Lancaster, Texas
Encyclopedia
Lancaster is a city
in Dallas County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 25,894 at the 2000 census.
Lancaster is a suburb of Dallas, Texas
and is part of the Best Southwest
area, which includes Lancaster, Cedar Hill
, DeSoto
, and Duncanville
. Most of the city is in Dallas County
. But a extremely small southern section spills over into Ellis County
. All of the Ellis County
section of Lancaster is plain land with only a few houses and roads in the southern section of the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 30.9 square miles (80 km²), of which, 30.9 square miles (80 km²) of it is land and 0.03% is water.
. The city plan features a traffic circle
in the center of a town square
, with streets entering from the middle of each side.
During the American Civil War
, Tucker, Sherrod & Company contracted with the State of Texas to manufacture replicas of the .44 caliber Colt Dragoon from a factory on West Main Street in Lancaster. John M. Crockett, former mayor of Dallas and lieutenant governor of Texas, served as superintendent of the arms factory.
In December 1888, Lancaster's train depot opened as a stop on the Dallas and Waco line, and in 1891, it became part of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad
(MKT) line, running from Dallas to the Gulf Coast of Texas.
On February 27, 1934, Clyde Barrow of Bonnie & Clyde fame robbed the R.P. Henry & Sons Bank that was then located near the southeast corner of the town square. Bonnie Parker waited in the getaway car on Malloy Bridge Rd. while Clyde and Raymond Hamilton walked in, robbed the bank, and walked out with over $4,000.
In 1994 a tornado
of F4 intensity ripped through Lancaster, killing 3 people, devastating the Historic Town Square, and damaging or completely destroying 250 homes in the area. The White & Company Bank building, a local landmark
since 1898, was extremely damaged in the tornado but was rebuilt, and in 1998 reopened as headquarters for the Lancaster Economic Development Corporation.
In 2005 and 2006 Lancaster was a finalist for the All-America City Award
. In 2007 the National Arbor Day Foundation
designated Lancaster a Tree City USA
.
of 2000, there were 25,894 people, 9,182 households, and 6,895 families residing in the city. The population density
was 884.0 people per square mile (341.3/km²). There were 9,590 housing units at an average density of 327.4 per square mile (126.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 37.63% White, 53.00% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.58% from other races
, and 1.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.59% of the population. As of the 2000 census, Lancaster is the largest African American-majority city in Texas.
There were 9,182 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% 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 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,773, and the median income for a family was $48,498. Males had a median income of $33,406 versus $30,653 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,731. About 6.1% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
form of government. Under this type of local government, the day-to-day management of the city is directed by a city manager
. The city manager is appointed by the city council and serves as chief administrative officer for the city. Opal Mauldin Robertson is the current city manager of Lancaster.
The seven-member city council consists of the mayor, who represents the city as a whole and is elected at-large, and six members elected in single-member districts. At present, the mayor serves a four-year term, but that will be reduced to three years in 2012 following amendments to the city charter approved in late 2006. City Council members serve three-year terms.
and to a lesser extent by the Dallas Independent School District
. Lancaster ISD operates nine campuses (one High School
, one Middle School, and seven Elementary Schools) with a total enrollment of approximately 6,000 students.
The Dallas ISD portion, which consists of the Cedardale Highlands, Taylor Brothers, and Lancaster Gardens subdivisions, was served by the Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District
before Dallas ISD took over the district (Lancaster ISD was given the first option to take over WHISD but declined). Students living in this area are zoned to Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School, Kennedy Curry Middle School, and Wilmer-Hutchins High School
. After the WHISD closure and before 2011 the WH part was served by Birdie Alexander Elementary School, D. A. Hulcy Middle School, and David W. Carter High School
.
Life School
, a public charter school, has a K-6 campus in Lancaster. The Lancaster campus opened in 2007.
There are three private schools in the city - Berne Academy, Cedar Valley Christian Academy, and Victory Christian Academy.
Cedar Valley College
, which is part of the Dallas County Community College District
(DCCCD), is also located in Lancaster.
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 Dallas County
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
, 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 25,894 at the 2000 census.
Lancaster is a suburb of Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and is part of the Best Southwest
Best Southwest, Dallas County, Texas
The Best Southwest is a term commonly applied to four Dallas suburbs – Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, and Lancaster – in southwestern Dallas County, Texas...
area, which includes Lancaster, Cedar Hill
Cedar Hill, Texas
Cedar Hill is a city in Dallas and Ellis Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located approximately sixteen miles southwest of downtown Dallas and is situated along the eastern shore of Joe Pool Lake and Cedar Hill State Park. The population was 32,093 at the 2000 census...
, DeSoto
DeSoto, Texas
DeSoto is a city in Dallas County, Texas . Over the past eleven years since the 2000 U.S. Census Report, the City of DeSoto has grown in population from 37,646 to 49,047....
, and Duncanville
Duncanville, Texas
Duncanville is a city in Dallas County, Texas . Duncanville's population was 36,081 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 42,500 in 2008. Duncanville is a suburb of Dallas and is part of the Best Southwest area, which includes Duncanville, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, and Lancaster.-Geography:Duncanville is...
