View source for Bexar County, Texas

{{Short description|County in Texas, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Coord|29.45|-98.52|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-TX_source:UScensus1990}}{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Bexar County
 | state                = Texas
 | type                 = [[County (United States)|County]]
 | flag                 = Flag of Bexar County, Texas.svg
 | seal                 = Coat of arms of Bexar County, Texas.svg
 | founded year         = 1836
 | founded date         = December 20
 | seat wl              = San Antonio
 | largest city wl      = San Antonio
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1256
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1240
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 16
 | area percentage      = 1.3%
 | census yr           = 2020
 | pop                 = 2009324
 | pop_est_as_of       = 2024
 | population_est      = 2127737 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | ex image             = Bexar County Courthouse 2015.jpg
 | ex image size        = 250
 | ex image cap         = The [[Bexar County Courthouse]] in San Antonio
 | web                  = www.bexar.org/
 | time zone            = Central
 | district             = 20th
 | district2            = 21st
 | district3            = 23rd
 | district4            = 28th
 | district5            = 35th
 | named for            = [[Presidio San Antonio de Béxar]]
}}

'''Bexar County''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ɛər}} {{respell|BAIR}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|eɪ|ər|audio=En-us-Bexar, Texas.ogg}} {{respell|BAY|ər}}; {{langx|es|Béxar}} {{IPA|es|ˈbexaɾ|}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bexar.org/1320/Bexar-County-History|title=Bexar County History {{!}} Bexar County, TX - Official Website|website=www.bexar.org|language=en|access-date=July 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Borta |first1=Karen |title=Welcome To Texas: Unusual Pronunciation |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/welcome-to-texas-unusual-pronunciation/ |website=CBS DFW |publisher=[[KTVT]] |access-date=July 4, 2019 |language=en |date=July 24, 2015}}</ref> is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. It is in [[South Texas]] and its [[county seat]] is [[San Antonio]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 2,009,324, making it the state's fourth-most populous county.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bexar County, Texas|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bexarcountytexas/PST120221|access-date=January 31, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How much do you know about your county? |url=https://explorer.naco.org/ |access-date=August 29, 2023 |website=County Explorer |language=en}}</ref>  Bexar County is included in the San Antonio–[[New Braunfels, Texas|New Braunfels]], TX [[Greater San Antonio|metropolitan statistical area]]. It is the [[List of the most populous counties in the United States|16th-most populous county in the nation]] and the fourth-most populated in Texas. Bexar County has a large Hispanic population with a significant growing African American population.<ref name="expressnews.com">{{Cite web|last1=O'Hare |first1=By Peggy |date=August 13, 2021|title=Latinos, Blacks Show Strong Growth in San Antonio as White Population Declines|work=San Antonio Express-News |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Latinos-Black-communities-grow-in-San-Antonio-16385595.php}}</ref> With a population that is 59.3% Hispanic as of 2020, it is Texas' [[List of Majority-Hispanic or Latino Counties in the U.S.|most populous majority-Hispanic county]] and the third-largest such nationwide.<ref name="2020Hispanic">{{cite web |title=P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=P2%3A%20HISPANIC%20OR%20LATINO,%20AND%20NOT%20HISPANIC%20OR%20LATINO%20BY%20RACE&g=0100000US%240500000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2&hidePreview=true |website=2020 Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918210419/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=P2:%20HISPANIC%20OR%20LATINO,%20AND%20NOT%20HISPANIC%20OR%20LATINO%20BY%20RACE&g=0100000US$0500000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2&hidePreview=true |archive-date=September 18, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
Bexar County was created on December 20, 1836, and encompassed almost the entire western portion of the [[Republic of Texas]]. This included the disputed areas of eastern New Mexico northward to Wyoming. After statehood, 128 counties were carved out of its area.

