Texas

Refugio

6,741
2020 population
1850
first census record
18
census records

About Refugio

Refugio, Texas, first appears in the United States federal census in 1850, when it recorded a population of 288. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 6,741.

Its recorded population peaked at 10,975 in 1960, and has since declined by roughly 39 percent.

On the ground today, 4 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Refugio (1836), Battle of Refugio Texas 1836, Battle of Refugio, and 5 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20206,741
20107,383
20007,828
19907,976
19809,289
19709,494
196010,975
195010,113
194010,383
19307,691
19204,050
19102,814
19001,641
18901,239
18801,585
18702,324
18601,600
1850288
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Refugio

Military engagements that took place in Refugio, Texas.

Battle of Refugio (1836)
1836
Battle of Refugio Texas 1836
1836
Battle of Refugio
1836
Great Comanche Raid — Victoria and Linnville
1840

Historic places in Refugio

National Register of Historic Places listings in Refugio, Texas.

Refugio County Courthouse
Refugio
Wood, John Howland, House
Bayside
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Everything a full report reveals about Refugio County, Texas

This page charts the census history of Refugio County, Texas. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Refugio

When does Refugio first appear in the US census?
Refugio, Texas first appears in the federal census in 1850, with a recorded population of 288.
What is the population of Refugio?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Refugio had a recorded population of 6,741.
When did Refugio's population peak?
Refugio's recorded population peaked at 10,975 in 1960.
Were any battles fought in Refugio?
4 documented military engagements took place in Refugio, including Battle of Refugio (1836), Battle of Refugio Texas 1836, Battle of Refugio.
How many historic places are in Refugio?
5 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Refugio, Texas.
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