College Station, Texas

City of College Station
—  City  —
Nickname(s): Aggieland
Location in the state of Texas
Coordinates:
Country United States United States
State Texas Texas
County Brazos
Government
 - Type Council-Manager
 - City Council Mayor Nancy Berry
John Crompton
James Massey
Dennis Maloney
Katy-Marie Lyles
Larry Stewart
Dave Ruesink
 - City Manager Glenn Brown 
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
CollegeStationLogo.JPG

College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in Central Texas 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, the flagship institution of The Texas A&M University System. The city owes both its name and existence to the university's location along a 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]

Contents

City 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.

Historical events

The origins of College Station date from 1860, when the Houston and Texas Central Railway began to build through the region.[4] Eleven years later, the site was chosen as the location for the proposed A&M College of Texas, a land-grant school.[4] In 1876, as the nation celebrated its centennial, the school, (now Texas A&M University) opened its doors as the first public institution of higher education in the state of Texas.[4]

The population of College Station grew slowly, reaching 350 in 1884 and 391 at the turn of the century.[4] However, during this time period transportation improvements took place in the town. In 1900 the I&GN Railroad was extended to College Station[5] (the line would be abandoned by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company in 1965),[6] and ten years later Electric Interurban service was established between Texas A&M and the neighboring town of Bryan, Texas.[4] The Interurban would be replaced by a city bus system in the 1920s.[4]

In 1930 the community to the north of College Station, known as North Oakwood, was incorporated as part of Bryan.[4] College Station itself did not incorporate until 1938, with John H. Binney as the first mayor.[4] Within a year the city established a zoning commission, and by 1940 the population had reached 2184.[4]

The city grew under the leadership of Ernest Langford, called by some the “Father of College Station”, who began a 26 year stretch as mayor in 1942. Early in his first term, the city adopted a council-manager system of city government.[4]

Population growth accelerated following World War II as the non-student population reached 7,898 in 1950, 11,396 in 1960, 17,676 in 1970, 30,449 in 1980, 52,456 in 1990, and 67,890 in 2000.[4] It is estimated the population for the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area will range from 250,846 to 271,773 by 2030.[7]

In the 1990s, College Station and Texas A&M University drew national attention when the George Bush Presidential Library opened in 1997 and, more tragically, when 12 people were killed and 27 injured when the Aggie Bonfire collapsed while being constructed in 1999.

Geography and climate

College Station is located at (30.601433, -96.314464).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.3 square miles (104 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.

Climate data for College Station, Texas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 86
(30)
99
(37.2)
94
(34.4)
94
(34.4)
100
(37.8)
104
(40)
109
(42.8)
108
(42.2)
106
(41.1)
98
(36.7)
89
(31.7)
86
(30)
109
(42.8)
Average high °F (°C) 61
(16.1)
66
(18.9)
73
(22.8)
79
(26.1)
85
(29.4)
92
(33.3)
96
(35.6)
96
(35.6)
91
(32.8)
82
(27.8)
71
(21.7)
63
(17.2)
80
(26.7)
Average low °F (°C) 40
(4.4)
44
(6.7)
50
(10)
57
(13.9)
65
(18.3)
72
(22.2)
74
(23.3)
73
(22.8)
69
(20.6)
59
(15)
49
(9.4)
42
(5.6)
63
(17.2)
Record low °F (°C) 7
(-13.9)
14
(-10)
17
(-8.3)
28
(-2.2)
42
(5.6)
53
(11.7)
58
(14.4)
60
(15.6)
44
(6.7)
29
(-1.7)
19
(-7.2)
2
(-16.7)
2
(-16.7)
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[9]

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 per square mile (651.2 /km2). There were 26,054 housing units at an average density of 647.2 per square mile (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.

