La Ward, Texas
Encyclopedia
La Ward is a city in Jackson County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 200 at the 2000 census. The U.S. Census Bureau
estimates the population at 193 as of 1 July 2008.
and FM 616 in southern Jackson County, approximately 12 miles south of Ganado
and 17 miles southeast of Edna
. The nearest large city is Victoria
, 46 miles west of La Ward.
The United States Census Bureau
lists the total city area at 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.
. It was named for Lafayette Ward, a local who became a leader in introducing Hereford
, Brahman
, and Jersey cattle to Texas. By 1914, La Ward had developed into a cattle and shipping center. The community had its own independent school district and an estimated population of 200 in 1940. That number had risen to around 300 by the early 1960s. Throughout the remainder of the twentieth century, La Ward's population declined to 247 in 1970, to 218 in 1980, and to 162 in 1990. It increased to 200 in 2000, a 23 percent increase over the 1990 figure.
there were 200 people, 63 households, and 50 families residing in the city. The population density
was 245.8 people per square mile (95.3/km²). There were 79 housing units at an average density of 97.1/sq mi (37.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.00% White, 1.00% Native American, 12.50% from other races
, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.50% of the population.
There were 63 households 42.9% of which had children age 17 or younger, 66.7% were married couples
living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 3.66.
In the city the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $45,833. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,633. About 5.2% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 4.9% of those sixty five or over.
. The district has served La Ward since its creation in 1949.
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 200 at the 2000 census. The 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...
estimates the population at 193 as of 1 July 2008.
Geography
La Ward is located at 28°50′42"N 96°27′56"W (28.845036, -96.465659), at the junction of State Highway 172Texas State Highway 172
State Highway 172 is a state highway in Texas that connects Ganado to Olivia on the Gulf Coast.-Route description:State maintenance and the SH 172 designation begin along the shore of Keller Bay in the Calhoun County community of Olivia. The route travels northward along the peninsula and into...
and FM 616 in southern Jackson County, approximately 12 miles south of Ganado
Ganado, Texas
Ganado is a city in Jackson County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,915 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ganado is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
and 17 miles southeast of Edna
Edna, Texas
Edna is a city in Jackson County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,899 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jackson County.Edna is the gateway to Lake Texana, which covers the site of Texana, Texas...
. The nearest large city is Victoria
Victoria, Texas
Victoria is a city in and the seat of Victoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 60,603 at the 2000 census. The three counties of the Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 111,163 at the 2000 census,...
, 46 miles west of La Ward.
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...
lists the total city area at 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.
History
The community emerged on the coastal prairie in 1904 with the arrival of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico RailwaySt. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway
The St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Railway was a 200-mile railroad that operated from Brownsville, Texas to Gulf Coast Junction in Houston. It passed through small southeast Texas communities such as Robstown, Corpus Christi, Bay City, and Harlingen as well as the Rio Grande Valley.-History:Uriah...
. It was named for Lafayette Ward, a local who became a leader in introducing Hereford
Hereford (cattle)
Hereford cattle are a beef cattle breed, widely used both in intemperate areas and temperate areas, mainly for meat production.Originally from Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom, more than five million pedigree Hereford Cattle now exist in over 50 countries...
, Brahman
Brahman (cattle)
The Brahman or Brahma is a breed of Zebu cattle , later exported from India to the rest of the world. The main breeds used were Kankrej, Gujurat, Nelore or Ongole and the Gir or Gyr cattle...
, and Jersey cattle to Texas. By 1914, La Ward had developed into a cattle and shipping center. The community had its own independent school district and an estimated population of 200 in 1940. That number had risen to around 300 by the early 1960s. Throughout the remainder of the twentieth century, La Ward's population declined to 247 in 1970, to 218 in 1980, and to 162 in 1990. It increased to 200 in 2000, a 23 percent increase over the 1990 figure.
Demographics
As of the 2000 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...
there were 200 people, 63 households, and 50 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 245.8 people per square mile (95.3/km²). There were 79 housing units at an average density of 97.1/sq mi (37.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.00% White, 1.00% Native American, 12.50% 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 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.50% of the population.
There were 63 households 42.9% of which had children age 17 or younger, 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, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 3.66.
In the city the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $45,833. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $23,750 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 $15,633. About 5.2% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 4.9% of those sixty five or over.
Education
Public education in the city of La Ward is provided by the Industrial Independent School DistrictIndustrial Independent School District
Industrial Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Vanderbilt, Texas, United States.The district currently serves an area of three hundred square miles in southern Jackson County and a portion of Victoria County...
. The district has served La Ward since its creation in 1949.