The county was named for San Antonio de Béxar, one of the 23 Mexican municipalities (administrative divisions) of Texas at the time of its independence. San Antonio de Béxar—originally ''Villa de San Fernando de Béxar''—was the first civil government established by the Spanish in the [[Spanish Texas|province of Texas]]. Specifically, the municipality was created in 1731 when 55 [[Canary Islands|Canary Islanders]] settled near the system of [[Mission (Christian)|missions]] that had been established around the source of the [[San Antonio River]]. The new settlement was named after the ''[[Presidio San Antonio de Bexar|Presidio]]'' San Antonio de Béjar, the Spanish military outpost that protected the missions. The presidio, located at the [[San Pedro Springs]], was founded in 1718 and named for [[Baltasar de Zúñiga, 1st Duke of Arión|Viceroy Balthasar Manuel de Zúñiga y Guzmán Sotomayor y Sarmiento]], second son of the Duke of [[Béjar]] (a town in Spain). The modern city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas also derived its name from San Antonio de Béjar.

==Native Americans and the Texas-Indian Wars==
Natives that lived in the county included the [[Lipan Apache]], [[Payaya]], [[Tonkawa]], [[Comanche]], [[Shawnee]], and [[Lenape]] Indians. From the early 1700s to the late 1800s, the county was a target of several raids and attacks by Native Americans, mainly Comanches and [[Kiowa|Kiowas]]. In 1831, a presidial company exterminated a band of Comanches in the western part of the county.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} UTA Libraries |url=https://library.uta.edu/captcha/ |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=library.uta.edu}}</ref>In 1840, Comanches and Texans fought at the [[Council House Fight]] in what was supposed to be a peaceful meeting. On March 5, 1856, six Comanches attacked and killed two settlers on [[Cibolo Creek]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} UTA Libraries |url=https://library.uta.edu/captcha/ |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=library.uta.edu}}</ref>In 1869, [[Kickapoo|Kickapoos]] stole horses and killed settlers in the county.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/amis/aspr-34/app4_files/sheet009.htm |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=www.nps.gov}}</ref> In 1870, Comanches killed Helotes settlers and stole horses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Helotes Small Town Research Project |url=https://pacweb.alamo.edu/InteractiveHistory/projects/rhines/StudentProjects/1998/Helotes/Helotes.htm |access-date=2025-08-24 |website=pacweb.alamo.edu}}</ref> Also, in 1871, Indians raided the Maverick Ranch in the northwestern part of the county.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Association |first=Texas State Historical |title=Maverick Ranch: A Historic Landmark in Bexar County |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/maverick-ranch |access-date=2025-08-24 |website=Texas State Historical Association |language=en}}</ref> The last Indian raid in the county occurred on July 9, 1873, when a raiding party of Indians and Mexicans killed settlers, including a well known Indian fighter, John Frank Green, in the northwestern part of the county, also relatively close to Helotes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cary |first=Michael |title=News No rest in peace |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/news/news-no-rest-in-peace-2274291 |access-date=2025-08-24 |website=San Antonio Current |language=en}}</ref> 

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1256|sqmi}}, of which {{cvt|16|sqmi}} (1.3%) are covered by water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web |url= http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_48.txt |publisher= United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 19, 2015 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> Bexar County is in south-central Texas, about {{convert|190|mi|km}} west of [[Houston]] and {{cvt|140|miles}} from both the [[US-Mexican border]] to the southwest and the [[Gulf of Mexico]] to the southeast.

The [[Balcones Fault|Balcones Escarpment]] bisects the county from west to northeast; to the north of the escarpment are the rocky hills, springs and canyons of the [[Texas Hill Country]]. South of the escarpment are [[Texas blackland prairies|Blackland Prairie]] and the South Texas plains. The [[San Antonio River]] rises from springs north of [[Downtown San Antonio]], and flows southward and southeastward through the county.

===Major highways===
Bexar County has a comprehensive "wagon wheel" highway system, with radial highways and beltways that encircle Downtown San Antonio, allowing for simplified countywide highway access, much like the highway around Houston or Dallas. San Antonio is unique, however, in that unlike Houston or Dallas, none of these highways are currently tolled.

