Bay City, Texas

Bay City, Texas
City

Entrance sign to Bay City

Location of Bay City, Texas
Coordinates: 28°58′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.98083°N 95.96444°W / 28.98083; -95.96444Coordinates: 28°58′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.98083°N 95.96444°W / 28.98083; -95.96444
Country United StatesUnited States
State TexasTexas
County Matagorda
Government
 • Type Mayor-council government
 • Mayor Mark Bricker
 • City Council William Cornman
Julie Estlinbaum
Chrystal Folse
Carolyn Thames
Steven Johnson
Area
 • Total 8.5 sq mi (22.0 km2)
 • Land 8.5 sq mi (22.0 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 52 ft (16 m)
Population (2010)[1]
 • Total 17,614
 • Estimate (2013)[1] 17,509
 • Density 2,196.0/sq mi (847.9/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 77404, 77414
Area code(s) 979
FIPS code 48-05984[2]
GNIS feature ID 1351611[3]
Website cityofbaycity.org
Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19103,156—
19203,4549.4%
19304,07017.8%
19406,59462.0%
19509,42743.0%
196011,65623.6%
197013,44515.3%
198017,83732.7%
199018,1701.9%
200018,6672.7%
201017,614−5.6%
Est. 201417,368[4]−1.4%
U.S. Census Bureau[5]

Bay City is a city in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,614 at the 2010 census.[1] It is the county seat of Matagorda County.[6] The current mayor is Mark Bricker.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22.0 km2), of which 8.5 square miles (22.0 km2) is land and 0.12% is covered by water.

Bay City was formerly named "Bay Prairie", as the natural ecosystems that surround the town are prairies crisscrossed by creeks that lead into the bay.

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, Bay City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[7]

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,196.0 people per square mile (847.9/km²). There were 8,113 housing units at an average density of 954.4 per square mile (368.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.62% White, 17.26% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 16.84% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 34.74% of the population.

Of the 6,912 households, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were not families. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city, the population was distributed as 30.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,446, and for a family was $39,281. Males had a median income of $38,202 versus $23,058 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,284. About 18.3% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over. Minorities make up the largest ethnic portion of Bay City, Texas.

Economy

Bay City formerly housed the headquarters of Stanley Stores.[8] The chain made several donations to the Bay City Museum.[9]

Attractions

Bay City is home to the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, a 35-acre (140,000 m2) expanse of gardens and wildlife along the Colorado River of Texas.[10]

Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum,[11] Market Days every 3rd Saturday,[12] and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown. The Bay City Art League, also located here, has recently undergone major renovations and is currently working to revitalize the art scene in Matagorda County. In addition, the Bay City Community Theatre group (CAST) regularly produces shows at various local venues.

Education

Bay City is served by the Bay City Independent School District, consisting of elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high schools (including Bay City High School). The district previously operated seven schools until grade levels were condensed. It is now operating five schools and is led by superintendent Keith Brown.

Wharton County Junior College has a campus in Bay City.

Infrastructure

Health care

Matagorda County is served by the Matagorda Regional Medical Center, and the mission-aligned Matagorda Medical Group.

Notable people

In popular culture

Part of the 1965 movie Baby the Rain Must Fall was filmed in Bay city.[33]

Gallery

Destinations from Bay City
El Campo
via Highway 35		 Wharton
via Highway 60		 West Columbia
via Highway 35
Markham
via Highway 35		 Lake Jackson
via FM 457
   Bay City  
Palacios
via Highway 35		 Wadsworth, Matagorda
via Highway 60		 Sargent
via Highway 35

References

  1. 1 2 3 "State and County Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Historical Decennial Census". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  6. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. ↑ Climate Summary for Bay City, Texas
  8. ↑ Staff. "Price-Lo Supermarkets opens two new stores in Houston." Houston Chronicle. Sunday July 24, 1988. Business 6. Retrieved on November 20, 2011.
  9. ↑ Willey, Scott Reese. "Grocer remembered fondly for his service." The Victoria Advocate. July 15, 1999. 1E. Retrieved on November 21, 2011. "Stanley Stores also made considerable donations to the Bay City Museum"
  10. ↑ http://www.fabuloustravel.com/usa/matagorda/matagordabirding.html
  11. ↑ "Matagorda County Museum Website". Matagorda County Museum Website.
  12. ↑ "Matagorda Calendar". Matagorda Calendar. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
  13. ↑ "Charles Austin". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 2013.
  14. ↑ Brenson, Michael (May 1, 1988). "Forrest Bess: Desire Ruled His Vision". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Robert Blackmon". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  16. ↑ "David Caldwell". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  17. ↑ "J.B. Cox". thebaseballcube. Retrieved November 2013.
  18. ↑ "Joe DeLoach". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 2013.
  19. ↑ "Mark Dennard". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  20. ↑ "Alex Dixon". MLS Soccer. Retrieved November 2013.
  21. ↑ "Hart Lee Dykes". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  22. ↑ "Simon Fletcher". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  23. ↑ "Ronnie Heard". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  24. ↑ "Quentin Jammer". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 2013.
  25. ↑ "Time Out With Chandi Jones". WNBA Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  26. ↑ "the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 14th district". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 2013.
  27. ↑ "The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl". Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. Retrieved November 2013.
  28. ↑ "Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B.". Catholichierarchy.org. Retrieved November 2013.
  29. ↑ "Tracy Simien". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  30. ↑ Gwynne, S.C. (October 2001). "Dr. No". Texas Monthly.
  31. ↑ "Mal Whitfield". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 2013.
  32. ↑ "Cedric Woodard". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 2013.
  33. ↑ Bay City, Texas at the Internet Movie Database

External links

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