Floydada, Texas
Encyclopedia
Floydada is a city in and the county seat
of Floyd County, Texas
, United States
. The population
was 3,038 at the 2010 census.
finally arrived.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land.
The City of Floydada is located near the edge of the South Panhandle Caprock. This area is characterized by a higher elevation than that of land to the East.
The following is a list of average climate data to give a general idea of the weather in the area. Note these values are averages and estimates. They are not intended to provide precise data in a given time frame.
of 2010, there were 3,038 people.
According to the census of 2000, there were 1,304 households, and 980 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,810.8 people per square mile (699.2/km²). There were 1,507 housing units at an average density of 742.3 per square mile (286.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.35% White, 4.13% African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 22.20% from other races
, and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.63% of the population.
There were 1,304 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples
living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,429, and the median income for a family was $30,038. Males had a median income of $25,179 versus $17,381 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,431. About 24.7% of families and 26.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.2% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.
. Apple has teamed up with Floydada and has distributed laptop computers to the students and staff of Floydada's Jr. High and High School. In 2007-08, Floydada was the only town in Texas to be an Apple distinguished school.
The Floydada Technology Center (FTC) began in 2003 and is provided by the Floydada EDC and is housed in the EDC offices at 105 South 5th Street. The Center itself was designed to provide workforce development to both citizens and businesses upon request. It houses a twelve student capacity classroom with an instructor's podium and computer that is attached to a projector. Caprock Community Action was opened in 2002 and operates a learning lab that offers citizens the opportunity to earn their GED. They are located at 701 E. Lee Street.
, one of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold.
The Floyd County Historical Museum in downtown Floydada displays some of the significant artifacts from Coronado's campsite.
There is also an historical marker in Blanco Canyon telling of Coronado's expedition which led through said canyon.
There are several reasons why Floyd County and Floydada, Texas are ideal for wind development. Those reasons include the quality of wind in the region, the potential to connect into two different electric grid systems, the plan scheduled for transmission build-out in the area and much more.
Wind Classification:
The quality of wind is ranked on a scale of one to seven. In Floyd County the wind ranking is class 4, which is considered good for wind energy development.
Electric Grids:
Texas is served by several electric grid operators. Those operating in the Floyd County area are Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). It is beneficial for the area to be in such close vicinity to both grids because it allows for the opportunity to send electricity generated from wind farms either direction. Even though Floyd County is located primarily in the SPP grid, lines can be built in the area that connect to the ERCOT grid. You can find out more about the electric grid system in the electricity chapter of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Energy Report 2008.
Transmission Build-out:
In January 2009 the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) chose several transmission service providers (TSPs) to construct a build-out of transmission lines across the State of Texas. The purpose of the transmission overhaul was to help harness the wind rich regions of West Texas and the Texas Panhandle in order to send the energy generated into more populated areas of Texas where the energy can be used. Two TSPs have Floyd County included in their study area, Sharyland Utilities and Wind Energy Transmission Texas (WETT). The Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) project in Texas has the potential to help spur wind energy development in Floyd County. The CREZ segment for Floyd Count has been approved and will begin construction in the autumn of 2011. Xcel Energy
is also making plans to construct a transmission line through Floyd County.
song Levelland, also covered by musician Robert Earl Keen
. As McMurtry explains on the track Max's Theormem on the live album Live in Aught-Three, he named the song "Levelland" because Floydada wouldn't fit the meter.
Floydada is referenced in the Kevin Costner golf movie Tin Cup
during a scene where Costner's character, Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy is playing in the U.S. Open when the golf analysts are speculating about the location of Roy's hometown Salome (a fictional town). CBS golf executive Lance Barrow makes the comment, "I think it's somewhere near Floydada."
Floydada was the code name for a 1991 Department of Energy Atomic Weapon Test.
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 Floyd County, 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
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
was 3,038 at the 2010 census.
History
According to the Texas State Historical Association, the community of Floydada, originally named Floyd City, was established on 640 acres of land donated by James B. and Caroline Price of Jefferson City, Missouri. Floydada won the county seat over Della Plain. When a post office came to town, the name was changed to Floydada. Some claim the new name was meant to be Floydalia and was garbled in transmission to Washington; others say it was a combination of the county name and that of donor James Price's mother, Ada; still another version is that it was named for Caroline Price's parents, Floyd and Ada. Floydada became an important railroad junction in 1928 when the Quanah, Acme and Pacific RailwayQuanah, Acme and Pacific Railway
Quanah, Acme and Pacific Railway was a freight railroad that operated between the Red River and Floydada, Texas, from 1902 until it was merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1981.- History :...
finally arrived.
