Happy, Texas
| Happy, Texas | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
|
Happy sign | |
| Motto: The Town Without A Frown | |
 Location of Happy, Texas | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 34°44′38″N 101°51′25″W / 34.74389°N 101.85694°WCoordinates: 34°44′38″N 101°51′25″W / 34.74389°N 101.85694°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Counties | Swisher, Randall |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2) |
| • Land | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,615 ft (1,102 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 648 |
| • Density | 607.5/sq mi (234.5/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 79042 |
| Area code(s) | 806 |
| FIPS code | 48-32156[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1358748[2] |
Happy is a town in Randall and Swisher Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 647 at the 2000 census. The Randall County portion of Happy is part of the Amarillo, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The Happy State Bank and Trust Company, based in Amarillo, serves 14 communities in the Texas Panhandle, including Happy.
Toponymy
Happy derives its name from Happy Draw, a stream named in the 19th century by the team of cowboys who were happy to find water there.[3] It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.[4] The town's motto is "The Town Without A Frown".[3]
Geography
Happy is located at 34°44.6′N 101°51.4′W / 34.7433°N 101.8567°W,[5] primarily within Swisher County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 724 | — | |
| 1940 | 576 | −20.4% | |
| 1950 | 690 | 19.8% | |
| 1960 | 624 | −9.6% | |
| 1970 | 672 | 7.7% | |
| 1980 | 674 | 0.3% | |
| 1990 | 588 | −12.8% | |
| 2000 | 647 | 10.0% | |
| 2010 | 678 | 4.8% | |
| Est. 2014 | 658 | [6] | −2.9% |
As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 678 people, 267 households, and 182 families residing in the town. The population density was 607.5 people per square mile (233.5/km²). There were 295 housing units at an average density of 277.0 per square mile (106.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.05% White, 0.29% African American, 1.77% Native American, 8.11% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.31% of the population.
There were 267 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,393, and the median income for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $26,964 versus $17,917 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,618. About 10.9% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
The population is decreasing by 10% annually because of water shortage.[8]
Education
The City of Happy is served by the Happy Independent School District and home to the Happy High School Cowboys.
Notable citizens
Happy is the birthplace of Rockabilly musician Buddy Knox. Fictional 24 character George Avila was from Happy, Texas.
The Uncle Sam Band
Happy is the home of the Uncle Sam Band[9] which was organized in the 1930s and directed by Happy High School Band Director James Douglass Forbus. The Uncle Sam Band led a parade in Amarillo, Texas, during a visit by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.[10]
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Happy has a semiarid climate, BSk on climate maps.[11]
In popular culture
The film Happy, Texas was named for and takes place in, the town. However, it was not filmed there.
References
- 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- 1 2 Vandy, Kate (24 January 2014). "Welcome to Happy, Texas". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- ↑ Parker, Quentin (2010). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. Adams Media. pp. x.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ US farmers fear the return of the Dust Bowl The Telegraph, 2011.
- ↑ The Happy Texas High School Band
- ↑ Franklin D. Roosevelt: Address at Ellwood Park, Amarillo, Texas
- ↑ Climate Summary for Happy, Texas
External links
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