Azle, Texas

Azle is on State Highway 199, 16 miles (26 km) northwest of downtown Fort Worth, in the northwest corner of Tarrant County; the town extends partly into Parker and Wise Counties.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.8 square miles (22.9 km²), of which 8.8 square miles (22.8 km²) is land and 0.015 square miles (0.04 km²), or 0.20%, is covered by water.[8]

The first recorded settlement at the site occurred in 1846, when James Azle Steward, a young doctor, moved into a log cabin built by a Dutchman named Rumsfeldt. Other settlers came and established themselves near the local streams, Ash Creek, Silver Creek, and Walnut Creek. Steward helped establish the first cemetery, Ash Creek. The oldest graves there are those of Dave Morrison (1849–1874) and W. P. Gregg (1833–1874).[9] The first post office opened in 1881, and the town took the name of O'Bar, in honor of the man who obtained the postal service. A short time later in 1883, the name was changed to Azle at the request of Steward, who donated the land for a townsite.[10] The community's economy was based on agriculture. Several crops were grown, including wheat, corn, peanuts, sorghum, and cotton. Watermelons, cantaloupes, peaches, plums, and pears were also produced. Dairy farming became important in the early decades of the 20th century, when local milk products were sold to creameries in Fort Worth. Azle's population grew steadily, and by 1920, the census recorded 150 residents. By 1933, State Highway 34 (later State Highway 199) had reached Azle from Fort Worth, greatly improving transportation between the town and the city. Also, Eagle Mountain Lake was formed by a dam on the Trinity River, east of Azle.

In the late 1930s, electricity was supplied to Azle and the surrounding countryside. The population grew between 1940 and 1960 from 800 to 2,696. It was 5,822 by 1980. After the 1930s, agriculture gradually declined; fields were converted from wheat and corn production to housing developments. Manufacturing increased, and in 1984, Azle had 26 businesses. In 1985, the population was estimated at more than 7,000. In 1990, the population was 8,868. It grew to 9,600 by 2000.[11]

As of the census[5] of 2000, 9,600 people, 3,716 households, and 2,701 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,170.8 people per square mile (452.0/km²). The 3,957 housing units averaged 482.6 per square mile (186.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.90% White, 0.22% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.41% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.20% of the population.

Of the 3,716 households, 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were not families. About 24.0% 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 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was distributed as 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,304, and for a family was $51,660. Males had a median income of $37,522 versus $26,998 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,817. About 6.9% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

The City of Azle is served by the Azle Independent School District. The Azle High School Math/Science and Journalism teams combined won the 2005 UIL State Academic Meet championship with a total of 110 points. In 2003, 2007, and 2009, the Marching Green Pride band of Azle directed by Dr. Ross Grant advanced to the State Marching competition in San Antonio. In November 2011, the Marching Green Pride, under the direction of Shawn Murphy, placed 18th out of 244 4A marching bands in the state of Texas. In 2013, the Marching Green Pride placed 13th out of the same category.

Schools:

• Azle HIgh School
• Santo J. Forte Junior High
• Azle Junior High
• W.E. Hoover Elementary (5-6)
• Azle Elementary (Rock School) (5-6)
• Walnut Creek Elementary
• Liberty Elementary
• Silver Creek Elementary
• Eagle Heights Elementary
• Cross Timbers Elementary

• James Casey (American football)
• Andrew Greer, musician
• Stephanie Klick, member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 91, formerly resided in Azle; since, Fort Worth
• Robert Landers, Senior PGA golfer
• Marcus Luttrell, Navy SEAL, Author, lived in Azle for a few years as a boy
• Les Peden, American baseball player
• James Reasoner, author of over 150 Westerns
• Jon Shirley, President of Microsoft Corporation
• Chas Skelly, UFC Fighter
• Red Steagall, American actor, musician, poet, and stage performer, had a ranch outside Azle.
• Shelbi Vaughan, Olympic discus thrower
• John T. Walker, USMC Lieutenant General
• Ken Maddox, California politician, Azle High School alumnus

• City of Azle official website
• Local Paper: Azle News