Fort Hancock, Texas
Encyclopedia
Fort Hancock is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Hudspeth County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 1,713 at the 2000 census. Fort Hancock and El Porvenir, Chihuahua area is connected by the Fort Hancock-El Porvenir International Bridge
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 37.8 square miles (97.9 km²), of which, 37.7 square miles (97.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.42%) is water.
, a hero of the battle of Gettysburg. The fort was damaged in a flood that year, but rebuilt. It was damaged again in a flood in 1894, then abandoned December 15, 1895. The location of the post today is a cottonfield about one and one half miles west of the town of Fort Hancock.
of 2000, there were 1,713 people, 486 households, and 405 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 45.5 people per square mile (17.6/km²). There were 579 housing units at an average density of 15.4/sq mi (5.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.51% White, 0.18% Native American, 4.03% from other races
, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 90.83% of the population.
There were 486 households out of which 58.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples
living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.5% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.52 and the average family size was 3.97.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 39.3% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $17,525, and the median income for a family was $18,560. Males had a median income of $17,411 versus $13,281 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $7,037. About 44.6% of families and 46.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.7% of those under age 18 and 57.6% of those age 65 or over.
operates the Fort Hancock Post Office.
. Red crosses the U.S. border into Mexico to join his friend, Andy, who earlier escaped from Shawshank Prison and into Mexico via Fort Hancock.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Hudspeth County
Hudspeth County, Texas
Hudspeth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. As of 2000, the population was 3,344. By 2010, the population had increased to 3,476. Its county seat is Sierra Blanca. The largest city is Fort Hancock...
, 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 1,713 at the 2000 census. Fort Hancock and El Porvenir, Chihuahua area is connected by the Fort Hancock-El Porvenir International Bridge
Fort Hancock-El Porvenir International Bridge
The Fort Hancock-El Porvenir International Bridge is an international bridge which crosses the Rio Grande connecting the United States-Mexico border cities of Fort Hancock, Texas and El Porvenir, Chihuahua. The bridge is also known as "Puente El Porvenir" The two lane international bridge was...
.
Geography
Fort Hancock is located at 31°17′30"N 105°51′37"W (31.291596, -105.860364).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 CDP has a total area of 37.8 square miles (97.9 km²), of which, 37.7 square miles (97.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.42%) is water.
History
Fort Hancock was established along the El Paso to San Antonio road as Camp Rice on June 9, 1882. It was moved from the former site of Fort Quitman. It was established by a troop of the 10th U.S. Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers". It was never a large post rarely having more than sixty men. It was designated Fort Hancock in 1886 after the death of General Winfield Scott HancockWinfield Scott Hancock
Winfield Scott Hancock was a career U.S. Army officer and the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1880. He served with distinction in the Army for four decades, including service in the Mexican-American War and as a Union general in the American Civil War...
, a hero of the battle of Gettysburg. The fort was damaged in a flood that year, but rebuilt. It was damaged again in a flood in 1894, then abandoned December 15, 1895. The location of the post today is a cottonfield about one and one half miles west of the town of Fort Hancock.
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 1,713 people, 486 households, and 405 families residing in the CDP. 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 45.5 people per square mile (17.6/km²). There were 579 housing units at an average density of 15.4/sq mi (5.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.51% White, 0.18% Native American, 4.03% 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 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 90.83% of the population.
There were 486 households out of which 58.6% 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, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.5% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.52 and the average family size was 3.97.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 39.3% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $17,525, and the median income for a family was $18,560. Males had a median income of $17,411 versus $13,281 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 CDP was $7,037. About 44.6% of families and 46.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.7% of those under age 18 and 57.6% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Fort Hancock Post Office.
Popular culture
Fort Hancock is the destination of Red in the 1994 filmThe Shawshank RedemptionThe Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman....
. Red crosses the U.S. border into Mexico to join his friend, Andy, who earlier escaped from Shawshank Prison and into Mexico via Fort Hancock.