Bangs, Texas
Encyclopedia
Bangs is a city located in Brown County
in West Central Texas. The population was 1,620 at the 2000 census. Bangs is the birthplace of Major League Baseball
batting champion Debs Garms
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,620 people, 633 households, and 419 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,171.9 people per square mile (453.3/km²). There were 733 housing units at an average density of 530.3 per square mile (205.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.91% White, 4.75% African American, 0.37% Native American, 6.42% from other races
, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.72% of the population.
There were 633 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples
living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 81.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,690, and the median income for a family was $30,208. Males had a median income of $27,212 versus $19,141 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,216. About 17.4% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 27.8% of those age 65 or over.
In 1948, when the population of Bangs was 756, the arrival of Senatorial candidate Lyndon Johnson by helicopter was greeted by a crowd which accompanying reporters counted as 700.
It is also the town where Coffey Anderson
, a popular singer and songwriter, grew up.
Brown County, Texas
Brown County is a county in West Central Texas. As of 2000, the population was 37,674. Its county seat is Brownwood. Brown is named for Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco...
in West Central Texas. The population was 1,620 at the 2000 census. Bangs is the birthplace of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
batting champion Debs Garms
Debs Garms
Debs C. Garms was a professional baseball player for twelve seasons as an outfielder and third baseman for the St. Louis Browns, Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. Garms broke up Johnny Vander Meer's streak of hitless innings in 1938...
.
Geography
Bangs is located at 31°42′59"N 99°7′51"W (31.716392, -99.130949).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 1.4 square miles (3.6 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 1,620 people, 633 households, and 419 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 1,171.9 people per square mile (453.3/km²). There were 733 housing units at an average density of 530.3 per square mile (205.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.91% White, 4.75% African American, 0.37% Native American, 6.42% 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 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.72% of the population.
There were 633 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 81.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,690, and the median income for a family was $30,208. Males had a median income of $27,212 versus $19,141 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 $14,216. About 17.4% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 27.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
Bangs was named after Samuel Bangs. Bangs was given the land due to his services as a printer in the Texas Revolution War, it was reported that he never saw the land. Railroad companies built tracks from Brownwood to San Angelo with a depot in Bangs in 1886. The same year a man opened a general store and applied to have a post office established in the store, the application was approved May 24, 1886. In 1892, the first school was built with the population at 50 and 8 established businesses thriving, Bangs incorporated in 1915 with 600 residents and 21 businesses. The following year a water system was installed followed by natural gas lines. Bangs Independent School District was formed in 1927, this eventually consolidated 9 other school districts. In 1937 the first highway, Highway 67, was built through the town. After World War II, housing was boosted in Bangs by the development of new housing units. City workers have also unearthed bones from a Colombian woolly mammoth; it is currently being excavated.In 1948, when the population of Bangs was 756, the arrival of Senatorial candidate Lyndon Johnson by helicopter was greeted by a crowd which accompanying reporters counted as 700.
People from Bangs, Texas
In 1973, Bangs became the home to the "Terrellites" leader David Heze Terrell. Terrell was the leader of the New Testament Holiness Church and was known for having big white tent revivals.It is also the town where Coffey Anderson
Coffey Anderson
Coffey Anderson is an American singer-songwriter originally from Bangs, Texas. His unique brand of country music blends in distinct influences from pop, contemporary Christian, gospel and soul that has attracted many. He came to fame through his YouTube videos and in 2008 took part in Nashville Star...
, a popular singer and songwriter, grew up.