Eagle Lake, Texas
Encyclopedia
Eagle Lake is a city in southeastern Colorado County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 3,664 at the 2000 census. It is home to a golf course, the largest private lake in Texas, and the Eagle Lake Regional Airport, which services light aircraft.
The lake, along with adjacent rice fields, attracts a large variety of migratory birds. The city is known as the "Goose Hunting Capital of the World" and also borders a wildlife preserve.
in the 1880s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 3,664 people, 1,296 households, and 935 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,344.6 people per square mile (520.1/km2). There were 1,500 housing units at an average density of 550.5/sq mi (212.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 52.78% White, 23.39% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 20.47% from other races
, and 2.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 44.21% of the population.
There were 1,296 households out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples
living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
In the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $27,101, and the median income for a family was $29,201. Males had a median income of $26,025 versus $20,299 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,426. About 15.0% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.
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The Eula and David Wintermann Library is the public library in the city, opened on February 9, 1975. Mr. and Mrs. David R. Wintermann had originally proposed to erect and furnish the new library building in 1973. Architect for the project was Arthur J. Willrodt of Columbus, 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 3,664 at the 2000 census. It is home to a golf course, the largest private lake in Texas, and the Eagle Lake Regional Airport, which services light aircraft.
The lake, along with adjacent rice fields, attracts a large variety of migratory birds. The city is known as the "Goose Hunting Capital of the World" and also borders a wildlife preserve.
History
The first newspaper in Eagle Lake was established by Joseph J. MansfieldJoseph J. Mansfield
Joseph Jefferson Mansfield was a member of the United States House of Representatives from the U.S. state of Texas from 1917-1947.Mansfield was born on February 9, 1861. He was born in Wayne, West Virginia. However when he was born this was still part of state of Virginia...
in the 1880s.
Geography
Eagle Lake is located at 29.587790°N 96.330128°W.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 2.7 square miles (7 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 3,664 people, 1,296 households, and 935 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 1,344.6 people per square mile (520.1/km2). There were 1,500 housing units at an average density of 550.5/sq mi (212.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 52.78% White, 23.39% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 20.47% 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 2.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 44.21% of the population.
There were 1,296 households out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% 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, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
Economy
Historically, Eagle Lake has been an agricultural community, with rice being the main crop. Other key products include cotton, grain, and cattle, along with sand and gravel from mines in the surrounding area. The city aims to diversify its economy by bringing in manufacturing companies.In the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $27,101, and the median income for a family was $29,201. Males had a median income of $26,025 versus $20,299 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 $12,426. About 15.0% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Eagle Lake is served by the Rice Consolidated Independent School DistrictRice Consolidated Independent School District
Rice Consolidated Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Altair, Texas .In addition to Altair, the district serves the city of Eagle Lake, the communities of Garwood and Sheridan, as well as rural areas in southern Colorado County.In 2009, the school...
.
The Eula and David Wintermann Library is the public library in the city, opened on February 9, 1975. Mr. and Mrs. David R. Wintermann had originally proposed to erect and furnish the new library building in 1973. Architect for the project was Arthur J. Willrodt of Columbus, Texas
Columbus, Texas
Columbus is a city in Colorado County, Texas, United States, west of Houston along Interstate 10, on the Colorado River. In 1890, 2,199 people lived in Columbus, Texas; in 1900, there were 1,824 residents. The population was 3,916 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Colorado County...
.