Groves, Texas
Encyclopedia
Groves is a city in Jefferson County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 15,733 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau
estimate placed the population at 14,393. It is part of the Beaumont
–Port Arthur
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
in eastern Jefferson County. The city of Port Arthur
borders Groves on three sides (southeast, southwest, and northeast), while Port Neches
lies to the northwest. Three State Highways
– 73, 87, and 347
– pass through or near the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), of which, 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²) of it is land and 0.19% is water.
settlement in Port Arthur to a new home on 640 acres (2.6 km²) of land. It would be in that same general area around 1911 that John Warne Gates purchased additional tracts of land. The land was conveyed to the Griffing brothers of Port Arthur in 1916 and three years later, Griffing Brothers Nursery employee Wiley Choate supervised the planting of several thousand pecan trees on a 385 acres (1.6 km²) tract. In 1921, the Port Arthur Land Development Company took control of the site and divided the land into a residential subdivision known as Pecan Grove. The name was later shortened to "Groves," after development representative and pioneer Port Arthurian Asa Groves.
A post office was established in 1927 and a school opened in 1929. A public library opened the following year. The community rapidly developed as a stop on the Kansas City Southern Railway
. The Atlantic Refinery began operating in 1936. In 1940, a public water system was installed in the community. Several civic organizations, including the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Volunteer Fire Department were formed during the 1940s. By the early 1950s, Groves had an estimated population of 1,300. In 1952, residents of the community voted 1,079-262 in favor of incorporating Groves as a city. Rapid population growth followed, surpassing 17,000 in the 1960 census and reaching 18,067 by 1970. During the remainder of the twentieth century, the number of residents slowly declined. In 2000, Groves was the fourth-largest city in Jefferson County, after Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Nederland
.
of 2000, there were 15,733 people, 6,182 households, and 4,512 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,036.7 people per square mile (1,172.7/km2). There were 6,570 housing units at an average density of 1,268.1/sq mi (489.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.46% White, 1.32% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.98% from other races
, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.82% of the population.
There were 6,182 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18 (see Recreation), 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,692, and the median income for a family was $50,892. Males had a median income of $41,404 versus $23,493 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $21,147.
Groves Post Office is located at 6230 39th Street.
The city has invested over $14,000,000 into the city infrastructure between 2003 and present date. This includes a new $6,000,000 water treatment plant as well as $5,000,000 borrowed from the TWDB to deal with inflow and infiltration issues in the waste water collection system. Substantial investments have also been made to the water distribution system and waste water treatment plant. In this same time frame an additional $2,000,000 has been allocated to streets and drainage maintenance and improvements.
.
system is in nearby Beaumont.
Post-secondary educational opportunities are provided to the city of Groves and surrounding areas by the main campus of Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College at Port Arthur, and Lamar State College at Orange.
Jefferson County, Texas
Jefferson County is a county located in the state of Texas, United States. As of 2000, the population was 252,051. Its county seat is Beaumont, and it is named for the former U.S...
, 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 15,733 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 14,393. It is part of the Beaumont
Beaumont, Texas
Beaumont is a city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Texas, United States, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's population was 118,296 at the 2010 census. With Port Arthur and Orange, it forms the Golden Triangle, a major industrial area on the...
–Port Arthur
Port Arthur, Texas
-Demographics:As of the 2000 census, there were 57,755 people, 21,839 households, and 14,675 families residing in the city. The population density was 696.5 people per square mile . There were 24,713 housing units at an average density of 298.0 per square mile...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area
The Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Area is defined by the United States Census Bureau as a three-county region in Southeast Texas, east of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The area is also known as the Golden Triangle...
.
Geography
Groves is located at 29.947113°N 93.915829°W (29.947113, -93.915829). It is situated approximately eleven miles southeast of BeaumontBeaumont, Texas
Beaumont is a city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Texas, United States, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's population was 118,296 at the 2010 census. With Port Arthur and Orange, it forms the Golden Triangle, a major industrial area on the...
in eastern Jefferson County. The city of Port Arthur
Port Arthur, Texas
-Demographics:As of the 2000 census, there were 57,755 people, 21,839 households, and 14,675 families residing in the city. The population density was 696.5 people per square mile . There were 24,713 housing units at an average density of 298.0 per square mile...
borders Groves on three sides (southeast, southwest, and northeast), while Port Neches
Port Neches, Texas
Port Neches is a city in Jefferson County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,601 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
lies to the northwest. Three State Highways
Texas state highways
Texas state highways are a network of highways owned and maintained by the U.S. state of Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation is the state agency responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the system. In addition to the nationally-numbered Interstate highways and U.S...
