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Brenham, Texas

Coordinates: 30°9′43″N 96°23′49″W / 30.16194°N 96.39694°W / 30.16194; -96.39694
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"Brenham" redirects here. For the community in Kansas, see Brenham, Kansas. For the meteorite, see Brenham (meteorite).
Brenham, Texas
City
Location of Brenham, Texas
Location of Brenham, Texas
Coordinates: 30°9′43″N 96°23′49″W / 30.16194°N 96.39694°W / 30.16194; -96.39694
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyWashington
Government
 • MayorMilton Y. Tate, Jr.
Area
[1]
 • Total13.03 sq mi (33.74 km2)
 • Land12.98 sq mi (33.61 km2)
 • Water0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Elevation
341 ft (104 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total15,716
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
17,863
 • Density1,376.51/sq mi (531.48/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
77833-77834
Area code979
FIPS code48-10156[3]
GNIS feature ID1331223[4]
Websitewww.cityofbrenham.org
Map of the city 1873

Brenham (/ˈbrɛnəm/ BREH-nəm) is a city in east-central Texas in Washington County, United States, with a population of 15,716 according to the 2010 U.S. census. It is the county seat of Washington County.[5] Brenham is south of College Station, and about halfway between Houston and Austin approximately 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Houston, and about 90 miles (140 km) east of Austin.

Brenham is renowned as the heart of the bluebonnet region in Central Texas. The local chamber of commerce promotes the Bluebonnet Trails and offers free maps to guide visitors along the most scenic wildflower routes, which also pass historic sites and attractions.

Washington County is known as the "Birthplace of Texas," as it contains the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836 in the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos. This is now a state historic site.

Brenham is also known for its annual German heritage festival that takes place each May called Maifest, similar to Volksfest.[6] Numerous German immigrants settled here in the mid-nineteenth century, following the Revolutions in German states in 1848. Brenham is also the Home of "The World's Largest BBQ Pit" on 290 West.

Geography

Brenham is located at 30°9′43″N 96°23′49″W / 30.16194°N 96.39694°W / 30.16194; -96.39694 (30.161901, -96.397004).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.8 square miles (22.7 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Washington County Boys' Corn Club mounted and in parade, May 26, 1910
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860920—
18702,221141.4%
18804,10184.6%
18905,20927.0%
19005,96814.6%
19104,718−20.9%
19205,0667.4%
19305,97417.9%
19406,4357.7%
19506,9417.9%
19607,74011.5%
19708,92215.3%
198010,96622.9%
199011,9529.0%
200013,50713.0%
201015,71616.4%
2019 (est.)17,863[2]13.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 13,507 people, 4,907 households, and 3,115 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,541.5 people per square mile (595.3/km2). There were 5,317 housing units at an average density of 606.8 per square mile (234.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 69.99% White, 21.91% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.86% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.75% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.25% of the population. There were 4,907 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 15.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,198, and the median income for a family was $41,486. Males had a median income of $31,133 versus $22,152 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,351. About 12.8% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Bluebonnet Cabs offers taxi service in and around the Brenham area.

Stop N'Save, which had served as the terminal for Greyhound Lines-affiliated operations

Until 2009 Greyhound Lines offered bus services from the Stop N'Save at 601 East Main Street, but as of 2015 Brenham is not served by intercity bus. The population has increased steadily, but people have preferred to rely on their privately owned automobiles for transportation.

Industry

The Blue Bell factory in Brenham.

Brenham is the home of and headquarters for Blue Bell Creameries, an ice cream brand that is especially popular in the state of Texas and the southeastern United States. Blue Bell is the 4th best-selling ice cream brand in the United States, and is sold in 16 states.

Brenham is also home to a large plant of Valmont Industries, manufacturing metal poles.

The city is the site of the Brenham State Supported Living Center, the largest of such facilities in the state. This facility provides residence and care for intellectually disabled persons.

Education

The City of Brenham's primary education is provided by Brenham Independent School District and also various private schools. The public schools in BISD include Brenham Elementary, Krause Elementary, Alton Elementary, Brenham Middle School, Brenham Junior High, and Brenham High School. The mascot for Brenham high school is the lion cub.

Brenham is also the home of Blinn College, the oldest county-owned junior college in Texas. Blinn has campuses also in Bryan, Schulenburg, and Sealy.

Notable people

Government and infrastructure

The city elects its mayor and city council.

Mayors of the City of Brenham, Texas:

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services operates the Brenham State Supported Living Center (formerly Brenham State School).[9]

The United States Postal Service operates the Brenham Post Office.[10]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate System describes the weather as humid subtropical, and uses the abbreviation Cfa.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ^ Texas State Historical Commission. "The Brenham Maifest, Texas State Historical Marker".
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "Brenham State Supported Living Center" Archived August 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Retrieved on August 8, 2010.
  10. ^ "Post Office Location - BRENHAM Archived July 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on August 8, 2010.
  11. ^ Climate Summary for Brenham, Texas
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