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South Padre Island, Texas
Location of South Padre Island, Texas
Coordinates: 26°6′43″N 97°10′11″W / 26.11194, -97.16972
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Cameron
Area
- Total	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
- Land	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
- Water	0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Elevation	7 ft (2 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	2,422
- Density	1,335.9/sq mi (515.8/km²)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	78597
Area code(s)	956
FIPS code	48-69140GR2
GNIS feature ID	1376223GR3

South Padre Island is a resort community in Cameron County, Texas, United States ^[1] As of the 2000 census, the town had an official population of 2,422, although this significantly underestimates its size since many people split their time between vacation properties on South Padre and permanent residences elsewhere in the Rio Grande Valley. The town is located on South Padre Island, a barrier island along the Texas Gulf coast. South Padre Island is named after José Nicolás Ballí (Padre Ballí), a Catholic priest and settler. ^[2]

In 1967, Hurricane Beulah caused extensive damage to much of the town of South Padre Island. ^{[3] [4]}

Subsequent to rebuilding, the island became a popular spring break destination for college students and other tourists. Many multistory resort hotels and condominiums have been erected along the coastline to the Gulf of Mexico. The second Schlitterbahn water park (Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark) opened in South Padre Island in 2001. ^[5]

Contents 1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Education 4 Radio stations 5 Gallery 6 References 7 External links

South Padre Island is located at 26°6′43″N, 97°10′11″W (26.111935, -97.169587)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²). 4.7 km² (1.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (4.23%) is water.

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,422 people, 1,211 households, and 662 families residing in the town. The population density was 516.7/km² (1,335.9/mi²). There were 4,685 housing units at an average density of 999.4/km² (2,584.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.59% White, 0.70% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. 22.83% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,211 households out of which 15.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.54.

In the town the population was spread out with 12.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 34.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 113.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,417, and the median income for a family was $53,250. Males had a median income of $39,250 versus $30,028 for females. The per capita income for the town was $31,708. About 10.2% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Every summer and spring break, tourists flock to the island and greatly increase its population, Most are Texans, but many come from neighboring Mexico, particularly from the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León. South Padre Island is especially popular with residents of Monterrey Mexico.

During the winter, many "Winter Texans" from the north and midwest live on the sandy barrier island and in nearby Port Isabel. These seasonal residents most of the time reside in trailer and mobile home parks and in older wooden homes on raised platforms (to accommodate tidal surges).

Children living in South Padre Island are zoned to schools in Port Isabel Independent School District. Children go to Garriga Elementary School (Grades K-2), Derry Elementary School, (3-5), Port Isabel Junior High School (6-8), and Port Isabel High School (9-12). All of the schools are in Port Isabel. ^[6]

In addition, South Padre Island residents may apply to schools in the South Texas Independent School District. ^[7]

• KFRQ 94.5FM - Official Site
• KKPS 99.5FM - Official Site
• KNVO 101.1FM - Official Site
• KVLY 107.9FM - Official Site

A west-facing view from the Holiday Inn SunSpree in South Padre Island.	A street in SPI with residences and condominiums.	A person taking an early morning walk on the Gulf side of the island.	This walkway provides access to the beach from a condo.
People who come to South Padre Island enjoy the beaches in a variety of ways.

1. ^ Handbook of Texas Online article for South Padre Island Accessed May 17, 2007.
2. ^ Handbook of Texas Online biography of José Nicolás Ballí Accessed May 16, 2007.
3. ^ Handbook of Texas Online article on hurricanes in Texas Accessed May 16, 2007.
4. ^ Padre Island's history with tropical systems Accessed May 17, 2007.
5. ^ Background information on Schlitterbahn developments in Texas Accessed May 16, 2007.
6. ^ Port Isabel ISD Accessed May 16, 2007.
7. ^ South Texas Independent School District Accessed May 16, 2007.

• Town of South Padre Island
• Official Tourism Website for South Padre Island

• South Padre Island, Texas is at coordinates 26°06′43″N 97°10′11″W / 26.111935, -97.169587Coordinates: 26°06′43″N 97°10′11″W / 26.111935, -97.169587

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Cameron County, Texas
County seat: Brownsville
Cities	Brownsville • Harlingen • Los Fresnos • Palm Valley • Port Isabel • Rio Hondo • San Benito
Towns	Bayview • Combes • Indian Lake • Laguna Vista • Los Indios • Primera • Rancho Viejo • Santa Rosa • South Padre Island
Villages	Rangerville
Unincorporated communities	Arroyo Alto • Arroyo Colorado Estates • Arroyo Gardens-La Tina Ranch • Bixby • Bluetown-Iglesia Antigua • Cameron Park • Chula Vista-Orason • Del Mar Heights • El Camino Angosto • Encantada-Ranchito El Calaboz • Grand Acres • Green Valley Farms • La Feria North • La Paloma • Lago • Laguna Heights • Las Palmas-Juarez • Lasana • Laureles • Lozano • Olmito • Ratamosa • Reid Hope King • San Pedro • Santa Maria • Solis • South Point • Tierra Bonita • Villa del Sol • Villa Pancho • Yznaga