Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas occupies the northern tip of Mustang Island on the Texas Gulf Coast, a barrier-island town in Nueces County about 18 miles east of Corpus Christi and reached by ferry across the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. It is long established as a beach and sportfishing destination, with Gulf beaches, jetties, and access to the surrounding bays. The island lies along a major migratory bird flyway, drawing birders to its wetlands and dunes, and the University of Texas maintains a marine science institute in the town.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 3,773
- Change from 2020 base
- +30.1%
- Land area
- 8.9 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Nueces County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Property here runs through the appraisal district and tax office for Nueces County. The homestead exemption, appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level.
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
Local character
Start with Port Aransas itself
A few landmarks, stories, and everyday places that help give Port Aransas its shape.
Island Nature
Port Aransas Keeps Four Nature Sites Under One Preserve Idea
The Port Aransas Nature Preserve system ties Charlie's Pasture, Paradise Pond, Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, and Wetland Park together.
Nature Preserve
Charlie's Pasture Turns Port Aransas Wetlands into a Walk
Charlie's Pasture has north and south preserve access, including a south trail with boardwalk, decomposed granite, and a wetland observation tower.
Birding
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center Connects Boardwalk to Marsh
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center links a boardwalk with the Charlie's Pasture south trail through salt marsh and grassland prairie habitat.
Then zoom out to Nueces County
County History
Nueces County was formed in 1846 and named for the river on its northern edge
Nueces County was formed from San Patricio County in 1846, one year after Texas became a state, and takes its name from the Nueces River.
Property Tax Basics
Two different offices handle your property tax
The appraisal district sets your property value; the tax office sends the bill and collects the money, and in Nueces County they are two separate offices in Corpus Christi.
County Seat
Corpus Christi is the county seat and largest city in Nueces County
Corpus Christi has served as the Nueces County seat since the county was organized in 1846 and is home to the Port of Corpus Christi, one of the largest ports in Texas.
Nearby
Places near Port Aransas
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Port Aransas
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