Rankin, Texas
Encyclopedia
Rankin is a city in Upton County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 800 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of the thinly populated county – in 2000, only 3,404 people lived in the entire county, and McCamey
was the only larger town. It is named after F.E. Rankin, a local rancher.
, known locally as Ranch Road 870.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.7 km²), all of it land.
.
The discovery of the Yates Oil Field
in adjacent Pecos County
in 1926 converted Rankin into a boom town. Since Rankin was the nearest settlement on a rail line, it became the center for the oil services industry for the nearby oil fields. During the Great Depression the population declined as the price of oil fell, and as workers moved away to work in newly-discovered fields in East Texas and elsewhere; however, a secondary boom occurred in the 1940s with the discovery of the nearby Benedum Oil Field. A hospital, three new schools, and a library date from this period. The population has gradually fallen since its secondary peak of 1,278 in 1980.
of 2000, there were 800 people, 308 households, and 231 families residing in the city. The population density
was 751.9 people per square mile (291.4/km²). There were 374 housing units at an average density of 351.5 per square mile (136.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.00% White, 2.50% African American, 0.50% Native American, 12.00% from other races
, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.88% of the population.
There were 308 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,528, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $19,563 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,047. About 15.7% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
. The district has two schools - Rankin High School (Red Devils) and James Gossett Elementary.
Upton County, Texas
Upton County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 3,404. Its county seat is Rankin. The county is named for two brothers: John C. and William F. Upton, both Colonels in the Confederate army....
, 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 800 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of the thinly populated county – in 2000, only 3,404 people lived in the entire county, and McCamey
McCamey, Texas
McCamey is a city in Upton County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,805 at the 2000 census. The Texas legislature has declared McCamey "the Wind Energy Capital of Texas" because of the many wind farms that have been built in the area. Its history, however, is primarily that of an oil...
was the only larger town. It is named after F.E. Rankin, a local rancher.
Geography
Rankin is located at 31°13′28"N 101°56′27"W (31.224412, -101.940866). It is at the junction of U.S. Highway 67 and Texas State Highway 329Texas State Highway 329
State Highway 329 or SH 329 is a state highway that runs from Grandfalls in southwestern Texas east and southeast to Rankin.-History:The route was originally designated in 1940 as the part of the highway from Grandfalls to Crane...
, known locally as Ranch Road 870.
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 1.1 square miles (2.7 km²), all of it land.
History
The town was founded in 1911, and the post office was built a year later. In 1921, still a tiny community based around the ranching industry, it was designated county seat. Rankin was served by the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient RailwayKansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway
The Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway, started in 1900 by American railroad entrepreneur Arthur Edward Stilwell, was the predecessor to the Chihuahua al Pacífico railroad in Mexico. It was intended to reach the Pacific Ocean at Topolobampo, Sinaloa...
.
The discovery of the Yates Oil Field
Yates Oil Field
The Yates Oil Field is a giant oil field in the Permian Basin of west Texas. Primarily in extreme southeastern Pecos County, it also stretches under the Pecos River and partially into Crockett County. Iraan, on the Pecos River and directly adjacent to the field, is the nearest town...
in adjacent Pecos County
Pecos County, Texas
Pecos County is a county located in Texas which is named for the Pecos River. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 16,809. The county seat is Fort Stockton....
in 1926 converted Rankin into a boom town. Since Rankin was the nearest settlement on a rail line, it became the center for the oil services industry for the nearby oil fields. During the Great Depression the population declined as the price of oil fell, and as workers moved away to work in newly-discovered fields in East Texas and elsewhere; however, a secondary boom occurred in the 1940s with the discovery of the nearby Benedum Oil Field. A hospital, three new schools, and a library date from this period. The population has gradually fallen since its secondary peak of 1,278 in 1980.
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 800 people, 308 households, and 231 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 751.9 people per square mile (291.4/km²). There were 374 housing units at an average density of 351.5 per square mile (136.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.00% White, 2.50% African American, 0.50% Native American, 12.00% 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 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.88% of the population.
There were 308 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% 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, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,528, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $19,563 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 $16,047. About 15.7% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Rankin is served by the Rankin Independent School DistrictRankin Independent School District
Rankin Independent School District is a public school district located in Rankin, Texas .The district has two schools - Rankin High School and James Gossett Elementary....
. The district has two schools - Rankin High School (Red Devils) and James Gossett Elementary.