinch | Republican |
| County Clerk | Paulette Williams | Republican |
| District Attorney | Michael R. (Blue) Little | Democrat |
| District Clerk | Donna Brown | Republican |
| Sheriff | Henry Patterson | Republican |
| Assessor-Collector | Mark McClelland | Democrat |
| County Treasurer | Kim Harris | Republican |
| Constable Precinct 1 | Tim Allison | Democrat |
| Constable Precinct 2 | Leslie Hulsey | Democrat |
| Constable Precinct 3 | Danny Frankum | Democrat |
| Constable Precinct 4 | Chad Pafford | Republican |
| Constable Precinct 5 | L.W. DeSpain | Democrat |
| Constable Precinct 6 | Royce Wheeler | Democrat |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 1 | Bobby Rader | Republican |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 2 | Ronnie E. Davis | Democrat |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 3 | Cody Parrish | Democrat |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 4 | Barry Graves | Republican |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 5 | Wade Brown | Republican |
| Justice Of The Peace Precinct 6 | Peggy Dunn | Democrat |
Economy
Around 1995 the economy of Liberty County was mainly focused on agriculture and oil. As of that year the economy of Liberty County was struggling. At that time the Texas Department of Criminal JusticeTexas Department of Criminal Justice
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The TDCJ is responsible for statewide criminal justice for adult offenders, including managing offenders in state prisons, state jails and private correctional facilities, funding and certain...
had established four correctional facilities (Cleveland
Cleveland Unit
The Cleveland Unit is a prison for men in Cleveland, Texas privately operated by the GEO Group on behalf of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice . The approximately facility is north of Downtown Cleveland. The TDCJ refers to the prison as the "Cleveland Unit," while GEO refers to it as the...
, Henley
Dempsie Henley Unit
Dempsie Henley Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice state jail for women located in unincorporated Liberty County, Texas. It is located on Texas State Highway 321, north of Dayton. The facility, on an approximately plot of land, is co-located with the Hightower Prison Unit and the Plane...
, Hightower
L.V. Hightower Unit
The L. V. Hightower Unit is a prison in Texas, United States, within the Texas Department of Corrections system. It is named for Lockhart V. Hightower, former sheriff and county clerk of Liberty County....
, and Plane
Lucille G. Plane Unit
Lucile Plane State Jail is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice state jail for women located in unincorporated Liberty County, Texas. It is located on Texas State Highway 321, north of Dayton. The facility, on an approximately plot of land, is co-located with the Hightower Prison Unit and the...
) in the county within a six year span. As of 1995 the facilities employed 1,045 employees and contributed $22 million in the county's annual payroll. Since Cleveland is a privately-operated facility, the county receives tax revenue from the prison's operation.
Cities and towns
|
Devers, Texas Devers is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 416 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Devers is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... Dayton, Texas Dayton is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,242 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:... Hardin, Texas Hardin is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 755 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hardin is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... Kenefick, Texas Kenefick is a town in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 667 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kenefick is located at .... |
Liberty, Texas Liberty is a city in and the county seat of Liberty County, Texas, United States and a part of the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 8,033 at the 2000 census.... Mont Belvieu, Texas Mont Belvieu is a city in Chambers and Liberty Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is just north of Interstate 10 along State Highway 146. The population was 2,324 at the 2000 Census, increasing 65% to 3,835 in the 2010 Census.-Geography:... † North Cleveland, Texas North Cleveland is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 263 at the 2000 census.-Geography:North Cleveland is located at .... Plum Grove, Texas Plum Grove is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 930 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Plum Grove is located at .... |
†Mostly in Chambers County
Other Communities
|
Macedonia, Liberty County, Texas Macedonia is an unincorporated area in northern Liberty County, Texas. Formerly a distinct community, it is located northeast of the junction of Texas State Highway 321 and Farm to Market Road 1008 and northwest of Liberty.... Moss Bluff, Texas Moss Bluff is an unincorporated community in Liberty County, Texas, United States.-External links:... Moss Hill, Texas Moss Hill is an unincorporated community in Liberty County, Texas, United States.-External links:... Rayburn, Texas Rayburn is an unincorporated community in Liberty County, Texas, United States.-External links:... Raywood, Texas Raywood is an unincorporated community in Liberty County, Texas, United States.-External links:... |
Romayor, Texas Romayor is an unincorporated community in Liberty County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 96 in 2000.... Rye, Texas Rye is an unincorporated community in Liberty County, Texas, United States.... Tarkington Prairie, Texas Tarkington Prairie is a primarily rural unincorporated community spread out over approximately in northeastern Liberty County, Texas, United States... |
Education
Where "ISD" means "Independent School District".- Dayton ISD (portions of the district extends into another county)
- Liberty ISD
- Cleveland ISD (portions of the district extends into other counties)
- Tarkington ISD
- Hardin ISD
- Hull-Daisetta ISD
- Devers ISDDevers Independent School DistrictDevers Independent School District is a public school district based in Devers, Texas .The district has two campuses - Devers Elementary and Devers Junior High ....
