Alvarado, Texas
Encyclopedia
Alvarado is the oldest city in Johnson County
, Texas
. The population was 4,289 in 2009.
and I-35W
. The city is 10 miles (16.1 km) south of Fort Worth and 35 miles (56.3 km) southwest of Dallas.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), of which, 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²) of it is land and 0.26% is water. Alvarado is bordered to the east by Venus, to the west by Keene, to the north by Burleson and to the south, though the city limits do not connect, by Grandview. The City of Alvarado includes approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) of I.H.35W with Asher Rd being the north city limit and CR107 being the approximate south city limit. The city also covers approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) of U.S. Hwy 67 with the west city limits being just west of CR810 and the east city limits near CR 209.
of 2000, there were 3,288 people, 1,151 households, and 834 families residing in the city. The population density
was 842.5 people per square mile (325.5/km²). There were 1,266 housing units at an average density of 324.4 per square mile (125.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.30% White, 7.15% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 9.25% from other races
, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.46% of the population.
There were 1,151 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples
living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,166, and the median income for a family was $36,471. Males had a median income of $30,690 versus $22,181 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,476. About 11.7% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.
In 2007 Sabre Tubular Structures built a new 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) facility located on 147 acre (0.59488842 km²) on the eastern side of town. Sabre has over 200 employees at this facility.
The city also benefited from a 2008 grant of $750,000 from the Texas Department of Agriculture
for infrastructure improvements related to Sabre.
In 2008 and 2009 there was an upturn in retail development with the opening of three national chain hotels and 2 fast food dining establishments. Currently a new movie theatre / movie tavern is slated to open in November 2010 as well as an additional chain hotel.
wells in the Barnett Shale
has been a source of prosperity for the city and many property owners have benefited from drilling activity, pipeline construction and royalty payments. As natural gas prices fell in 2009, drilling activity and royalty payments declined rapidly.
with a mayor and six city council members representing three wards, one being the mayor pro-tem.
The current city council is:
Ward 1: David Bayless and Tom Moore
Ward 2: Arrdeen Vaughan and Joe Sain (mayor pro-tem)
Ward 3: Jacob Wheat and Bruce Clark
The city's 2009-2010 general fund budget is $3.9 million.
The city has 18 commissioned positions through the TCLEOSE. One Chief of Police, two lieutenants, three sergeants assigned as Detectives, two Sergeants assigned to Patrol, eight Patrol Officers and two Fire Marshalls.
The department's Administrative and Criminal Investigations Division section operates during normal business hours Monday through Friday and maintains an on-call status during off hours.
The Patrol Division provides 24 hour coverage and operates on a 12 hour shift schedule with alternating days off. Officers are assigned to either day shift or night shift. On the typical patrol schedule an officer will work Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then the following week will work Wednesday and Thursday before restarting the cycle the next week.
The department provides these services to the citizens of Alvarado and to almost 48 square miles (124.3 km²) of Johnson County; averaging 125 emergency responses monthly.
. There are no colleges or universities in Alvarado although residents pay a Hill College
maintenance tax and residents receive in-district student rates.
Christian influence in the Alvarado community, as the city is deep within the Bible Belt
. Assembly of God, Baptist
, Church of God
, Methodist, and Seventh-day Adventist
churches are within the city. In addition the Texas Seventh-day Adventist administrative headquarters
are located in Alvarado.
Johnson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 126,811 people, 43,636 households, and 34,428 families residing in the county. The population density was 174 people per square mile . There were 46,269 housing units at an average density of 63 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The population was 4,289 in 2009.
Geography
Alvarado is located at 32°24′23"N 97°12′46"W (32.406342, -97.212792) and is located at the intersection of US Hwy 67U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67 is a 1,560 mile long north–south U.S. highway in the Central United States. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in Presidio, Texas, where it continues south as Mexican Federal Highway 16 upon crossing the Rio Grande. The northern...
and I-35W
Interstate 35W (Texas)
Interstate 35W , an Interstate Highway, is the western half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35W runs north for , carrying its own separate sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Fort Worth...
. The city is 10 miles (16.1 km) south of Fort Worth and 35 miles (56.3 km) southwest of Dallas.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), of which, 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²) of it is land and 0.26% is water. Alvarado is bordered to the east by Venus, to the west by Keene, to the north by Burleson and to the south, though the city limits do not connect, by Grandview. The City of Alvarado includes approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) of I.H.35W with Asher Rd being the north city limit and CR107 being the approximate south city limit. The city also covers approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) of U.S. Hwy 67 with the west city limits being just west of CR810 and the east city limits near CR 209.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,288 people, 1,151 households, and 834 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 842.5 people per square mile (325.5/km²). There were 1,266 housing units at an average density of 324.4 per square mile (125.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.30% White, 7.15% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 9.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.46% of the population.
