Spur, Texas
Encyclopedia
Spur is a city in Dickens County, Texas
, United States
. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,088.
On October 9, 2009, Spur celebrated its centennial with the dedication of a Giant Spur sculpture. The Giant Spur was built by local welder John Grusendorf. The event, sponsored by the Dickens County Historical Commission, was held at Dyess Park off U.S. Highway 70.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 1,088 people, 472 households, and 288 families residing in the city. The population density
was 673.4 people per square mile (259.3/km²). There were 641 housing units at an average density of 396.7 per square mile (152.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.52% White, 3.40% African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 21.14% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. 31.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 472 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples
living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,286, and the median income for a family was $32,772. Males had a median income of $25,972 versus $18,631 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,601. 19.8% of the population and 16.2% of families were below the poverty line. 24.8% of those under the age of 18 and 21.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
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...
. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,088.
On October 9, 2009, Spur celebrated its centennial with the dedication of a Giant Spur sculpture. The Giant Spur was built by local welder John Grusendorf. The event, sponsored by the Dickens County Historical Commission, was held at Dyess Park off U.S. Highway 70.
Geography
Spur is located at 33°28′40"N 100°51′25"W (33.477650, -100.857018).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 1.6 square miles (4.1 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 1,088 people, 472 households, and 288 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 673.4 people per square mile (259.3/km²). There were 641 housing units at an average density of 396.7 per square mile (152.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.52% White, 3.40% African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 21.14% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. 31.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 472 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% 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, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,286, and the median income for a family was $32,772. Males had a median income of $25,972 versus $18,631 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 $14,601. 19.8% of the population and 16.2% of families were below the poverty line. 24.8% of those under the age of 18 and 21.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Notable residents
- Marshall ApplewhiteMarshall ApplewhiteMarshall Herff Applewhite, Jr. , known among his followers as "Do", was the leader of the Heaven's Gate religious group. A self-proclaimed prophet and messiah, he died in the group's mass suicide of 1997.-Early life:...
(May 17, 1931 – March 26, 1997), the leader of the Heaven's Gate (religious group)Heaven's Gate (religious group)Heaven's Gate was an American UFO religion based in San Diego, California, founded and led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles...
, was born in Spur. He died in the group's mass suicide of 1997.
- Billy Ray Barrett (1925-1995), letter carrier, firefighterFirefighterFirefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
, alderman, and three-term mayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Spur
- Charles Weldon CannonCharles Weldon CannonCharles Weldon Cannon, known as Tooter Cannon , was a widely recognized manufacturer of boots and saddles in rural Dickens, Texas....
, a well-known maker of boots and saddleSaddleA saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
s, lived in Spur from 1949–1964, when he relocated to Dickens. After 1970, he devoted his energies exclusively to saddles.
- Aaron LathamAaron LathamAaron Latham is a journalist who wrote the article that inspired the movie Urban Cowboy and co-wrote its script with director James Bridges. He also co-wrote the book for the short-lived 2003 Broadway musical version....
, a Spur native, wrote the script of the 1980 film Urban CowboyUrban CowboyReleased as a 2× vinyl record album, re-released on CD in 1995.Side A:#Hello Texas – Jimmy Buffett #All Night Long – Joe Walsh #Times Like These – Dan Fogelberg #Nine Tonight – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band...
. In the story line, the protagonistProtagonistA protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
called "Bud Davis" (played by John TravoltaJohn TravoltaJohn Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
) is said to have been from Spur.
- Red McCombsRed McCombsBilly Joe "Red" McCombs is the founder of the Red McCombs Automotive Group, a co-founder of Clear Channel Communications, a former owner of the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Vikings, and the namesake of the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin...
(born 1927), San AntonioSan Antonio, TexasSan Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
businessman
- William B. McIver a Spur student in the 1940s, wrote By Dead Reckoning, a book that includes chapters on the history of the Espuela Land and Cattle Company, the founding of Spur, and life on a cotton farm and dairy in Highway Community district of Dickens County.