City of Rockport

City of Rockport Municipal Water Report Info

Rockport was incorporated by Special Act of the Texas Legislature with its Charter granted on May 29, 1871, serving as the county seat for Aransas County—one of Texas' smallest counties. Located on the western Gulf of Mexico coast, it's separated from the Gulf by barrier islands forming the intracoastal waterway.

This charming fishing community has attracted affluent Texans since the 1800s. Named for the rocky ledge beneath its shoreline, Rockport was established after the Civil War as a cattle processing and shipping port. By the 1880s, boat building and fishing emerged as vital industries, while tourism flourished, especially after railway arrival in 1886. The shrimping industry developed between 1925-1930, becoming a key economic driver by the 1940s.

Today, visitors enjoy swimming, fishing, bird watching, wildlife sanctuaries, and numerous local attractions. Rockport is celebrated for its recreational opportunities and mild climate. The town has received numerous accolades, including ranking among America's Best Small Art Towns, top retirement destinations, and Gulfscapes Magazine's "2011 Readers Choice Best Gulf Coast Towns." Coastal Living featured Rockport as a coastal dream town, while Better Homes and Gardens highlighted the area for spring bird migration watching.

Popular attractions include the Texas Maritime Museum, Bay Education Center, Rockport Center for the Arts, Fulton Mansion, Aquarium at Rockport Harbor, Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Texas Department of Transportation demonstration gardens and wetland lakes—drawing both tourists and "Winter Texans" alike.