Kerens, Texas
Encyclopedia
Kerens is a city in Navarro County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 1,681 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 1,681 people, 682 households, and 448 families residing in the city. The population density
was 720.4 people per square mile (278.6/km²). There were 750 housing units at an average density of 321.4 per square mile (124.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.14% White, 22.13% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 5.77% from other races
, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.61% of the population.
There were 682 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,969, and the median income for a family was $36,719. Males had a median income of $26,683 versus $21,600 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,000. About 13.3% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.
Big Tex
, the giant icon of the State Fair of Texas
, had his beginnings in Kerens. In 1949, residents built a 49 feet (14.9 m) Santa Claus
constructed from iron drill casing and papier mache to help encourage holiday sales. In 1951, State Fair president R. L. Thornton purchased Santa's components for $750 and had Dallas artist Jack Bridges transform them into a cowboy for the annual fair.
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 1,681 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Kerens is located at 32°7′50"N 96°13′45"W (32.130639, -96.229207).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 2.3 square miles (6 km²), all land.
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 1,681 people, 682 households, and 448 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 720.4 people per square mile (278.6/km²). There were 750 housing units at an average density of 321.4 per square mile (124.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.14% White, 22.13% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 5.77% 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 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.61% of the population.
There were 682 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% 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, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,969, and the median income for a family was $36,719. Males had a median income of $26,683 versus $21,600 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 $13,000. About 13.3% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
Kerens was established in 1881 when the St. Louis Southwestern Railway of Texas was built through the county, according to the Texas Handbook of History, and was named for Judge R. C. Kerens of St. Louis. The railroad bypassed the nearby settlement of Wadeville, and within a short time all of the businesses from Wadeville moved to the new town. By the mid-1890s, the handbook said, the town had three cotton gin-mills, four grocery stores, two hotels, two drug stores, a wagonmaker, and a weekly newspaper named the Navarro Blade.Big Tex
Big Tex
Big Tex is the 52 foot tall icon of the annual State Fair of Texas held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. He wears size 70 boots, a 75 gallon hat, a size 100 180/181 shirt and 284W/185L XXXXXL pair of Dickies jeans...
, the giant icon of the State Fair of Texas
State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas is an annual state fair held in Dallas, Texas . The fair season usually begins the last Friday in September and ends 24 days later. The fair is held at the historic Fair Park where it has been held since 1886. The 2012 State Fair of Texas will run from September 28th...
, had his beginnings in Kerens. In 1949, residents built a 49 feet (14.9 m) Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
constructed from iron drill casing and papier mache to help encourage holiday sales. In 1951, State Fair president R. L. Thornton purchased Santa's components for $750 and had Dallas artist Jack Bridges transform them into a cowboy for the annual fair.
External links
- City of Kerens – official site.