Government

The City of College Station has a council-manager form of government. Voters elect the members of a city council, who pass laws and make policy. The council hires a professional city manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations of the city and its public services.[10]

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Bryan District Parole Office in College Station.[11]

The United States Postal Service operates the College Station and Northgate College Station post offices.[12][13]

Districts

Northgate

A Pavilion in Northgate

Northgate is a mixed-use district located just north of Texas A&M University that features a combination of businesses, residences, churches, and entertainment. Once the heart of College Station entertainment, it is a vibrant part of the city known for its eclectic mix of restaurants and bars.[14][15] In total, the district spans approximately 145 acres, bounded by Wellborn Road to the west, South College Avenue to the east, the College Station city limits to the north and University Drive to the south. The district is the home of the first Texas location for the regional fast food chain Freebirds World Burrito and the Dixie Chicken.

Northgate's roots start in the 1930s as the city began enjoying rapid population growth from the influx of Texas A&M University students, professors and their families. Realizing that proximity to the campus would be a boon for revenues, the first business district was established in College Station near the campus, taking its name for the closest on-campus landmark: the north gate. When the city was encorporated in 1938, its first City Hall was opened in the new district. In 1994, restoration efforts began to revitalize the ailing area. A four day music festival, "North By Northgate" was introduced in 1998 and has become an annual tradition, renamed to the "Northgate Music Festival" in 2002. In 2006, the city council incorporated Northgate as a special tax zone to finance additional improvements and expansions.[16]

Wolf Pen Creek District

Wolf Pen Creek District is a large commercial development located adjacent to Post Oak Mall and between two of the city's main commercial thoroughfares: Earl Rudder Freeway and Texas Avenue. The area consists of a greenway with trails, a $1.5 million amphitheater and entertainment area, a small lake, the Arctic Wolf Ice Skating Complex, and is the home of the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley. The Amphitheater has hosted a variety of musical events, including the annual Starlight Music Series, a concert series that starts in late spring and runs through late summer.

Business parks

Transportation

Mass transit

Airports

Regional

International

Major roads

Railroads

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.[17][18] However, the rate of underemployment is an on-going and significant problem.[19]

Major employers

Headquarters

Until its 2007 acquisition by Tavistock Group, Freebirds World Burrito had its corporate headquarters in College Station.[20][21]

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.[22] 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.[23] Over 75 percent of retail sales in the Brazos Valley come from sales at the mall's stores.[22]

Sports facilities

Media and journalism

Television stations

Local channels are KBTX, ABC40, and FOX28 Public TV (KAMU)

Radio stations

College Station is part of the Bryan-College Station Arbitron market #238.

Area newspapers

Area magazines

Healthcare

Education

Local colleges and universities

Local school districts

Tallest buildings

Surrounding cities

Nearest cities

Nearest major cities

Notable residents

The following people have lived or are currently living in College Station:

