The city of Corpus Christi has a population of some 270,000, with an ethnic breakdown of approximately 55% Hispanic, 37% white and 8% black. There are some 400,000 in the metro area.

The community formerly had a largely oil-based economy, with a number of working refineries. Although those refineries remain and indeed are expanding, that portion of the economy does not dominate as before. A large shipping port which moves literally hundreds of millions of tonnage annually (both oil and agricultural products), a major fishing industry and a huge tourism trade have become a triple-edged sword that is the area's bread and butter.

With literally miles and miles of Padre and Mustang Island beaches and recreational facilities, as well as the U-S-S Lexington On The Bay Museum, Las Carabellas (working Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria replica vessels built by the government of Spain in honor of the 300 anniversary of Columbus initial voyage to the New World). The Texas State Aquarium, two stock car racing facilities, the Greyhound Race Track, the nearby King Ranch and tremendous boating and fishing opportunities, Corpus Christi has grown into quite the tourist mecca... affectionately referred to as "The Texas Riviera."

A number of strip centers dot the marketplace, but two lure indoor malls and the massive Moore Plaza lure shoppers, who drive in from dozens of outlying areas.

The predominant religion is Catholic with a large Protestant base and a significant Jewish contingent.

A Mayor / City Council form of government exists in the city proper, while a County Judge/Commissioners format is used in Nueces County.

Transportation throughout the city is served well by the RTA - Regional Transportation Authority.

Corpus Christi enjoys a most tropical climate with moderate rainfall annually and almost continental southeasterly breezes that make for clean air. The water supply is supported by both Lake Corpus Christi and the Choke Canyon Reservoir.

Residents have their choice of three cable television systems (one of which is actually wireless), six commercial and one public television stations and more than twenty-five radio signals can be dialed in at any one time.