Slaton, Texas

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Slaton, Texas
Slaton City Hall, Slaton, TX IMG 4655.JPG
New Slaton municipal building
Slaton Harvey House 2014.jpg
Harvey House near the tracks in Slaton
Slaton, TX, Museum IMG 4654.JPG
Slaton Museum
The Slaton Bakery, Slaton, TX IMG 4660.JPG
The Slaton Bakery is one of the better-known businesses in the community.
Downtown Slaton, TX IMG 4663.JPG
Downtown Slaton
Motto: 
"Your Kind of Town"
Slaton, Texas
Slaton, Texas
Slaton, Texas
Slaton, Texas
Interactive location map of Slaton
Coordinates: 33°26′44″N101°39′03″W / 33.445472°N 101.650919°W / 33.445472; -101.650919
CountryUnited States
State Texas
County Lubbock
Region Llano Estacado
Established1911
Incorporated June 15, 1911
Named after O. L. Slaton
Government
[1]
  Type Council–Manager
   Mayor Clifton Shaw
   Commission members Carla Rodriguez
Jim Taliaferro
Benny Lopez
Valarie Johnson
   City manager Wade Willson
  City secretaryPamela King
   City attorney Bryan J. Guymon
Area
[2]
  Total
5.458 sq mi (14.136 km2)
  Land5.427 sq mi (14.055 km2)
  Water0.031 sq mi (0.080 km2)  0.57%
Elevation
[3]
3,081 ft (939 m)
Population
 (2020) [4]
  Total
5,858
  Estimate 
(2024) [5]
5,698
  Density1,079/sq mi (416.8/km2)
Demonym Slatonians
Time zone UTC–6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
79364
Area codes 806
FIPS code 48-68180
GNIS feature ID2411908 [3]
Website cityofslaton.com

Slaton is a city in Lubbock County, Texas, United States. Founded by German immigrants, Slaton was the westernmost German settlement in Texas. [6] The population was 5,858 at the 2020 census, [4] and was estimated at 5,698 in 2024. [5] Slaton is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

History

Slaton was established on June 15, 1911. Slaton was named for Lubbock rancher and banker O.L. Slaton, Sr. (1867–1946), who promoted railroad construction in Slaton.

Geography

Slaton is on the level plains of the Llano Estacado. The nearest significant geographical feature is Yellow House Canyon, which is 3 miles (5 km) to the northeast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.458 square miles (14.14 km2), of which 5.427 square miles (14.06 km2) is land and 0.031 square miles (0.080 km2) (0.57%) is water. [2]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Slaton has a semiarid climate, BSk on climate maps. [7]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1920 1,525
1930 3,876154.2%
1940 3,587−7.5%
1950 5,03640.4%
1960 6,56830.4%
1970 6,5830.2%
1980 6,8043.4%
1990 6,078−10.7%
2000 6,1090.5%
2010 6,1210.2%
2020 5,858−4.3%
2024 (est.)5,698 [5] −2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]
2020 Census [4]

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of December 31, 2025, in Slaton is $133,798. [9]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 2,038 estimated households in Slaton with an average of 2.81 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $54,380. Approximately 16.1% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Slaton has an estimated 54.7% employment rate, with 11.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 82.6% holding a high school diploma. [10] There were 2,271 housing units at an average density of 418.46 per square mile (161.6/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (73.7%), Spanish (25.2%), Indo-European (0.0%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.0%), and Other (1.1%).

The median age in the city was 33.0 years.

