Salty Facts

Get Beachy Keen on Port A

Port A Climate & Demographics

Port Aransas is the only established town on Mustang Island and inhabits 5 miles of the 18 mile long barrier island. Mustang Island is located north of Padre Island, the longest barrier island in the world and south of San Jose Island, renowned for its shelling. Running parallel to the mainland, barrier islands protect the coast from the full force of powerful storm waves. Surrounding waters include the Corpus Christi Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the Lydia Ann Ship Channel and the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Scattered about are several small islands that contribute to our reputation for great fishing, shelling, birding and nature adventures.

Port Aransas: 3,480 (2010 Census) Registered Voters: 2,926 (2014)

Quick Weather Facts
Annual Average Temperature: 71.5°
Annual Average Rainfall: 31.92 inches
Prevailing Wind: Southeasterly
Average Elevation: 5-6 feet above sea level
Average Monthly Temperatures
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
56.2° 58.8° 63.6° 70.5° 77.6° 82.4° 83.8° 84.1° 81.8° 75.4° 66.4° 58.9°

Public Facilities

Bill Ellis Memorial Public Library:
On the east side of the City Hall Complex; 27,215 volumes including audio books and videos; subscriptions to 80 periodicals; 51 Texshare – online subscriptions. Hours: Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
The Port Aransas Computer Club
Located at 430 N. Alister, offers free Internet to locals and visitors as well as use of a scanner, printer, memory card reader or digital cameras, CD and DVD burner and game night for the kids.  For more information, call 361-749-4011.
Port Aransas Independent School District
Total Enrollment: 526
Port Aransas High School: 162
Brundrett Middle School: 137
H.G. Olsen Elementary School: 227
The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
International research facility, graduate program for marine science, serving as a center for the study of Texas’ bays, the Gulf of Mexico, and the world’s oceans.
I B Magee Beach Park
I B Magee Beach Park – Located on the northern most point of Mustang Island in Port Aransas on the ship channel and consists of 167 acres. IB Magee Beach Park is open all year. There are 75 campsites with water and electric hookups and a dump station. Primitive camping is permitted on the beach. The camper’s bathhouse is available to campers using W/E sites and there is a fresh water rinse shower located next to the park office. There is a beach bathhouse with coin operated showers that is open to the general public. A first-aid station is located in the park office.
Mustang Island State Park
12 miles south of Port Aransas on SH 361 — 361-749-5246
State park fees apply.

Taxes & Government

Real Property Rate/$100 Assessment Ratio Net Assessed
City .275666 100% $1,857,260,637
County .446641 100% Farm to Market Road Nueces County Hospital District $32,281,001,075
School 1.125550 100% $2,197,649,461
Water District .00 100% $2,204,356,067

Hotel/Motel Tax

13% Collected

  • 7% to City of Port Aransas
  • 6% to State of Texas (2% returned to City for beach maintenance)

Sales Tax

8.25% Collected

  • 1.5% to City of Port Aransas
  • 1.0% to General Fund
  • 0.5% to Recreational & Development Corporation
  • 0.5% to Regional Transit Authority
  • 6.25% to the State

Emergency Services

Police Department:
Twenty-three employees including officers, dispatchers and
Fire Department:
Twenty-two volunteer firefighters with seven trucks staff
Emergency Preparedness:
Be ready for a natural disaster
Emergency Medical Service:
Five paramedics and five emergency medical technicians (Hospitals in Aransas Pass, 20 minutes and Corpus Christi, 30 minutes)

City Resources

Natural Gas:
City of Port Aransas Gas Division – 361-749-4111
Telephone:
CenturyLink of Port Aransas Inc.
800-201-4099

Water & Sewer: Nueces County Water Control & Improvement District No.4 – 361-749-5201

Maximum daily capacity of 5.4 million gallons and a 1.9 million gallons daily average. Overhead storage, 650,000 gallons; ground storage, 3.04 million gallons. Wastewater treatment capacity 1.38 million gallons per average day.

Waste Disposal: Privately contracted through the city with commercial hauling through Republic Services. Residential curbside recycling. Residents may utilize the city collection station located at 1430 Ross Ave.