College Station, Texas
| City of College Station | |
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| Nickname(s): Aggieland | |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Texas |
| County | Brazos |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Ben White |
| Area | |
| - City | 40.34 sq mi (64.84 km²) |
| - Land | 40.3 sq mi (64.91 km²) |
| - Water | .04 sq mi (.07 km²) |
| Elevation | 338 ft (103 m) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| - City | 74,125 |
| - Density | 2,960.9/sq mi (1,143.2/km²) |
| - Metro | 196,734 |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 77840-77845 |
| Area code(s) | 979 |
| FIPS code | 48-15976[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1354786[2] |
| Website: www.cstx.gov | |
College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in Central Texas. It is located in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The city is located within the most populated region of Texas, near three of the 10 largest cities in the United States - Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. The population estimate as of 2006 is 86,000.[1]
College Station and Bryan together make up the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area, the sixteenth largest Metropolitan area in Texas with 203,371 people.
College Station is home to the main campus of Texas A&M University, one of the premier universities of Texas and the flagship institution of The Texas A&M University System. The city owes both its name and existence to the university's location along the railroad. Texas A&M's triple designation as a Land-, Sea-, and Space-Grant institution reflects the broad scope of the research endeavors it brings to the city, with ongoing projects funded by agencies such as NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research.
Due largely to the size of Texas A&M University, College Station was named by Money Magazine in 2006 as the most educated city in Texas, and the 11th most educated city in the United States.[3]
Town Name
In 1860 the Houston and Texas Central Railway built through the area stopping just short of Bryan until after the Civil War. In 1871 the site was chosen as the home of the new Texas Agriculture and Mechanical college. Students riding the train would be let off at the "college station" instead of stopping in Bryan. When a post office for the university was opened in 1877 near the tracks it took the name of College Station. It was not until 1938 that the town was finally incorporated as College Station, Texas.
Law and government
The City of College Station was incorporated in 1938 and has been operated under a council-manager form of government. The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines strong political leadership, representative democracy through elected officials, and professional management. The form establishes a representative form of government by concentrating all power in the elected city council. The council hires a professionally trained and educated city manager to oversee the delivery of public services and the daily operations of the City. Council members are part time volunteers who serve as the policy making board for the City's government.
Historical events
- 1860: The Houston and Texas Central Railway built through the area.[4]
- 1871: The site was chosen as the location for the proposed A&M College of Texas.[4]
- 1876: The first public institution of higher education in Texas was opened, Texas A&M University.[4]
- 1884: Population reaches 350.[4]
- 1900: The I&GN Railroad was extended to College Station.[5]
- 1900: Population reaches 391.[4]
- 1910: Electric Interurban service is established between Texas A&M College and Bryan, Texas[4]
- 1910s: The business district now known as Northgate developed.[4]
- 1920: The interurban was replaced by the city bus system.[4]
- 1930: Community north of College Station (North Oakwood) incorporated with Bryan, Texas[4]
- 1938: College Station is incorporated ( John H. Binney was the first mayor )[4]
- 1939: A zoning commission was established for the city.[4]
- 1940: Population reaches 2,184.[4]
- 1942: Ernest Langford, called by some the "Father of College Station," was elected mayor, an office he held for the next twenty-six years.[4]
- 1943: College Station moved to council-manager city government.[4]
- 1950: Population (not including students) reaches 7,898[4]
- 1960: Population reaches 11,396.[4]
- 1965: The local I&GN line is abandoned by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company.[6]
- 1970: Population reaches 17,676.[4]
- 1980: Population reaches 30,449.[4]
- 1990: Population reaches 52,456.[4]
- 1996: Construction of SH 47 was completed.[7]
- 1997: George Bush Presidential Library opens in College Station
- 1999: Twelve are killed and 27 injured when a huge bonfire structure under construction at the Texas A&M University campus collapses. (See: Aggie Bonfire)
- 2000: Population reaches 67,890.[4]
- 2006: SH 40, also known as William Fitch parkway, was opened[8]
- 2006: 2030 population estimates for the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area range between 250,846 and 271,773.[9]
Geography and climate
College Station is located at (30.601433, -96.314464)[10].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.3 square miles (104.4 km²), of which 40.3 sq mi (104.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km²) of it (0.10%) is water.
Area Lakes cover 180,000 acres (730 km2) and include Somerville Lake, Lake Conroe, Gibbons Creek Reservoir, Lake Limestone, Lake Bryan and many others.