[[File:Highway281South.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Highway 281 South, San Antonio, Bexar County]]

{{div col}}
* [[File:I-10 (TX).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 10 in Texas|Interstate 10]]
* [[File:I-35 (TX).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 35 in Texas|Interstate 35]]
* [[File:I-37 (TX).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 37]]
* [[File:I-410 (TX).svg|25px]] [[Interstate 410]]
* [[File:US 87.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 87 in Texas|U.S. Route 87]]
* [[File:US 90.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 90 in Texas|U.S. Route 90]]
* [[File:US 181.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 181]]
* [[File:US 281.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 281 in Texas|U.S. Route 281]]
* [[File:Texas 16.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway 16|State Highway 16]]
* [[File:Texas Loop 1604.svg|20px]] [[Texas State Highway Loop 1604|State Highway Loop 1604]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Kendall County, Texas|Kendall County]] (north)
* [[Comal County, Texas|Comal County]] (northeast)
* [[Guadalupe County, Texas|Guadalupe County]] (east)
* [[Wilson County, Texas|Wilson County]] (southeast)
* [[Atascosa County, Texas|Atascosa County]] (south)
* [[Medina County, Texas|Medina County]] (west)
* [[Bandera County, Texas|Bandera County]] (northwest)

===National protected area===
* [[San Antonio Missions National Historical Park]]

===State parkland===
* [[Government Canyon State Natural Area]]

==Communities==
===Cities===
====Multiple counties====
* [[Cibolo, Texas|Cibolo]] (mostly in [[Guadalupe County, Texas|Guadalupe County]])
* [[Elmendorf, Texas|Elmendorf]] (small part in [[Wilson County, Texas|Wilson County]])
* [[Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas|Fair Oaks Ranch]] (partly in [[Kendall County, Texas|Kendall]] and [[Comal County, Texas|Comal]] counties)
* [[Lytle, Texas|Lytle]] (mostly in [[Atascosa County, Texas|Atascosa County]] and a small part in [[Medina County, Texas|Medina County]])
* [[San Antonio]] (county seat) (small parts in [[Comal County, Texas|Comal]] and [[Medina County, Texas|Medina]] counties)
* [[Schertz, Texas|Schertz]] (partly in [[Guadalupe County, Texas|Guadalupe]] and [[Comal County, Texas|Comal]] counties)
* [[Selma, Texas|Selma]] (partly in [[Guadalupe County, Texas|Guadalupe]] and [[Comal County, Texas|Comal]] counties)
* [[Universal City, Texas|Universal City]] (small part in [[Guadalupe County, Texas|Guadalupe County]])

====Enclave cities====
{{div col}}
* [[Alamo Heights, Texas|Alamo Heights]]
* [[Balcones Heights, Texas|Balcones Heights]]
* [[Castle Hills, Texas|Castle Hills]]
* [[Hill Country Village, Texas|Hill Country Village]]
* [[Kirby, Texas|Kirby]]
* [[Leon Valley, Texas|Leon Valley]]
* [[Olmos Park, Texas|Olmos Park]]
* [[Shavano Park, Texas|Shavano Park]]
* [[Terrell Hills, Texas|Terrell Hills]]
{{div col end}}

====Bexar County only====
{{div col}}
* [[Converse, Texas|Converse]]
* [[Grey Forest, Texas|Grey Forest]]
* [[Helotes, Texas|Helotes]]
* [[Live Oak, Texas|Live Oak]]
* [[Sandy Oaks, Texas|Sandy Oaks]]
* [[Somerset, Texas|Somerset]]
* [[Von Ormy, Texas|Von Ormy]]
* [[Windcrest, Texas|Windcrest]]
{{div col end}}

===Towns===
* [[China Grove, Texas|China Grove]]
* [[Hollywood Park, Texas|Hollywood Park]]
* [[St. Hedwig, Texas|St. Hedwig]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Cross Mountain, Texas|Cross Mountain]]
* [[Lackland Air Force Base#Demographics|Lackland Air Force Base]]
* [[Macdona, Texas|Macdona]]
* [[Randolph Air Force Base, Texas|Randolph Air Force Base]]
* [[Scenic Oaks, Texas|Scenic Oaks]]
* [[Timberwood Park, Texas|Timberwood Park]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Adkins, Texas|Adkins]]
* [[Atascosa, Texas|Atascosa]]
* [[Bexar, Texas|Bexar]]
* [[Boldtville, Texas|Boldtville]]
* [[Buena Vista, Bexar County, Texas|Buena Vista]]
* [[Cassin, Texas|Cassin]]
* [[Leon Springs, Texas|Leon Springs]]
* [[Losoya, Texas|Losoya]]
* [[Martinez, Texas|Martinez]]
* [[Sayers, Texas|Sayers]]
* [[Southton, Texas|Southton]]
* [[Thelma, Texas|Thelma]]
{{div col end}}

