Anson, Texas
Encyclopedia
Anson is a city in and the county seat
of Jones County, Texas
, United States. The population was 2,556 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Abilene, Texas
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. Originally named Jones City, the town was renamed Anson in 1882 in honor of Anson Jones
, the last president of the Republic of Texas
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,556 people, 950 households, and 681 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,219.2 people per square mile (469.9/km²). There were 1,089 housing units at an average density of 519.5 per square mile (200.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.82% White, 2.78% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 18.62% from other races
, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.63% of the population.
There were 950 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,954, and the median income for a family was $30,284. Males had a median income of $26,893 versus $19,038 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,798. About 17.0% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.
. Teacher and folklorist Leonora Barrett revived the event in 1940. The dance was (and still is) held in Pioneer Hall, a Works Progress Administration
project from the Great Depression
. Music is usually provided by Michael Martin Murphey
and his band.
Anson is also the town that may or may not have been the inspiration for the movie "Footloose" and, as of 1987, still had an enforced "no dancing" law on the books that is/was only lifted for the annual christmas dance. See http://www.barryshlachter.net/no-dancin-in-anson.html
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Jones County, Texas
Jones County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,785 people, 6,140 households, and 4,525 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 7,236 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
, United States. The population was 2,556 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Abilene metropolitan area
The Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in west central Texas that covers three counties—Taylor, Jones, and Callahan. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 160,245 .-Counties:*Callahan*Jones*Taylor-Places with 2,500 to 5,000 people:*Anson*Clyde*Dyess...
. Originally named Jones City, the town was renamed Anson in 1882 in honor of Anson Jones
Anson Jones
Anson Jones was a doctor, businessman, congressman, the fourth and last President of the Republic of Texas, sometimes called the "Architect of Annexation."- Early life :...
, the last president of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
.
Geography
Anson is located at 32°45′20"N 99°53′47"W (32.755529, −99.896301).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,556 people, 950 households, and 681 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,219.2 people per square mile (469.9/km²). There were 1,089 housing units at an average density of 519.5 per square mile (200.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.82% White, 2.78% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 18.62% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.63% of the population.
There were 950 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,954, and the median income for a family was $30,284. Males had a median income of $26,893 versus $19,038 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $11,798. About 17.0% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.
Traditions
Anson is home to the "Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball," a three night event held the weekend before Christmas. The first ball was held by M.G. Rhodes at his Star Hotel in Anson in 1885 and annually thereafter until 1890, when the hotel burned down. The event happened sporadically until it faded away during ProhibitionProhibition in the United States
Prohibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
. Teacher and folklorist Leonora Barrett revived the event in 1940. The dance was (and still is) held in Pioneer Hall, a Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
project from the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Music is usually provided by Michael Martin Murphey
Michael Martin Murphey
Michael Martin Murphey is an American singer-songwriter best known for writing and performing Western music, Country music, and Popular music. A multiple Grammy nominee, Murphey has six gold albums, including Cowboy Songs, the first album of cowboy music to achieve gold status since Gunfighter...
and his band.
Anson is also the town that may or may not have been the inspiration for the movie "Footloose" and, as of 1987, still had an enforced "no dancing" law on the books that is/was only lifted for the annual christmas dance. See http://www.barryshlachter.net/no-dancin-in-anson.html
Notable people
- Omar BurlesonOmar BurlesonOmar Truman Burleson was a U.S. Representative from Texas.Born in Anson, the seat of Jones County, north of Abilene, Texas, Burleson attended the public schools and Abilene Christian College and Hardin-Simmons University, both in Abilene.Burleson graduated in 1929 from Cumberland University in...
, late U.S. representative, was born in Anson.
- Greg GlaznerGreg Glazner-Life:He graduated from Hardin-Simmons University, and the University of Montana, with an M.A. and M.F.A.His work has appeared in Poetry, Ironwood, The Laurel Review, New England Journal, Pequod, Quarterly West, The Southern Poetry Review, and The Texas Review...
, Walt Whitman Award winning poet.
- Country singer Jeannie C. RileyJeannie C. RileyJeannie C. Riley is an American country music and gospel singer. She is best known for her 1968 country and pop hit "Harper Valley PTA" , which missed becoming the Billboard Country and Pop number one hit at the same time...
, who in the second half of 1968 had a number-one pop and country hit with Harper Valley PTAHarper Valley PTA"Harper Valley PTA" is a country song written by Tom T. Hall that was a major international hit single for country singer Jeannie C. Riley in 1968. Riley's record sold over six million copies as a single. The song made Riley the first woman to top both Billboard's Hot 100 and the U.S...
, was also born in Anson on Friday, October 19, 1945.