Rocksprings, Texas | |
---|---|
town | |
Coordinates: 30°0′58″N100°12′32″W / 30.01611°N 100.20889°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Edwards |
Area | |
• Total | 1.22 sq mi (3.15 km2) |
• Land | 1.22 sq mi (3.15 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 2,402 ft (732 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 1,182 |
• Estimate (2019) [2] | 1,135 |
• Density | 934.16/sq mi (360.59/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 78880 |
Area code | 830 |
FIPS code | 48-62816 [3] |
GNIS feature ID | 1345423 [4] |
Rocksprings is a town in Edwards County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 1,182, [5] down from 1,285 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Edwards County. [6] The town received its name from natural springs associated with the porous limestone rocks in the area.
J. R. Sweeten sited Rocksprings in 1891 because of the springs nearby. Also in 1891, the town acquired a post office and was made county seat. The original courthouse built in the town burned in 1897. By 1914, Rocksprings had a population around 500.
During the early 1900s, hostilities between Anglos and Mexicans along the "Brown Belt" were common. In Rocksprings, Antonio Rodriguez, a twenty-year-old Mexican, was burned at the stake by a white mob for allegedly killing a white woman, Effie Greer Henderson. This event was widely publicized and protests against the treatment of Mexicans in the U.S. erupted within the interior of Mexico, namely in Guadalajara and Mexico City. [7] [8] This was part of a series of racist killings known as La Matanza .
On April 12, 1927, the town was hit by an F5 tornado that destroyed 235 of the 247 buildings in the town. The tornado killed 72 townspeople and injured 205, almost a third of the population at the time. [9]
Rocksprings is located northeast of the center of Edwards County at 30°0′58″N100°12′32″W / 30.01611°N 100.20889°W (30.016161, –100.209023). [10] Rocksprings sits on top of the Edwards Plateau. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2), all land. [5]
U.S. Route 377 passes through the center of the town, leading northeast 46 miles (74 km) to Junction and southwest 76 miles (122 km) to Del Rio. Texas State Highway 55 joins US 377 as Main Street through Rocksprings, but leads northwest 55 miles (89 km) to Sonora and south 68 miles (109 km) to Uvalde.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Rocksprings has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps. [11]
Climate data for Rocksprings, Texas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 99 (37) | 96 (36) | 98 (37) | 100 (38) | 104 (40) | 109 (43) | 107 (42) | 108 (42) | 106 (41) | 100 (38) | 93 (34) | 87 (31) | 109 (43) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 75.9 (24.4) | 80.0 (26.7) | 85.0 (29.4) | 91.0 (32.8) | 94.2 (34.6) | 96.9 (36.1) | 98.4 (36.9) | 98.0 (36.7) | 93.4 (34.1) | 88.9 (31.6) | 79.9 (26.6) | 74.6 (23.7) | 100.6 (38.1) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 58.5 (14.7) | 62.5 (16.9) | 69.5 (20.8) | 76.9 (24.9) | 82.8 (28.2) | 88.3 (31.3) | 90.8 (32.7) | 91.3 (32.9) | 84.9 (29.4) | 76.7 (24.8) | 66.0 (18.9) | 59.3 (15.2) | 75.6 (24.2) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 47.8 (8.8) | 51.7 (10.9) | 58.1 (14.5) | 65.3 (18.5) | 72.2 (22.3) | 77.9 (25.5) | 80.1 (26.7) | 80.5 (26.9) | 74.9 (23.8) | 66.5 (19.2) | 56.0 (13.3) | 48.9 (9.4) | 65.0 (18.3) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 37.2 (2.9) | 40.8 (4.9) | 46.7 (8.2) | 53.7 (12.1) | 61.5 (16.4) | 67.5 (19.7) | 69.5 (20.8) | 69.7 (20.9) | 64.8 (18.2) | 56.3 (13.5) | 46.1 (7.8) | 38.4 (3.6) | 54.4 (12.4) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 23.4 (−4.8) | 26.8 (−2.9) | 30.6 (−0.8) | 38.5 (3.6) | 49.7 (9.8) | 61.2 (16.2) | 65.7 (18.7) | 64.7 (18.2) | 53.4 (11.9) | 40.7 (4.8) | 29.7 (−1.3) | 25.1 (−3.8) | 19.8 (−6.8) |
Record low °F (°C) | 5 (−15) | 3 (−16) | 10 (−12) | 20 (−7) | 30 (−1) | 45 (7) | 58 (14) | 53 (12) | 38 (3) | 19 (−7) | 14 (−10) | 5 (−15) | 3 (−16) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.03 (26) | 0.93 (24) | 1.81 (46) | 1.66 (42) | 3.35 (85) | 2.50 (64) | 1.95 (50) | 3.10 (79) | 3.38 (86) | 3.05 (77) | 1.66 (42) | 1.62 (41) | 26.04 (662) |
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) | 5.7 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 4.5 | 6.0 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.2 | 4.5 | 64.7 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
Source 1: NOAA [12] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: National Weather Service [13] |
The economy of Rocksprings is centered on the wool and mohair industry, and the town is recognized as the Angora goat capital of the world. Tourism has become a growing part of the economy, with the opening of Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area, located approximately 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Rocksprings.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1930 | 998 | — | |
1940 | 1,339 | 34.2% | |
1950 | 1,436 | 7.2% | |
1960 | 1,182 | −17.7% | |
1970 | 1,221 | 3.3% | |
1980 | 1,317 | 7.9% | |
1990 | 1,339 | 1.7% | |
2000 | 1,285 | −4.0% | |
2010 | 1,182 | −8.0% | |
2019 (est.) | 1,135 | [2] | −4.0% |
U.S. Decennial Census [14] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 214 | 24.49% |
Black or African American (NH) | 2 | 0.23% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 5 | 0.57% |
Asian (NH) | 4 | 0.46% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 1 | 0.11% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 2 | 0.23% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 12 | 1.37% |
Hispanic or Latino | 634 | 72.54% |
Total | 874 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 874 people, 559 households, and 340 families residing in the town.
