MATAGORDA COUNTY

County offices
1700 7th Street
Bay City 979-244-7680
www.co.matagorda.tx.us

Chamber of Commerce
Matagorda 979-429-3712
https://matagordachamber.com

Lifestyle
Matagorda County has secluded, extensive forests, wetlands, prairie and coastal regions. The gulf coast floodplain has several conditions conducive to a variety of ecosystems and recreational activities evident by the highest count of migrating birds in the United States. Fishing (on & offshore), hunting and scuba diving are large parts of the recreation industry due to the Colorado river, the forests and Matagorda bay. As well as having the Rio Colorado Golf Course and a birdwatching park on the Colorado River near the State Highway 35 bridge, there are a significant number of wildlife preserves around the county, a portion of which is land bought for that purpose by the two major petrochemical refineries and nuclear plant in the county. Matagorda County has been one of the top places in the nation for the North American Audubon Christmas Bird Count with 234 different species spotted.

The most popular activity in Matagorda is visiting the beach. Matagorda is a fishing hot spot on the Texas coast. It provides access to both East and West Matagorda Bays, Matagorda Beach, and the Gulf of Mexico. Matagorda is known as one of the best kayaking and kayak fishing destinations on the Texas coast due to miles of shallow marsh area only accessible by kayak. There are miles of designated paddling trails in the Matagorda area as well. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with a nice comfortable pace of life.

Economy
Rice is grown extensively in Matagorda County, as well as St. Augustine and other turf grass. In addition to offshore oil rigs and natural gas extraction facilities all over the county, two petrochemical processing plants and the South Texas Project nuclear power plant operate within the county.

Matagorda County is served by the Matagorda Regional Medical Center, and the mission-aligned Matagorda Medical Group.

Bay City is served by the Bay City Independent School District, consisting of elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high schools (including Bay City High School).  Palacios and neighboring areas are served by the Palacios Independent School District.

Bay City
City Offices
Bay City 979-245-5311
www.cityofbaycity.org

Bay City, the county seat of Matagorda County, is an incorporated city at the junction of State Highways 35 and 60, in the north central portion of the county ninety miles southwest of Houston. The community is named for its location on Bay Prairie, between the richly productive bottomlands of the Colorado River and Caney Creek. It was established in 1894 and is home to more than 19,000 residents.  Bay City is home to the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, a 35-acre expanse of gardens and wildlife along the Colorado River of Texas. Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum, Market Days every 3rd Saturday, and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown that offer residents and visitors alike a great place to explore. In addition, the Bay City Community Theatre group regularly produces shows at various local venues.

Downtown Bay City is a great place to experience our southern hospitality and charm.  The traditional small town square that surrounds the County Courthouse, offers unique retail shops with choices from western wear and local products to boutique items and gourmet coffee.  The square is also a center for local events and activities and a place for residents to gather and celebrate.

Palacios
City Hall
Palacios 361-972-3605
http://cityofpalacios.org

Palacios is in Matagorda County, along the Tres Palacios Bay, an inland bay of Matagorda Bay, on the central coast of Texas. Houston is approximately 110 miles to the northeast and Corpus Christi is approximately 110 miles to the southwest. The city is home to more than 5,000 residents. With a port that is home to close to 400 vessels, Palacios is the third-largest shrimping port on the Texas Gulf Coast, and has proclaimed itself to be the “Shrimp Capital of Texas”. The most common industries are educational services, agriculture/fishing, and construction. The area has also long been a major center for energy production, and the county is positioning itself as an “energy cluster” for both conventional and alternative “green” power generation. Residents and visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the Tres Palacios and Matagorda Bays, surrounding wetlands and Tres Palacios River for outdoor recreation such as kayaking, sailing and sport fishing. Palacios offers its residents a unique opportunity to enjoy a quieter pace of life in an area that offers unlimited natural coastal beauty and recreation.

Unincorporated Areas
Blessing, Markham, Matagorda, Van Vleck, Allenhurst, Buckeye, Caney, Cedar Lake

Many Bay City area residents choose to live in one of the nearby, smaller communities. Places like the Van Vleck area has benefitted greatly from commercial development just minutes away on highway 35 that have included several new restaurants, banks, hotels, and large national retail chains.  The centers of Van Vleck and many of these areas have undergone slow but gradual improvements to offer their residents shopping and dining closer to home.  For regular and urgent medical care, area residents rely on the nearby Sweeney Community Hospital and its multiple growing clinics. Residents also use the Matagorda regional medical center in Bay City. These communities offer residents the ability to live outside of the nearby small cities and enjoy a quieter pace of life. Excitement, entertainment and more are just a short drive away.

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