Jacksonville, Texas | |
---|---|
Nickname(s): The Biggest Small Town in Texas; Tomato Capital of the World | |
Coordinates: 31°57′34″N95°16′00″W / 31.95944°N 95.26667°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Cherokee |
Government | |
• Type | Council-Manager |
Area | |
• Total | 14.20 sq mi (36.77 km2) |
• Land | 14.19 sq mi (36.75 km2) |
• Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
Elevation | 505 ft (154 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 13,997 |
• Density | 1,043.97/sq mi (403.09/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 75766 |
Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
FIPS code | 48-37216 [3] |
GNIS feature ID | 2410130 [2] |
U.S. Highways | |
Major State Highways | |
Website | http://www.jacksonvilletx.org |
Jacksonville is a city located in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,997 at the 2020 U.S. census. [4] It is the principal city of the Jacksonville micropolitan statistical area, which includes all of Cherokee County.
Jacksonville is located in East Texas, north of the county seat, Rusk, and south of Tyler, in Smith County.
Area production and shipping of tomatoes gained the town the title "Tomato Capital of the World". The impressive red iron ore rock Tomato Bowl, built by Works Progress Administration workers during the Great Depression, is home to the Jacksonville High School "Fightin' Indians" football and soccer teams. Annual events include the "Tops in Texas Rodeo" held in May and the "Tomato Fest" celebration in June.
Jacksonville began in 1847 as the town of Gum Creek. Jackson Smith built a home and blacksmith shop in the area, and became postmaster in 1848, when a post office was authorized. Shortly afterward, Dr. William Jackson established an office near Smith's shop. When the townsite was laid out in 1850, the name Jacksonville was chosen in honor of these two men. The name of the post office was changed from Gum Creek to Jacksonville in June 1850.
Despite never having organized unions in any Walmart stores before, meatcutters working at the Jacksonville Walmart voted in favor of organizing under the wing of the United Food and Commercial Workers union in February 2000. During a flurry of subsequent legal actions, Walmart discontinued store-level meatcutting and started shipping in pre-packaged/pre-frozen meat to their stores. When all the hearings and appeals were exhausted, it was decided that the local meatcutters didn't embody the characteristics of a group that could bargain since they weren't specialized. Even now, there is no one in the Jacksonville meat department to make special cuts of meat or any union presence there. [5] [6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.1 square miles (37 km2), of which 14.1 square miles (37 km2) is land and 0.07% is water.
Lake Jacksonville is three miles (5 km) southwest of Jacksonville. It is the city's primary water source. It is a popular location for recreation and residences. It was created in 1957 and the city expected it to take years to fill with water from the surrounding creeks. But, with an unusually rainy season, the lake reached full capacity in a year.
With records only dating to 1953, Jacksonville was one a few Texas locations to have its all time low occur during the 2021 Texas power crisis cold snap in February 2021.
Climate data for Jacksonville, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1953–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 85 (29) | 91 (33) | 90 (32) | 95 (35) | 99 (37) | 103 (39) | 110 (43) | 108 (42) | 109 (43) | 100 (38) | 89 (32) | 83 (28) | 109 (43) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 58.2 (14.6) | 62.5 (16.9) | 70.1 (21.2) | 77.2 (25.1) | 83.2 (28.4) | 89.9 (32.2) | 93.9 (34.4) | 94.3 (34.6) | 88.9 (31.6) | 79.2 (26.2) | 68.3 (20.2) | 60.7 (15.9) | 77.2 (25.1) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 46.0 (7.8) | 49.8 (9.9) | 56.7 (13.7) | 64.1 (17.8) | 72.2 (22.3) | 79.1 (26.2) | 82.8 (28.2) | 82.4 (28.0) | 76.6 (24.8) | 66.4 (19.1) | 55.8 (13.2) | 48.8 (9.3) | 65.1 (18.4) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 33.8 (1.0) | 37.1 (2.8) | 43.3 (6.3) | 51.0 (10.6) | 61.2 (16.2) | 68.3 (20.2) | 71.6 (22.0) | 70.5 (21.4) | 64.2 (17.9) | 53.5 (11.9) | 43.2 (6.2) | 36.9 (2.7) | 52.9 (11.6) |