. Most of the city is in Dallas County
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
. But a extremely small southern section spills over into Ellis County
Ellis County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 111,360 people, 37,020 households, and 29,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 118 people per square mile . There were 39,071 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile...
. All of the Ellis County
Ellis County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 111,360 people, 37,020 households, and 29,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 118 people per square mile . There were 39,071 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile...
section of Lancaster is plain land with only a few houses and roads in the southern section of the city.
Geography
Lancaster is located at 32°36′8"N 96°46′30"W .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 30.9 square miles (80 km²), of which, 30.9 square miles (80 km²) of it is land and 0.03% is water.
History
Founded in 1852 and incorporated in May 1866, Lancaster was one of the first incorporated communities in Dallas County. "Honest A" Bledsoe is said to have surveyed and staked off the town on the 430 acres (1.7 km²) Rawlins survey, modeling it after his hometown of Lancaster, KentuckyLancaster, Kentucky
Lancaster is a city in Garrard County, Kentucky, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,734. It is the county seat of Garrard County. Located south of Lexington, it is the site of the Kennedy House, said to have been used in Uncle Tom's Cabin. The controversial...
. The city plan features a traffic circle
Traffic circle
A traffic circle or rotary is a type of circular intersection in which traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. In some countries, traffic entering the circle has the right-of-way and drivers in the circle must yield. In many other countries, traffic entering the circle must...
in the center of a town square
Town square
A town square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market square, public square, and town green.Most town squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets,...
, with streets entering from the middle of each side.
During the American 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...
, Tucker, Sherrod & Company contracted with the State of Texas to manufacture replicas of the .44 caliber Colt Dragoon from a factory on West Main Street in Lancaster. John M. Crockett, former mayor of Dallas and lieutenant governor of Texas, served as superintendent of the arms factory.
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad
The Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad was incorporated May 23, 1870. In its earliest days the MKT was commonly referred to as "the K-T", which was its stock exchange symbol; this common designation soon evolved into "the Katy"....
(MKT) line, running from Dallas to the Gulf Coast of Texas.
On February 27, 1934, Clyde Barrow of Bonnie & Clyde fame robbed the R.P. Henry & Sons Bank that was then located near the southeast corner of the town square. Bonnie Parker waited in the getaway car on Malloy Bridge Rd. while Clyde and Raymond Hamilton walked in, robbed the bank, and walked out with over $4,000.
April 1994 tornado outbreak
The April 1994 tornado outbreak was a widespread tornado outbreak that affected much of the Central and Southern Plains of the United States as well as the Midwest and the Deep South from Colorado to New York from April 25 to April 27, 1994...
of F4 intensity ripped through Lancaster, killing 3 people, devastating the Historic Town Square, and damaging or completely destroying 250 homes in the area. The White & Company Bank building, a local landmark
Landmark
This is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
since 1898, was extremely damaged in the tornado but was rebuilt, and in 1998 reopened as headquarters for the Lancaster Economic Development Corporation.
In 2005 and 2006 Lancaster was a finalist for the All-America City Award
All-America City Award
The All-America City Award is given by the National Civic League annually to ten cities in the United States.The oldest community recognition program in the nation, the award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon...
. In 2007 the National Arbor Day Foundation
National Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is the world's oldest and largest tree-planting organization. The foundation began September 3, 1971 with a mission "to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees". The Foundation is supported by donations, selling trees and merchandise, and by corporate sponsors...
designated Lancaster a Tree City USA
Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a tree planting and tree care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns in the United States.- Requirements :...
.
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 25,894 people, 9,182 households, and 6,895 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 884.0 people per square mile (341.3/km²). There were 9,590 housing units at an average density of 327.4 per square mile (126.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 37.63% White, 53.00% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.58% 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 1.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.59% of the population. As of the 2000 census, Lancaster is the largest African American-majority city in Texas.
There were 9,182 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% 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, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% 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 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,773, and the median income for a family was $48,498. Males had a median income of $33,406 versus $30,653 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 $18,731. About 6.1% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The City of Lancaster is a home-rule city with a council-managerCouncil-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...
form of government. Under this type of local government, the day-to-day management of the city is directed by a city manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
. The city manager is appointed by the city council and serves as chief administrative officer for the city. Opal Mauldin Robertson is the current city manager of Lancaster.
