Trinity County

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 714 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 20 sq mi (52 km2) (2.9%) are covered by water.

Adjacent counties

Angelina County (northeast)

Polk County (southeast)

San Jacinto County (south)

Walker County (southwest)

Houston County (northwest)

National protected area

Davy Crockett National Forest (part)

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,602. The median age was 50.6 years, with 19.3% of residents under the age of 18 and 27.3% of residents 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.4 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 79.6% White, 8.0% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.1% from some other race, and 7.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 9.7% of the population.

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 5,847 households in the county, of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.4% were married-couple households, 20.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 8,173 housing units, of which 28.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.6% were owner-occupied and 20.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.2%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 13,779 people, 5,723 households, and 4,000 families resided in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). The 8,141 housing units had an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.75% White, 11.92% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 2.67% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. About 4.85% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 5,723 households, 25.7% had children under 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were not families. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the county, the age distribution was 22.9% under 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,070 and for a family was $32,304. Males had a median income of $27,518 versus $21,696 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,472. About 13.20% of families and 17.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.80% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

These school districts serve Trinity County:

Apple Springs Independent School District

Groveton Independent School District

Trinity Independent School District

Centerville Independent School District

A small portion of Kennard ISD, located in neighboring Houston County, goes into Trinity County. The county is in the service area of Angelina College.

Transportation

Major highways

U.S. Highway 287

State Highway 19

State Highway 94

Railroads

Union Pacific operates a freight line running north–south through Trinity County.

Communities

Cities

Groveton (county seat)

Trinity

Census-designated place

Westwood Shores

Ghost towns

Friendship

Saron

Sumpter