Van Vleck, Texas
Encyclopedia
Van Vleck is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Matagorda County, Texas
, United States
. The population is one of the few areas with positive growth in Matagorda County. The 2010 census showed a 25% increase with 1,844 people (versus 1,411 at the 2000 census). Although near Bay City, TX the site of Van Vleck falls outside the ETJ of Bay City, TX and is regulated by county police and county ordinance.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), all of it land.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 1,411 people, 505 households, and 397 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 444.4 people per square mile (171.9/km²). There were 578 housing units at an average density of 182.1 per square mile (70.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 70.09% White, 17.51% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 8.72% from other races
, and 3.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.66% of the population.
There were 505 households out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples
living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,810, and the median income for a family was $40,170. Males had a median income of $31,034 versus $14,438 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $15,595. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.
The town site(town center) of Van Vleck has undergone slow but gradual improvements with a new post office, church, and a growingly popular restaurant that seats over 100 and is often full to capacity. Also found in Van Vleck are several authentic Mexican/Hispanic restaurants serving the local Hispanic population and non-Hispanics alike, a donut store, a fireworks stand, several gas stations, and equipment rental/sales shops.
Although it is of similar size to other nearby towns such as West Columbia, TX. Van Vleck has benefited from high traffic counts equal to or more than most areas of the larger and nearby Bay City, TX. Traffic counts are three times the average for a comparable small town as reported by TXDOT.
Over 10,000 cars pass through the town using the main arterial Texas Highway 35 on that connects Bay city to Highway 288 and Highway 59. The proximity to the growing potential of Bay city has been to Van Vleck's advantage.
The town also has a small but well recognized ISD.
Correction: (Charles Austin went to school and graduated from Van Vleck I.S.D. his hometown is Sargent, Tx were his parents still live to this day.)
The regional demand for healthcare is very strong as most doctors/hospitals have not been drawn to the area. Currently, the recently revamped Matagorda Regional Medical Center has made strides in attracting new physicians and fulfilling the medical needs of the county. The hospital is working on developing a regional cancer center, and regularly runs at capacity.
. Many students go to the nearby Bay City High School
for AP and Dual Course Credits.
There is Van Vleck Elementary, E.Rudd Intermediate, O.H. Herman Middle School, and Van Vleck High School
. The ISD has several recognitions that include a top rated
elementary school. The VVISD is the proud winner and record setter in numerous areas including power lifting and jump sports with first place in multiple years, including those set by Charles Austin
The Local high school also is a recurring winner, and title holder, of multiple national sports competitions.
moved to this location in Matagorda county in the early part of the decade.
1836 Hardeman dies of fever just 1 mile south of Van Vleck in Caney Creek. Today this area is known as Caney but was called Caney Crossing during the days of the Republic of Texas. It is named for the Caney Creek
1840's The area became known as Hardeman's Post Office, after Bailey Hardeman
, one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence
1900's The Texas and New Orleans railroad (T&NO rail road) brings rail lines to Matagorda County with a stop in Van Vleck. The T&NO was a subsidiary of Southern Pacific Railroad
1901 Town officially named for W. G. Van Vleck, a railroad official that served as the companies souther pacific superintendent. Several Hardeman families still live in Matagorda county and Van Vleck has a road named Hardeman road This year, the railroad connected Van Vleck to Wharton Tx.
1930 The town was originally northwest of its present location, but in 1930, when State Highway 35 was built, the town moved to the highway.
1952 First Baptist Church was built
1955 Methodist church built
1996 Charles Austin, of Van Vleck Texasm wins olympic gold medal
2010 Population count expands by 25% from prior census of 2000
2010 First Physician clinic to serve the area, a Dermatology clinic opens its doors.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Matagorda County, 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 is one of the few areas with positive growth in Matagorda County. The 2010 census showed a 25% increase with 1,844 people (versus 1,411 at the 2000 census). Although near Bay City, TX the site of Van Vleck falls outside the ETJ of Bay City, TX and is regulated by county police and county ordinance.
Geography
Van Vleck is located at 29°1′19"N 95°53′26"W (29.022061, -95.890523).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 CDP has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
The 2010 census showed a 25% increase with 1,844 people (versus 1,411 at the 2000 census). Further census details are pending.As of the census
Census
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 1,411 people, 505 households, and 397 families residing in the CDP. 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 444.4 people per square mile (171.9/km²). There were 578 housing units at an average density of 182.1 per square mile (70.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 70.09% White, 17.51% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 8.72% 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 3.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.66% of the population.
