Bay City, Texas
Bay City, Texas | |
---|---|
City | |
Entrance sign to Bay City | |
Location of Bay City, Texas | |
Coordinates: 28°58′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.98083°N 95.96444°WCoordinates: 28°58′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.98083°N 95.96444°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Matagorda |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-council government |
• Mayor | Mark Bricker |
• City Council |
William Cornman Julie Estlinbaum Chrystal Folse Carolyn Thames Steven Johnson |
Area | |
• Total | 8.5 sq mi (22.0 km2) |
• Land | 8.5 sq mi (22.0 km2) |
• Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
Elevation | 52 ft (16 m) |
Population (2010)[1] | |
• Total | 17,614 |
• Estimate (2013)[1] | 17,509 |
• Density | 2,196.0/sq mi (847.9/km2) |
Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
• Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
ZIP codes | 77404, 77414 |
Area code(s) | 979 |
FIPS code | 48-05984[2] |
GNIS feature ID | 1351611[3] |
Website | cityofbaycity.org |
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1910 | 3,156 | — | |
1920 | 3,454 | 9.4% | |
1930 | 4,070 | 17.8% | |
1940 | 6,594 | 62.0% | |
1950 | 9,427 | 43.0% | |
1960 | 11,656 | 23.6% | |
1970 | 13,445 | 15.3% | |
1980 | 17,837 | 32.7% | |
1990 | 18,170 | 1.9% | |
2000 | 18,667 | 2.7% | |
2010 | 17,614 | −5.6% | |
Est. 2015 | 17,598 | [4] | −0.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau[5] |
Bay City is a city in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,614 at the 2010 census.[1] It is the county seat of Matagorda County.[6] The current mayor is Mark Bricker.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22.0 km2), of which 8.5 square miles (22.0 km2) is land and 0.12% is covered by water.
Bay City was formerly named "Bay Prairie", as the natural ecosystems that surround the town are prairies crisscrossed by creeks that lead into the bay.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bay City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[7]
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,196.0 people per square mile (847.9/km²). There were 8,113 housing units at an average density of 954.4 per square mile (368.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.62% White, 17.26% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 16.84% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 34.74% of the population.
Of the 6,912 households, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were not families. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the city, the population was distributed as 30.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,446, and for a family was $39,281. Males had a median income of $38,202 versus $23,058 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,284. About 18.3% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over. Minorities make up the largest ethnic portion of Bay City, Texas.
Economy
Bay City formerly housed the headquarters of Stanley Stores.[8] The chain made several donations to the Bay City Museum.[9]
Attractions
Bay City is home to the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, a 35-acre (140,000 m2) expanse of gardens and wildlife along the Colorado River of Texas.[10]
Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum,[11] Market Days every 3rd Saturday,[12] and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown. The Bay City Art League, also located here, has recently undergone major renovations and is currently working to revitalize the art scene in Matagorda County. In addition, the Bay City Community Theatre group (CAST) regularly produces shows at various local venues.
Education
Bay City is served by the Bay City Independent School District, consisting of elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high schools (including Bay City High School). The district previously operated seven schools until grade levels were condensed. It is now operating five schools and is led by superintendent Keith Brown.
Wharton County Junior College has a campus in Bay City.
Infrastructure
Health care
Matagorda County is served by the Matagorda Regional Medical Center, and the mission-aligned Matagorda Medical Group.
Notable people
- Charles Austin, Olympic gold medalist.[13]
- Forrest Bess, artist[14]
- Robert Blackmon, professional football player.[15]
- David Caldwell, professional football player.[16]
- J. B. Cox, professional baseball player.[17]
- Joe DeLoach, Olympic gold medalist during the Seoul Olympics.[18]
- Mark Dennard, professional football player.[19]
- Alex Dixon, professional soccer player.[20]
- Hart Lee Dykes, professional football player.[21]
- Simon Fletcher, professional football player.[22]
- Ronnie Heard, professional football player.[23]
- Quentin Jammer, professional football player.[24]
- Chandi Jones, professional basketball player.[25]
- Greg Laughlin, U.S. Representatives from Texas's 14th district.[26]
- C. Wallis Ohl, Jr., retired Provisional Bishop of Fort Worth.[27]
- Ricardo Ramírez, Roman Catholic Bishop.[28]
- Tracy Simien, professional football player.[29]
- Loy Sneary, rice farmer and former county judge; Democratic candidate for congress in two elections against opponent Ron Paul.[30]
- Mal Whitfield, Olympic gold medalist.[31]
- Cedric Woodard, professional football player.[32]
- Tom Uher, Attorney and Texas State Representative for 32 years
In popular culture
Part of the 1965 movie Baby the Rain Must Fall was filmed in Bay city.[33]
Gallery
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Downtown Bay City
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Bay City Water Tower
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Businesses in Bay City
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Courthouse from 6th Street
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The City Hall on 5th Street
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Matagorda County Museum
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The First Baptist Church of Bay City dates to the 1850s. A hurricane destroyed the sanctuary in 1909. The current structure dates to 1947.
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First United Methodist Church of Bay City
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First Presbyterian Church of Bay City
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Entrance to Cedarvale Bay City Cemetery, which dates to 1896 with the burial of Rufus A. Mathis, an early Bay City pioneer
El Campo via Highway 35 |
Wharton via Highway 60 |
West Columbia via Highway 35 |
||
Markham via Highway 35 |
Lake Jackson via FM 457 | |||
| ||||
Palacios via Highway 35 |
Wadsworth, Matagorda via Highway 60 |
Sargent via Highway 35 |
References
- 1 2 3 "State and County Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
- 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ↑ "Historical Decennial Census". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ Climate Summary for Bay City, Texas
- ↑ Staff. "Price-Lo Supermarkets opens two new stores in Houston." Houston Chronicle. Sunday July 24, 1988. Business 6. Retrieved on November 20, 2011.
- ↑ Willey, Scott Reese. "Grocer remembered fondly for his service." The Victoria Advocate. July 15, 1999. 1E. Retrieved on November 21, 2011. "Stanley Stores also made considerable donations to the Bay City Museum"
- ↑ http://www.fabuloustravel.com/usa/matagorda/matagordabirding.html
- ↑ "Matagorda County Museum Website". Matagorda County Museum Website. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09.
- ↑ "Matagorda Calendar". Matagorda Calendar. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
- ↑ "Charles Austin". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
|access-date=
(help) - ↑ Brenson, Michael (May 1, 1988). "Forrest Bess: Desire Ruled His Vision". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Robert Blackmon". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "David Caldwell". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "J.B. Cox". thebaseballcube. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Joe DeLoach". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Mark Dennard". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Alex Dixon". MLS Soccer. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Hart Lee Dykes". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Simon Fletcher". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Ronnie Heard". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Quentin Jammer". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Time Out With Chandi Jones". WNBA Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 14th district". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl". Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B.". Catholichierarchy.org. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Tracy Simien". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ Gwynne, S.C. (October 2001). "Dr. No". Texas Monthly.
- ↑ "Mal Whitfield". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Cedric Woodard". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ Bay City, Texas at the Internet Movie Database
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bay City, Texas. |