West Columbia, Texas
Encyclopedia
West Columbia is a city in Brazoria County
in the U.S. state of Texas
within 50 miles of Eastern Columbia. The population was 4,255 at the 2000 census.
The first Congress
of the Republic of Texas
was convened in West Columbia on October 1836 (it was then named simply Columbia).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 4,255 people, 1,607 households, and 1,099 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,661.9 people per square mile (641.7/km²). There were 1,755 housing units at an average density of 685.5 per square mile (264.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.15% White, 19.51% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.83% from other races
, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.05% of the population.
There were 1,607 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples
living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,115, and the median income for a family was $38,090. Males had a median income of $37,981 versus $19,775 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,647. About 14.0% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.
West Columbia Post Office is located at 350 West Brazos Avenue.
.
Schools that serve the city include West Columbia Elementary School, Barrow Elementary School, Wild Peach Elementary School, West Brazos Junior High School, and Columbia High School
. One elementary and the high school are in West Columbia. The junior high and Barrow Elementary are located in Brazoria.
There is a charter school called West Columbia Charter School.
The West Columbia Library is a part of the Brazoria County Library System.
Brazoria County, Texas
Brazoria County[p] is a county in the U.S. state of Texas, located on the Gulf Coast within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. Regionally, parts of the county are within the extreme southern-most fringe of the regions locally known as Southeast Texas. Brazoria County is among a...
in the U.S. state of 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...
within 50 miles of Eastern Columbia. The population was 4,255 at the 2000 census.
The first Congress
Congress of the Republic of Texas
The Congress of the Republic of Texas was the national legislature of the Republic of Texas established by the Constitution of the Republic of Texas in 1836. It was a bicameral legislature based on the model of the United States Congress...
of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
was convened in West Columbia on October 1836 (it was then named simply Columbia).
Geography
West Columbia is located at 29°8′29"N 95°38′49"W (29.141513, -95.647016).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 2.6 square miles (6.6 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 4,255 people, 1,607 households, and 1,099 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 1,661.9 people per square mile (641.7/km²). There were 1,755 housing units at an average density of 685.5 per square mile (264.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.15% White, 19.51% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.83% 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 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.05% of the population.
There were 1,607 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% 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, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,115, and the median income for a family was $38,090. Males had a median income of $37,981 versus $19,775 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 $15,647. About 14.0% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.
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...
West Columbia Post Office is located at 350 West Brazos Avenue.
Education
The city is served by the Columbia-Brazoria Independent School DistrictColumbia-Brazoria Independent School District
Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District is a public school district based in the Kenneth C. Welch Administration Building in West Columbia, Texas ....
.
Schools that serve the city include West Columbia Elementary School, Barrow Elementary School, Wild Peach Elementary School, West Brazos Junior High School, and Columbia High School
Columbia High School (West Columbia, Texas)
Columbia High School is a four year public high school located in West Columbia, TX. The Columbia Roughnecks mascot is Elmo and the colors are maroon and white...
. One elementary and the high school are in West Columbia. The junior high and Barrow Elementary are located in Brazoria.
There is a charter school called West Columbia Charter School.
The West Columbia Library is a part of the Brazoria County Library System.