Commerce, Texas
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This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
| Commerce, Texas | |
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| — City — | |
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| Coordinates: 33°14′42″N 95°54′0″W / 33.24500°N 95.90000°WCoordinates: 33°14′42″N 95°54′0″W / 33.24500°N 95.90000°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Hunt |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.5 sq mi (16.9 km2) |
| • Land | 6.5 sq mi (16.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 554 ft (169 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 7,669 |
| • Density | 1,183.3/sq mi (456.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 75428-75429 |
| Area code(s) | 903 |
| FIPS code | 48-16240[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1373171[2] |
Commerce is a city in Hunt County, Texas, United States, located in rural North Texas. The population was 9,250 at the 2010 census. The city is home to Texas A&M University–Commerce, and is situated approximately 60 miles northeast of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and 45 miles south of the Texas/Oklahoma border.
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History [edit]
The rural area in and around Commerce was originally known as Cow Hill, and the town was established in 1872 and named Commerce due to the thriving economic activity, by merchant William Jernigin between the Middle and South Sulphur rivers on the rich, black gumbo prairie in northeast Hunt County. The town incorporated in 1885, and nine years later Prof. William L. Mayo moved East Texas Normal College from Cooper to Commerce after the school burned. Mayo continued as president of the college, now known as Texas A&M University–Commerce, until his death in 1917 and is buried on the campus grounds.
Commerce was named the “Bois d’Arc Capital of Texas” (pronounced "bow-dark") by the Texas Legislature because of its location in the geographic center of the indigenous range of the bois d’arc tree. The second largest bois d’arc tree in Texas “Big Max”, recognized by the National Forests Famous and Historic Trees, is located within the city limits. Held every September, the annual festival Bois d’Arc Bash pays homage to bois d’arc trees which played a vital part in the frontier days, providing foundations, fences and weapons of the Native Americans. The Bash celebrates with arts & crafts vendors, food, parade, kid's game area, pageant, wine tasting, musical entertainment, 5K run, and car & truck show.
The 1924 Texas Republican gubernatorial nominee, George C. Butte, was reared on a farm near Commerce, and World War II war hero Claire Chennault was born in Commerce.
Geography [edit]
Commerce is located at 33°14′42″N 95°54′0″W / 33.24500°N 95.90000°W (33.244959, -95.899957)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.5 square miles (17 km2), of which, 6.5 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.92%) is water. Commerce is located in the Texas Blackland Prairies and the area has a mix of oak trees and lakes as well as flat blackland dirt in the rural outskirts. The upper, middle, and south Sulphur rivers all run by or around Commerce.
Climate [edit]
Commerce's climate is considered to be part of the humid subtropical region. The temperature varies greatly throughout the year. In February 2010, there was a record near 12 inch snow storm, and in the Winter of 2011, there were various snow storms that created havoc for residents. The summers are generally hot and humid with many days above 90 from June through August. The rainiest time of the year is from March to May, and the driest is from July to August. The hottest time of the year is from the end of July to the beginning of August, in which there are several days above 100 degrees.
Demographics [edit]
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 7,669 people, 2,881 households, and 1,524 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,183.3 people per square mile (456.9/km²). There were 3,405 housing units at an average density of 525.4 per square mile (202.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.07% White, 20.78% African American, 0.42% Native American, 2.59% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 3.13% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.65% of the population.
There were 2,881 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.0% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.1% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 3.02.
Age demographic: 21.5% under the age of 18, 28.2% age 18 to 24, 26.3% age 25 to 44, 14.3% age 45 to 64, and 9.8% age 65 or older. The median age was 25.6 years. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,065, and the median income for a family was $37,284. Males had a median income of $26,389 versus $19,565 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,444. About 13.8% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education [edit]
The City of Commerce is served by the Commerce Independent School District. CISD currently operates the following schools:
Elementary Commerce Elementary Pre-K-2 and AC Williams Elementary 3-5
Junior High Commerce Middle School 6-8
High School Commerce High School
CHS was once known for its Varsity Football Team, considered a perennial powerhouse in Texas in Conference 3A. The Tigers won AAA Conference Championships in 1999 and 2001.
It is also home to Texas A&M University–Commerce, a fully accredited university with an enrollment of around 12,000 students, 7,500 undergraduates, and roughly 4,500 graduate students.
Economy [edit]
Due to being a rural college town with proximity to Dallas, Commerce has an economy that remained steady for years, but recently has seen some increase with a few new businesses opening and others being renovated. The downtown area is approximately one mile from the University and is the hub for town festivities. The downtown area includes three bars, Chinese food restaurant, fashion retailer, office supplies retailer, thrift shop, real estate, law, and tax preparation offices, pet supplies retailer, Chamber of Commerce, and four banks.
Popular culture references [edit]
- American rock musician, Ben Kweller, a native of nearby Greenville, titled a song after Commerce.
References [edit]
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
External links [edit]
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