Uvalde, Texas
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Uvalde, Texas | |
---|---|
Nickname: City of Trees | |
Coordinates: 29°13′N 99°47′W / 29.21°N 99.79°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Uvalde |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor–council |
• Mayor | Don McLaughlin |
• City Manager | Vincent DiPiazza |
Area | |
• Total | 7.67 sq mi (19.87 km2) |
• Land | 7.66 sq mi (19.85 km2) |
• Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
Elevation | 909 ft (277 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 15,217 |
• Density | 1,983.96/sq mi (766.6/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP codes | 78801-78802 |
Area code | 830 |
FIPS code | 48-74588[2] |
GNIS feature ID | 1370541[3] |
Website | uvaldetx |
Uvalde (/juːˈvældi/ yoo-VAL-dee) is a city and the county seat of Uvalde County, Texas, United States.[4] The population was 15,214 at the 2020 census.[5] Uvalde is located 80 miles (130 km) west of downtown San Antonio and 54 miles (87 km) from the United States-Mexico border.[6]
History
Uvalde was founded by Reading Wood Black in 1853 as the town of Encina. In 1856, when the county was organized, the town was renamed Uvalde after Spanish governor Juan de Ugalde (Cádiz, Andalusia, 1729–1816) and was chosen as county seat. The word Uvalde is of Basque origin. It is the southern limit of the Texas Hill Country or the most northerly part of South Texas.[citation needed] Uvalde is known for its production, dating back to the 1870s, of huajillo honey (also spelled guajillo), a mild, light-colored honey.[7]
Uvalde, along with San Antonio, Carrizo Springs, Crystal City, and Corpus Christi, was a major stop on the defunct San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Railroad, which operated from 1909 until it was merged into the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1956. From 1909 to 1912, the SAU&G was known as the Crystal City and Uvalde Railroad. The San Antonio-to-Corpus Christi freight route is now within the Union Pacific system.[8]
On May 24, 2022, 21 children and 2 adults were killed in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.[9]
Geography
Uvalde is located at the crossroads of U.S Hwy 90 and U.S. Hwy 83.[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.8 km2), all of it land.[11]
Climate
The climate in this region is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Uvalde has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa (inclining toward Cwa), on climate maps.[12]
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,217 people, 5,217 households, and 3,663 families residing in the city.
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 2,917 | 19.17% |
Black or African American (NH) | 50 | 0.33% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 16 | 0.11% |
Asian (NH) | 125 | 0.82% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 3 | 0.02% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 39 | 0.26% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 128 | 0.84% |
Hispanic or Latino | 11,939 | 78.46% |
Total | 15,217 |
2010 census
At the 2010 census,[2] the population was 15,751.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, 14,929 people, 4,796 households and 3,716 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,220.2 per square mile (857.8/km2). The 5,313 housing units averaged 790.1 per square mile (305.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% White, 0.47% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0% from other races, and 2.97% from two or more races.
Of the 4,796 households, 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were not families; 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.50.
About 32.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median household income was $25,259 and for a family was $27,897. Males had a median income of $25,600 compared with $15,674 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,735. About 24.2% of families and 29.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.1% of those under age 18 and 23.8% of those age 65 or over.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 794 | — | |
1890 | 1,265 | 59.3% | |
1900 | 1,889 | 49.3% | |
1910 | 3,998 | 111.6% | |
1920 | 3,885 | −2.8% | |
1930 | 5,286 | 36.1% | |
1940 | 6,679 | 26.4% | |
1950 | 8,674 | 29.9% | |
1960 | 10,293 | 18.7% | |
1970 | 10,764 | 4.6% | |
1980 | 14,178 | 31.7% | |
1990 | 14,729 | 3.9% | |
2000 | 14,929 | 1.4% | |
2010 | 15,751 | 5.5% | |
2020 | 15,217 | −3.4% |
Arts and culture
- The John Nance Garner Museum in Uvalde, which was home to John Nance Garner for 30 years, chronicles his life. Garner served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1931–1933 and as Franklin D. Roosevelt's Vice President from 1933 to 1941.[16]
Also located in Uvalde:[17]
- The Aviation Museum at Garner Field has displays of World War II aircraft.
- The Briscoe Art and Antique Collection displays the collection of former Texas governor Dolph Briscoe.
- The Janey Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House hosts community theater and concerts.
Parks and recreation
Uvalde is known as one of the best locations for gliding in the United States. It was the site of the 1991 and 2012 World Gliding Championships.[18]
The Uvalde area of the Texas Hill Country is home to many native and exotic species of animals, which allow sportsmen almost year-round hunting opportunities.[19]
Outdoor Life magazine named Uvalde County one of the best whitetail deer hunting areas in the world.[20]
Notable people
- Bobby Bonner, former MLB Shortstop
- Pete Conrad, former astronaut
- Dale Evans, actress
- King Fisher, gunslinger, buried in Uvalde
- John Nance "Cactus Jack" Garner, Speaker of the House and Vice President of the United States;
- Carlos Guevara, former MLB pitcher
- Harvey Hildebran, former Texas state representative
- Dave Hilton, former MLB Third Baseman
- Ben Kinchlow, former Co-host of The 700 Club
- Matthew McConaughey, Oscar-winning actor
- Vann McElroy, former NFL star and Super Bowl winner
- Tom O'Folliard, American outlaw, friend of Billy the Kid
- Brooks Raley, MLB Pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
See also
References
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Uvalde city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ Google Maps (using "measure distance" tool)
- ^ "Facts about Uvalde, site of latest Texas school shooting". The Dallas Morning News. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ "Nancy Beck Young, "San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Railroad Company"". Texas State Historical Association on-line. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- ^ Casas, Angelica (25 May 2022). "Texas shooting: 19 children among dead in primary school attack". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ Sources in the city erroneously say it is "at the crossroads of the nation's two longest highways, U.S. 90 and U.S. 83." (e.g. http://www.visituvalde.com/attractions.html). Neither is the longest in the U.S.
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Uvalde city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
- ^ Climate Summary for Uvalde, Texas
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
- ^ www.census.gov
- ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
- ^ "John Nance Garner Museum". Museums & Institutes. The Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2008-05-25.
- ^ "Intown Attractions". Uvalde Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2008-05-25.
- ^ "Why Uvalde? Why Indeed!". soaringcafe.com. August 2012.
- ^ "Hunting". visituvalde.com. 14 August 2017.
- ^ "Best Towns". outdoorlife.com. June 2010.
Sources
- "History of Uvalde, Texas". City of Uvalde, Texas. Retrieved 2008-05-25.