Mertens, Texas
Encyclopedia
Mertens is a town in Hill County in Central Texas
. It is located along State Highway 22. The population was 146 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 146 people, 58 households, and 42 families residing in the town. The population density
was 332.3 people per square mile (128.1/km²). There were 65 housing units at an average density of 148.0 per square mile (57.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 84.25% White, 4.11% Native American, 10.96% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.81% of the population.
There were 58 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 111.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $36,667. Males had a median income of $29,500 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,422. There were 12.0% of families and 23.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including 51.4% of under eighteens and 13.2% of those over 64.
Central Texas
Central Texas , is a region in the U.S. state of Texas. It is roughly bordered by San Marcos to Fredericksburg to Waco, and to Brenham, and includes the Austin–Round Rock, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Bryan-College Station, and Waco metropolitan areas...
. It is located along State Highway 22. The population was 146 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Mertens is located at 32°3′31"N 96°53′42"W (32.058545, -96.894887).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 town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1 km²), all of it land.
Historical development
The first settlers arrived at this location in the late 1880s. During this time, the St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas railroad would be built through the area. The town's name originated from the engineer's wife of the first train that traveled though. In 1888, the post office opened and within 4 years, a bank was established with the population just above 75 residents. The International and Great Northern line reached the community during this time, creating a crossroads with the railways. The town became incorporated in 1914 with electric power reaching the city the year after.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 146 people, 58 households, and 42 families residing in the town. 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 332.3 people per square mile (128.1/km²). There were 65 housing units at an average density of 148.0 per square mile (57.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 84.25% White, 4.11% Native American, 10.96% 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 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.81% of the population.
There were 58 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% 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, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 111.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $36,667. Males had a median income of $29,500 versus $21,250 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 town was $13,422. There were 12.0% of families and 23.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including 51.4% of under eighteens and 13.2% of those over 64.