===Former communities===
* [[Cottage Hill, Texas|Cottage Hill]]
* [[Fratt, Texas|Fratt]]
* [[Stone Oak, Texas|Stone Oak]]
* [[Wetmore, Texas|Wetmore]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1850 = 6052
| 1860 = 14454
| 1870 = 16043
| 1880 = 30470
| 1890 = 49266
| 1900 = 69422
| 1910 = 119676
| 1920 = 202096
| 1930 = 292533
| 1940 = 338176
| 1950 = 500460
| 1960 = 687151
| 1970 = 830460
| 1980 = 988800
| 1990 = 1185394
| 2000 = 1392931
| 2010 = 1714773
| 2020 = 2009324
| estyear = 2024
| estimate = 2127737
| estref = <ref>https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bexarcountytexas/PST045224 {{Bare URL inline|date=July 2025}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br />1850–2010<ref>{{cite web|url= http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/topics/ctypophistweb2010.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/topics/ctypophistweb2010.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010|publisher=Texas Almanac|access-date=April 19, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bexar County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US48029|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable"style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Bexar County, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br /><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas: 1990, Part 1 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-45-1.pdf |access-date=July 15, 2024}}</ref>
!Pop 2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas: 2000 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2002/dec/phc-1-45.pdf |access-date=July 15, 2024}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bexar County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US48029&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bexar County, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US48029&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 1990
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|496,149
|496,245
|519,123
|style='background: #ffffe6; |535,732
|41.86%
|35.63%
|30.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |26.66%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|81,356
|95,984
|118,460
|style='background: #ffffe6; |147,875
|6.86%
|6.89%
|6.91%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7.36%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|2,506
|3,499
|3,809
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,554
|0.21%
|0.25%
|0.22%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|13,832
|21,369
|39,561
|style='background: #ffffe6; |65,127
|1.17%
|1.53%
|2.31%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.25%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|N/A
|947
|1,806
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,726
|N/A
|0.07%
|0.05%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.14%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|2,371
|1,500
|2,881
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8,218
|0.20%
|0.11%
|0.17%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.41%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|N/A
|16,354
|22,175
|style='background: #ffffe6; |54,044
|N/A
|1.17%
|1.29%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.69%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|589,180
|757,033
|1,006,958
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,190,958
|49.70%
|54.35%
|58.72%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |59.27%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''1,185,394'''
|'''1,392,931'''
|'''1,714,773'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''2,009,324'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

[[File:USA Bexar County, Texas age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|Bexar county [[population pyramid]]]]
As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 United States census]], there were 1,714,773 people living in the county. Of those, 72.9% were [[White American|White]], 7.5% [[African American|Black or African American]], 2.4% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.8% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islands American|Pacific Islander]], 12.7% of some other race and 3.5% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. 58.7% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race).
[[File:Ethnic Origins in Bexar County, TX.png|thumb|Ethnic origins in Bexar County]]
As of the census<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website  }}</ref> of 2000, 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families were residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|1117|PD/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of {{convert|418|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial]] makeup of the county was 68.86% White, 7.18% Black or African American, 0.80% Native American, 1.61% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 17.80% from other races, and 3.64% from two or more races. About 54.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of 488,942 households, 36.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.50% were married couples living together, 15.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were not families. About 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.33.

