Hempstead is a city in Waller County, Texas, United States. The community, located at the junctions of U.S. Highway 290, Texas State Highway 6, and Texas State Highway 159, is around fifty miles northwest of Downtown Houston.[4] The population was 4,691 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Waller County.[5]
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History
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On December 29, 1856 Dr. Richard Rodgers Peebles and James W. McDade organized the Hempstead Town Company to sell lots in the newly-established community of Hempstead, which was located at the projected terminus of Houston and Texas Central Railway. Peebles named Hempstead after Dr. G. S. B. Hempstead, Peebles's brother in law. Peebles and Mary Ann Groce Peebles, his wife, contributed 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of the estate of Jared E. Groce, Jr. for the community. On June 29, 1858 the Houston and Texas Central Railway was extended to Hempstead, causing the community to become a distribution center between the Gulf Coast and the interior of Texas. On November 10 of that year Hempstead incorporated. The Washington County Railroad, which ran from Hempstead to Brenham, enhanced the city upon its completion.[4]
Hempstead is famous for its watermelon crop, and until the 1940s the town was the top shipper of watermelons in the United States. Amond Holmes was known as the watermelon King and Jessie Mae Braggs was known as the watermelon Queen. Both resided in Sunnyside, Texas. The town holds a Watermelon Festival in July.[citation needed]
The town has grown in recent years because of its relative closeness to Houston along U.S. Highway 290. The current economy is based on county government, shipping, and a large auto dealership which closed its doors in 2009.[citation needed]
The town's most famous resident is one Lillie E. Drennan, who in 1929 became the first woman to hold a commercial driver's license in Texas. She ran a regional hauling company called the Drennan Truck Line while maintaining an excellent driving record. Drennan received periodical attention in national newspapers and radio broadcasts.[citation needed]
Geography
Map of HempsteadHempstead is located at 30°5′29″N 96°4′53″W / 30.09139°N 96.08139°W (30.091427, -96.081252).[6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.0 square miles (12.9 km²), of which, 5.0 square miles (12.9 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.40%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 4,691 people, 1,663 households, and 1,124 families residing in the city. The population density was 943.8 people per square mile (364.4/km²). There were 1,848 housing units at an average density of 371.8/sq mi (143.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.86% White, 43.44% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 14.65% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.77% of the population.
There were 1,663 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 14.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,095, and the median income for a family was $29,744. Males had a median income of $26,673 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,560. About 22.9% of families and 29.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.5% of those under age 18 and 25.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Until February 2009 the Lawrence Marshall car dealership was Hempstead's largest employer. The sudden closure of the dealership lead the city to reconsider capital projects such as sewer upgrades and park beautification.[7]
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal Service Hempstead Post Office is located at 901 12th Street.[8]
Education
The City of Hempstead is served by the Hempstead Independent School District.
References
- ^ "US Census Bureau Population Finder: Hempstead city, TX". factfinder.census.gov. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US4834220&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US48%7C16000US4834220&_street=&_county=hempstead&_cityTown=hempstead&_state=04000US48&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=. Retrieved on 2007-09-08.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b Hempstead, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
- ^ "". National Association of Counties. . Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Turner, Allan. "Hempstead comes to grips without big employer." Houston Chronicle. February 5, 2009. Retrieved on February 7, 2009.
- ^ "Post Office Location - HEMPSTEAD." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
External links
- City of Hempstead
- Hempstead, TX Chamber of Commerce Website
- Hempstead, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Hempstead, Texas is at coordinates 30°05′29″N 96°04′53″W / 30.091427°N 96.081252°W) Coordinates: 30°05′29″N 96°04′53″W / 30.091427°N 96.081252°W)
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| Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown METROPOLITAN AREA | |
|---|---|
| Counties | Austin | Brazoria | Chambers | Fort Bend | Galveston | Harris | Liberty | Montgomery | San Jacinto | Waller |
| "Principal" cities | Houston | Sugar Land | Baytown | Galveston |
| Cities and towns | Alvin | Angleton | Bellaire | Cleveland | Clute | Conroe | Dayton | Deer Park | Dickinson | Freeport | Friendswood | Galena Park | Hitchcock | Hempstead | Humble | Jacinto City | Jersey Village | Katy | Lake Jackson | La Marque | La Porte | League City | Liberty | Meadows Place | Missouri City | Pasadena | Pearland | Richmond | Rosenberg | Santa Fe | Seabrook | Sealy | South Houston | Stafford | Texas City | Tomball | Webster | West University Place |
| Unincorporated areas | Atascocita | Channelview | Cloverleaf | Cypress | Klein | Spring | The Woodlands |
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Categories: Waller County, Texas | Cities in Texas | County seats in Texas | Greater Houston
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