Ovilla, Texas
Encyclopedia
Ovilla is a city in Dallas
and Ellis
Counties in the U.S. state
of Texas
. The population was 3,405 at the 2000 census. The two L's are pronounced as a double L (as in village).
was born in the area surrounding Ovilla; the overpass at Interstate 35E
and FM 664 in Red Oak
is named in his memory.
Also, several episodes of "Walker, Texas Ranger" with Chuck Norris were shot in part here. Downtown Ovilla was the set of an old Indian town.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 3,405 people, 1,129 households, and 1,001 families residing in the city. The population density
was 596.7 people per square mile (230.2/km²). There were 1,151 housing units at an average density of 201.7/sq mi (77.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.92% White, 4.88% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races
, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.35% of the population.
There were 1,129 households out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.9% were married couples
living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.3% were non-families. 9.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $73,713, and the median income for a family was $75,000. Males had a median income of $57,600 versus $33,261 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $35,102. About 1.1% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
, and to a lesser extent by the Midlothian Independent School District
, the DeSoto Independent School District
, and the Cedar Hill Independent School District
.
, a private Christian school
, is located in Ovilla.
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
and Ellis
Ellis County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 111,360 people, 37,020 households, and 29,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 118 people per square mile . There were 39,071 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile...
Counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. The population was 3,405 at the 2000 census. The two L's are pronounced as a double L (as in village).
Original settlement
Ovilla, on upper Red Oak Creek in northern Ellis County, is the oldest town in the county. It began in 1844 as a fortified settlement and grew as settlers arrived in the area to attend brush arbor meetings of the Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which was started by Rev. Finis E. King in 1847.First public buildings
The church met in a brush arbor until 1853, when a log cabin, which served as both church and schoolhouse, was built. A frame church building was finished in 1872; in 1984 about 190 members still met in the structure, which had been enlarged and remodeled. The church was instrumental in moving Trinity University to Waxahachie in 1902 and in establishing a girls' school in the nearby town of Milford.20th century breakthrough
Although Ovilla was a thriving farming community by the 1850s, it remained unnamed. Mrs. M. M. Molloy, wife of Rev. D. G. Molloy, formed the name from the Spanish word villa. Ovilla continued to grow and by the early 1900s had a post office, a bank, a cotton gin, a pharmacy, a blacksmith shop, and several dry-goods stores. Its post office closed in 1906. Fires in 1918 and 1926 destroyed most of the downtown buildings, and this destruction, together with the fact that Ovilla was bypassed by railroads and major highways, led to a decline in growth.City incorporation
As Dallas grew, however, and people started moving from the city to the suburbs, Ovilla once again began to grow. To escape annexation by DeSoto or any other neighboring city, the town of Ovilla was incorporated in 1963. In the first census after incorporation its population was 339; by 1980 it had risen to 1,067. Its 1984 population was estimated to be nearly 1,300. In 1990 it was 2,027 and the community had extended into Dallas County. The 2000 Census showed a populations of 3,405. Today's population is estimated to be 4,000.Famous history
Boxcar WillieBoxcar Willie
Boxcar Willie, born as Lecil Travis Martin was an American country music singer, who sang in the "old-time hobo" music style, complete with dirty face, overalls, and a floppy hat...
was born in the area surrounding Ovilla; the overpass at Interstate 35E
Interstate 35E (Texas)
Interstate 35E , an Interstate Highway, is the eastern half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35E runs north for , maintaining I-35's sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Dallas before...
and FM 664 in Red Oak
Red Oak, Texas
-External links:* * * * * *...
is named in his memory.
Also, several episodes of "Walker, Texas Ranger" with Chuck Norris were shot in part here. Downtown Ovilla was the set of an old Indian town.
Geography
Ovilla is located at 32°31′54"N 96°53′29"W (32.531616, -96.891298).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 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), all of it land.
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 3,405 people, 1,129 households, and 1,001 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 596.7 people per square mile (230.2/km²). There were 1,151 housing units at an average density of 201.7/sq mi (77.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.92% White, 4.88% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.70% 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 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.35% of the population.
There were 1,129 households out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.9% 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, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.3% were non-families. 9.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $73,713, and the median income for a family was $75,000. Males had a median income of $57,600 versus $33,261 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 $35,102. About 1.1% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools
The city of Ovilla is primarily served by the Red Oak Independent School DistrictRed Oak Independent School District
The Red Oak Independent School District is a school district in northern Ellis County, Texas .The district serves the communities of Pecan Hill and Red Oak, along with portions of Glenn Heights, Oak Leaf, Ovilla, and Waxahachie....
, and to a lesser extent by the Midlothian Independent School District
Midlothian Independent School District
Midlothian Independent School District is a public school district based in Midlothian, Texas .In addition to Midlothian, the district serves parts of Cedar Hill, Mansfield, Grand Prairie, Ovilla, and Venus as well as rural areas in northwestern Ellis County.- Controversial TEA Rating :In 2009, the...
, the DeSoto Independent School District
DeSoto Independent School District
DeSoto Independent School District is a school district based in DeSoto, Texas . The district covers most of DeSoto and the Dallas County portions of Glenn Heights and Ovilla....
, and the Cedar Hill Independent School District
Cedar Hill Independent School District
Cedar Hill Independent School District is a public school district based in Cedar Hill, Texas, United States.Cedar Hill serves most of the city of Cedar Hill and portions of Grand Prairie, Ovilla, Duncanville and Dallas....
.
Private schools
Ovilla Christian SchoolOvilla Christian School
Ovilla Christian School is a private Christian school located in Ovilla, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. OCS is a ministry of Ovilla Road Baptist Church and is co-located with the church on a campus....
, a private Christian school
Christian school
A Christian school is a school run on Christian principles or by a Christian organization.The nature of Christian schools varies enormously from country to country, according to the religious, educational, and political cultures...
, is located in Ovilla.