As of the census [3] of 2000, 1,285 people, 420 households, and 312 families resided in the town. The population density was 1,064.1 inhabitants per square mile (410.9/km2). The 535 housing units averaged 443.0 per mi2 (170.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 76.26% White, 1.17% African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 18.75% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 66.69% of the population.
Of the 420 households, 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were not families. About 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.58.
In the town, the population was distributed as 33.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $19,970, and for a family was $22,614. Males had a median income of $21,369 versus $14,408 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,957. About 31.7% of families and 38.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.6% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.
The town is served by the Rocksprings Independent School District and home to the Rocksprings High School Angoras. The school mascot is Rocko, the fighting Angora billy.
In Pop Culture
The town of Rocksprings was the location of the Texas State Penitentiary, Spring Valley Unit, in two episodes in season three of the television show Brooklyn Nine-Nine .
Edwards County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census its population was 1,422. The county seat is Rocksprings. The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1883. It is named for Haden Edwards, an early settler of Nacogdoches, Texas. The Edwards Aquifer and Edwards Plateau are named after the county by reason of their locations.
Sidon is a town in Leflore County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 509 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Greenwood, Mississippi micropolitan area.
Jourdanton is a city in and the county seat of Atascosa County, Texas, United States. The population is 4,094. It is part of the San Antonio metropolitan statistical area. The mayor is Robert "Doc" Williams. The city manager is Bobby J. Martinez. The police chief is Eric Kaiser. The fire chief is Jay Fojtik.
Round Mountain is a town in Blanco County, Texas, United States. The population was 181 at the 2010 census.
Baird is a city and the county seat of Callahan County, Texas, United States. Its population was 1,496 at the 2010 census. The city is named after Matthew Baird, the owner and director of the Texas and Pacific Railway. The railway depot is now operated as the visitor center and a transportation museum.
Coleman is a town in and the county seat of Coleman County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 4,709.
Paint Rock is a town in and the county seat of Concho County, Texas, United States. The population was 273 at the 2010 census, down from 320 at the 2000 census.
Paducah is a town in Cottle County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,186 at the 2010 census, down from 1,498 in 2000. It is the county seat of Cottle County. It is just south of the Texas Panhandle and east of the Llano Estacado.
Dickens is a city in and the county seat of Dickens County, Texas, United States. The population was 286 at the 2010 census, down from 332 at the 2000 census.
Benavides is a city in Duval County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,362 at the 2010 census, down from 1,686 at the 2000 census.
Eastland is a city in Eastland County, Texas, United States. Its population was 3,960 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Eastland County.
Hamilton is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Texas, United States, located in the state's central region. Its population was 3,096 at the 2010 census.
Haskell is a city in central Haskell County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,322. It is the Haskell county seat.
Rule is a town in Haskell County, Texas, United States. The population was 636 at the 2010 census, down from 698 at the 2000 census.
Edna is a city and the county seat of Jackson County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,499 at the 2010 census and 5,987 at the 2020 census.
Brackettville is a city in Kinney County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,688 at the 2010 census, down from 1,876 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Kinney County.
Presidio is a city in Presidio County, Texas, United States. It is situated on the Rio Grande River, on the opposite side of the U.S.–Mexico border from Ojinaga, Chihuahua. The name originates from Spanish and means "fortress". The population was 4,169 at the 2000 census, and had increased to 4,426 as of the 2010 US census.
Leakey is a city in and the county seat of Real County, Texas, United States. The population was 425 at the 2010 census.
Stockdale is a city in Wilson County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,413 at the 2020 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Hamlin is a city in Jones and Fisher Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 2,124 at the 2010 census, and in 2018, the estimated population was 1,997. The Jones County portion of Hamlin is part of the Abilene, Texas metropolitan area.