The local climate is subtropical and temperate and winters are mild with periods of low temperatures usually lasting less than two months. Snow and ice are extremely rare. Summers are warm and hot with occasional showers being the only real variation in weather.
- Average annual rainfall: 39 inches (1000 mm)
- Average elevation: 367 feet (112 m) above sea level
- Average Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C)
- Agricultural Resources: Cattle, corn, cotton, eggs, hay, sorghum
- Mineral Resources: Sand, gravel, lignite, gas, oil
 Weather averages for College Station, Texas  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 86 (30) |
99 (37) |
84 (29) |
94 (34) |
100 (38) |
104 (40) |
109 (43) |
108 (42) |
106 (41) |
98 (37) |
89 (32) |
86 (30) |
109 (43) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 61 (16) |
66 (19) |
73 (23) |
79 (26) |
85 (29) |
92 (33) |
96 (36) |
96 (36) |
91 (33) |
82 (28) |
71 (22) |
63 (17) |
80 (27) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 40 (4) |
44 (7) |
50 (10) |
57 (14) |
65 (18) |
72 (22) |
74 (23) |
73 (23) |
69 (21) |
59 (15) |
49 (9) |
42 (6) |
63 (17) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 7 (-14) |
14 (-10) |
17 (-8) |
28 (-2) |
42 (6) |
53 (12) |
58 (14) |
60 (16) |
44 (7) |
29 (-2) |
19 (-7) |
2 (-17) |
2 (-17) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 3.32 (84.3) |
2.38 (60.5) |
2.84 (72.1) |
3.20 (81.3) |
5.05 (128.3) |
3.79 (96.3) |
1.92 (48.8) |
2.63 (66.8) |
3.91 (99.3) |
4.22 (107.2) |
3.18 (80.8) |
3.23 (82) |
39.67 (1,007.6) |
| Source: weather.com [11] 2008-01-10 | |||||||||||||
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 67,890 people, 24,691 households, and 10,370 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,686.5/sq mi (651.1/km²). There were 26,054 housing units at an average density of 647.2/sq mi (249.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.53% White, 5.45% African American, 0.30% Native American, 7.29% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.47% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnicity/nationality were 9.96% of the population.
There were 24,691 households out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.0% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 14.4% under the age of 18, 51.2% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 9.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,180, and the median income for a family was $53,147. Males had a median income of $38,216 versus $26,592 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,170. About 15.4% of families and 37.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
Districts
Northgate
- A mixed use district just north of Texas A&M University and what some may call the original downtown of College Station. Northgate is a vibrant part of the city and is known for its live music scene and mix of restaurants and bars.[12]
Wolf Pen Creek District
- A high quality commercial development located adjacent to Post Oak Mall and between the city's two main commercial thoroughfares, Earl Rudder Freeway and Texas Avenue. The area consists of an elaborate greenway with trails, a $1.5 million amphitheater and entertainment area, a small lake, The Arctic Wolf Ice Skating Complex and is home to the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley.
Business parks
- Business Center at College Station
- A 200 acre (800,000 m²), Class "A" Business Center just five miles (8 km) from the University. Current residents include firms involved in telecommunications, software development and technology manufacturing.
- Spring Creek Corporate Campus
- A 100 acre (400,000 m²), Class "A" Business Center just minutes from the University. A green-belt surrounds most of the Campus will provide a buffer between the new development and adjacent land uses which include the Pebble Creek Country Club and Woodland Hills Subdivision.
- Texas A&M University Research Park
- This 324 acre (1.3 km²) Research Park was established to provide businesses direct partnering opportunities with Texas A&M University. Several companies and non-profit research interests have located in the park including Hewlett Packard, Schlumberger, Lynntech, AdventGX, the Institute of Food Science and Engineering, the Electron Beam Food Research Facility and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program to name just a few.
- Crescent Pointe
- Crescent Pointe is a master planned, mixed-use development made up of approximately 192 acres (777,000 m²). The development has frontage on University Drive (Highway 60) and Harvey Road (Highway 30).
Transportation
Mass transit
- The District (formerly Brazos Valley Transit Authority) provides public bus transportation in the Bryan/College Station area.
- Texas A&M Transportation Services provides bus transportation throughout College Station and Bryan for students, faculty, and staff of Texas A&M University. On Texas A&M football game days, the department provides additional park-and-ride service to and from Kyle Field.
- Groundshuttle Provides daily shuttles to and from Houston airports (Hobby and Bush).
