Lockhart, Texas

Last updated

Lockhart, Texas
Caldwell County Courthouse 2018a.jpg
Nickname: 
Barbecue Capital of Texas
Caldwell County Lockhart.svg
Location of Lockhart, Texas
Coordinates: 29°52′55″N97°40′34″W / 29.88194°N 97.67611°W / 29.88194; -97.67611
Country United States
State Texas
County Caldwell
Government
Home rule city
  TypeCouncil – Manager
  MayorLew White
  Mayor Pro TemAngie Gonzales-Sanchez
Area
[1]
  Total15.64 sq mi (40.50 km2)
  Land15.61 sq mi (40.44 km2)
  Water0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation
515 ft (157 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total14,379
  Density905.15/sq mi (349.49/km2)
Demonym Lockhartisan or Lockhartizen
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
78644
Area code 512 & 737
FIPS code 48-43240 [2]
GNIS feature ID1374644 [3]
Website lockhart-tx.org
A view of downtown Lockhart Downtown Lockhart, TX IMG 9187.JPG
A view of downtown Lockhart
First Lockhart National Bank building across from the county courthouse First Lockhart (TX) National Bank IMG 9190.JPG
First Lockhart National Bank building across from the county courthouse

Lockhart is a city and the county seat of Caldwell County, Texas, United States. [4] According to the 2020 census, its population was 14,379. [5]

Contents

History

Another view of downtown Lockhart Lockhart Texas.JPG
Another view of downtown Lockhart

The city of Lockhart is named after Byrd Lockhart, an assistant surveyor of Green DeWitt and reportedly the first Anglo to set foot in Caldwell County. Lockhart was the site of a victory of the Texans over the Comanche, at the Battle of Plum Creek in 1840. Lockhart was originally called "Plum Creek", but the name was later changed to Lockhart.

The town's economic growth began with the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century, when the town became a regional shipping center for local cotton. Following the arrival of the railroad, immigrants arrived in Lockhart and opened various businesses.

Lockhart has several claims to fame. In 1999, the Texas Legislature proclaimed Lockhart the "Barbecue Capital of Texas"; [6] Lockhart has four major barbecue restaurants. The Dr. Eugene Clark Library is the oldest operating public library in Texas. Lockhart was also the subject of an article by the architectural historian and critic Colin Rowe and architect John Hejduk, first published in Architectural Record in 1957 and republished in the collection of his writings As I Was Saying (1996). Rowe and Hejduk see Lockhart as a "curiously eloquent" example of a Victorian post-frontier American town.

Lockhart has played host to many film sets, as this quaint, small town is located just 30 miles (48 km) south of Austin. The 1996 Christopher Guest comedy film Waiting for Guffman and the 1993 drama What's Eating Gilbert Grape [7] were filmed partly in Lockhart, including the historic courthouse and the town square. The city's Walmart store was featured in the 2000 film Where the Heart Is .

On July 30, 2016, a hot air balloon struck a power line and caught on fire, killing all 16 people on board when it crashed near the unincorporated community of Maxwell. [8]

Geography

Lockhart is located at 29°52′55″N97°40′34″W / 29.88194°N 97.67611°W / 29.88194; -97.67611 (29.881870, –97.676040). [9] Located near central Texas, Lockhart is 30 miles (48 km) south of downtown Austin on U.S. Highway 183. It is 70 miles (110 km) northeast of San Antonio and 156 miles (251 km) west of Houston.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.6 square miles (40.4 km2), of which 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2), or 0.14%, is covered by water. [5]

Climate

Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen climate classification subtype for this climate is humid subtropical climate, Cfa. [10]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870 560
1880 71828.2%
1890 1,23371.7%
1900 2,30687.0%
1910 2,94527.7%
1920 3,73126.7%
1930 4,36717.0%
1940 5,01814.9%
1950 5,57311.1%
1960 6,0849.2%
1970 6,4896.7%
1980 7,95322.6%
1990 9,20515.7%
2000 11,61526.2%
2010 12,6989.3%
2020 14,37913.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [11]
2010-2020 [12]
Lockhart racial composition as of 2020 [13]
(NH = Non-Hispanic) [lower-alpha 1]
RaceNumberPercentage
White (NH)5,31436.96%
Black or African American (NH)9316.47%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)410.29%
Asian (NH)960.67%
Pacific Islander (NH)20.01%
Some Other Race (NH)540.38%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)3402.36%
Hispanic or Latino 7,60152.86%
Total14,379

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,379 people, 4,503 households, and 2,944 families residing in the city.

