Silsbee, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Silsbee is a city in Hardin County, Texas, United States. It is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 96 and State Highway 327. The population was 6,393 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Historical Development
3 Demographics
4 Education
5 Famous people
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Silsbee is located at 30°20′53″N, 94°10′49″W (30.348095, -94.180220)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.5 km² (7.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] Historical Development

Silsbee was first referred to as Mill Town when the site was first reached by the Gulf, Beaumont and Kansas City Railway in 1894. The town was renamed in recognition of Nathaniel D. Silsbee, an investor from Boston, Massachusetts who helped provide funds for the railway. ^[1] The railroad was a project of John Henry Kirby who would soon establish the Kirby Lumber Company in the city. This business would be the main employer and strength of the Silsbee economy from the city’s beginning. ^[2]

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,393 people, 2,385 households, and 1,714 families residing in the city. The population density was 327.8/km² (849.0/mi²). There were 2,662 housing units at an average density of 136.5/km² (353.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.85% White, 32.04% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.39% of the population.

There were 2,385 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 25.7% 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 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,549, and the median income for a family was $40,784. Males had a median income of $35,351 versus $23,558 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,111. About 15.9% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.