Record low °F (°C) | 5 (−15) | −6 (−21) | 15 (−9) | 28 (−2) | 39 (4) | 50 (10) | 57 (14) | 54 (12) | 43 (6) | 29 (−2) | 14 (−10) | 5 (−15) | −6 (−21) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.54 (115) | 4.24 (108) | 3.80 (97) | 3.38 (86) | 4.26 (108) | 4.04 (103) | 3.40 (86) | 3.07 (78) | 3.55 (90) | 4.75 (121) | 4.24 (108) | 4.23 (107) | 47.50 (1,207) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 8.6 | 80.0 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 |
Source: NOAA [7] [8] |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 349 | — | |
1890 | 970 | 177.9% | |
1900 | 1,558 | 60.6% | |
1910 | 2,875 | 84.5% | |
1920 | 3,723 | 29.5% | |
1930 | 6,748 | 81.3% | |
1940 | 7,213 | 6.9% | |
1950 | 8,607 | 19.3% | |
1960 | 9,590 | 11.4% | |
1970 | 9,734 | 1.5% | |
1980 | 12,264 | 26.0% | |
1990 | 12,765 | 4.1% | |
2000 | 13,868 | 8.6% | |
2010 | 14,544 | 4.9% | |
2020 | 13,997 | −3.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [9] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 4,915 | 35.11% |
Black or African American (NH) | 2,747 | 19.63% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 25 | 0.18% |
Asian (NH) | 105 | 0.75% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 5 | 0.04% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 47 | 0.34% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 404 | 2.89% |
Hispanic or Latino | 5,749 | 41.07% |
Total | 13,997 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,997 people, 5,027 households, and 3,670 families residing in the city.
[ needs update ] According to the city's most recent Adopted Budget, the city's various funds had $14.9 million in Revenues, $15.7 million in expenditures, and $4.4 million fund balance. [13]
Management of the city and coordination of city services are provided by (as of 2009}: [14]
Department | Director |
---|---|
City Mayor | Randy Gorham |
City Manager | James Hubbard |
Director of Finance | Roxanna Martin |
Fire Chief | Keith Fortner |
Police Chief | Joe Williams |
Director of Public Works | Randall Chandler |
Director of Water and Sewer | Randall Chandler |
Director of Development Services | Jody Watson |
Director of Streets | James Worley |
Library Director | Trina Stidham |
Jacksonville is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Robert Nichols, District 3, and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican Travis Clardy, District 11.
At the Federal level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz; Jacksonville is part of the Fifth Congressional District, represented by Republican Lance Gooden.
The Jacksonville Public Library [15] served the City of Jacksonville and Cherokee County for over 70 years. The Library was a member of the Texas Library Association, the Northeast Texas Library System and the Forest Trails Library Consortium. In September 2020, the lot it sat on was sold to Chick-fil-A, where construction promptly began on a restaurant location. The new Jacksonville Public Library opened in April 2021, in the Norman Activities Center. [16] [17] Until the opening of the new location, Jacksonville residents were allowed to visit the Rusk Public Library with library card fines waived. [18]
The Jacksonville Jax Minor League baseball team played at Ragsdale Park between 1934 and 1950. [19]
The city of Jacksonville is served by the Jacksonville Independent School District. Jacksonville High School, the district's only high school, has "Fightin' Indians"/"Maidens" as mascots for its team sports.
Jacksonville College and the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, both of which are owned by the Baptist Missionary Association of America, are located in Jacksonville.
Lon Morris College, a United Methodist Church operated private junior college, was located in Jacksonville until ceasing operations in 2012.
Many highways pass through and intersect in Jacksonville: US 69, US 79, US 175, SH 135, SH 204, FM 347, FM 768, FM 2138, and Loop 456. However, no Interstate highways pass through the city limits
Where 3 railroads once served the Jacksonville area (Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt abandoned their tracks in the mid-1980s), only one, Union Pacific, remains.
Cherokee County Airport is the sole airport within Jacksonville, but solely serves general aviation. Commercial aviation can be accessed by traveling north to Tyler Pounds Regional Airport with an American Eagle flight to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), or simply driving 132 miles directly to either DFW or Dallas Love Field via U.S. Route 175.
