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Princeton, Texas

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For the ghost town in Newton County, see Princeton, Newton County, Texas.
Princeton, Texas
City
Location of Princeton in Collin County, Texas
Location of Princeton in Collin County, Texas
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyCollin
Area
 • Total4.3 sq mi (11.2 km2)
 • Land4.3 sq mi (11.2 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
574 ft (175 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total3,477
 • Density801.4/sq mi (309.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
75407
Area code972
FIPS code48-59576Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1344570Template:GR

Princeton is a city in Collin County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,807 at the 2010 census.

Geography

There is no dispute about Princeton's south boundary, because a Collin County District Court Judge decided its location on 06-30-11.[1] Using Princeton's official city records, District Court Judge Ray Wheless ruled in his one-page Final Judgement:

"the City of Princeton's southern most corporate city limit extends to approximately 0.610 miles south of F.M. Road 982's intersection with U.S. Highway 380…as was depicted in maps provided by the City of Princeton to local, county, state and federal authorities prior to the enactment of City of Princeton Ordinance No. 2003-08-12-01."[1]

With this ruling, Princeton's attempted strip annexation of 2003 reverted back five miles to its south boundary of 1985.[1] The case was named "The State of Texas Ex Rel. Collin County, Texas vs. The City of Princeton, Texas," No. 366-00108-2010.[2] Princeton did not appeal the judge's decision.[3] On October 10, 2011, Princeton city council approved a new map in Ordinance No. 2011-10-10-01 that reflects the judge's decision.[4]

Demographics

As of the 2000 CensusTemplate:GR, there were 3,477 people, 1,238 households, and 932 families residing in the city. The population density was 801.4 people per square mile (309.3/km2). There were 1,377 housing units at an average density of 317.4 per square mile (122.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.94% White, 0.95% African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 4.57% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.90% of the population.

There were 1,238 households out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,590, and the median income for a family was $45,948. Males had a median income of $32,852 versus $25,021 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,092. About 6.6% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.

History

See also: List of POW camps in the United States

In the late 1870s T. B. Wilson and his brother George began farming near the site of future Princeton. In 1881 the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad Company extended its line from Greenville to McKinney, passing through land owned by the brothers. The name Wilson's Switch was commonly used to designate the area. When residents applied for a post office branch, however, they learned that the name Wilson was already being used. The community then submitted the name Princeton in honor of Prince Dowlin, a landowner and promoter of the town. This name was accepted, and a post office was established in 1888.[5]

Princeton was the site of a prisoner of war camp for German prisoners during the Second World War. The local farmers paid the POWs to work on their farms. Before and after the war the camp was used as a camp for migrant farm workers. Under a special bill, the German prisoners of war were contracted to work on the City Park located across from the city hall. The park was built in memory of the men who served in the armed forces during World War II.

Members of the Princeton Independent School District and the Princeton Lions Club have teamed up to annually hold the Princeton Onion Festival. It is a major festival for the town that began in 2005 and is expected to occur on the fourth Saturday of April each year. Among the various events at the festival are an a 5K Run, antique/classic car show, and tennis round robin tournament. Individuals and groups selling arts and crafts also attend the festival.

Princeton voters rejected the adoption of a Home Rule charter three consecutive times by increasing margins each time: in November 2007,[6] May 2008[7], and November 2008[8].

Education

The City of Princeton is served by the Princeton Independent School District.

Finances

Due to reduced financial flexibility and moderately high debt, Fitch has revised its Rating Outlook for Princeton from "Stable" to "Negative."[9]

Public health

As recently as November 4, 2010 the city has been running legal notices required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality stating drinking water from their system has repeatedly tested positive for coliforms. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as indicators that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present. The contamination was discovered in the North Western part of the city.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c Beattie, Chris (July 15, 2011). "Judge rules against Princeton in land case". McKinney Courier-Gazette. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  2. ^ Engle, Jamie (07-14-11). "City manager terminated, no appeal in 982 case". The Princeton Herald. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  3. ^ Council Minutes, Princeton. "Princeton City Council Minutes 07-11-11" (PDF). Princeton City Council. Retrieved 07-11-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ "Princeton, Texas". City-Data.com. Retrieved 02-14-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/PP/hgp14.html
  6. ^ Gallagher, Danny. "Princeton says no to home rule". Newspaper. McKinney Courier-Gazette. Retrieved 11-07-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ "Election Summary Report, Combined Accumulated Totals". Collin County. Retrieved 05-10-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ "Election Summary Report: Combined Accumulated Totals". Collin County. Retrieved 11-04-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ^ "Fitch Affirms Princeton, Texas GOs and COs at 'A-'; Outlook Revised to Negative". Business Wire. December 7, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2013. (press release)
  10. ^ The Princeton Herald legal notices page, 11-04-10
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