Slaton, Texas – racial and ethnic composition
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 may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic)Pop. 1980 [11] Pop. 1990 [12] Pop. 2000 [13] Pop. 2010 [14] Pop. 2020 [15]
White alone (NH)3,850
(56.58%)
3,267
(53.75%)
2,994
(49.01%)
2,570
(41.99%)
2,196
(37.49%)
Black or African American alone (NH)602
(8.85%)
566
(9.31%)
467
(7.64%)
351
(5.73%)
301
(5.14%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)0
(0.00%)
7
(0.12%)
18
(0.29%)
14
(0.23%)
4
(0.07%)
Asian alone (NH)52
(0.76%)
4
(0.07%)
8
(0.13%)
11
(0.18%)
10
(0.17%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH)0
(0.00%)
1
(0.02%)
4
(0.07%)
Other race alone (NH)0
(0.00%)
6
(0.10%)
0
(0.00%)
7
(0.11%)
21
(0.36%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH)40
(0.65%)
65
(1.06%)
148
(2.53%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2,300
(33.80%)
2,228
(36.66%)
2,582
(42.27%)
3,102
(50.68%)
3,174
(54.18%)
Total6,804
(100.00%)
6,078
(100.00%)
6,109
(100.00%)
6,121
(100.00%)
5,858
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 5,698 people, 2,038 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was 1,049.94 inhabitants per square mile (405.4/km2). There were 2,271 housing units at an average density of 418.46 per square mile (161.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 66.5% White (45.6% NH White), 8.7% African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 46.8% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 5,858 people, 2,208 households, and 1,494 families residing in the city. [16] The population density was 1,084.81 inhabitants per square mile (418.8/km2). There were 2,556 housing units at an average density of 473.33 per square mile (182.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 56.85% White, 5.79% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 15.06% from some other races and 21.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 54.18% of the population. [17]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 6,121 people, 2,216 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was 1,114.73 inhabitants per square mile (430.4/km2). There were 2,545 housing units at an average density of 463.49 per square mile (179.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 74.42% White, 6.36% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 16.16% from some other races and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 50.68% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 6,109 people, 2,253 households, and 1,610 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,127.0 inhabitants per square mile (435.1/km2). There were 2,565 housing units at an average density of 473.1 per square mile (182.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.35% White, 7.76% African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 17.07% from some other races and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 42.27% of the population.

There were 2,253 households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were not families. About 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the city, the population was distributed as 29.0% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 83.7 men.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,915, and for a family was $31,224. Males had a median income of $26,696 versus $20,601 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,087. About 21.6% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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

Infrastructure

Major roads and highways

Railroads

A major yard of the BNSF Railway is located in Slaton. The South Plains Lamesa Railroad's railpark offers car storage and transloading for, among other commodities, wind turbine components. [18]

Special events

South Plains Airshow held at the Slaton airport South Plains Airshow, Slaton, Texas 2015.JPG
South Plains Airshow held at the Slaton airport

The July 4th Festival takes place at the Slaton Park, where area musicians perform on an outdoor stage. The park is filled with games, rides, food, and more. The South Plains Air Show is a biannual event taking place the first weekend of June in odd-number years. Hosted by the Texas Air Museum Caprock Chapter, the show takes place at the City of Slaton/Larry T. Neal Memorial Airport. Re-enactments and aerobatic performances are scheduled www.thetexasairmuseum.org. The St. Joseph Sausage Fest is put on every October by St. Joseph's Catholic School. The event has been held annually since 1969. [19]

Notable people

People born in Slaton:

See also

References

  1. "City Commission Members". City of Slaton, Texas. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  3. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Slaton, Texas
  4. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  6. "Westbrook: Immigrants from Germany were among early settlers". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. April 20, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  7. "Slaton, Texas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.
  8. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. "Slaton, TX Housing Market". Zillow . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  10. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Slaton city, Texas". www.census.gov. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  11. General Social and Economic Characteristics: Texas (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 82 of 93. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  12. Texas: 1990 (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 143 of 703. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  13. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Slaton city, Texas". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  14. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Slaton city, Texas". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  15. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Slaton city, Texas". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  16. "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  17. "How many people live in Slaton city, Texas". USA Today . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  18. "South Plains Lamesa Railroad" . Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  19. "41st Annual St. Joseph's Sausage Festival in Slaton Saturday and Sunday". KCBD. October 15, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2026.