[2] San Patricio County is part of the Corpus Christi metropolitan statistical area.

In 1828, 200 Irish Catholic families, recruited from Ireland and the Irish population of New York City, contracted with the Mexican government to settle on 80 leagues of land in this area.

When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, the area was stabilized by the presence of U.S. troops under General Zachary Taylor.

In 1845, the county was formed (San Patricio is Spanish for Saint Patrick, the primary patron saint of the colonists' home country of Ireland), and Corpus Christi was designated as the county seat.

In 1848, additional counties were formed out of San Patricio, which further reduced its size.

Development of the county intensified during the early 20th century, as hundreds of farmers moved in from North Texas and other states.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 68,755 people, 23,422 households, and 16,838 families residing in the county.

The Commissioners' Court sets the county tax rate, adopts the budget, appoints boards and commissions, approves grants and personnel actions, and oversees the administration of county government.

[17] Despite being majority-minority San Patricio county leans overwhelmingly Republican.

Republicans appear to be increasing their Latino support from picking off specific segments: Men, rural Latinos, Rio Grande Valley, devout Catholics, Tejano and pro-life voters.