Carthage, Texas
Encyclopedia
Carthage is a city
in Panola County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 6,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Panola County
, and is situated in East Texas
near the Louisiana
state line.
, Carthage has a total area of 10.5 square miles (27.2 km²), of which, 10.5 square miles (27.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (14.2%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,664 people, 2,598 households, and 1,771 families residing in the city. The population density
was 633.8 people per square mile (244.8/km²). There were 2,931 housing units at an average density of 278.7 per square mile (107.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.65% White, 21.02% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 1.98% from other races
, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.35% of the population.
There were 2,598 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples
living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 80.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,822, and the median income for a family was $37,031. Males had a median income of $33,080 versus $21,473 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,332. About 11.8% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
.
There is also the two-year Panola College
, a community college
located across from Carthage City Hall.
is located in Carthage, which also houses the Tex Ritter
museum. The Jim Reeves
Memorial is located just on the outskirts of Carthage, east on U.S. 79
. Reeves and Ritter were from the near-by unincorporated communities
of Galloway
and Murvaul
, respectively.
The old Panola County Jail Museum is located on North Shelby Street.
Panola County Heritage Museum is located at 100 East Sabine Street across from the gazebo in downtown Anderson Park.
Lake Murvaul is fifteen miles west of Carthage on Murvaul Bayou.
KGAS 104.3 FM Radio Station
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Panola County
Panola County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,756 people, 8,821 households, and 6,395 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 10,524 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 6,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
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 Panola County
Panola County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,756 people, 8,821 households, and 6,395 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 10,524 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, and is situated in East Texas
East Texas
East Texas is a distinct geographic and ecological area in the U.S. state of Texas.According to the Handbook of Texas, the East Texas area "may be separated from the rest of Texas roughly by a line extending from the Red River in north central Lamar County southwestward to east central Limestone...
near the Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
state line.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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...
, Carthage has a total area of 10.5 square miles (27.2 km²), of which, 10.5 square miles (27.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (14.2%) is water.
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 6,664 people, 2,598 households, and 1,771 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 633.8 people per square mile (244.8/km²). There were 2,931 housing units at an average density of 278.7 per square mile (107.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.65% White, 21.02% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 1.98% 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 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.35% of the population.
There were 2,598 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% 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, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 80.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,822, and the median income for a family was $37,031. Males had a median income of $33,080 versus $21,473 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 $16,332. About 11.8% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Carthage is served by the Carthage Independent School DistrictCarthage Independent School District
Carthage Independent School District is a public school district based in Carthage, Texas .April 1, 2008. The Carthage ISD Board of Education announced that the new superentindent replacing current superentindent Reba Allison is Dr...
.
There is also the two-year Panola College
Panola College
Panola College is a community college located in Carthage, Texas. The name derives from Panola County, Texas, of which Carthage is the county seat.As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of Panola College is the following:...
, a community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
located across from Carthage City Hall.
Points of interest
The Texas Country Music Hall of FameTexas Country Music Hall of Fame
The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame/Tex Ritter Museum, located in Carthage in Panola County in East Texas honors those who have made outstanding contributions to country music and were born in the state of Texas. This includes singers, songwriters, disc jockeys and others.A museum, a large...
is located in Carthage, which also houses the Tex Ritter
Tex Ritter
Woodward Maurice Ritter , better known as Tex Ritter, was an American country music singer and movie actor popular from the mid-1930s into the 1960s, and the patriarch of the Ritter family in acting...
museum. The Jim Reeves
Jim Reeves
James Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound...
Memorial is located just on the outskirts of Carthage, east on U.S. 79
U.S. Route 79
U.S. Route 79 is a north–south United States highway. The route is a northeast-southwest diagonal, with both east–west segments and north–south segments equally mixed. The highway's northern terminus is in Russellville, Kentucky, at an intersection with U.S. Highway 68 and KY 80...
. Reeves and Ritter were from the near-by unincorporated communities
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
of Galloway
Panola County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,756 people, 8,821 households, and 6,395 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 10,524 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
and Murvaul
Murvaul, Texas
Murvaul is a rural unincorporated community in south central Panola County, Texas, United States, on Farm Road 10 and Murvaul Creek eight miles south of Carthage....
, respectively.
The old Panola County Jail Museum is located on North Shelby Street.
Panola County Heritage Museum is located at 100 East Sabine Street across from the gazebo in downtown Anderson Park.
Lake Murvaul is fifteen miles west of Carthage on Murvaul Bayou.
KGAS 104.3 FM Radio Station
Notable people
- Linda DavisLinda DavisLinda Kaye Davis is an American country music singer. Before beginning a career as a solo artist, she charted three minor country singles as one half of the duo Skip & Linda. In her solo career, Davis has recorded five major-label studio albums and more than 15 singles...
, singer - Philip HumberPhilip HumberPhilip Gregory Humber is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.-Early life:Humber attended Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas...
, MLB Pitcher with Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans... - Michael MontgomeryMichael MontgomeryMichael Lewis Montgomery, II is an American football defensive end for Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, NFL player for the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Drew NixonDrew NixonDrew Eldred Nixon is a former Texas state senator from Carthage, the seat of Panola County in east Texas, who served from 1995 to 2001. He is largely known for a tabloid sex scandal....
, former RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Texas State Senate, whose career (1995–2001) was cut short by a sex scandalSex scandalA sex scandal is a scandal involving allegations or information about possibly-immoral sexual activities being made public. Sex scandals are often associated with movie stars, politicians, famous athletes or others in the public eye, and become scandals largely because of the prominence of the...
. - Bill O'NealBill O'NealJohn William O'Neal, known as Bill O'Neal , is an American author who has written some thirty books and more than three hundred articles and book reviews on the American West, including gunfighters, lawmen, and ghost towns; Country music, with emphasis on Texas artists; baseball, such as his study...
, historian of the American West, Country musicCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, and baseballBaseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond... - Perfect StrangerPerfect Stranger (band)-Track listing:#"Remember the Ride" – 3:18#"It's Up to You" – 2:36#"One More Repossession" – 2:30#"You Have the Right to Remain Silent" – 3:28...
, a 1990s country band - Jim ReevesJim ReevesJames Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound...
, singer - Tex RitterTex RitterWoodward Maurice Ritter , better known as Tex Ritter, was an American country music singer and movie actor popular from the mid-1930s into the 1960s, and the patriarch of the Ritter family in acting...
, singer - Brandon RhyderBrandon RhyderBrandon Rhyder is an American Texas Country/Red Dirt singer from Carthage, Texas.Rhyder graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with a degree in industrial technology....
, singer - Mildred Fay JeffersonMildred Fay JeffersonDr. Mildred Fay Jefferson was an American physician and pro-life activist and the first African-American woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School....
, First African-American women to graduate from Harvard Medical School, founding member and former President of the National Right to Life Committee