A [[Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy|Williams Institute]] analysis of [[2010 United States Census|2010 census data]] found there were about 6.2 [[Same-sex relationship|same-sex couples]] per 1,000 households in the county.<ref name=newyorktimes>{{citation |title=Where Same-Sex Couples Live|date=June 26, 2015|access-date=July 6, 2015|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/upshot/supreme-court-gay-marriage-ruling-where-same-sex-couples-live.html?_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0|newspaper=The New York Times|last1=Leonhardt|first1=David|last2=Quealy|first2=Kevin}}</ref>

In the county, the population was distributed as 28.50% under the age of 18, 10.70% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 19.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median income for a household was $38,328, and for a family was $43,724. Males had a median income of $30,756 versus $24,920 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,363. About 12.70% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

== Government ==
Bexar County is governed by a [[Commissioners' court|Commissioners Court]], composed of four Commissioners and one County Judge, who acts as the presiding officer. The Commissioners represent their respective precincts, which are roughly equal in population and geographic area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commissioners Court {{!}} Bexar County, TX - Official Website |url=https://www.bexar.org/146/Commissioners-Court |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=www.bexar.org}}</ref> On July 12, 2011, the Commissioners Court established the Office of the County Manager to streamline "the functions, offices and departments that report to Commissioners Court."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the County Manager {{!}} Bexar County, TX - Official Website |url=https://www.bexar.org/449/County-Manager |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=www.bexar.org}}</ref>

==Corrections==
The Bexar County jail facilities are at 200 North Comal in downtown [[San Antonio]], operated by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (Javier Salazar, Sheriff).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bexar.org/bcsheriff/location.htm|title= BCSO Location and Driving Directions|publisher= Bexar County|access-date= September 14, 2008}}</ref> In late 2012, press reports noted an increase in the number of suicides at the facility. The issue was a topic of debate in the election for sheriff that year. The jail holds an average of about 3,800 prisoners in 2012, with a total capacity of 4,596, making it the fourth-largest in the state.<ref>Why have jail suicides soared under Sheriff Ortiz's watch?, by Michael Barajas, SA Current, October 17, 2012</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tcjs.state.tx.us/docs/AbbreRptCurrent.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.tcjs.state.tx.us/docs/AbbreRptCurrent.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Texas Commission on Jail Standards - Abbreviated Population Report for 3/1/2018}}</ref>

The [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]] operates the [[Dominguez Unit]], a state jail for men, in an unincorporated section of Bexar County.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/bx.htm|title= Dominguez (BX)|publisher= [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]|access-date= September 14, 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080821230603/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/bx.htm|archive-date= August 21, 2008|df= mdy-all}}</ref>

==Education==
School districts in the county include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48029_bexar/DC20SD_C48029.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48029_bexar/DC20SD_C48029.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bexar County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=June 26, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48029_bexar/DC20SD_C48029_SD2MS.txt Text district list]</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Alamo Heights Independent School District]]
* [[Boerne Independent School District]]
* [[Comal Independent School District]]
* [[East Central Independent School District]]
* [[Edgewood Independent School District (Bexar County, Texas)|Edgewood Independent School District]]
* [[Floresville Independent School District]]
* [[Fort Sam Houston Independent School District]]
* [[Harlandale Independent School District]]
* [[Judson Independent School District]]
* [[Lackland Independent School District]]
* [[Medina Valley Independent School District]]
* [[North East Independent School District]]
* [[Northside Independent School District]]
* [[Randolph Field Independent School District]]
* [[San Antonio Independent School District]]
* [[Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District]]
* [[Somerset Independent School District]]
* [[South San Antonio Independent School District]]
* [[Southside Independent School District]]
* [[Southwest Independent School District]]
{{div col end}}

All of the county is in the service area of [[Alamo Community College]].<ref>[https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.162. ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.].</ref>

===Libraries===
{{expand section|date=February 2025}}
Library systems include:
* [[San Antonio Public Library]]

On September 14, 2013, Bexar County opened [[BiblioTech (San Antonio)|BiblioTech – Bexar County's Digital Library]], the nation's first bookless library.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us |website=bexarbibliotech.org|url=https://bexarbibliotech.org/about-us}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/business/technology/headlines/20140103-nation-s-first-bookless-library-opens-in-san-antonio.ece |title=Nation's first bookless library opens in San Antonio |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]]|date=January 3, 2014}}</ref>

