Forsan, Texas
Encyclopedia
Forsan is a city in Howard County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 226 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau
estimate placed the population at 221.
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
's impact on Forsan wasn't as significant as in other rural Texas towns. The population grew to 400 by 1936. That figure remained constant through the mid-1950s, but there was a decline in the number of businesses. The Elbow Common School District, based in the community of Elbow
, consolidated with Forsan schools in 1960. On March 25, 1961, the first mayor and city council were elected following an earlier decision to incorporate the community. Forsan's population began to decline and by 1980, 239 people lived in the city. That number rose to 256 in 1990, but had declined to 226 in 2000.
of 2000, there were 226 people, 84 households, and 69 families residing in the city. The population density
was 778.8 people per square mile (300.9/km²). There were 96 housing units at an average density of 330.8 per square mile (127.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.79% White, 0.44% Native American, 0.44% from other races
, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.39% of the population.
There were 84 households out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples
living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,000, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $17,250 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,103. About 11.5% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.4% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those sixty five or over.
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 226 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. 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...
estimate placed the population at 221.
Geography
Forsan is located at 32°6′34"N 101°21′56"W (32.109359, -101.365531). It is situated along FM 461 in southeastern Howard County, approximately twelve miles southeast of Big SpringBig Spring, Texas
Big Spring is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Texas, United States, at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 87 and Interstate 20. With a population of 25,233 at the 2000 census, it is the largest city between Midland to the west, Abilene to the east, Lubbock to the north, and San Angelo...
.
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 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
History
Forsan's development as a community dates back to the 1920s, when oil was discovered in the area. Oil companies began leasing local land and production from the first oil well began on November 9, 1925. On May 28, 1928, a town site on the ranch of Charles Stewart was placed on the market. An office was set up and lots were sold at twenty-five dollars each. By December 1928, the growing community was known as Forsan. The name was derived from the fact that four paying oil sands were believed to be present in the area. Drillers would later discover that there actually at least five sands present. A school and several businesses opened soon after. On March 5, 1929, Forsan's post office began operating. A true oil boomtown, Forsan's population had already reached 350 by 1931. The Great DepressionGreat Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
's impact on Forsan wasn't as significant as in other rural Texas towns. The population grew to 400 by 1936. That figure remained constant through the mid-1950s, but there was a decline in the number of businesses. The Elbow Common School District, based in the community of Elbow
Elbow, Texas
Elbow is an unincorporated community in Howard County, Texas, United States. It lies 6.8 miles south of Big Spring.- Geography :Elbow is located at 32°9’37” North, 101°30’43” West .Elevation is 2549 feet.-External links:...
, consolidated with Forsan schools in 1960. On March 25, 1961, the first mayor and city council were elected following an earlier decision to incorporate the community. Forsan's population began to decline and by 1980, 239 people lived in the city. That number rose to 256 in 1990, but had declined to 226 in 2000.
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 226 people, 84 households, and 69 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 778.8 people per square mile (300.9/km²). There were 96 housing units at an average density of 330.8 per square mile (127.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.79% White, 0.44% Native American, 0.44% 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 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.39% of the population.
There were 84 households out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% 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, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,000, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $17,250 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 $17,103. About 11.5% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.4% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those sixty five or over.