According to Countryaah, Angelina County is located in the Piney Woods region of eastern Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Houston and 140 miles south of Dallas. It is bordered by Nacogdoches County to the north, San Augustine County to the east, Polk County to the south, Trinity and Houston Counties to the west, and Cherokee County to the northwest.
The county encompasses 1,077 square miles of rolling hills and scenic river valleys that are home to a variety of wildlife. The county is also filled with lush forests full of pine trees and other hardwoods that provide a beautiful backdrop for outdoor activities like camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, and canoeing along its many rivers and streams.
Angelina County has two major cities: Lufkin in the north and Diboll in the south. In addition to its two cities, Angelina also has several smaller towns including Hudson in the northwest corner of the county; Burke near its eastern border; Huntington on its southern border; Zavalla near its western border; Etoile in its central region; Broaddus in its southeast corner; Centralia near its northern border; and Redland near Diboll.
The Angelina River runs through Angelina County from east to west before eventually emptying into Sam Rayburn Reservoir on Lake Sam Rayburn near Jasper. This reservoir provides ample opportunities for fishing and boating activities as well as plenty of places for swimming or just relaxing on its shorelines.
Demographics of Angelina County, Texas
Angelina County, Texas is home to approximately 86,000 people. The majority of the population identifies as white (71.1%), followed by African American (19.2%), Hispanic or Latino (9.5%), and Asian (3.5%). The median age in Angelina County is 35 years old, and the median household income is $41,839.
About 11% of the population lives below the poverty line, and unemployment in Angelina County stands at 4%. The largest industries in the county are educational services, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, retail trade, and manufacturing.
Angelina County has a lower than average population of immigrants; only about 4% of residents are foreign-born compared to a national average of 13%. Additionally, about 84% of residents speak only English at home while 16% speak a language other than English. The most common languages spoken in Angelina County other than English are Spanish (14%) and Vietnamese (1%).
Angelina County is served by several public school districts including Diboll Independent School District, Huntington Independent School District, Hudson Independent School District, Central Independent School District, Chireno Independent School District and Zavalla Independent School District. Additionally there are three private schools – St Cyprian’s Episcopal School in Lufkin; Pineywoods Community Academy in Lufkin; and All Saints Academy in Diboll – as well as two higher education institutions: Angelina College in Lufkin; and Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches.
Places of Interest in Angelina County, Texas
Angelina County, Texas offers a variety of places of interest for visitors and locals alike. For those who enjoy outdoor recreation, the Angelina National Forest is a great option. The forest covers over 160,000 acres and features activities such as camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can also explore the area’s numerous rivers and lakes including Sam Rayburn Reservoir on Lake Sam Rayburn near Jasper.
Another popular destination in Angelina County is the Museum of East Texas in Lufkin. This museum showcases the history and culture of East Texas through a variety of exhibits including artifacts from the area’s Native American tribes as well as photographs and other memorabilia from early settlers. The museum also features an interactive children’s exhibit with hands-on activities to teach kids about local history.
For those looking for an educational experience, Angelina College in Lufkin offers classes in a variety of subjects including business administration, nursing, culinary arts, liberal arts, engineering technology and more. Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches is another great option for higher education in Angelina County.
Nature lovers can explore the Ellen Trout Zoo which is home to over 500 animals from all around the world. The zoo also features interactive experiences such as animal encounters with giraffes and zebras as well as educational programs about conservation efforts around the world.
For some entertainment, visitors can take in a show at Lufkin’s historic Pines Theater or catch a movie at Cinemark Hollywood USA Movie Theater in Lufkin Mall. Music fans can also check out some live performances at venues like The Music Box or The Backyard Bar & Grill both located downtown Lufkin.
Notable People of Angelina County, Texas
Angelina County, Texas has produced a number of notable people who have made their mark in various fields. One of the most famous is country music star George Strait, who was born and raised in nearby Pearsall. Strait has sold over 70 million records and is known as “The King of Country Music” and the “King of Texas Music”. Another famous singer from Angelina County is pop star Selena Gomez who grew up in Grand Saline.
In the literary world, Angelina County is home to acclaimed novelist Cormac McCarthy whose works include All the Pretty Horses, No Country for Old Men, and The Road. Another well-known author from the area is Pulitzer Prize winner Larry McMurtry whose books include Lonesome Dove and Terms of Endearment.
In politics, Angelina County has produced several notable figures including former Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr., U.S Representative Charles Wilson, and current U.S Senator Ted Cruz who was born in Calgary but grew up in Houston.
In addition to these prominent figures, Angelina County has also been home to a number of athletes including baseball player Joe Niekro who pitched for the Houston Astros for 11 years; football player Robert Brazile who played for the Houston Oilers; basketball player John Lucas II who played for seven NBA teams during his career; and track athlete Michael Johnson who won four gold medals at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
The list of notable people from Angelina County goes on with countless others making their mark in various fields including business, science, entertainment, education and more. With such a diverse pool of talent to draw from it’s no wonder why this small East Texas county has made such an impact on our world today.