There were 1,151 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,166, and the median income for a family was $36,471. Males had a median income of $30,690 versus $22,181 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,476. About 11.7% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Alvarado is a rural community with an economy that has been primarily agricultural with only a modest retail and industrial base. In recent years the trend has been away from agriculture and towards more urban development.In 2007 Sabre Tubular Structures built a new 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) facility located on 147 acre (0.59488842 km²) on the eastern side of town. Sabre has over 200 employees at this facility.
The city also benefited from a 2008 grant of $750,000 from the Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas Department of Agriculture
The Texas Department of Agriculture is a state agency within the state of Texas, which is responsible for matters pertaining to agriculture, rural community affairs, and related matters.TDA was established by the 13th Texas Legislature in 1907...
for infrastructure improvements related to Sabre.
In 2008 and 2009 there was an upturn in retail development with the opening of three national chain hotels and 2 fast food dining establishments. Currently a new movie theatre / movie tavern is slated to open in November 2010 as well as an additional chain hotel.
Barnett Shale
In the latter part of the 2000s, development of natural gasNatural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
wells in the Barnett Shale
Barnett Shale
The Barnett Shale is a geological formation located in the Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin. It consists of sedimentary rocks of Mississippian age in Texas...
has been a source of prosperity for the city and many property owners have benefited from drilling activity, pipeline construction and royalty payments. As natural gas prices fell in 2009, drilling activity and royalty payments declined rapidly.
Government
The city uses a Council-manager governmentCouncil-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
with a mayor and six city council members representing three wards, one being the mayor pro-tem.
The current city council is:
Ward 1: David Bayless and Tom Moore
Ward 2: Arrdeen Vaughan and Joe Sain (mayor pro-tem)
Ward 3: Jacob Wheat and Bruce Clark
The city's 2009-2010 general fund budget is $3.9 million.
Police Department
The City of Alvarado has a full time police department providing police protection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days per year.The city has 18 commissioned positions through the TCLEOSE. One Chief of Police, two lieutenants, three sergeants assigned as Detectives, two Sergeants assigned to Patrol, eight Patrol Officers and two Fire Marshalls.
The department's Administrative and Criminal Investigations Division section operates during normal business hours Monday through Friday and maintains an on-call status during off hours.
The Patrol Division provides 24 hour coverage and operates on a 12 hour shift schedule with alternating days off. Officers are assigned to either day shift or night shift. On the typical patrol schedule an officer will work Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then the following week will work Wednesday and Thursday before restarting the cycle the next week.
Fire Department
The department was founded in 1903 as a volunteer organization and has evolved over the years into a combination professional emergency services organization.The department provides these services to the citizens of Alvarado and to almost 48 square miles (124.3 km²) of Johnson County; averaging 125 emergency responses monthly.
Education
The City of Alvarado is served by the Alvarado Independent School DistrictAlvarado Independent School District
The Alvarado Independent School District is a public school district based in Alvarado, Texas .In addition to Alvarado, the district also serves the unincorporated community of Lillian....
. There are no colleges or universities in Alvarado although residents pay a Hill College
Hill College
Hill College is a comprehensive community college located in Hillsboro, Texas.Hill College opened its doors in 1923, one year before North Central Texas College...
maintenance tax and residents receive in-district student rates.
Religion
There is a large ProtestantProtestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
Christian influence in the Alvarado community, as the city is deep within the Bible Belt
Bible Belt
Bible Belt is an informal term for a region in the southeastern and south-central United States in which socially conservative evangelical Protestantism is a significant part of the culture and Christian church attendance across the denominations is generally higher than the nation's average.The...
. Assembly of God, Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
, Church of God
Church of God
Church of God is a name used by numerous, mostly unrelated Christian denominational bodies, most of which descend from either Pentecostal/Holiness or Adventist traditions.-Pentecostal Movement:*Church of God...
, Methodist, and Seventh-day Adventist
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
churches are within the city. In addition the Texas Seventh-day Adventist administrative headquarters
Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
The Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is one of two organizational bodies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the eastern 2/3 of the state of Texas, United States...
are located in Alvarado.
Recreation
- Alvarado Park LakeAlvarado Park LakeAlvarado Park Lake is a reservoir in Johnson County, Texas southwest of Alvarado, Texas.The county-owned reservoir was built in 1966 by Jack P...
is located on the west side of the city, three miles (5 km) west of I-35W. - Alvarado Parkway Park