According to TIMEDICTIONARY.COM, Rockport is a small city located on the Texas Gulf Coast at the mouth of Aransas Bay. It is known for its warm, humid climate and its easy access to both the Gulf of Mexico and Corpus Christi Bay. The city has a population of approximately 8,000 people, with over 60% identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Geographically, Rockport is situated on flat coastal plains, covered in a mix of grassland and shrubbery. It has an average elevation of just over 10 feet above sea level. The climate in Rockport is mild to warm year round, with temperatures typically ranging from 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit in summer months and 45-70 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months.
Rockport’s history dates back to the mid 1800s when it was founded as a fishing village by settlers from Europe. Since then it has grown into a thriving port town with a strong economy centered around fishing and tourism. The city has also become known as an artist’s colony due to its numerous galleries that feature works from local artists.
Politically, Rockport is part of Aransas County which is represented in the Texas Legislature by State Senator Charles Perry and State Representative Todd Hunter. In terms of federal representation, Rockport falls within District 27 which is represented by Congressman Michael Cloud in Congress.
The economy in Rockport centers around fishing and tourism industries which provide employment for many residents throughout the year. There are also several large companies that have chosen to locate their operations in the area including Exxon Mobil Corporation and Citgo Petroleum Corporation.
Schools in Rockport are served by three school districts: Aransas Pass Independent School District, Ingleside Independent School District, and Gregory-Portland Independent School District (GPISD). GPISD serves most students living within city limits with two elementary schools (Grades PreK-5), one middle school (Grades 6-8), one high school (Grades 9-12) as well as alternative education programs such as dual language immersion schools for Spanish speaking students and special education programs for those with disabilities or special needs.
Rockport is home to many landmarks that help define its culture such as Fulton Mansion State Historic Site which was built in 1877; Goose Island State Park which offers miles of trails through coastal marshes; several museums including the Texas Maritime Museum; numerous parks; art galleries; restaurants; nightlife options; shopping centers; marinas; boat ramps; beaches; campgrounds; RV parks; golf courses and more!
Population: 7,385. Estimated population in July 2020: 9,041 (+22.4% change)
Males: 3,556 (48.2%), Females: 3,829 (51.8%)
Aransas County
Zip codes: 78382.
Median resident age: 45.9 years
Median household income: $32,741
Median house value: $103,600
Races in Rockport:
- White Non-Hispanic (74.0%)
- Hispanic (19.5%)
- Other race (3.4%)
- Vietnamese (2.9%)
- Two or more races (2.5%)
- Black (1.3%)
- American Indian (1.2%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: German (14.1%), English (12.1%), Irish (12.0%), United States (5.9%), French (5.1%), Scotch-Irish (3.4%).
Land area: 9.4 square miles
Population
For population 25 years and over in Rockport
- High school or higher: 80.5%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.5%
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.6%
- Unemployed: 6.3%
- Mean travel time to work: 19.7 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Rockport city
- Never married: 18.6%
- Now married: 53.4%
- Separated: 3.6%
- Widowed: 11.0%
- Divorced: 13.4%
5.5% Foreign born (2.9% Asia, 1.4% Latin America, 0.7% Europe).
Population change in the 1990s: +1,145 (+18.3%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Rockport:
- NORTH BAY HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; ARANSAS PASS, TX)
- REFUGIO COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 25 miles; REFUGIO, TX)
- IHS HOSPITAL AT CORPUS CHRISTI (about 31 miles; CORPUS CHRISTI, TX)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Rockport:
- CORPUS CHRISTI INTL (about 37 miles; CORPUS CHRISTI, TX; Abbreviation: CRP)
- VICTORIA REGIONAL (about 58 miles; VICTORIA, TX; Abbreviation: VCT)
- VALLEY INTL (about 132 miles; HARLINGEN, TX; Abbreviation: HRL)
Other public-use airports nearest to Rockport:
- ARANSAS CO (about 4 miles; ROCKPORT, TX; Abbreviation: RKP)
- T P MC CAMPBELL (about 15 miles; INGLESIDE, TX; Abbreviation: T43)
- MUSTANG BEACH (about 17 miles; PORT ARANSAS, TX; Abbreviation: 2R8)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Rockport:
- DEL MAR COLLEGE (about 31 miles; CORPUS CHRISTI, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,454)
- TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI (about 31 miles; Corpus Christi, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,282)
- VICTORIA COLLEGE (about 54 miles; VICTORIA, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,511)
- COASTAL BEND COLLEGE (about 56 miles; BEEVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,150)
- TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLE (about 68 miles; KINGSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,860)
- WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE (about 110 miles; WHARTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 3,124)
- TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE-HARLINGEN (about 133 miles; HARLINGEN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,167)
Schools
Public high school in Rockport:
- ROCKPORT-FULTON H S (Students: 1,010; Location: 1700 OMOHUNDRO ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Rockport:
- ROCKPORT-FULTON MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 816; Location: 1700 OMOHUNDRO ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
- LIVEOAK 1-3 LEARNING CENTER (Students: 679; Location: 1700 OMOHUNDRO ST; Grades: 01 – 03)
- FULTON 4-5 LEARNING CENTER (Students: 528; Location: 1700 OMOHUNDRO ST; Grades: 04 – 05)
- LITTLE BAY PRIMARY SCHOOL (Students: 310; Location: 1700 OMOHUNDRO ST; Grades: PK – KG)
Private primary/middle school in Rockport:
- SACRED HEART SCHOOL (Students: 162; Location: 111 N CHURCH ST; Grades: PK – 6)
Libraries
Library in Rockport:
- ARANSAS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $103,439; Location: 701 E MIMOSA ST; 43,397 books; 424 audio materials; 716 video materials; 57 serial subscriptions)