There were 505 households out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% 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, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,810, and the median income for a family was $40,170. Males had a median income of $31,034 versus $14,438 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 CDP was $15,595. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The local economy is mostly dependent on industrial work in plants at local Sweeny, TX and Bay City, TX. Many Bay City residents of higher income choose to live in the Van Vleck ISD. The Van Vleck area has greatly from the commercial development just minutes away on highway 35 that have included several new restaurants, banks, hotels, and a new walmart sueprcenter.The town site(town center) of Van Vleck has undergone slow but gradual improvements with a new post office, church, and a growingly popular restaurant that seats over 100 and is often full to capacity. Also found in Van Vleck are several authentic Mexican/Hispanic restaurants serving the local Hispanic population and non-Hispanics alike, a donut store, a fireworks stand, several gas stations, and equipment rental/sales shops.
Although it is of similar size to other nearby towns such as West Columbia, TX. Van Vleck has benefited from high traffic counts equal to or more than most areas of the larger and nearby Bay City, TX. Traffic counts are three times the average for a comparable small town as reported by TXDOT.
Over 10,000 cars pass through the town using the main arterial Texas Highway 35 on that connects Bay city to Highway 288 and Highway 59. The proximity to the growing potential of Bay city has been to Van Vleck's advantage.
The town also has a small but well recognized ISD.
Popular culture
In popular culture, Van Vleck is often mentioned for its small but well known small town features. This is also the hometown of Charles AustinCharles Austin
Charles Austin is an American athlete who won the gold medal in the men's high jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the owner of So High Sports and Fitness a sports performance and personal training company. He opened his So High Sports and Fitness Studio in 2002 and his...
Correction: (Charles Austin went to school and graduated from Van Vleck I.S.D. his hometown is Sargent, Tx were his parents still live to this day.)
Healthcare
Van Vleck does not have any local hospitals, but is home to the mosaic clinic. For regular and urgent care, residents rely on the sweeney hospital and its multiple growing clinics. The strong demand has allowed sweeney to add 1-2 new physicians a year despite the distance from other towns like Van Vleck. Also, a closer and more often used center is the recently built Matagorda regional medical center in Bay City. Multiple physicians and specialties are available in Bay City.The regional demand for healthcare is very strong as most doctors/hospitals have not been drawn to the area. Currently, the recently revamped Matagorda Regional Medical Center has made strides in attracting new physicians and fulfilling the medical needs of the county. The hospital is working on developing a regional cancer center, and regularly runs at capacity.
Education
Van Vleck is served by the Van Vleck Independent School DistrictVan Vleck Independent School District
Van Vleck Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Van Vleck in unincorporated Matagorda County, Texas...
. Many students go to the nearby Bay City High School
Bay City High School
Bay City High School is a public high school located on U.S. Highway 35, on the western edge of Bay City, Texas, United States. It is rated Academically Acceptable by the Texas Education Agency.-Campus:...
for AP and Dual Course Credits.
There is Van Vleck Elementary, E.Rudd Intermediate, O.H. Herman Middle School, and Van Vleck High School
Van Vleck High School
Van Vleck High School is a public high school in Van Vleck, Texas, part of the Van Vleck Independent School District....
. The ISD has several recognitions that include a top rated
elementary school. The VVISD is the proud winner and record setter in numerous areas including power lifting and jump sports with first place in multiple years, including those set by Charles Austin
Charles Austin
Charles Austin is an American athlete who won the gold medal in the men's high jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the owner of So High Sports and Fitness a sports performance and personal training company. He opened his So High Sports and Fitness Studio in 2002 and his...
The Local high school also is a recurring winner, and title holder, of multiple national sports competitions.
Time line of Van Vleck
1830's Bailey HardemanBailey Hardeman
Bailey Hardeman was the first Secretary of the Treasury for the Republic of Texas.Bailey was a younger son of Thomas Hardeman and his first wife Mary Perkins. Both families were early settlers in Tidewater Virginia...
moved to this location in Matagorda county in the early part of the decade.
1836 Hardeman dies of fever just 1 mile south of Van Vleck in Caney Creek. Today this area is known as Caney but was called Caney Crossing during the days of the Republic of Texas. It is named for the Caney Creek
1840's The area became known as Hardeman's Post Office, after Bailey Hardeman
Bailey Hardeman
Bailey Hardeman was the first Secretary of the Treasury for the Republic of Texas.Bailey was a younger son of Thomas Hardeman and his first wife Mary Perkins. Both families were early settlers in Tidewater Virginia...
, one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence
1900's The Texas and New Orleans railroad (T&NO rail road) brings rail lines to Matagorda County with a stop in Van Vleck. The T&NO was a subsidiary of Southern Pacific Railroad
1901 Town officially named for W. G. Van Vleck, a railroad official that served as the companies souther pacific superintendent. Several Hardeman families still live in Matagorda county and Van Vleck has a road named Hardeman road This year, the railroad connected Van Vleck to Wharton Tx.
1930 The town was originally northwest of its present location, but in 1930, when State Highway 35 was built, the town moved to the highway.
1952 First Baptist Church was built
1955 Methodist church built
1996 Charles Austin, of Van Vleck Texasm wins olympic gold medal
2010 Population count expands by 25% from prior census of 2000
2010 First Physician clinic to serve the area, a Dermatology clinic opens its doors.