Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce

We have so much to offer here in Port Lavaca, Texas. This coastal town is just bursting at the seams to grow. We have all you need here. Our small town is just the right size to raise your family here or start one. Our schools are top notch and our sports program at Calhoun High School is one in the best. Our real estate is growing daily. We have new business every month.

The industry here in Calhoun County is always on the move; with more than 7 industry sites, we are a blue collar town. Off- land things are always on the jump. The fishing, shrimping and oystering industry is over flowing. We are also the proud owner of a Port which provides a great deal of movement in Port Lavaca. The agriculture here is also sprouting up. Our farmers are the best in growing crops which consist of maze, corn, rice, soybeans, sesame seeds, cotton, wheat and more, the earth is rich. Here at the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce, we invite you to come and join us in “Paradise!”

 

Here are some links to find out a little more about us.

Local Information
http://www.zillow.com/local-info/TX-Port-Lavaca/r_36963/

Climate
http://www.wunderground.com/US/TX/Port_Lavaca.html?MR=1

Real Estate
http://www.homes.com/Real_Estate/TX/City/PORT%20LAVACA/

Cost of living, Races, housing, medical, ect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Lavaca,_Texas

Agriculture
CALHOUN COUNTY: Calhoun County is located on the Gulf Coast between Houston and Corpus Christi. Approximately one-fourth of the county’s 540-square-mile area is under water. Calhoun County is bordered by Victoria and Jackson counties on the north, Matagorda Island and the Gulf on the south, Refugio County on the west, and Matagorda County on the east. The approximate center of the county is at 33°40′ north latitude and 95°06′ west longitude, five miles southwest of Port Lavaca, the county seat. The altitude of this Coastal Prairie county ranges from sea level to fifty feet. The terrain is flat, poorly to moderately well drained, and surfaced with loams underlain by cracking, clayey subsoil’s, including deep black soils and sandy clay. Matagorda Island, on the southern fringe of the county, is chiefly deep shell sand. The climate is mild, the rainfall averages about forty inches annually, and the growing season lasts 305 days a year. The flora includes tall grasses and live oaks with cordgrasses and sedges along the coast, and the animal life includes quail, deer, doves, cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, armadillos, skunks, opossums, raccoons, and a few coyotes. Between 21 and 30 percent of the land is considered prime farmland. The county is drained by the Guadalupe River, Chocolate Bayou, and several creeks. Green Lake, a large natural lake, is in Calhoun County. Major incorporated communities include Point Comfort, Port Lavaca, and Seadrift. The county is served by the Union Pacific railroad, as well as by U.S. Highway 87 and State highways 35 and 185.

 

Surveyors

* Civil Corp (361) 570-7500

 

Electric Companies

* CPL (866) 322-5563
* Reliant Energy (866) 222-7100
* TXU (866) 585-4895
* Victoria Electric (361) 573-2428

 

Water Companies

* GBRA (361) 552-9751
* Port Lavaca, City of (361) 552-9793

 

Gas Companies

* Centerpoint Energy (800) 427-7142

 

Telephone Companies

* Cable One (361) 552-9621
* Verizon Wireless (800) 485-5000

 

Cable/ Satellite

* Direct TV (800) 650-5736
* Dish Network (866) 271-3005
* Cable One (361) 552-9621

 

High Speed Internet

* Cable One (361) 552-9621

 

Termite Inspectors

* Buddy Dowell (361) 552-5436

 

Contractors

* Lester Construction (361) 552-3024
* MJM Construction (361) 220-2302

 

Insurance Agents

* American General Life & Accident Ins. Co., Armando (361) 573-6511
* Amerigroup Community Care, Roslyn Murphy (361) 575-9000
* Calhoun County Farm Bureau, Ellen Miller (361) 552-3793
* Farm Bureau Insurance, Mike Johnson (361) 552-3793
* Farmers Insurance, Kench Connally (361) 552-0701
* GSM Insurors, Carolee Smith (361) 552-6773
* State Farm Insurance, Bob Bonar (361) 552-4689
* Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, David T. Weber-In-House Counsel (512) 899-4929

