Mathis is a city in San Patricio County, Texas, United States. Its population was 4,333 at the 2020 census.
History
In 1887, when the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad was laying tracks across San Patricio County, Thomas H. Mathis received naming rights when he donated for a townsite and school. Mathis and his brother J. M. Mathis, held in the vicinity. The brothers had dropped out of the Coleman, Mathis, Fulton Cattle Company in 1879. Thomas Mathis owned an additional around Mathis and built a fence enclosing the town. As late as 1906, Mathis was enclosed and arriving and departing trains had to be let in and out.
Mathis' success was partially fueled by residents of Lagarto moving to be near the railroad. The Mathis post office opened in 1890, and the town's first school was held in a private residence in 1893. Two years later, a one-room school was built, and in 1913, a second railroad (the San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Pacific) arrived.
Cotton and corn crops were raised and ranching was an important part of the economy. During the 1930s, winter vegetable crops were grown and both railroads maintained shipping sheds. Mathis incorporated in 1939.
In the early 1950s, of land two miles (3 km) north of town were developed for vegetable crops—complete with irrigation and deep-water wells. Cotton, corn, and sorghum replaced vegetables in the 1960s.
In the 1930s, the Nueces River was dammed and Lake Mathis (since renamed Lake Corpus Christi) was formed. Construction of the Wesley Seale Dam in the late 1950s raised the level of the lake to where it became desirable for weekend homes.
In 1988, Mathis had a population of 5,910, which has since decreased to 5,034.
The game mode "Longshot" in Madden 18 and 19 is set primarily in Mathis.
Lake Corpus Christi (Lake Mathis)
Lake Corpus Christi is a reservoir on the Nueces River, lying northwest of Mathis. The lake is a recreational spot in South Texas offering swimming, skiing, boating, and fishing. Large areas of submerged brush in the upper reaches of this lake provide prime fish habitat. All fishing is good, but it is noted for its excellent catfish—channels, flatheads, and blues; the record is a flathead weighing . Also, the lake is noted for its white, black, and striped bass, sunfish, and crappie. The record largemouth bass weighed .
The area is a winter home for hundreds of winter Texans from all parts of the state and country, as well as Canada.
Around its more than of shoreline, numerous camps and parks provide campsites, boat ramps, fishing piers, and recreational vehicle and mobile home areas. A main attraction is Lake Corpus Christi State Park, whose surround a cove, protected from the prevailing southeasterly winds by high limestone cliffs, and provide a scenic view of the main body of the lake. Favorable climate offers opportunities for year-round activities.
History abounds in the area, with former battlegrounds now lush with farmland, brush, and grass for grazing cattle. The Nueces River at one time divided Texas from Mexico. It was a much-disputed boundary, and only after the Mexican War was the issue was settled, making the Rio Grande the official boundary. One of the more famous battles between the two countries was fought at Old San Patricio, founded by the Irish and located south of Mathis. The area, once inhabited by Karankawa and Lipan Apache Indians, became the site of several unsuccessful settlement attempts in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Geography
Mathis is located at (28.094098, –97.827323).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2020 census
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 2,666 || 61.5%
|-
| Black or African American || 66 || 1.5%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 28 || 0.6%
|-
| Asian || 4 || 0.1%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 1 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 637 || 14.7%
|-
| Two or more races || 931 || 21.5%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 3,881 || 89.6%
|}
As of the 2020 census, Mathis had a population of 4,333, with 1,499 households and 1,164 families.
The median age was 36.2 years, 28.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 16.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 92.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.0 males.
There were 1,499 households in Mathis, of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 33.8% were married-couple households, 20.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Its campuses include:
Mathis High School, Mathis High School for International Studies, Mathis Middle School, Mathis Intermediate, and Mathis Elementary School.
Del Mar College is the designated community college for all of San Patricio County.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Mathis has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.
Notable people
- Chris Layton, drummer
- Shane Nelson, former linebacker for the Buffalo Bills.
- Tammie Brown, drag queen