Tomball, Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Tomball, Texas | |||
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| Nickname: The Hometown with a Heart | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Texas | ||
| Counties | Harris | ||
| City Established | December 2, 1907 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Gretchen Fagan | ||
| - Mayor Pro-Tem | Mary Harvey | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 10.2 sq mi (26.3 km²) | ||
| - Land | 10.2 sq mi (26.3 km²) | ||
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) | ||
| Elevation | 187 ft (57 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 9,843 | ||
| - Density | 895.4/sq mi (345.7/km²) | ||
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) | ||
| ZIP codes | 77375, 77377 | ||
| Area code(s) | 281, 832 | ||
| FIPS code | 48-73316[1] | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1348633[2] | ||
| Website: www.ci.tomball.tx.us | |||
Tomball is a city in Harris county in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 9,089 at the 2000 census. In 1907, the community of Peck was renamed Tomball. The city (and the local school district) are named for local congressman Thomas Henry Ball, who had a major role in the development of the Port of Houston.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] City Government
| Position | Official | |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Gretchen Fagan | Elected May 2007 |
| Councilman, Position 1 | David R. Quinn | Elected May 2005 |
| Councilman, Position 2 | Roy L. Lazenby | Elected May 2006 |
| Councilman, Position 3 | Bill Webb | Elected June 2007 |
| Councilman, Position 4 | Mary Harvey | Elected May 2003 |
| Councilman, Position 5 | Warren K. Driver | Elected August 2004 |
| City Manager | Jan Belcher | |
| Assistant City Manager | Mary Coker | |
| City Attorney | Bill Olson | |
| City Attorney | David Olson | |
| City Secretary | Doris Speer | |
| Tax Assessor | Kay Van Horn | |
| Fire Chief | Randy Parr | |
| Police Chief | Robert Hauck | June 2, 2008[3] |
| Director of Public Works | David Kauffman | |
| City Engineer | Mark McClure |
[edit] History
Settlement began in the Tomball area in the early 1800s, where immigrants found an open, fertile land that received adequate rainfall—perfect conditions for farming and raising cattle. However, it wasn’t until 1906 that the area began to boom. Railroad line engineers noticed that the Tomball area was on the boundary between the low hills of Texas and the flat coastal plains of the Gulf, making it an ideal location for a train stop. The railroad could load more cargo on each car because the topography gently sloped toward the Galveston ports and provided an easier downhill coast. Thomas Henry Ball, an attorney for the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railroad, convinced the railroad to run the line right through downtown Tomball. Soon after, people came in droves to this new train stop. Hotels, boarding houses, saloons, and mercantile stores all began to spring up in the area. At first, people called the area Peck, after a chief civil engineer of the railroad line. However, on December 2, 1907, the town was officially named Tom Ball, later to be shortened to one word for Mr. Ball. While the boom of the railroad lasted less than a decade, the oil and gas industry began to leave its mark on the area. Oil probe instruments often indicated that oil was just underneath Tomball, especially after the Spindletop gusher in Beaumont. Although early exploration came up dry, the town remained a frenzy of activity for those who dreamed of oil. Undaunted by the challenges, the persevering spirit of Tomball’s citizens proved rewarding when a drill hit a 100-foot gusher of oil on May 27, 1933. Tomball, which people began to call “a floating island of oil,” was immediately flooded with over two dozen oil companies, which drew thousands of workers and boosted the economy like never before. One major player, the Humble Oil Company, struck a deal with the town through which they would provide gas free of charge to the residents in exchange for rights to drill on the land, this agreement lasted until 1988 when the reservoirs began to be depleted. Tomball continued to grow over the years and hit its second major boom after World War II. People began to desire a more comfortable life, so the entire area saw a shift of Texans migrating from the “big city” to the countryside. In Tomball, people could escape some of the disagreeable qualities of the city, like high taxes, traffic, and crime, but still enjoy the closeness of jobs, culture, and entertainment. In the 1970s, Tomball’s population again soared. The entire “Sun Belt” experienced a huge influx of residents who desired the affordable land and housing, nice weather, low taxes, and abundant job opportunities. Over the next 20 years, Tomball’s population would increase from 16,000 people in the school district area to over 85,000 residents. Today, population counts are up to 9,843 within the city limits and 135,050 residents are in the outlying Tomball areas, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. It is said that over 80 percent of all homes in the area were built since 1970.
[edit] Geography
Tomball is located at (30.098905, -95.618899)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.2 mi² (26.3 km²) with 0.10% being water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 9,089 people residing in the city. The population density was 895.4 people per square mile (345.7/km²). There were 10,009 housing units at an average density of 395.0/sq mi (152.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.73% White, 4.91% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 5.57% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.05% of the population.
There were 14,687 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,787, and the median income for a family was $45,764. Males had a median income of $38,059 versus $26,799 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,331. About 4.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Sister city
Tomball's sister city is Telgte, Germany. The two cities participate in foreign exchange student programs.[5] The high school also receives exchange students from other areas, such as Armenia.
[edit] Transportation
The city of Tomball is primarily served by FM 2920 (Main Street) East to West and State Highway 249 (Tomball Parkway) North to South.
David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, a general aviation airport, is located outside of the Tomball city limits in northwest Harris County. On June 27, 2007, The Texas State Legislature approved Tomball's request to annex Hooks Airport even though the airport does not border the Tomball city limits. Since the airport is in the city of Houston's extraterritorial jurisdiction, the city of Tomball must get permission from Houston to annex the airport.[6]
[edit] Healthcare
The city is served by Tomball Regional Medical Center, located at 605 Holderrieth Blvd, 77375-6445, is a full-service 357-bed facility hospital providing special expertise in cardiovascular disease, cancer care, emergency services, digital diagnostic imaging, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, and comprehensive wound and lymphedema care.
[edit] Education
Pupils who live in Tomball attend schools in the Tomball Independent School District. Tomball High School is TISD's sole high school.
There are several private schools in the Tomball-Spring area such as Concordia Lutheran High School (9-12), St. Anne's Catholic School(PK-8), Salem Lutheran School, Northwoods Catholic School, St.Edwards Catholic School, Trinity Lutheran School, and Northland Christian School.
Residents of some unincorporated areas near Tomball attend schools in the Klein Independent School District.
Tomball is served by Lone Star College - Tomball, a member of the Lone Star College System. Also in Tomball, is a branch of the Harris County Public Library, located in Tomball College as a joint project between the college and HCPL.
[edit] Postal service
The United States Postal Service operates the Tomball Post Office at 122 N Holderrieth Blvd, 77375-9998.
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/tomball/news/5756582.html Tomball council approves police chief selection ," Houston Chronicle
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Tomball Sister City Organization
- ^ "Tomball gets OK to annex airport / Legislation clears one hurdle in city's quest to buy Hooks," Houston Chronicle
[edit] External links
- Tomball Texas Business Directory
- Tomball Homepage
- Tomball - Tomball.com
- Restaurant Reviews - at Chefmoz
- Tomball, Texas is at coordinates Coordinates:
 |
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 |
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