Silsbee, Texas

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Silsbee, Texas
Location of Silsbee, Texas
Location of Silsbee, Texas
Coordinates: 30°20′53″N 94°10′49″W / 30.34806, -94.18028
Country United States
State Texas
County Hardin
Area
 - Total 7.5 sq mi (19.5 km²)
 - Land 7.5 sq mi (19.5 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 82 ft (25 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 6,393
 - Density 849.0/sq mi (327.8/km²)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 77656
Area code(s) 409
FIPS code 48-67832[1]
GNIS feature ID 1347123[2]

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.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Silsbee is located at 30°20′53″N, 94°10′49″W (30.348095, -94.180220)[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19.5 km²), all of it 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.[4] 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.[5]

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 6,393 people, 2,385 households, and 1,714 families residing in the city. The population density was 849.0 people per square mile (327.8/km²). There were 2,662 housing units at an average density of 353.5/sq mi (136.5/km²). 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.

[edit] Education

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

[edit] Famous people

Silsbee is the hometown of Olympic weightlifter and World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Mark Henry and pornographic actress Chloe Jones (born Melinda Dee Taylor).

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ Handbook of Texas Online, Handbook of Texas Online, accessed May 5, 2007
  5. ^ Houstonian founds Silsbee because of natural resources, access May 5, 2007

[edit] External links

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Municipalities and communities of
Hardin County, Texas
County seat: Kountze
Cities
Hardin County map
CDP
Communities