Geography
Aransas Pass is located at 27°54'7" North, 97°8'22" West (27.901917, -97.139462)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 134.3 km² (51.8 mi²). 27.8 km² (10.7 mi²) of it is land and 106.5 km² (41.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 79.29% water.
The city is connected to the segment of Padre Island known as Mustang Island (which contains the city of Port Aransas). The two cities are connected via an 11 mile-long causeway, and a fee-free ferry that carries vehicles to the island.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 8,138 people, 2,961 households, and 2,140 families residing in the city. The population density is 292.6/km² (758.1/mi²). There are 3,493 housing units at an average density of 125.6/km² (325.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 80.58% White, 3.44% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 11.28% from other races, and 3.47% from two or more races. 37.70% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,961 households out of which 34.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% are married couples living together, 13.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% are non-families. 23.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.70 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $27,376, and the median income for a family is $33,227. Males have a median income of $29,383 versus $17,969 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,964. 19.6% of the population and 18.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 23.5% are under the age of 18 and 10.9% are 65 or older.
The primary industries are shrimping and tourism; along with farming and oil & gas interests in the area. The shrimp boat fleet sails from Conn Brown Harbor: a large, protected harbor chiefly dedicated to the shrimping industry. The area is popular for salt-water sports fishing and beach-going.