The seven-member city council consists of the mayor, who represents the city as a whole and is elected at-large, and six members elected in single-member districts. At present, the mayor serves a four-year term, but that will be reduced to three years in 2012 following amendments to the city charter approved in late 2006. City Council members serve three-year terms.
| Position | Name | Current Term | Areas Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | End | |||
| Mayor | Marcus Knight | 2008 | 2012 | Citywide |
| District 1 Councilmember (Map) |
Walter Weaver | 2010 | 2013 | Dallas Beechems Subdivision, Downtown District, Eastside Acres, Geneva Gardens, Harvest Hill, The Homestead, Interurban Heights, Lancaster Terrace (part), Lyday, Pecan Hollow Estates, Pleasant Run Heights (part), Quail Hollow Estates, Spring Creek Estates, Sunset Heights, Westridge Acres, Westridge Annex Addition, Westwood. |
| District 2 Councilmember(Map) |
Stanley Jaglowski | 2011 | 2014 | Creek Wood Estates, Enchanted Forest, Filgo Forest, Glendover Estates, The Meadowlands, The Meadows Addition, The Meadows, Mill Creek Estates, Moffitt Creek Estates, Pecan Grove, Rolling Hills, Rolling Meadows, Southwood Estates, Ten Mile Creek Estates, Tribute at Mills Branch. |
| District 3 Councilmember (Map) |
Marco Mejia | 2010 | 2013 | Bellaire Acres, Clear Springs Addition, Lancaster Hills, Lancaster Park (part), Lancaster Terrace (part), Placid Meadows (part), Pleasant Manor Estates (part), Pleasant Run Heights (part), T.J. Beesley's Subdivision. |
| District 4 Councilmember (Map) |
James Daniels | 2011 | 2014 | Ames Meadow, Anderson Farms, Beckley Acres, Beckley City Lots, Boardwalk, Cedardale Highlands, Franklin Farms, J.A. Dewberry Addition, Lancaster Gardens Addition, Meadowview, Pebblebrook (part), Pleasant Run Estates, Spring Valley, Taylor Brothers Addition, Wellington Park North, Wellington Park, Will-Kee Addition, Wintergreen Ridge. |
| District 5 Mayor Pro Tem (Map) |
Clyde Hairston | 2010 | 2013 | Ashmoore, Brook Meadows, Clover Meadow Addition, Hearthstone, Indian Canyon, Lancaster Park (part), Lost Creek/Saddlebrook Estates, Meadow Creek Estates, Millbrook, Millbrook East, Monarch, Pebblebrook (part). |
| District 6 Deputy Mayor Pro Tem(Map) |
Nina L. Morris | 2011 | 2014 | Brookhaven Estates, Colonial Estates, Highland South Addition, Lancaster North Estates, Placid Meadows (part), Pleasant Manor Estates (part). |
Education
Lancaster is served mainly by the Lancaster Independent School DistrictLancaster Independent School District
Lancaster Independent School District is a public school district based in Lancaster, Texas . The district serves most of the city of Lancaster and a small portion of the city of Hutchins....
and to a lesser extent by the Dallas Independent School District
Dallas Independent School District
The Dallas Independent School District is a school district based in Dallas, Texas . Dallas ISD, which operates schools in much of Dallas County, is the second largest school district in Texas and the twelfth largest in the United States.In 2009, the school district was rated "academically...
. Lancaster ISD operates nine campuses (one High School
Lancaster High School (Lancaster, Texas)
Lancaster High School is a public secondary school in Lancaster, Texas . It is part of the Lancaster Independent School District and serves students in grades nine through twelve.-History:...
, one Middle School, and seven Elementary Schools) with a total enrollment of approximately 6,000 students.
The Dallas ISD portion, which consists of the Cedardale Highlands, Taylor Brothers, and Lancaster Gardens subdivisions, was served by the Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District
Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District
Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District was a school district in southern Dallas County, Texas serving the cities of Wilmer and Hutchins, a portion of Dallas , and a small portion of Lancaster. The district served urban, suburban, and rural areas...
before Dallas ISD took over the district (Lancaster ISD was given the first option to take over WHISD but declined). Students living in this area are zoned to Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School, Kennedy Curry Middle School, and Wilmer-Hutchins High School
Wilmer-Hutchins High School
Wilmer-Hutchins High School is a public secondary school in Dallas, Texas . A part of the Dallas Independent School District, Wilmer-Hutchins High was formerly part of the now defunct Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District....
. After the WHISD closure and before 2011 the WH part was served by Birdie Alexander Elementary School, D. A. Hulcy Middle School, and David W. Carter High School
David W. Carter High School
David Wendel Carter High School is a public school located in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas . David W. Carter High School, which covers grades 9-12, is a part of the Dallas Independent School District....
.
Life School
Life School
Life School is a charter school operator headquartered in Lancaster, Texas. It operates charter school campuses in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.Dr...
, a public charter school, has a K-6 campus in Lancaster. The Lancaster campus opened in 2007.
There are three private schools in the city - Berne Academy, Cedar Valley Christian Academy, and Victory Christian Academy.
Cedar Valley College
Cedar Valley College
Cedar Valley College is a community college of the Dallas County Community College District , located in Lancaster, Texas in southern Dallas County. Cedar Valley first opened its doors in 1977 and has an enrollment of more than 6,000 students....
, which is part of the Dallas County Community College District
Dallas County Community College District
The Dallas County Community College District is a network of seven community colleges in Dallas County, Texas . It is headquartered at 1601 South Lamar in Dallas....
(DCCCD), is also located in Lancaster.