Smyer, Texas
Encyclopedia
Smyer is a town in Hockley County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 480 at the 2000 census.
acquired 262000 acre (1,060.3 km²) in Hockley and Lamb counties and formed the Spade Ranch. The ranch, located deep within the heart of the Llano Estacado
, was 10 miles wide by 54 miles long. The ranch's main headquarters was located in southeastern Lamb County and the south pasture operations were headed up in eastern Hockley County, near present-day Smyer. The town of Smyer was founded in 1924 when Wlliam L. Ellwood began selling portions of the Spade Ranch to farmers. The town was platted in 1925 and named after Clinton E. Smyer, a Santa Fe Railroad
division superintendent.
at 33°35′13"N 102°9′45"W (33.586854, -102.162501).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 480 people, 179 households, and 141 families residing in the town. The population density
was 617.3 people per square mile (237.6/km²). There were 215 housing units at an average density of 276.5 per square mile (106.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 81.88% White, 2.08% African American, 1.25% Native American, 13.12% from other races
, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.17% of the population.
There were 179 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples
living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,667, and the median income for a family was $32,000. Males had a median income of $23,594 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $11,784. About 16.4% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.
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 480 at the 2000 census.
History
In 1902, Isaac L. EllwoodIsaac L. Ellwood
Isaac Leonard Ellwood was an American rancher, businessman and barbed wire entrepreneur.-Early life:...
acquired 262000 acre (1,060.3 km²) in Hockley and Lamb counties and formed the Spade Ranch. The ranch, located deep within the heart of the Llano Estacado
Llano Estacado
Llano Estacado , commonly known as the Staked Plains, is a region in the Southwestern United States that encompasses parts of eastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas, including the South Plains and parts of the Texas Panhandle...
, was 10 miles wide by 54 miles long. The ranch's main headquarters was located in southeastern Lamb County and the south pasture operations were headed up in eastern Hockley County, near present-day Smyer. The town of Smyer was founded in 1924 when Wlliam L. Ellwood began selling portions of the Spade Ranch to farmers. The town was platted in 1925 and named after Clinton E. Smyer, a Santa Fe Railroad
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
division superintendent.
Geography
Smyer is located on the level plains of the Llano EstacadoLlano Estacado
Llano Estacado , commonly known as the Staked Plains, is a region in the Southwestern United States that encompasses parts of eastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas, including the South Plains and parts of the Texas Panhandle...
at 33°35′13"N 102°9′45"W (33.586854, -102.162501).
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 0.8 square miles (2.1 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 480 people, 179 households, and 141 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 617.3 people per square mile (237.6/km²). There were 215 housing units at an average density of 276.5 per square mile (106.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 81.88% White, 2.08% African American, 1.25% Native American, 13.12% 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 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.17% of the population.
There were 179 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% 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, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,667, and the median income for a family was $32,000. Males had a median income of $23,594 versus $20,313 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 $11,784. About 16.4% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.