==Property taxes==

In 2016, for the third consecutive year, Bexar County increased the appraised value of businesses and residences. Most will hence find their [[property tax]]es will increase for the year, with higher payments for some beginning as early as November 1. The latest 7.5 percent increase in valuation follows an 11 percent rise in 2015, and a 7 percent jump in 2014. The 2016 total value for all property in the county is approximately $163 billion, or $13 billion more than in 2015. County residents express dismay to Mary Kieke, the deputy chief appraiser. "People are very upset. The tax system is absolutely broken," she said.<ref>Bruce Selcraig, "Property valuations jump again: Most homeowners' taxes also could rise", ''[[San Antonio Express-News]]'', April 29, 2016, pp. 1, A12</ref>

==Military installations==
* [[Brooks City-Base]] (decommissioned)
* [[Camp Bullis]]
* [[Fort Sam Houston]]
* [[Kelly Air Force Base]] (decommissioned)
* [[Lackland Air Force Base]]
* [[Randolph Air Force Base]]
* [[San Antonio Military Medical Center]]

== Notable people ==
<!-- Note:
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· The article must mention how they are associated with Bexar County, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
-->
* [[Carol Burnett]], comedian and actress, was born and grew up in San Antonio
* [[Joan Crawford]], actress, was born in San Antonio
*[[Christopher Cross]] (born Christopher Charles Geppert), Grammy-winning, Oscar-winning, chart-topping pop music artist of the early 80s
* [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], 34th President of the United States; stationed at [[Fort Sam Houston]] in 1916<ref>{{Cite book|first=Stephen|last=Ambrose|title=Eisenhower: (vol. 1) Soldier, General of the Army, President-Elect (1893–1952)|location=New York|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|year=1983|page=56}}</ref>
* [[Al Freeman, Jr.]], was born in San Antonio; he became an actor, known for [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] soap opera ''[[One Life to Live]]'', and ''[[Malcolm X (1992 film)|Malcolm X]]''
* [[Rick Galindo]], Republican member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]] from District 117 in Bexar County
* [[Mina (Japanese singer)|Mina Myoui]], singer in South Korean group Twice
* [[Cyndi Taylor Krier]], first woman and first Republican to be elected to the [[Texas Senate]] from Bexar County (1985–1993), and first woman and first Republican to be appointed as a Bexar County administrative judge (1993 to 2001)
* [[James Robertson Nowlin]], United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas; one of the first two Republicans since Reconstruction to represent Bexar County in the Texas House of Representatives
* [[Ciro D. Rodriguez]], member of Congress, previously 28th District, Texas, now 23rd District, Texas
* [[Michelle Rodriguez]], actress, [[James Cameron]]'s ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]''
* [[Robert Rodríguez]], director of ''[[Spy Kids (film)|Spy Kids]]'', ''[[Desperado (film)|Desperado]]'', and ''[[Sin City (film)|Sin City]]''
* [[Joe Sage]], one of the first two Republicans since Reconstruction, with James Robertson Nowlin, to represent Bexar County in the Texas House of Representatives
* [[Alan Schoolcraft]], former Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives
* [[Percy Sutton]], former [[Manhattan Borough President]], and civil rights attorney; clients included [[Malcolm X]], and the owner of the [[Apollo Theater]] in [[Harlem]] and several radio stations
* [[Carlos I. Uresti]], member of the Texas Senate from the 19th District
* [[Kevin Patrick Yeary]], judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, effective 2015; assistant district attorney for Bexar County, 1998–2014

{{further|Notables of San Antonio, Texas}}

==Climate==
{|
|-
|{{climate chart
|  Bexar County
| 6| 20| 55
| 8| 22| 55
| 8| 26| 51
| 16| 29| 52
| 20| 34| 176
| 24| 35| 72
| 24| 34| 84
| 24| 36| 37
| 22| 32| 133
| 17| 29| 63
| 12| 23| 81
| 6| 19| 25
|float=left
|clear=left
|source = <ref name = "nasa">{{Cite web|url= http://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/dataset_index.php|title= NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index|access-date= January 30, 2016|publisher= NASA|archive-date= May 11, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200511075542/https://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/dataset_index.php|url-status= dead}}</ref>
}}
|}

==Politics==
As an urban county, Bexar County has voted for [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidates in most presidential elections. From 1932 to 2012 it was a nationwide bellwether, supporting the winner in every election except 1968. Former Governor of Texas [[George W. Bush]] remains the last Republican to carry the county in presidential elections.