– 73, 87, and 347
Texas State Highway 347
State Highway 347 or SH 347 is a Texas state highway that runs from the southern edge of Beaumont into Port Arthur. The route was designated in 1942.-Route description:...
– pass through or near the city.
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 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), of which, 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²) of it is land and 0.19% is water.
History
In 1886, Sam Lee moved his family from a Sabine LakeSabine Lake
200px | thumb | Sabine lake as seen from outer space.Sabine Lake is a salt water estuary on the Texas-Louisiana border. The lake, some long and wide, is formed by the confluence of the Neches River and Sabine River. Through its tidal outlet long, Sabine Pass, Sabine Lake drains some of Texas...
settlement in Port Arthur to a new home on 640 acres (2.6 km²) of land. It would be in that same general area around 1911 that John Warne Gates purchased additional tracts of land. The land was conveyed to the Griffing brothers of Port Arthur in 1916 and three years later, Griffing Brothers Nursery employee Wiley Choate supervised the planting of several thousand pecan trees on a 385 acres (1.6 km²) tract. In 1921, the Port Arthur Land Development Company took control of the site and divided the land into a residential subdivision known as Pecan Grove. The name was later shortened to "Groves," after development representative and pioneer Port Arthurian Asa Groves.
A post office was established in 1927 and a school opened in 1929. A public library opened the following year. The community rapidly developed as a stop on the Kansas City Southern Railway
Kansas City Southern Railway
The Kansas City Southern Railway , owned by Kansas City Southern Industries, is the smallest and second-oldest Class I railroad company still in operation. KCS was founded in 1887 and is currently operating in a region consisting of ten central U.S. states...
. The Atlantic Refinery began operating in 1936. In 1940, a public water system was installed in the community. Several civic organizations, including the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Volunteer Fire Department were formed during the 1940s. By the early 1950s, Groves had an estimated population of 1,300. In 1952, residents of the community voted 1,079-262 in favor of incorporating Groves as a city. Rapid population growth followed, surpassing 17,000 in the 1960 census and reaching 18,067 by 1970. During the remainder of the twentieth century, the number of residents slowly declined. In 2000, Groves was the fourth-largest city in Jefferson County, after Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Nederland
Nederland, Texas
Nederland is a city in Jefferson County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,547 at the 2010 census.The city is adjacent to the Southeast Texas Regional Airport in Port Arthur, which serves the nearby cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur. It is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...
.
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 15,733 people, 6,182 households, and 4,512 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 3,036.7 people per square mile (1,172.7/km2). There were 6,570 housing units at an average density of 1,268.1/sq mi (489.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.46% White, 1.32% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 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 7.82% of the population.
There were 6,182 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% 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, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18 (see Recreation), 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,692, and the median income for a family was $50,892. Males had a median income of $41,404 versus $23,493 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 $21,147.
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...
Groves Post Office is located at 6230 39th Street.
The city has invested over $14,000,000 into the city infrastructure between 2003 and present date. This includes a new $6,000,000 water treatment plant as well as $5,000,000 borrowed from the TWDB to deal with inflow and infiltration issues in the waste water collection system. Substantial investments have also been made to the water distribution system and waste water treatment plant. In this same time frame an additional $2,000,000 has been allocated to streets and drainage maintenance and improvements.
Public schools
The City of Groves is served by the Port Neches-Groves Independent School DistrictPort Neches-Groves Independent School District
Port Neches-Groves Independent School District is a public school district based in Port Neches, Texas . In addition to Port Neches, the district also serves most of the city of Groves, as well as portions of the neighboring cities of Port Arthur and Nederland.In 2009, the school district was rated...
.
Colleges and universities
The Lamar UniversityLamar University
Lamar University, often referred to as Lamar or LU, is a comprehensive coeducational public research university located in Beaumont, Texas, United States. Lamar confers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and is classified as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Commission on Higher...
system is in nearby Beaumont.
Post-secondary educational opportunities are provided to the city of Groves and surrounding areas by the main campus of Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College at Port Arthur, and Lamar State College at Orange.