HEMPSTEAD, TEXAS

'Hempstead' is a city in Waller County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,691 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Waller County.

Contents

Geography

History

Demographics

Education

External links

Geography

Hempstead is located at (30.091427, -96.081252).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.9 km² (5.0 mi²). 12.9 km² (5.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.40%) is water.

History

Hempstead was established as a railroad center in 1856 and incorporated as a town two years later. The town became the seat of Waller County in 1873 as the town grew as a processor of cotton. By the turn of the 20th century, the town's economy switched from cotton to shipping. Because of violent disputes between different groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, Hempstead became one of several Texas towns known as 'Six-Shooter Junction'.
Hempstead is famous for its watermelon crop, and until the 1940s the town was the top shipper of watermelons in the United States. The town holds a Watermelon Festival in July.
The town has grown in recent years because of its relative closeness to Houston along US Highway 290. The current economy is based on county government, shipping, and a large auto dealership.
The town's most famous resident is one Lillie E. Drennan, who in 1929 became the first woman to hold a commercial driver's license in Texas. She ran a regional hauling company called the Drennan Truck Line while maintaining an excellent driving record. Drennan received periodical attention in national newspapers and radio broadcasts.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,691 people, 1,663 households, and 1,124 families residing in the city. The population density was 364.4/km² (943.8/mi²). There were 1,848 housing units at an average density of 143.6/km² (371.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.86% White, 43.44% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 14.65% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.77% of the population.
There were 1,663 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 14.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,095, and the median income for a family was $29,744. Males had a median income of $26,673 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,560. About 22.9% of families and 29.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.5% of those under age 18 and 25.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The City of Hempstead is served by the Hempstead Independent School District.

External links

★ Hempstead, TX Chamber of Commerce Website