Geography
Floydada is located at 33°59′2"N 101°20′14"W (33.983771, -101.337259).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 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land.
The City of Floydada is located near the edge of the South Panhandle Caprock. This area is characterized by a higher elevation than that of land to the East.
Climate
The City of Floydada and Floyd County experience all four seasons of weather. Winters are cool and windy with little or no precipitation with the exception of snowfall. Summers experience a more mild wind and moderately high temperatures.The following is a list of average climate data to give a general idea of the weather in the area. Note these values are averages and estimates. They are not intended to provide precise data in a given time frame.
| Category | Summer | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Average High Temperature | 92F | 50F |
| Average Low Temperature | 68F | 25F |
| Average Precipitation | 3.75in | 0.5in |
| Average Morning Humidity | 75% | 70% |
| Average Afternoon Humidity | 50% | 50% |
| Average Wind Speed | 11.5 mph | 14.5 mph |
| Average Snowfall | 0.0in | 5.0in |
| Average Sunshine | 78% | 65% |
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 2010, there were 3,038 people.
According to the census of 2000, there were 1,304 households, and 980 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 1,810.8 people per square mile (699.2/km²). There were 1,507 housing units at an average density of 742.3 per square mile (286.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.35% White, 4.13% African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 22.20% 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 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.63% of the population.
There were 1,304 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% 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, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,429, and the median income for a family was $30,038. Males had a median income of $25,179 versus $17,381 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 $12,431. About 24.7% of families and 26.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.2% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Floydada is served by the Floydada Independent School DistrictFloydada Independent School District
Floydada Independent School District is a public school district based in Floydada, Texas . Since fall 2004, Floydada Junior High School has participated as an "immersion campus" in the . Floydada ISD was the first of twenty-two immersed campuses to roll out laptops to students in TxTIP. In 2005,...
. Apple has teamed up with Floydada and has distributed laptop computers to the students and staff of Floydada's Jr. High and High School. In 2007-08, Floydada was the only town in Texas to be an Apple distinguished school.
Workforce Development
Floydada has a number of free training programs provided by the Floydada Professional Development Center and the Floydada Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Employers can access financial assistance for training through the Skills Development Fund and the Self-Sufficiency Fund administered by the Texas Workforce Commission. Local training facilities include Caprock Communicty Action and the Floydada Technology Center.The Floydada Technology Center (FTC) began in 2003 and is provided by the Floydada EDC and is housed in the EDC offices at 105 South 5th Street. The Center itself was designed to provide workforce development to both citizens and businesses upon request. It houses a twelve student capacity classroom with an instructor's podium and computer that is attached to a projector. Caprock Community Action was opened in 2002 and operates a learning lab that offers citizens the opportunity to earn their GED. They are located at 701 E. Lee Street.
The Coronado Site
Archaeologists from Wichita State University excavated in Blanco Canyon, 5 miles south of Floydada. They discovered significant evidence that Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado established a major camp there during his search for QuiviraQuivira
Quivira may refer to:*Quivira, a place first visited by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado while in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Gold*Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, a salt marsh located in south central Kansas...
, one of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold.
The Floyd County Historical Museum in downtown Floydada displays some of the significant artifacts from Coronado's campsite.
There is also an historical marker in Blanco Canyon telling of Coronado's expedition which led through said canyon.
Wind Energy Development
The City of Floydada is located in what many call the wind corridor of the United States. The wind corridor stretches from the Panhandle of Texas up into Minnesota, including some of the most wind rich states in the country.There are several reasons why Floyd County and Floydada, Texas are ideal for wind development. Those reasons include the quality of wind in the region, the potential to connect into two different electric grid systems, the plan scheduled for transmission build-out in the area and much more.
Wind Classification:
The quality of wind is ranked on a scale of one to seven. In Floyd County the wind ranking is class 4, which is considered good for wind energy development.
