Bay City, Texas
Encyclopedia
Bay City is a city
in Matagorda County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 18,667 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Matagorda County. The current mayor is Mark Bricker.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22 km²), of which, 8.5 square miles (22 km²) of it is land and 0.12% is water.
It used to be named "Bay Prairie", as the natural ecosystems that surround the town are prairies criscrossed by creeks that lead into the bay.
of 2000, there were 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 families residing 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.74% of the population.
There were 6,912 households out of which 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 non-families. 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 spread out with 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 the median income 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.
, a district of schools consisting of elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high school (Bay City High School
). The district previously operated seven schools until they condensed grade levels. It is now operating five schools and is led by superintendent Keith Brown.
Wharton County Junior College
has a campus in Bay City.
. The chain made several donations to the Bay City Museum.
of Texas.
Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum, Market Days every 3rd Saturday, and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown. The Bay City Art League is also located here which has recently undergone major renovations and is currently working to revitalize the art scene in Matagorda County.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Matagorda County, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 18,667 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Matagorda County. The current mayor is Mark Bricker.
Geography
Bay City is located at 28°58′51"N 95°57′52"W (28.980766, -95.964459). With different municipalities and unincorporated areas surrounding it on all sides.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 8.5 square miles (22 km²), of which, 8.5 square miles (22 km²) of it is land and 0.12% is water.
It used to be named "Bay Prairie", as the natural ecosystems that surround the town are prairies criscrossed by creeks that lead into the bay.
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 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 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 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
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 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.74% of the population.
There were 6,912 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% 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, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 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 spread out with 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 the median income for a family was $39,281. Males had a median income of $38,202 versus $23,058 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 $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.
Education
Bay City is served by the Bay City Independent School DistrictBay City Independent School District
Bay City Independent School District is a public school district based in Bay City, Texas . Bay City Independent School District operates seven schools in Bay City, Texas....
, a district of schools consisting of elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high school (Bay City High School
Bay City High School
Bay City High School is a public high school located on U.S. Highway 35, on the western edge of Bay City, Texas, United States. It is rated Academically Acceptable by the Texas Education Agency.-Campus:...
). The district previously operated seven schools until they condensed grade levels. It is now operating five schools and is led by superintendent Keith Brown.
Wharton County Junior College
Wharton County Junior College
Wharton County Junior College is a two-year college based in Wharton, Texas which is home to its main campus. The college also has campuses in Richmond, Sugar Land, and Bay City...
has a campus in Bay City.
Medical Community/Hospitals
Matagorda County is served by the Matagorda Regional Medical Center. Multiple medical and dental specialists have offices in the area.Notable People From Bay City
- Forrest BessForrest BessForrest Bess Painter, fisherman, visionary, eccentric - Forrest Bess was one of the most original American artists of his generation. Born in Bay City, Texas, Bess picked up his love of art from his mother. His father worked in the oil fields and ran a bait fishing camp of the Texas coast in...
, painter - Robert BlackmonRobert BlackmonRobert Blackmon is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He played college football at Baylor....
, NFL player - Ira Chasnoff, M.D., Professor of PediatricsPediatricsPediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
, University of Illinois College of MedicineUniversity of Illinois College of MedicineThe University of Illinois College of Medicine offers a four-year program leading to the MD degree at four different sites in Illinois: Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, and Urbana–Champaign....
in Chicago - J. B. CoxJ. B. CoxJames Brent "J. B." Cox is an American former baseball relief pitcher.-Career:Cox graduated from the University of Texas in 2005...
, professional baseball player - Joe DeLoachJoe DeLoachJoseph Nathaniel DeLoach is a former American sprinter, the 1988 Olympic champion in the 200 m.Born in Bay City, Texas into a family with 11 sisters and one brother, DeLoach enjoyed running at a young age and desired to become a football player, but later set his mind to sprinting...
, 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist (200m) - Mark DennardMark DennardMark Wesley Dennard is a former American football center in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 10th round of the 1978 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M....
, NFL player - Hart Lee DykesHart Lee DykesHart Lee Dykes is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for two seasons for the New England Patriots. He was awarded the Dial Award as the national high school scholar-athlete of the year in 1984...
, NFL player - Jill Alexander EssbaumJill Alexander EssbaumJill Alexander Essbaum is a Christian erotic poet distinguished as the author of the 1999 Bakeless Prize winner in poetry, Heaven, the 2005 collection of sonnets, Oh Forbidden, and the full length collections Harlot and Necropolis...
, poet - Simon FletcherSimon FletcherSimon Raynard Fletcher is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft. He played college football at Houston....
, NFL player - Ronnie HeardRonnie HeardRonnie Heard is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He played college football at Mississippi....
, NFL player - William Heiligbrodt, Former President, Service Corporation InternationalService Corporation InternationalFor other uses of the acronym SCI, see SCIService Corporation International is North America’s largest provider of end-of-life arrangements and services. With its headquarters in Neartown, Houston, Texas, United States, SCI operates more than 1500 funeral homes and 400 cemeteries in 43 states,...
- Carl Jackson, former running backs coach, University of Iowa
- Chandi JonesChandi Jones-External links:*...
, WNBA player - Ben Carlton Mead, illustrator
- Roland MitchellRoland MitchellRoland Mitchell was a cornerback who played eight seasons in the National Football League....
, NFL player - Dr. Lee R. Polk, former Professor of Communication Studies, Baylor UniversityBaylor UniversityBaylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
- Lt. General Stephen R. Polk (Ret), USAF
- Ricardo Ramirez, CSB, Bishop of Las Cruces
- Major General Claude W. Reinke (Ret), United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
- Doyle Simons, CEO, Temple-Inland, Inc.
- LaBradford SmithLaBradford SmithLaBradford Corvey Smith is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Washington Bullets in the 1st round of the 1991 NBA Draft. Smith played in 3 NBA seasons for the Bullets and Sacramento Kings, averaging 6.7 ppg in his career...
, NBA player - Fredricka WhitfieldFredricka WhitfieldFredricka Whitfield is a news room reporter for CNN. She anchors the weekend versions of CNN Newsroom and sometimes substitutes for anchors during weekdays. She is the daughter of Olympian Mal Whitfield.- Education :...
, journalist - Mal WhitfieldMal WhitfieldMalvin "Mal" Greston Whitfield is a former American athlete, a double winner of 800 m at the Olympic Games...
, 3-time Olympic gold medalist - Cedric WoodardCedric WoodardCedric Darnell Woodard is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.Woodards cousin, Quentin Jammer, plays cornerback for the San Diego Chargers....
, NFL player
Economy
Bay City formerly housed the headquarters of Stanley StoresStanley Stores
Stanley Stores Inc. was a family-owned regional grocery store chain in the United States, with its headquarters in Bay City, Texas. The chain operated three brands. Stanley Stores was the conventional grocery store brand...
. The chain made several donations to the Bay City Museum.
Attractions
Bay City is home to the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, a 35 acres (141,640.1 m²) expanse of gardens and wildlife along the Colorado RiverColorado River (Texas)
The Colorado River is a river that runs through the U.S. state of Texas; it should not be confused with the much longer Colorado River which flows from Colorado into the Gulf of California....
of Texas.
Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum, Market Days every 3rd Saturday, and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown. The Bay City Art League is also located here which has recently undergone major renovations and is currently working to revitalize the art scene in Matagorda County.