Palmer, Texas
Encyclopedia
Palmer is a town in Ellis County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 1,774 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,776 people, 556 households, and 454 families residing in the town. The population density
was 627.7 people per square mile (242.0/km²). There were 591 housing units at an average density of 209.1 per square mile (80.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.70% White, 1.80% African American, 0.85% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 8.68% from other races
, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.32% of the population.
There were 556 households out of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,729, and the median income for a family was $44,922. Males had a median income of $29,695 versus $23,300 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,483. About 6.7% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
, a 1983 film about a country western singer
, were filmed in Palmer, although the majority was filmed in Waxahachie, Texas
. In both towns, director Bruce Beresford
deliberately filmed more barren and isolated locations that more closely resembled the West Texas
area. The Texas town portrayed in Tender Mercies is never specifically identified.
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...
, 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 1,774 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Palmer is located at 32°25′46"N 96°40′8"W (32.429405, -96.669013).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 town has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 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 1,776 people, 556 households, and 454 families residing in the town. 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 627.7 people per square mile (242.0/km²). There were 591 housing units at an average density of 209.1 per square mile (80.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.70% White, 1.80% African American, 0.85% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 8.68% 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 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.32% of the population.
There were 556 households out of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% 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, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,729, and the median income for a family was $44,922. Males had a median income of $29,695 versus $23,300 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 town was $15,483. About 6.7% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Portions of Tender MerciesTender Mercies
Tender Mercies is a 1983 American drama film directed by Bruce Beresford. The screenplay by Horton Foote focuses on Mac Sledge, a recovering alcoholic country music singer who seeks to turn his life around through his relationship with a young widow and her son in rural Texas...
, a 1983 film about a country western singer
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, were filmed in Palmer, although the majority was filmed in Waxahachie, Texas
Waxahachie, Texas
Waxahachie is a city in Ellis County, Texas, United States, and a southern suburb of Dallas. The population was 21,426 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ellis County....
. In both towns, director Bruce Beresford
Bruce Beresford
Bruce Beresford is an Australian film director who has made more than 30 feature films over a 40-year career.-Early life:...
deliberately filmed more barren and isolated locations that more closely resembled the West Texas
West Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
area. The Texas town portrayed in Tender Mercies is never specifically identified.