Democrats perform well within the [[Interstate 410|Connally Loop]], which contains heavily Hispanic neighborhoods on the south and west sides of San Antonio, and African Americans on the east side. In recent years, Democrats have made inroads on the Northwest Side toward the [[University of Texas at San Antonio]], and the Northeast Side toward Kirby. Republicans' strength is concentrated around the military bases plus wealthier enclaves such as Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and the far northern section of the county.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/politics/article/Interactive-How-Bexar-County-voted-in-the-2016-10606312.php|title=Interactive: How Bexar County voted in the 2016 presidential election|last=Tedesco|first=John|date=November 10, 2016|work=San Antonio Express News}}</ref>
{{PresHead|place=Bexar County, Texas|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=July 19, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,021|4,864|2,534|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|5,483|7,008|223|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|8,894|6,926|1,226|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|9,898|10,838|3,963|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|16,477|16,626|57|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|7,466|37,765|363|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|12,951|35,781|250|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|18,270|38,214|212|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|23,588|35,024|1,815|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|26,202|35,970|4,107|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|65,391|50,260|485|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|65,901|46,790|640|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|63,934|75,373|938|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|53,469|108,658|393|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|72,951|95,325|16,598|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|137,572|91,662|959|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|121,176|146,581|3,673|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|159,578|137,729|11,167|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|203,319|136,947|560|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|193,192|174,036|2,521|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|168,816|172,513|73,947|Texas}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|161,619|180,308|20,562|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|215,613|185,158|11,955|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|260,698|210,976|3,640|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|246,275|275,527|5,690|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|241,617|264,856|8,237|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|240,333|319,550|34,691|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|308,618|448,452|13,501|Texas}}
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|337,545|411,389|11,529|Texas}}
{{PresFoot}}
{{U.S. SenHead|place=Bexar County, Texas|Seat=1|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Texas by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/texas-senate-results}}</ref>}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. SenRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Democratic|303,262|422,903|34,298|Texas}}
{{U.S. SenFoot}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Texas}}
* [[List of museums in Central Texas]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas]]
* [[Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Bexar County]]

== References ==
;Specific
{{reflist}}

;General
* Stephens, A. Ray, and William M. Holmes, ''Historical Atlas of Texas.'' University of Oklahoma Press, 1989. {{ISBN|0-8061-2307-9}}

==External links==
* [http://www.bexar.org/ Bexar County government]
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=hcb07|name=Bexar County}}
* [http://texasalmanac.com/topics/government/bexar-county Bexar County] from the [[Texas Almanac]]
* [http://txbexar.eppygen.org/ Bexar County] from the TXGenWeb Project
* [https://www.bexar.org/749/Adult-Detention-Center-Facility Bexar County Jail Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119112940/https://www.bexar.org/749/Adult-Detention-Center-Facility |date=January 19, 2021 }}
* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/search/?q=%22United+States+-+Texas+-+Bexar+County%22&t=dc.coverage Historic Bexar County materials], hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History.]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Bexar County, Texas
|North = [[Kendall County, Texas|Kendall County]] and [[Comal County, Texas|Comal County]]
|Northeast = [[Guadalupe County, Texas|Guadalupe County]]
|East = 
|Southeast = [[Wilson County, Texas|Wilson County]]
|South = [[Atascosa County, Texas|Atascosa County]]
|Southwest = 
|West = [[Medina County, Texas|Medina County]]
|Northwest = [[Bandera County, Texas|Bandera County]]
}}

{{Bexar County, Texas}}
{{Greater San Antonio}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas counties}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bexar County, Texas| ]]
[[Category:Texas counties]]
[[Category:1836 establishments in the Republic of Texas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1836]]
[[Category:Greater San Antonio]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in Texas]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American culture in Texas]]
[[Category:Texas Hill Country]]