Alvord, Texas

Alvord, Texas
Town
Downtown Alvord
Show Alvord Show Wise County Show Texas Show the United States
Map of Alvord in 1890
Coordinates: 33°21′25″N97°41′46″W / 33.35694°N 97.69611°W / 33.35694; -97.69611
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Wise
Incorporated (town)	February 22, 1912 [1]
Area [2]
• Total	1.52 sq mi (3.94 km2)
• Land	1.52 sq mi (3.94 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [3]	869 ft (265 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,351
• Density	890/sq mi (340/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	76225
Area code	940
FIPS code	48-02284 [4]
GNIS feature ID	2412358 [3]

Alvord is a town in Wise County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,351 in 2020. ^[5]

History

Originally known as Nina, Alvord adopted its present name in 1882 in honor of the president of the Fort Worth and Denver Railway. There is no connection with the Arizona bandit Burt Alvord. A post office was established in 1882. By 1890, Alvord was a retail center for area farmers. In 1925, Alvord had 1,376 residents (42 more than in 2010), a high school, an elementary school, four churches, and a weekly newspaper. The Burlington Northern Railroad stopped there. ^[6]

The population dropped during the Great Depression because of a decline in watermelon farms and cattle ranches. In 1940, the population totaled 821, with 35 businesses; in 1960, 720 people and 19 businesses; in 1990, 865 residents and 16 businesses. In 2000, the population was 1,007, with 62 businesses. ^[6]

• 
  Ernest O. Thompson historical marker in his town of birth, Alvord, Texas
• 
  The First Baptist Church at 205 Boling St. in Alvord, pastor Bill Cleveland (2013)

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), all land. ^[7]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Alvord has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	560		—
1920	1,376		—
1930	754		−45.2%
1940	821		8.9%
1950	735		−10.5%
1960	694		−5.6%
1970	791		14.0%
1980	874		10.5%
1990	865		−1.0%
2000	1,007		16.4%
2010	1,334		32.5%
2020	1,351		1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]

Alvord racial composition as of 2020 ^[5]
(NH = Non-Hispanic) ^{[lower-alpha 1]}

Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	1,124	83.2%
Black or African American (NH)	11	0.81%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	15	1.11%
Asian (NH)	6	0.44%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	63	4.66%
Hispanic or Latino	132	9.77%
Total	1,351

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,351 people, 359 households, and 254 families residing in the town.

Notable person

Texas Railroad Commissioner Ernest O. Thompson, who also served as a mayor of Amarillo and became an expert on petroleum issues, was born in Alvord in 1892.

References

1. "Incorporation Papers of Alvord", The Portal to Texas History, University of North Texas Libraries, accessed April 10, 2009
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alvord, Texas
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
6. "Alvord, TX". tshaonline.org. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
7. "US Gazetteer Files 2016-Places-Texas". US Census. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
8. Climate Summary for Alvord, Texas
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
10. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.

1. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. ^[10]

External links

• Historic Materials from the Alvord Public Library hosted by the Portal to Texas History
• Official City of Alvord Website