Atascosa (/ˌætəsˈkoʊsə/ AT-əs-KOH-sə) is an unincorporated community located in southwestern Bexar County, Texas, United States.[1] According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 300 in 2000. The community is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Atascosa, Texas | |
|---|---|
  Atascosa  Atascosa | |
| Coordinates: 29°16′01″N 98°43′55″W / 29.26694°N 98.73194°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Bexar |
| Area | |
| • Total | 41.97 sq mi (108.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 650 ft (200 m) |
| • Density | 208/sq mi (80/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 78002 |
| Area code(s) | 210 & 726 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1379369[1] |
History
editThe community's name means "boggy" in Spanish and was first settled sometime after the American Civil War. The Atascosa post office opened in 1872. In 1885, the community had a Baptist church, a general store, a saloon, two blacksmiths, and a population of 180. A coal mine and pottery were in operation by 1900. Atascosa then had a church, a lodge, and several stores that served 300 inhabitants in the mid-1930s. Its population remained steady throughout this period and had four businesses in the early 1990s. 47 businesses were in the community in 2000 and its population remained the same.[2]
Geography
editAtascosa is located 14 miles southwest of downtown San Antonio. It is located between Von Ormy and Lytle off I-35 and on Old Pearsall Road at Jarratt Road.[2]
Demographics
editAs of the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 8,735 people residing in this populated place. The racial makeup of this area is 63.66% White, 0.54% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, and 34.63% from other races. The Hispanic population is 7,167, which is 82.05% of the total Atascosa population.
Education
editAtascosa is included in the Southwest ISD. McNair Middle School and Elm Creek Elementary are located in Atascosa off Old Pearsall Road.[3] The high school serving Atascosa is San Antonio's Southwest High School. Before that time, Atascosa had schools in 1885 and the mid-1930s.[2]
Agriculture
editAccording to the National Agricultural Statistics Service 2007 census, there are more than 70 crop operations in Atascosa with three operations that are valued at more than $250,000 each. There are more than 125 animal operations in Atascosa. Many people in the area raise cattle, horses, goats, pigs, peacocks, and other poultry.[citation needed]
Utilities
editElectricity is provided to the area by CPS Energy. The water is supplied by the Atascosa Rural Water Supply, located off Jarratt Road and Pearsall.
Notable person
edit- Augustus McCloskey, a former U.S. Representative, who went to school in Atascosa.
References
edit- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Atascosa, Texas
- ^ a b c Atascosa, TX from the Handbook of Texas Online
- ^ "Southwest ISD (Archived copy)". Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.