Cuero, Texas
Encyclopedia
Cuero is a city in DeWitt County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 6,571 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of DeWitt County
. It is also unofficially known as the "turkey capital of the world" (this is reflected in the Cuero High School mascot, the Gobblers). In 2010, Cuero was named one of the 'Coolest Small Towns in America,' by Budget Travel Magazine.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²), of which, 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.40%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,571 people, 2,500 households, and 1,695 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,331.1 people per square mile (513.6/km²). There were 2,867 housing units at an average density of 580.8 per square mile (224.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.25% White, 16.71% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 12.84% from other races
, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.73% of the population.
There were 2,500 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples
living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,931, and the median income for a family was $29,500. Males had a median income of $26,154 versus $16,551 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,286. About 21.5% of families and 26.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.6% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.
The city of Cuero had its start in the mid 19th century as a stopping point on the Chisholm Trail
cattle route to Kansas
. However, it wasn't recognized as a town until 1873 when it was officially founded. The city was named for the Spanish word meaning "hide", referring to the leather made from animal hides. The industry was extremely short-lived, however, and gave way to various forms of ranching. The city saw several Old West gunfights related to clan feuding following the Civil War
Cuero's population grew considerably in the 1870s and 1880s, as residents from the coastal town of Indianola, Texas
settled here after major hurricanes in this period destroyed sizeable portions of that city. Cuero thrived through much of the late 19th and early 20th centuries by the introduction and practice of turkey ranching in the area. Today, agriculture is still the primary industry in the region. Cuero is considered to be one of the top cattle producers and shippers in Texas.
.
John C. French serves PK-K grades, Hunt Elementary serves 1–3 grades, Cuero Intermediate School serves grades 4–6, Cuero Junior High serves 7–8 grades, and Cuero High School serves 9–12 grades.
In addition, the City of Cuero is served by St. Michael's Catholic School. Providing education for the children of DeWitt county for over 130 years, the school has a fully accredited early childhood program (PreK-3 and PreK-4) and offers quality education for grades K-6.
DeWitt County, Texas
DeWitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 20,013. DeWitt County is named for Green DeWitt, who founded an early colony in Texas. The seat of the county is Cuero. It was founded in 1846.-Geography:...
, 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 6,571 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 DeWitt County
DeWitt County, Texas
DeWitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 20,013. DeWitt County is named for Green DeWitt, who founded an early colony in Texas. The seat of the county is Cuero. It was founded in 1846.-Geography:...
. It is also unofficially known as the "turkey capital of the world" (this is reflected in the Cuero High School mascot, the Gobblers). In 2010, Cuero was named one of the 'Coolest Small Towns in America,' by Budget Travel Magazine.
Geography
Cuero is located at 29°5′37"N 97°17′28"W (29.093638, -97.291122).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 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²), of which, 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.40%) is water.
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 6,571 people, 2,500 households, and 1,695 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 1,331.1 people per square mile (513.6/km²). There were 2,867 housing units at an average density of 580.8 per square mile (224.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.25% White, 16.71% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 12.84% 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 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.73% of the population.
There were 2,500 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% 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, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,931, and the median income for a family was $29,500. Males had a median income of $26,154 versus $16,551 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 $14,286. About 21.5% of families and 26.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.6% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.
History
Chisholm Trail
The Chisholm Trail was a trail used in the late 19th century to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads. The portion of the trail marked by Jesse Chisholm went from his southern trading post near the Red River, to his northern trading post near Kansas City, Kansas...
cattle route to Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. However, it wasn't recognized as a town until 1873 when it was officially founded. The city was named for the Spanish word meaning "hide", referring to the leather made from animal hides. The industry was extremely short-lived, however, and gave way to various forms of ranching. The city saw several Old West gunfights related to clan feuding following the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
Cuero's population grew considerably in the 1870s and 1880s, as residents from the coastal town of Indianola, Texas
Indianola, Texas
Indianola is a ghost town located on Matagorda Bay in Calhoun County, Texas, United States. The community, once the county seat of Calhoun County, is a part of the Victoria, Texas, Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1875, the city had a population of 5,000, but on September 15 of that year, a...
settled here after major hurricanes in this period destroyed sizeable portions of that city. Cuero thrived through much of the late 19th and early 20th centuries by the introduction and practice of turkey ranching in the area. Today, agriculture is still the primary industry in the region. Cuero is considered to be one of the top cattle producers and shippers in Texas.
Culture
- Turkey Fest - A local festival during which the townsfolk compete with people at various turkey-centric events. The competitions revolve around the turkeys each town raises and takes immense pride in. The events are the prettiest turkey contest, turkey toss, turkey trot, and turkey race. Unlike most Turkey TrotTurkey TrotA Turkey Trot is a fun run or footrace, usually of the long-distance variety, that is held on or around Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Americans anticipate indulgent Thanksgiving feasts and run in turkey trots to burn off calories before the big meal....
s, where humans do the racing, in Cuero, the "turkey trot" involves racing actual turkeys.
- In 1972, Charles KuraltCharles KuraltCharles Kuralt was an American journalist. He was most widely known for his long career with CBS, first for his "On the Road" segments on The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, and later as the first anchor of CBS News Sunday Morning, a position he held for fifteen years.Kuralt's "On the Road"...
did an "On the Road" Report for CBS News from Cuero, where he did his own Turkey Call.
Schools
The City of Cuero is served by the Cuero Independent School DistrictCuero Independent School District
Cuero Independent School District is a public school district based in Cuero, Texas .Located in DeWitt County, a small portion of the district extends into Gonzales County....
.
John C. French serves PK-K grades, Hunt Elementary serves 1–3 grades, Cuero Intermediate School serves grades 4–6, Cuero Junior High serves 7–8 grades, and Cuero High School serves 9–12 grades.
In addition, the City of Cuero is served by St. Michael's Catholic School. Providing education for the children of DeWitt county for over 130 years, the school has a fully accredited early childhood program (PreK-3 and PreK-4) and offers quality education for grades K-6.