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center
Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center is located in unincorporated Liberty County, Texas. The facility is located north of Liberty, east of Downtown Austin and northeast of Downtown Houston. It is owned and operated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and contains...
, operated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission refers to the agency in the state of Texas that is charged with overseeing and assisting with state-wide library programs, meeting the reading-related needs of Texans with disabilities, and finally preserving and providing access to significant Texas...
is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Liberty
Liberty, Texas
Liberty is a city in and the county seat of Liberty County, Texas, United States and a part of the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 8,033 at the 2000 census....
in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
. Judge and Mrs. Price Daniel
Price Daniel
Marion Price Daniel, Sr. , was a Democratic U.S. Senator and the 38th Governor of the state of Texas. He was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to be a member of the National Security Council, Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, and Assistant to the President for Federal-State...
donated 114 114 acres (46.1 ha) of land for the purpose of establishing a library on September 27, 1973. Construction began in the fall of 1975; by then $700,000 had been raised through private donations. The library opened on May 14, 1977.
Government and infrastructure
The Texas Department of Criminal JusticeTexas Department of Criminal Justice
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The TDCJ is responsible for statewide criminal justice for adult offenders, including managing offenders in state prisons, state jails and private correctional facilities, funding and certain...
operates one women's prison and two women's state jails, all co-located with one another, in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
. The L.V. Hightower Unit
L.V. Hightower Unit
The L. V. Hightower Unit is a prison in Texas, United States, within the Texas Department of Corrections system. It is named for Lockhart V. Hightower, former sheriff and county clerk of Liberty County....
prison and the Dempsie Henley Unit
Dempsie Henley Unit
Dempsie Henley Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice state jail for women located in unincorporated Liberty County, Texas. It is located on Texas State Highway 321, north of Dayton. The facility, on an approximately plot of land, is co-located with the Hightower Prison Unit and the Plane...
and Lucille G. Plane Unit
Lucille G. Plane Unit
Lucile Plane State Jail is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice state jail for women located in unincorporated Liberty County, Texas. It is located on Texas State Highway 321, north of Dayton. The facility, on an approximately plot of land, is co-located with the Hightower Prison Unit and the...
jails are 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Dayton
Dayton, Texas
Dayton is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,242 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
. The Cleveland Unit
Cleveland Unit
The Cleveland Unit is a prison for men in Cleveland, Texas privately operated by the GEO Group on behalf of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice . The approximately facility is north of Downtown Cleveland. The TDCJ refers to the prison as the "Cleveland Unit," while GEO refers to it as the...
, a prison for men privately operated by the GEO Group, Inc. on behalf of the TDCJ, is in Cleveland
Cleveland, Texas
Cleveland is a city in Liberty County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,605 at the 2000 census.-History:In 1854, a church and convent was built by Father Peter La Cour near the town's present site...
.
Cleveland opened in September 1989. Hightower opened in March 1990. Henley and Plane opened in May 1995. As of 1995, after Henley opened, of all of the counties Liberty County had the fourth largest number of state prisons and jails, after Walker
Walker County, Texas
Walker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 67,861. Its county seat is Huntsville.Initially, Walker County was named for Robert J. Walker, a legislator from Mississippi who introduced into the United States Congress the resolution to annex Texas...