Points of interest

Sister cities

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  2. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  3. "Top 25 most educated cities". Money Magazine. 2006. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top25s/educated.html. Retrieved 2007-03-26. 
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Odintz, Mark. "College Station, Texas". Texas State Historical Association. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/CC/hdc2.html. Retrieved 2008-06-15. 
  5. "A Guide to Historic Brazos County" (PDF). Brazos Heritage Society. 2003. p. 25. http://www.brazosheritage.org/pdfs/historicbrazosbrochure.pdf. Retrieved 2008-06-15. 
  6. Werner, George C.. "International-Great Northern Railroad". Texas State Historical Association. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/II/eqi4.html. Retrieved 2008-06-15. 
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 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. http://recenter.tamu.edu/mreports/CSBryan.pdf. Retrieved 2008-06-15. 
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  9. "Monthly Averages for College Station, TX". Weather.com. The Weather Channel. http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USTX0270. Retrieved June 29, 2009. 
  10. http://cstx.gov/index.aspx?page=2021
  11. "Parole Division Region I." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  12. "Post Office™ Location - COLLEGE STATION." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  13. "Post Office™ Location - NORTHGATE COLLEGE STATION." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  14. Jones, Finn-Olaf (2006-09-22). "College Station, Tex.". New York Times. p. 1F. 
  15. "Retail and Entertainment District: Northgate". City of College Station. http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=164. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
  16. Avison, April (2006-06-23). "College Station creates Northgate tax zone". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-147396685.html. 
  17. "Texas Employers Add 8,700 Jobs in May" (PDF). Texas Workforce Commission. 2008-06-20. p. 2. http://www.twc.state.tx.us/news/press/2008/062008epress.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  18. Nauman, Brett (2005-05-15). "New equation gives more realistic look at local jobless rate". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. http://theeagle.com/businesstechnology/051505bcs2.php. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  19. "College Station Demographic Report" (PDF). City of College Station. p. 2. http://www.cstx.gov/docs/demographic_report_2002_-_3.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  20. "Tavistock Restaurants swoops in on Freebirds". Austin Business Journal. Monday July 23, 2007. http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2007/07/23/daily5.html. Retrieved May 23, 2010. 
  21. "Contact Us". Freebirds World Burrito. February 7, 2003.. http://web.archive.org/web/20030207044618/www.freebirds.com/contact_us.asp. Retrieved May 23, 2010. 
  22. 22.0 22.1 Hensley, Laura (2007-02-16). "Post Oak Mall to celebrate 25 years". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. http://theeagle.com/stories/021607/local_20070216002.php. Retrieved 2008-01-07. 
  23. Levey, Kelli (2004-04-04). "Post Oak Mall works to retain costumers". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. http://theeagle.com/businesstechnology/040404postoakmall.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-25. 
  24. "University Tower". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=universitytower-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  25. "Oceanography & Meteorology Building". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=oceanographymeteorologybuilding-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  26. "Albritton Bell Tower". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=albrittonbelltower-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  27. "J. Earl Rudder Tower". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=jearlruddertower-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  28. "Hilton College Station & Conference Center". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=hiltoncollegestationconferencecenter-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  29. "Adam Corporation Headquarters". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=1americanbankcorporateheadquarters-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  30. "Petroleum Engineering Building". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=petroleumengineeringbuilding-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  31. "CE/TTI Building". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=cettibuilding-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  32. "Board of Regents Building". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=boardofregentsbuilding-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  33. "Jack E. Brown Chemical Engineering Building". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=jackeastbrownchemicalengineeringbuilding-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  34. "Harrington Education Center". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=harringtoneducationcenter-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  35. "Harvey R. Bum Bright 43 Building". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=harveycoronelbumbright43building-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  36. "Photo: Construction progressing on McFerrin Athletic Center". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. 2007-04-13. http://theeagle.com/stories/041307/am_20070413015.php. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  37. "The Texas A&M University System". Emporis.com. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streettexasamuniversitysystem-collegestation-tx-usa. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
  38. "College Station, Texas, school is world's largest for training firefighters". Amarillo Globe-News, September 20, 2004. http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:Ly7vgM3fqTUJ:www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-122388662.html+Pat+Barrett+of+College+Station,+tX&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us. Retrieved April 19, 2010. 
  39. Matthew Watkins (2008-05-04). "CS man has fantasy gig at ESPN". The Bryan College Station Eagle. http://www.theeagle.com/local/CS-man-has-fantasy-gig-at-ESPN. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
  40. Janet Phelps (2008-04-16). "Anti-abortion group will meet pope in Washington". The Bryan College Station Eagle. http://www.theeagle.com/local/Anti-abortion-group-will-meet-pope-in-Washington. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
  41. Craig Kapitan (2006-09-17). "'Pipe dream' turning into a musical reality". The Bryan College Station Eagle. http://theeagle.com/stories/091706/local_20060917014.php. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
  42. Joe Southern (2008-01-04). "A changing of the guard". Amarillo Globe-News. http://www.amarillo.com/stories/010408/new_9299151.shtml. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
  43. "Office of the president, History of the office". http://www.tamu.edu/president/history.html. 
  44. 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 Sister Cities International

External links