Airports
Regional
- Easterwood Airport (CLL) is located in the southwestern part of College Station, on the Texas A&M University campus. Easterwood provides multiple scheduled flights daily to Dallas and Houston.
- Coulter Field (CFD) is located in east Bryan and is owned by the city of Bryan.
International
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is located in the northern part of Houston, Texas, less than 1.5 hours from College Station and between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59.
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is located in southeast Austin, Texas, less than 2 hours from College Station off State Highway 71 near the intersection with U.S. Highway 183.
Major roads
- State Highway 6: Earl Rudder Freeway (East Bypass)
- State Highway 6 Business: Texas Avenue South
- State Highway 30: Harvey Road
- State Highway 40: William D. Fitch Parkway
- State Highway 47
- State Highway 308: College Avenue
- Farm to Market Road 60: University Drive / Raymond Stotzer Parkway
- Farm to Market Road 2154: Wellborn Road
- Farm to Market Road 2347: George Bush Drive
- Farm to Market Road 2818: Harvey Mitchell Parkway (West Bypass)
Railroads
- Union Pacific Rail line: Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)
Economy
As of May 2008, the local unemployment hovered around 3 to 4 percent, among the lowest in the State of Texas. This low rate largely attributed to the significant role the university plays in the local economy.[13][14] However, the rate of underemployment is an on-going and significant problem.[15]
Major employers
- Texas A&M University System - Education - 16,248[9]
- Bryan Independent School District - Education - 1,949[9]
- St. Joseph Regional Health Center - Health Services - 1,590[9]
- Sanderson Farms - Poultry processing - 1,539[9]
- College Station Independent School District - Education - 1,400[9]
- Reynolds & Reynolds (formerly UCS)/Rentsys - Computer hardware/software - 959[9]
- City of Bryan - Government - 889[9]
- City of College Station - Government - 865[9]
- Wal-Mart - Retail - 650[9]
- New Alenco Windows - Windows - 611[9]
- H-E-B Grocery - Retail - 590[9]
- West Corporation - Telecommunications - 550[9]
Post Oak Mall
Post Oak Mall was the city's first mall and it is currently the largest mall in the Brazos Valley. The 82-acre mall is home to 125 stores; its opening on February 17, 1982 helped create the impetus for growing economic and commercial developments for College Station.[16] It is currently the largest tax payer in College Station, and the second largest in the Brazos Valley, even though the anchor stores are free-standing units that are privately owned and taxed separate from the mall proper.[17] Over 75 percent of retail sales in the Brazos Valley coming from sales at the mall's stores.[16]
Sports facilities
- Football: Kyle Field (Largest Crowd: 88,253)
- Racing: Texas World Speedway (Capacity 23,000)
- Basketball: Reed Arena (Largest Crowd: 13,151)
- Baseball: Olsen Field (Largest Crowd: 11,052)
- Volleyball: G. Rollie White Coliseum (Largest Crowd: 8,608)
- Soccer: Aggie Soccer Stadium (Largest Crowd: 8,204)
- Track and Field: Anderson Track and Field Complex (Capacity: 3,500)
- Tennis: George P. Mitchell Tennis Center (Largest Crowd: 2,339)
- Softball: Aggie Softball Complex (Largest Crowd: 2,341)
- Hockey: The Arctic Wolf Ice Center (Capacity: 500)
- Golf: Texas A&M Traditions Club
Media and journalism
Television stations
Local channels are KBTX, ABC40, and FOX28
Radio stations
College Station is part of the Bryan-College Station Arbitron market #238.
