Three Rivers, Texas
Encyclopedia
Three Rivers is a city in Live Oak County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 1,878 at the 2000 census.
The city is named for its proximity to three rivers, the Atascosa River
, the Frio River
, and the Nueces River
(the Atascosa joins the Frio north of the city, while the Frio joins the Nueces south of the city). Originally named Hamiltonburg, the city name was changed when mail meant for the city was accidentally delivered to Hamilton, Texas
instead.
In 1948-49 the city of Three Rivers gained notoriety as the location of what has become known as the "Longoria Affair" when the director of the only funeral home in town refused to allow chapel services in 1948 for the body of a "Mexican-American" Soldier killed during WWII in 1945.
For more about the history of Three Rivers, go to http://www.threeriverstx.org/history.html
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,878 people, 704 households, and 492 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,299.7 people per square mile (503.5/km2). There were 876 housing units at an average density of 606.2/sq mi (234.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.22% White, 0.53% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 14.00% from other races
, and 2.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 50.37% of the population.
There were 704 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $34,188. Males had a median income of $30,337 versus $16,607 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,814. About 21.6% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.
Many Three Rivers residents live in or near Three Rivers because of the large number of jobs needed in the nearby federal prison
(located roughly 10 miles (16.1 km) west of town, on Hwy 72) and the Valero refinery
located inside the city limits. Most new residents moving permanently to Three Rivers are ones transferred to the prison or refinery from other jobs within those respective systems.
operates the Three Rivers Post Office.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Correctional Institution, Three Rivers
is located in unincorporated
Live Oak County, near Three Rivers.
, containing Three Rivers Elementary School, Three Rivers Junior High School and Three Rivers High School. The school has a usually-friendly rivalry with the school district in neighboring George West
.
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 1,878 at the 2000 census.
The city is named for its proximity to three rivers, the Atascosa River
Atascosa River
-References:**USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Texas...
, the Frio River
Frio River
The Frio River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas. The word frio is Spanish for cold, a clear reference to the spring-fed coolness of the river.-Geography:The Frio River has three primary feeds; the East, West, and Dry Frio rivers...
, and the Nueces River
Nueces River
The Nueces River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas, approximately long. It drains a region in central and southern Texas southeastward into the Gulf of Mexico. It is the southernmost major river in Texas northeast of the Rio Grande...
(the Atascosa joins the Frio north of the city, while the Frio joins the Nueces south of the city). Originally named Hamiltonburg, the city name was changed when mail meant for the city was accidentally delivered to Hamilton, Texas
Hamilton, Texas
Hamilton is a city in Hamilton County in Central Texas. The population was 3,095 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County.-Geography:Hamilton is located at ....
instead.
In 1948-49 the city of Three Rivers gained notoriety as the location of what has become known as the "Longoria Affair" when the director of the only funeral home in town refused to allow chapel services in 1948 for the body of a "Mexican-American" Soldier killed during WWII in 1945.
For more about the history of Three Rivers, go to http://www.threeriverstx.org/history.html
Geography
Three Rivers is located at 28.467155°N 98.179451°W (28.467155, -98.179451).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 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), all of it 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 1,878 people, 704 households, and 492 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 1,299.7 people per square mile (503.5/km2). There were 876 housing units at an average density of 606.2/sq mi (234.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.22% White, 0.53% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 14.00% 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 2.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 50.37% of the population.
There were 704 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% 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, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $34,188. Males had a median income of $30,337 versus $16,607 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 $12,814. About 21.6% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economic base
Three Rivers is also the site of the first glass factory in the State of Texas. Although it is no longer in production and the building has been demolished, a State Historical Marker stands at its site. Some of the antique shops in town and in the neighboring town of George West may sometimes carry a few pieces the factory produced.Many Three Rivers residents live in or near Three Rivers because of the large number of jobs needed in the nearby federal prison
Federal prison
Federal prisons are run by national governments in countries where subdivisions of the country also operate prisons.In the United States federal prisons are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In Canada the Correctional Service of Canada operates federal prisons. Prison sentences in these...
(located roughly 10 miles (16.1 km) west of town, on Hwy 72) and the Valero refinery
Refinery
A refinery is a production facility composed of a group of chemical engineering unit processes and unit operations refining certain materials or converting raw material into products of value.-Types of refineries:Different types of refineries are as follows:...
located inside the city limits. Most new residents moving permanently to Three Rivers are ones transferred to the prison or refinery from other jobs within those respective systems.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Three Rivers Post Office.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is a federal law enforcement agency subdivision of the United States Department of Justice and is responsible for the administration of the federal prison system. The system also handles prisoners who committed acts considered felonies under the District of Columbia's...
Federal Correctional Institution, Three Rivers
Federal Correctional Institution, Three Rivers
Federal Correctional Institution, Three Rivers is a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility for men located in unincorporated Live Oak County, Texas. The facility is along U.S. Highway 72 West, across from the Choke Canyon Reservoir...
is located in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Live Oak County, near Three Rivers.
Schools
There is a single school district for the entire city, Three Rivers Independent School DistrictThree Rivers Independent School District
Three Rivers Independent School District is a public school district based in Three Rivers, Texas .Located in Live Oak County, the district extends into a small portion of Bee County....
, containing Three Rivers Elementary School, Three Rivers Junior High School and Three Rivers High School. The school has a usually-friendly rivalry with the school district in neighboring George West
George West, Texas
George West is a city in Live Oak County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,524 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Live Oak County. George West was named the "storytelling capital of Texas" in 2005 by the Texas Senate; and it hosts the George West Storyfest, a festival that...
.