According to Ethnicityology, Shiner is a small city located in Lavaca County, Texas. It has a population of 2,069 and covers an area of 1.3 square miles. Geographically, the terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills in the south and east. The climate is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).
The history of Shiner dates back to 1887 when it was founded by Oscar B. Shiner on land that had once been part of the Comanche Indian Reservation. The town quickly became a hub for ranching, farming, and trade in the area. In 1902, a post office was established and the town was incorporated in 1914.
Shiner operates under a mayor-council form of government and is led by Mayor Roberta Koncaba who was elected in 2017. The city council consists of five members who are elected at-large to serve two-year terms. The city also has an Economic Development Corporation which works to attract new businesses to the area and promote economic growth.
Shiner is part of the Shiner Independent School District which includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school as well as several private schools in the area. There are also several higher education institutions within driving distance including Victoria College and University of Houston-Victoria campus in Victoria, Texas; Blinn College in Brenham; Texas A&M University in College Station; and St. Edward’s University in Austin.
Some popular landmarks include: Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church (built 1906); Old City Hall (built 1924); Historic Downtown Square (established 1887); Shiner Gaslight Theatre (built 1930); Shiner Beer Brewery (established 1909); First United Methodist Church (built 1887); Hillside Park; Lavaca County Courthouse (built 1898). Additionally, there are several museums such as the Shiner Historical Museum which displays artifacts from local history as well as items from around the world; and the Lavaca County Historical Museum which displays artifacts from early settlers to present day residents.
Population: 2,070. Estimated population in July 2020: 2,019 (-2.5% change)
Males: 926 (44.7%), Females: 1,144 (55.3%)
Lavaca County
Zip code: 77984
Median resident age: 44.7 years
Median household income: $28,205
Median house value: $49,600
Races in Shiner:
- White Non-Hispanic (82.2%)
- Black (10.9%)
- Hispanic (6.1%)
- Other race (1.9%)
- Two or more races (1.3%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: Czech (30.4%), German (20.0%), United States (7.0%), English (6.3%), Irish (3.9%), Scotch-Irish (2.9%).
Elevation: 368 feet
Land area: 2.4 square miles
Population
Shiner, Texas is a small city located in Lavaca County. It has a population of just over 2,000 people according to the 2019 U.S. Census estimates. The majority of the population is of German descent and the city is home to many descendants of the original German settlers who arrived in the late 19th century. The median age for Shiner residents is 42 years old and there are more females than males living in Shiner. About one-third of Shiner residents are under 18 years old, while nearly half are between the ages of 18 and 44 years old. The city also has a high number of senior citizens with more than 20% being 65 or older.
The economy in Shiner is largely driven by agriculture and manufacturing, with many local businesses providing employment opportunities for residents. There is also a large tourism industry that brings visitors to enjoy local attractions such as Spolight Theatre, Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church, and Kreische Brewery State Historic Site. Most Shiner residents commute to nearby cities such as Cuero, Yoakum, and Hallettsville for work and shopping opportunities due to limited job opportunities within the city limits itself. Education wise, there are two schools located within Shiner: Shiner High School and Sts Peter & Paul Catholic School which provide quality education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade level.
For population 25 years and over in Shiner
- High school or higher: 72.6%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.0%
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7%
- Unemployed: 0.3%
- Mean travel time to work: 19.6 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Shiner city
- Never married: 17.9%
- Now married: 55.9%
- Separated: 0.8%
- Widowed: 15.2%
- Divorced: 10.2%
0.3% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: -4 (-0.2%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Shiner:
- YOAKUM COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 13 miles; YOAKUM, TX)
- GONZALES WARM SPRINGS REHAB HOSPITAL (about 21 miles; GONZALES, TX)
- MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 21 miles; GONZALES, TX)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Shiner:
- VICTORIA REGIONAL (about 44 miles; VICTORIA, TX; Abbreviation: VCT)
- AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL (about 62 miles; AUSTIN, TX; Abbreviation: AUS)
- SAN ANTONIO INTL (about 90 miles; SAN ANTONIO, TX; Abbreviation: SAT)
Other public-use airports nearest to Shiner:
- YOAKUM MUNI (about 10 miles; YOAKUM, TX; Abbreviation: T85)
- HALLETTSVILLE MUNI (about 16 miles; HALLETTSVILLE, TX; Abbreviation: 34R)
- GONZALES MUNI (about 21 miles; GONZALES, TX; Abbreviation: T20)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Shiner:
- VICTORIA COLLEGE (about 45 miles; VICTORIA, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,511)
- SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 62 miles; SAN MARCOS, TX; Full-time enrollment: 18,822)
- SAINT EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY (about 70 miles; AUSTIN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,870)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (about 71 miles; AUSTIN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 46,503)
- AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 73 miles; AUSTIN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 12,819)
- BLINN COLLEGE (about 75 miles; BRENHAM, TX; Full-time enrollment: 8,448)
- WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE (about 76 miles; WHARTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 3,124)
Schools
Public high school in Shiner:
- SHINER H S (Students: 243; Location: 216 W 13TH ST; Grades: 07 – 12)
Private high school in Shiner:
- ST PAUL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 65; Location: P O BOX 725; Grades: 9 – 12)
Public primary/middle school in Shiner:
- SHINER EL (Students: 276; Location: 216 W 13TH ST; Grades: PK – 06)
Private primary/middle school in Shiner:
- ST LUDMILA ELEMENTARY (Students: 195; Location: PO BOX 725 424 ST LUDMILA; Grades: PK – 8)
Libraries
Library in Shiner:
- SHINER PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $53,862; Location: 115 E WOLTERS 2ND ST; 9,925 books; 233 audio materials; 701 video materials; 55 serial subscriptions)