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the county had a population of 620,443. The county seat is Conroe. The county was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837, and is named for the town of Montgomery. Between 2000 and 2010, its population grew by 55%, the 24th-fastest rate of growth of any county in the United States. Between 2010 and 2020, its population grew by 36%. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population is 711,354 as of July 1, 2023.
Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 50,412. The county seat is Rusk, which lies 130 miles southeast of Dallas and 160 miles north of Houston. The county was named for the Cherokee, who lived in the area before being expelled in 1839. Cherokee County comprises the Jacksonville micropolitan statistical area, which is also included in the Tyler–Jacksonville combined statistical area.
Texarkana is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States, in the Ark-La-Tex region. Located approximately 180 miles (290 km) from Dallas, Texarkana is a twin city with neighboring Texarkana, Arkansas. The Texas city's population was 36,193 at the 2020 census.
Angleton is a city in and the county seat of Brazoria County, Texas, United States, within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. Angleton lies at the intersection of State Highway 288, State Highway 35, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The population was 19,429 at the 2020 census. Angleton is in the 14th congressional district, and is represented by Republican Congressman Randy Weber.
Brownwood is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, Texas, United States. The population was 18,862 as of the 2020 census. Brownwood is in the Texas Hill Country and is home to Howard Payne University, which was founded in 1889.
Cuney is a town located in northwestern Cherokee County, Texas, United States. With a population of 116 at the 2020 U.S. census, Cuney was the only "wet" town in Cherokee County from the mid-1980s until 2009, when voters in Rusk came out in favor of beer/wine sales. After that result, voters in Jacksonville and Frankston have since voted in favor of beer/wine sales, and Rusk voters returned to the polls to vote in favor of liquor sales.
Gallatin is a city in Cherokee County, Texas, United States, with a 2020 U.S. census-tabulated population of 321.
New Summerfield is a city in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. The population was 843 at the 2020 U.S. census.
Rusk is a city in and the county seat of Cherokee County, Texas, United States. At the 2020 United States census, it had a population of 5,285.
Wells is a town in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. The population was 790 at the 2010 census, and 853 at the 2020 U.S. census.
Hitchcock is a city in Galveston County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,301 at the 2020 census.
Goliad is a city and the county seat of Goliad County, Texas, United States. It is known for the 1836 Goliad massacre during the Texas Revolution. It had a population of 1,620 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Victoria, Texas, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Memphis is a city and the county seat of Hall County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,290.
Henderson is a city and the county seat of Rusk County, Texas, in Northeast Texas, United States. Its population was 13,271 at the 2020 census. Henderson is named for James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.
Mount Pleasant is the county seat of and largest city in Titus County, in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, Mount Pleasant's population was 16,047.
Huntsville is a city in and the county seat of Walker County, Texas, United States. The population was 45,941 as of the 2020 census. It is the center of the Huntsville micropolitan area. Huntsville is in the East Texas Piney Woods on Interstate 45 and home to Sam Houston State University, Texas State Prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville State Park, and HEARTS Veterans Museum of Texas.
Kilgore is a city in Gregg and Rusk counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Texas. Over three-fourths of the area within city limits are located in Gregg County, the remainder in Rusk County. The population was 12,975 at the 2010 census and 13,376 at the 2020 census.
Longview is a city in, and county seat of, Gregg County, Texas, United States. Longview is located in East Texas, where Interstate 20 and U.S. highways 80 and 259 converge just north of the Sabine River. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the city had a population of 81,638. Longview is the principal city of the Longview metropolitan statistical area, comprising Gregg, Upshur, and Rusk counties. The population of the metropolitan area as of 2021 census estimates was 287,858.
Northeast Texas is a cultural and geographic region in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Texas. Geographically centered on two metropolitan areas strung along Interstate 20—Tyler in the west and Longview/Marshall to the east, the areas of Greenville, Mount Pleasant, Sulphur Springs, Paris, and Texarkana in the north primarily along Interstate 30, and Jacksonville and Palestine to the south are also major cities within the region. Most of Northeast Texas is included in the interstate region of the Ark-La-Tex.
Charles L. Hopson II is an American pharmacist who represented district 11 of the Texas House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013.
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