Electric Grids:
Texas is served by several electric grid operators. Those operating in the Floyd County area are Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). It is beneficial for the area to be in such close vicinity to both grids because it allows for the opportunity to send electricity generated from wind farms either direction. Even though Floyd County is located primarily in the SPP grid, lines can be built in the area that connect to the ERCOT grid. You can find out more about the electric grid system in the electricity chapter of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Energy Report 2008.
Transmission Build-out:
In January 2009 the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) chose several transmission service providers (TSPs) to construct a build-out of transmission lines across the State of Texas. The purpose of the transmission overhaul was to help harness the wind rich regions of West Texas and the Texas Panhandle in order to send the energy generated into more populated areas of Texas where the energy can be used. Two TSPs have Floyd County included in their study area, Sharyland Utilities and Wind Energy Transmission Texas (WETT). The Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) project in Texas has the potential to help spur wind energy development in Floyd County. The CREZ segment for Floyd Count has been approved and will begin construction in the autumn of 2011. Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy, Inc. is a public utility company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Primary services are electricity and natural gas...
is also making plans to construct a transmission line through Floyd County.
Major Industries
The City of Floydada and Floyd County have a strong agriculture-based economy like that of many other counties in the region. However, several other unique industries have added to the economic base to make it diverse in nature, including custom-built metal assembly irrigation motor development, efficient rock crushing systems, and a product called "The Row Stalker."Notable residents
- Max F CrawfordMax F Crawford-Works:*Waltz Across Texas - novel *The Backslider - novel *The Bad Communist - novel*Lords of the Plain - novel*Six Key Cut - novel...
(1938–2010) - author of Lords of the Plains: A Novel, The Bad Communist, Waltz Across Texas, and other books, was born near Floydada and attended Floydada schools. - H. Jeff KimbleH. Jeff KimbleH. Jeff Kimble is the William L. Valentine Professor and Professor of Physics at Caltech. His research is in quantum optics and is noted for groundbreaking experiments in physics including one of the first demonstrations of teleportation of a quantum state , quantum logic gate, and the development...
- William L. Valentine Professor of Physics at Caltech and recipient of the 2004 Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize "For his pioneering work in quantum optics, for his innovative experiments in single-atom optical experiments, and for his skill in communicating the scientific excitement of his research to a broad range of audiences." In 1998, Dr. Kimble and his team at Caltech succeeded in the first true teleportation of a quantum stateQuantum teleportationQuantum teleportation, or entanglement-assisted teleportation, is a process by which a qubit can be transmitted exactly from one location to another, without the qubit being transmitted through the intervening space...
. Kimble grew up in Floydada and was graduated from Floydada High School. - Price PritchettPrice PritchettPrice Pritchett is a business advisor, speaker, and author specializing in mergers, culture, and organizational change.- Biography :Born December 14, 1941, near Glenwood, Arkansas....
(1941- ) - organizational change consultant, founder of Pritchett & Associates, and author of 29 books grew up in nearby South Plains and graduated from Floydada High School in 1960. - Don WilliamsDon WilliamsDon Williams , is an American country singer, songwriter and a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971,...
, a 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...
performer, was born in Floydada in 1939. - L.G. Wilson (1924–2001) - noted high school football coach was the athletic director and head football coach at Floydada High School from 1968 to 1982.
Floydada in Popular Culture
Floydada was the inspiration for the James McMurtryJames McMurtry
James McMurtry is a Texas rock/Texas Country singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader and occasional actor...
song Levelland, also covered by musician Robert Earl Keen
Robert Earl Keen
Robert Earl Keen, Junior is an American Texas Country singer-songwriter. He is popular with fans of traditional country music, folk music, college radio, and alt-country. Keen currently resides in Kerrville, Texas and maintains a ranch in Medina, Texas.-Early life:Growing up in Houston, Texas,...
. As McMurtry explains on the track Max's Theormem on the live album Live in Aught-Three, he named the song "Levelland" because Floydada wouldn't fit the meter.
Floydada is referenced in the Kevin Costner golf movie Tin Cup
Tin Cup
Tin Cup is a 1996 romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Ron Shelton, and starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo with Cheech Marin and Don Johnson in major supporting roles.-Synopsis:...
during a scene where Costner's character, Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy is playing in the U.S. Open when the golf analysts are speculating about the location of Roy's hometown Salome (a fictional town). CBS golf executive Lance Barrow makes the comment, "I think it's somewhere near Floydada."
Floydada was the code name for a 1991 Department of Energy Atomic Weapon Test.