, Brazoria, and Coryell
Coryell County, Texas
Coryell County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 74,978. The county seat is Gatesville. Coryell County forms part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area...
counties.
Transportation
Two general aviationGeneral aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airports are located in unincorporated sections of the county.
- Liberty Municipal AirportLiberty Municipal AirportLiberty Municipal Airport is a public use airport in Liberty County, Texas, United States. It is owned by the City of Liberty and is located six nautical miles northeast of its central business district.-Facilities and aircraft:...
is located east of Liberty. - Cleveland Municipal AirportCleveland Municipal Airport (Texas)Cleveland Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport located 4 miles northeast of Cleveland, Texas, United States.The designated Area Control Center is Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center.-External links:* *...
is located east of Cleveland.
The Houston Airport System
Houston Airport System
Houston Airport System is a department of the City of Houston, Texas, United States that manages city airports. Its administrative offices are on the property of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It operates Bush, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport in Houston.The city of Houston...
stated that Liberty County is within the primary service area of George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
, an international airport in Houston in Harris County. In addition Liberty County is in proximity to Hobby Airport.
The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the planned Trans-Texas Corridor
Trans-Texas Corridor
The Trans-Texas Corridor was a transportation network that was discontinued in the planning and early construction stages in the U.S. State of Texas. The network, as originally envisioned, would have been composed of a network of supercorridors up to wide to carry parallel links of tollways,...
goes through Liberty County.
Emergency services
Outside of the city limits ambulance services are provided by Liberty County EMS, and City of Cleveland EMS. Fire protection is provided mostly through Volunteer Fire Departments, two of which in Liberty County are funded by Emergency Services Districts (ESD).Police services
The headquarters of the Liberty County Sheriff's Office is within the city of Liberty.Most incorporated areas operate their own police departments, including Cleveland, Dayton, Kenefick, Liberty
Liberty County operates the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, which serves unincorporated areas and supplements police forces of incorporated areas.
Liberty County also has a constable for each of its six precincts and deputies assigned to each.
Fire services
Incorporated cities of Cleveland and Liberty operate their own fire departments staffed by a combination of paid and volunteers. Both departments cover territory outside their respective city limits. Unincorporated areas have fire service through Volunteer Fire Departments.Fire departments serving unincorporated areas:
- Ames VFD 1 Station
- Big Thicket Lake Estates VFD 1 Station
- Cleveland VFD 2 Stations (Covering areas inside the City of Cleveland, and unincorporated Liberty County)
- Cypress Lakes VFD 1 Station
- Dayton VFD 2 Stations (Covering areas inside the City of Dayton, and unincorporated Liberty County)
- Devers VFD 1 Station
- Hardin VFD 1 Station
- Highway 321 VFD 1 Station
- Hull-Daisetta VFD 1 Station
- Kenefick VFD 1 Station
- Liberty VFD 1 Station (Covering areas inside the City of Dayton, and unincorporated Liberty County)
- Moss Bluff VFD 1 Station
- North Liberty County VFD 1 Station
- Plum Grove VFD 1 Station (Covering areas inside the City of Plum Grove, and unincorporated Liberty County)
- Raywood VFD 1 Station
- Tarkington VFD 2 Stations
- Westlake VFD 1 Station
- Woodpecker VFD 1 Station
Emergency Medical services
EMS services inside the City of Cleveland are provided by the City of Cleveland EMS, who also provides EMS service to Northwest Liberty County and is made up by area that Cleveland VFD, Plum Grove VFD, and Tarkington VFD each serve.EMS services inside the City of Liberty are provided by the City of Liberty Fire & EMS.
EMS services for the areas not covered by the above mentioned agencies is provided by Liberty County EMS.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Liberty County, Texas
External links
- Liberty County government's website
- Liberty County in Handbook of Texas Online from The University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
- I-Dineout-- Liberal Twist, Local news Mainly focuses on south Liberty County.
- Liberty Dispatch-- Conservative Twist, Local news Mainly focuses on politics in Liberty County Texas.
- Cleveland Advocate Cleveland Area Newspaper, covers north east Liberty County.
- Liberty County, TXGenWeb Focuses on genealogical research of Liberty County.