 

Location of Port Lavaca, Texas

Coordinates: 28°36′56″N 96°37′47″W / 28.61556°N 96.62972°W / 28.61556; -96.62972Coordinates: 28°36′56″N 96°37′47″W / 28.61556°N 96.62972°
W / 28.61556; -96.62972
Country United States
State Texas
County Calhoun
Area
- Total 13.6 sq mi (35.3 km2)
- Land 9.8 sq mi (25.3 km2)
- Water 3.9 sq mi (10.0 km2)
Elevation 16 ft (5 m)
Population (2000)
- Total 12,035
- Density 1,229.9/sq mi (474.9/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 77979
Area code(s) 361
FIPS code 48-58916[1]
GNIS feature ID 1365595[2]

Port Lavaca is a city in Calhoun County, Texas, United States. The population was 12,035 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Calhoun County. It is a part of the Victoria, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

 

Geography

The city of Port Lavaca is located on Lavaca Bay, the western extension of Matagorda Bay. Port Lavaca is located at 28°36′56″N 96°37′47″ W / 28.61556°N 96.62972°W / 28.61556; -96.62972 (28.615635, -96.629741).[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35.3 km²), of which, 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²) of it is land and 3.8 square miles (10.0 km²) of it (28.23%) is water.

Climate

Port Lavaca holds the state record of the highest wind speed ever reached. During Hurricane Carla in September of 1961, the winds were recorded to gust up to 170 mph.

Demographics

2000 Census data
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 12,035 people, 4,189 households, and 3,133 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,229.9 people per square mile (474.6/km²). There were 4,791 housing units at an average density of 489.6/sq mi (188.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.95% White, 4.05% African American, 0.47% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 16.92% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52.11% of the population. 38.5% of the white population are of Moravian (German/Czech) origin.

There were 4,189 households out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 100.0% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city the population was 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $33,626, and the median income for a family was $38,250. Males had a median income of $35,526 versus $18,427 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,431. About 16.8% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

An important economic hub is the Port of Port Lavaca. The city is also centrally located between several large manufacturing facilities including Alcoa, Formosa Plastics, and DuPont where many Port Lavaca residents work. Fishing is also an important part of the local economy, particularly shrimp and oysters. Tourism makes up a small portion of the Port Lavaca economy as well. “Winter Texans” from colder states and Canada stay in the city’s many RV and Camping parks between October and April.

Education

Port Lavaca is served by the Calhoun County Independent School District. Port Lavaca is served by two Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade elementary schools: H.J.M Elementary School and Jackson/Roosevelt Elementary School. All residents are zoned to Travis Middle School (grades 6 through and Calhoun High School (9 through 12). Hope High School is another high school, mainly for students with special needs. Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic school, pre-K through grade 8,[5] has also served the county since 1996.

Victoria College has an extension campus at the former Harrison Elementary School campus. Most of the courses offered there are through distance learning and “ITV” television learning from the VC main campus.

 

Transportation

Calhoun County Airport, a general aviation airport, is located in unincorporated Calhoun County northwest of Port Lavaca.

 

Entertainment and Recreation

Port Lavaca is regionally known for its large number of eateries for a city of its size. Local Tex-Mex style restaurants are particularly popular among locals. These feature a South Texas style of Mexican influenced food, heavy on cheese and a brown chili gravy. Seafood is also to be found in some degree at virtually all local restaurants.

In 2006, two new fishing piers with light for night fishermen were constructed in Port Lavaca and one at the 6 Mile Park. This pier is located at the eastern end of Main St. in the vicinity of the Nautical Landings Marina. The second pier, Lighthouse Pier, is located on Hwy 35 at Lavaca Bay. The 6 Mile pier (and boat ramp) is located northwest on FM 1090 about six miles from the intersection of Hwy 35 and FM 1090 (Virginia St.) Common game fish caught in the area include Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Drum.

Lighthouse Beach at the intersection of Hwy 35 and Lavaca Bay has covered picnic tables, swimming, and a bird watching trail.