As of the census [2] of 2000, 11,615 people, 3,627 households, and 2,691 families were residing in the city. The population density was 1,032.7 people per sq mi (398.6/km2). The 3,871 housing units averaged 344.2 per sq mi (132.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 65.42% White, 12.68% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 18.00% from other races, and 2.82% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 47.41% of the population.

Of the 3,627 households, 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were not families. About 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81, and the average family size was 3.28.

In the city, the age distribution was 26.5% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,762, and for a family was $41,111. Males had a median income of $29,329 versus $20,923 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,621. About 12.2% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Lockhart is served by a seven-person city council. The mayor and two council members are elected at large. The remaining four council members are elected from single-member districts. [16]

Education

Lockhart is served by the Lockhart Independent School District and is home to the Lockhart High School Lions.

The city has a museum, the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches.

Movies shot in Lockhart

The following are some of the films that have been shot in whole or in part in Lockhart: [17]

Significant historic buildings

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caldwell County, Texas</span> County in Texas, United States

Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 45,883. Its county seat is Lockhart. The county was founded in 1848 and named after Mathew Caldwell, a ranger captain who fought in the Battle of Plum Creek against the Comanches and against Santa Anna's armies during the Texas Revolution. Caldwell was also a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlotte, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Charlotte is a city in Atascosa County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,715 at the 2010 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is named for Charlotte Simmons, the daughter of Dr. Charles Simmons, who aided in the development of Atascosa County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jourdanton, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meridian, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Meridian is a city and the county seat of Bosque County in central Texas, United States. It is forty-seven miles northwest of Waco. The population was 1,493 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caldwell, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Caldwell is a city in and the county seat of Burleson County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,993 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baird, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburg, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Pittsburg is a city in, and the county seat of, Camp County, Texas, United States. Best known as the former home of the giant poultry producer Pilgrim's and the home of racing legend Carroll Shelby, Pittsburg is also the birthplace of Cavender's Boot City. In 1902, it was the site of an early flight attempt by the Ezekiel Air Ship Mfg Co. With a 2020 census-tabulated population of 4,335, it is the most populous city in Camp County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rusk, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Rusk is a city and the county seat of Cherokee County in the U.S. state of Texas. At the 2020 United States census, it had a population of 5,285.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dickens, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crockett, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Crockett is a city and the county seat of Houston County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 6,332. Houston County is the oldest county and Crockett the fifth-oldest city in Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawk Cove, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Hawk Cove is a city in Hunt County, Texas, United States. The population was recorded as 483 at the 2010 census. Hawk Cove and Hunt County are both part of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Greater Houston metropolitan area and Liberty County. The population was 7,471 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberty, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Liberty is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, within Liberty County. The population was 8,279 at the 2020 census. It serves as the seat of Liberty County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hondo, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Hondo is a city in and the county seat of Medina County, Texas, United States. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 8,803. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bremond, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Bremond is a city in Robertson County, Texas, United States. The population was 858 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riverside, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Riverside is a small city in Walker County, Texas, United States. The population was 522 at the 2020 census. Two famous natives of Riverside are the singer-actress Jennifer Holliday, who is best known for her creation of the role of Effie in the successful Tony-award-winning Broadway musical "Dreamgirls", and Eugene C. Barker, a Texas historian, who was affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin from 1895, when he arrived as a student, until his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheeler, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Wheeler is a city, and the county seat of Wheeler County, Texas, United States, located on the eastern border of the Texas Panhandle. The population was last reported at 1,592 in the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quitman, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Quitman is a city and the county seat of Wood County, Texas, United States. Its population was 1,942 at the 2020 census. It is most notable for being the birthplace of Academy Award-winning actress Sissy Spacek. The city was named for John A. Quitman, a veteran of the Mexican–American War, and once governor of Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bartlett, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Bartlett is a city in Bell and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 1,633 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winnsboro, Texas</span> City in Texas, United States

Winnsboro is a city in Franklin and Wood counties in northeastern Texas, United States, north of Tyler. The population was 3,434 at the 2010 census, down from 3,584 at the 2000 census. Settlement of Winnsboro began in the 1850s with a post office established between 1854 and 1855.

References

  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Lockhart city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  6. "Official Capital Designations" . Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  7. "What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)". IMDb. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  8. "Officials: No Apparent Survivors in Texas Balloon Crash". ABC News. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. "Lockhart, Texas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. "QuickFacts: Lockhart city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  14. https://www.census.gov/ [ not specific enough to verify ]
  15. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  16. "The City of Lockhart". Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  17. "Films in Lockhart" . Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  18. Walsh, S. Kirk. "Lockhart's Library Is the Oldest in Texas Still in Its Original Building". Texas Highways. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  19. Craig, Algerene Akins (2010). "Fuller, Maud Anna Berry". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  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. [14] [15]