Eastland, Texas

Eastland is a city in Eastland County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,960 at the 2010 census.[5] It is the county seat of Eastland County.[6]

Eastland, Texas
City
Downtown Eastland, Texas
Location of Eastland, Texas
Coordinates: 32°23′55″N 98°49′16″W
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyEastland
Area
 • Total4.39 sq mi (11.38 km2)
 • Land4.36 sq mi (11.30 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation
1,440 ft (439 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,960
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
3,850
 • Density882.22/sq mi (340.59/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
76448
Area code(s)254
FIPS code48-22132[3]
GNIS feature ID1335045[4]
Websitewww.cityofeastland.com

History

During the 1920s, Eastland, like nearby Cisco, Ranger, and Desdemona, was a petroleum boomtown.

Eastland is known for the legend of "Old Rip", a horned toad that lived many years sealed in the cornerstone of the previous Eastland courthouse built in 1897.

The recession of 1921 exacerbated racial tensions between Anglos and Mexicans. Naturally, unemployment increased in town and whites attempted to oust Mexicans whom were hired during the WWI boom. Masked men ravaged shacks used by Mexicans as living quarters. Whites threatened Mexicans' lives and fearful, they fled to nearby Fort Worth to seek help from the Mexican Consulate since local authorities took the side of the Anglo locals.[7]

In 1928, the current courthouse was erected, the prior cornerstone was opened, and "Old Rip" was found alive. The animal, a kind of lizard, received national publicity. It died in 1929 of pneumonia and was placed in a glass-front casket on view in the present courthouse.[8]

Geography

Eastland is located north of the center of Eastland County at 32°23′55″N 98°49′16″W (32.398715, −98.821144).[9] It is 96 miles (154 km) west-southwest of Fort Worth and 55 miles (89 km) east of Abilene. The city is accessed by Interstate 20 between exits 340 to the south and 343 to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.2 km2), all of it land.[5]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
187088—
1880539512.5%
1900596—
191085543.5%
19209,368995.7%
19304,648−50.4%
19403,849−17.2%
19503,626−5.8%
19603,292−9.2%
19703,178−3.5%
19803,74717.9%
19903,690−1.5%
20003,7692.1%
20103,9605.1%
2019 (est.)3,850[2]−2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 3,769 people, 1,475 households, and 998 families living in the city. The population density was 1,333.1 people per square mile (514.2/km2). There were 1,737 housing units at an average density of 614.4 per square mile (237.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.64% White, 1.80% African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.67% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.89% of the population. There were 1,475 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,277, and the median income for a family was $34,333. Males had a median income of $27,072 versus $16,574 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,339. About 14.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The Texas Eleventh Court of Appeals is located in the Eastland County Courthouse in Eastland.[11]

Education

The city is served by the Eastland Independent School District and is home of the Eastland Mavericks.

Notable people

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Eastland has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[12]

  • Centennial Memorial Library in Eastland
  • The Majestic Theatre in Eastland
  • Facade of historic First United Methodist Church of Eastland
  • The Eastland Historic Hotel
  • First Christian Church in downtown Eastland
  • First Baptist Church in Eastland
  • Downtown Eastland
  • Eastland Town Square

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Eastland city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. Chicano! The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement, p. 113
  8. "Eastland, Texas", 2009 Texas State Travel Guide, p. 121
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. "Contact Information Archived 2010-01-25 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Eleventh Court of Appeals. Retrieved on March 10, 2010.
  12. Climate Summary for Eastland, Texas
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