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Area newspapers
- The Bryan/College Station Eagle (City newspaper)
- The Battalion (Texas A&M University newspaper)
- Maroon Weekly (Student-run independent newspaper)
- The Touchstone (Left/Progressive, Alt/Indy newspaper)
Area magazines
- 12th Man Magazine
- Aggieland Illustrated
- Insite Magazine
- AgriLeader Magazine
Education
- See also: Bryan, Texas#Education
Area colleges and universities
- Texas A&M University (approximately 46,000 students)
Area school districts
- College Station Independent School District
Tallest buildings
- Buildings with 7 or more floors
- Plaza Hotel: (formerly University Tower) 16 floors[18]
- Kyle Field: 180 feet (55 m)
- Oceanography & Meteorology Building: 13 floors[19]
- Albritton Bell Tower: 138 feet (42 m)[20]
- Rudder Tower: 12 floors[21]
- College Station Hilton: 11 floors[22]
- Adam Corporation Building (formally First American Bank Headquarters): 11 floors (under construction)[23]
- Richardson Petroleum Engineering: 10 floors[24]
- CE/Texas Transportation Institute: 8 floors[25]
- Regents Building: 8 floors[26]
- Brown Engineering: 7 floors[27]
- Harrington: 7 floors[28]
- Bright Building: 7 floors[29]
- McFerrin Indoor Athletic Practice Facility: over 100 feet (30 m)[30]
- Texas A&M University System Building: 7 floors[31]
Surrounding cities
Nearest cities
- Cities within 30 miles (50 km)
- Bryan, Texas 5.7 miles (9 km)
- Wixon Valley, Texas 11.1 miles (18 km)
- Snook, Texas 13.2 miles (21 km)
- Navasota, Texas 21.5 miles (35 km)
- Somerville, Texas 23.1 miles (37 km)
- Anderson, Texas 23.8 miles (38 km)
- Caldwell, Texas 27.0 miles (43 km)
- Hearne, Texas 27.2 miles (44 km)
Nearest major cities
- Cities with population over 500,000 within 200 miles (300 km)
- Houston, Texas 95.1 miles (152 km) (Population: 1,953,631, Metro Population: 4,986,399)
- Austin, Texas 107.7 miles (173 km) (Population: 656,562)
- San Antonio, Texas 169 miles (267 km) (Population: 1,144,646)
- Fort Worth, Texas 173 miles (278 km) (Population: 534,694, Metro Population: 5,222,000)
- Dallas, Texas 187 miles (268 km) (Population: 1,188,580, Metro Population: 5,222,000)
Notable residents
- See also: List of Texas A&M University people
The following people have lived or are currently living in College Station:
- Matthew Berry — ESPN fantasy analyst[32]
- David Bereit — Anti-abortion activist[33]
- J.H. Galloway — vice president of Exxon Oil Corporation
- Ross King — worship leader[34]
- Patrick Zurek — Bishop of Amarillo, founding pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish[35]
- R.C. Slocum — Former Texas A&M University head football coach (1989 - 2002)
Points of interest
- George Bush Presidential Library
- D. A. "Andy" Anderson Arboretum
Sister cities
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "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.
- ↑ "Top 25 most educated cities", Money Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 Odintz, Mark. "College Station, Texas". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
- ↑ "A Guide to Historic Brazos County" (PDF) p. 25. Brazos Heritage Society (2003). Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
- ↑ C. Werner, George. "International-Great Northern Railroad". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
- ↑ "Request for Proposal: Southwest Bryan Highest and Best Use Study" (PDF) p. 12. City of Bryan (April 2008). Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
- ↑ Porter, Stuart (2006-06-28). "New corridor", The Battalion. Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 Craig, Edith; Thomas, Beth; Lacy, Blake; Merten, Kory (2008). "Real Estate Market Overview 2008 College Station - Bryan" (PDF). Texas A&M University Real Estate Center. Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Monthly Averages for College Station, TX". Retrieved on January 10, 2008.
- ↑ "Retail and Entertainment District: Northgate". City of College Station. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
- ↑ "Texas Employers Add 8,700 Jobs in May" (PDF) 2. Texas Workforce Commission (2008-06-20). Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ Nauman, Brett (2005-05-15). "New equation gives more realistic look at local jobless rate". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "College Station Demographic Report" (PDF) 2. City of College Station. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Hensley, Laura (2007-02-16). "Post Oak Mall to celebrate 25 years". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
- ↑ Levey, Kelli (2004-04-04). "Post Oak Mall works to retain costumers". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
- ↑ "University Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Oceanography & Meteorology Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Albritton Bell Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "J. Earl Rudder Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Hilton College Station & Conference Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Adam Corporation Headquarters". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Petroleum Engineering Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "CE/TTI Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Board of Regents Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Jack E. Brown Chemical Engineering Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Harrington Education Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Harvey R. Bum Bright 43 Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Photo: Construction progressing on McFerrin Athletic Center". The Bryan-College Station Eagle (2007-04-13). Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "The Texas A&M University System". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
- ↑ Matthew Watkins (2008-05-04). "CS man has fantasy gig at ESPN", The Bryan College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
- ↑ Janet Phelps (2008-04-16). "Anti-abortion group will meet pope in Washington", The Bryan College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
- ↑ Craig Kapitan (2006-09-17). "'Pipe dream' turning into a musical reality", The Bryan College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
- ↑ Joe Southern (2008-01-04). "A changing of the guard", Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Sister Cities International
External links
- Official website
- Bryan-College Station Visitors & Convention Bureau
- Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce
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