Dickinson, Texas

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City of Dickinson
Location in the state of Texas
Location in the state of Texas
Coordinates: 29°27′38″N 95°03′14″W / 29.46056, -95.05389
Country United States
State Texas
County Galveston
Incorporated 1977
Government
 - Mayor Julie Masters
Area
 - Total 9.8 sq mi (25.4 km²)
 - Land 9.6 sq mi (25 km²)
 - Water 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Elevation 10 ft (3 m)
Population (2000)[1]
 - Total 17,093
 - Density 1,770.7/sq mi (683.9/km²)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 77539
Area code(s) 281
FIPS code 48-20344[2]
GNIS feature ID 1334345[3]

Dickinson is a city in Galveston County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,093 at the 2000 census. Dickinson is part of the Houston Metropolitan Area.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Dickinson is located at 29°27′38″N, 95°3′14″W (29.460467, -95.053856).[4] This is about 28 miles (45 km) southeast of Houston and 19 miles (31 km) northwest of Galveston.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²), of which, 9.6 square miles (25.0 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (1.53%) is water.

History ==

The Dickinson water tower.
The Dickinson water tower.

Dickinson is located on a tract of land granted to John Dickinson in 1824, and named after him. A settlement had been established in this area on Dickinson Bayou before 1850. The Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad was built directly through Dickinson. This line was used in the American Civil War to successfully retake Galveston.

The Dickinson Land and Improvement Association was organised in the 1890s by Fred M. Nichols and eight other businessmen. It marketed to potential farmers with claims of the soil's suitability for food crops, and socialites with the creation of the Dickinson Picnic Grounds and other attractions. By 1911, the Galveston and Houston Electric Railway had three stops in Dickinson, and the Oleander Country Club was a popular destination for prominent Galvestonians.

In 1905, Italian ambassador Baron Mayor des Planches convinced about a hundred fifty Italians from crowded eastern cities to move to Dickinson. They joined the dozens relocated there after flooding in Bryan forced them to seek new homes.

Dickinson continued to grow due to its proximity to Texas City, with its shipyards and wartime industries, and later its proximity to the Johnson Space Center.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 17,093 people, 6,162 households, and 4,522 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,770.7 people per square mile (683.9/km²). There were 6,556 housing units at an average density of 679.1/sq mi (262.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.35% White, 10.52% African American, 0.64% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 12.82% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.90% of the population.

There were 6,162 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,984, and the median income for a family was $46,585. Males had a median income of $36,391 versus $26,943 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,785. About 9.5% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

[edit] Primary and secondary schools

[edit] Public schools

Most of Dickinson is a part of the Dickinson Independent School District. Some of it is a part of the Santa Fe Independent School District.

The following schools serve the Dickinson ISD portion:

  • Elementary schools
    • Hughes Road Elementary School (PreKindergarten - 4th Grade)
    • Jake Sibernagel Elementary School (PreKindergarten - 4th Grade)
    • K. E. Little Elementary School (PreKindergarten - 4th Grade)
    • San leon Elemetary School(Pre - 4th Grade)
  • Middle schools
    • Barber Middle School (5th Grade)
    • Dunbar Middle School (6th Grade)
  • Jr. High Schools
    • R.D. McAdams Junior High School (7th-8th Grade)
  • High Schools
    • Dickinson High School (9th-12th Grade)

Roy J. Wollam Elementary School (PreKindergarten - Grade 1), Santa Fe Elementary North (Grades 2-3), Santa Fe Elementary South (Grade 4), Santa Fe Intermediate School (Grades 5-6), Santa Fe Junior High School (Grades 7-8), and Santa Fe High School serve the Santa Fe ISD portion of Dickinson.

[edit] Private schools

True Cross School, a Roman Catholic K-8 school operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, is in Dickinson [1]. True Cross School was the first Roman Catholic school on the Galveston County mainland. There is also a Christian school named Pine Drive.

[edit] Colleges and universities

All of Dickinson is served by the College of the Mainland.

[edit] Public libraries

The Mares Memorial Library, operated by the city, is located in Dickinson [2]. A new library is currently being built. It is scheduled for an opening in 2009.

[edit] Community information

The Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services operates the Dickinson Community Center at 2714 Highway 3.[5]

[edit] Postal services

The United States Postal Service operates the Dickinson Post Office at 2515 Termini Street, 77539-9998.

[edit] Noted Natives and Residents

  • Andre Ware - Quarterback for the Detroit Lions, Heisman trophy winner
  • Stephen J. Stuart - NASCAR mechanic, author of NASCAR: Behind the Scenes
  • Enid Graham - Tony Award nominated actress
  • Tracy Scoggins - Hollywood actress
  • Melissa Dettwiller - female bodybuilder and fitness model

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Flag of Texas Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown
METROPOLITAN AREA
Counties Austin | Brazoria | Chambers | Fort Bend | Galveston | Harris | Liberty | Montgomery | San Jacinto | Waller
"Principal"
cities
Houston | Sugar Land | Baytown | Galveston
Cities and
towns
Alvin | Angleton | Bellaire | Cleveland | Clute | Conroe | Dayton | Deer Park | Dickinson | Freeport | Friendswood | Galena Park | Hitchcock | Hempstead | Humble | Jacinto City | Jersey Village | Katy | Lake Jackson | La Marque | La Porte | League City | Liberty | Meadows Place | Missouri City | Pasadena | Pearland | Richmond | Rosenberg | Santa Fe | Seabrook | Sealy | South Houston | Stafford | Texas City | Tomball | Webster | West University Place
Unincorporated areas Atascocita | Channelview | Cloverleaf | Cypress | Klein | Spring | The Woodlands