| Greenville, Texas | |||
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| — City — | |||
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| Location of Greenville, Texas | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | Texas | ||
| County | Hunt | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council-Manager | ||
| • City Council | Mayor Tom Oliver Dan Perkins Joseph Perks Doug Roszhart Hattie Tennison Bryan Herrin Betty Franklin |
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| • City Manager | Steven J. Alexander | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 34.7 sq mi (89.9 km2) | ||
| • Land | 33.9 sq mi (87.8 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 541 ft (165 m) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • Total | 25,557 | ||
| • Density | 706.5/sq mi (272.8/km2) | ||
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) | ||
| ZIP codes | 75401-75404 | ||
| Area code(s) | 903, 430 | ||
| FIPS code | 48-30920[1] | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1377755[2] | ||
| Website | ci.greenville.tx.us | ||
Greenville is the county seat, and the largest city, of Hunt County,[3] Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,557.
Greenville was named for Thomas J. Green, a general in the Texas Army in the war for independence from Mexico. He later became a member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas. The city was almost named “Pinckneyville” in honor of James Pinckney Henderson, the first Governor of Texas.
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Greenville is located at (33.126004, -96.109703).[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.7 square miles (90 km2), of which, 33.9 square miles (88 km2) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) of it (2.30%) is water.
Greenville's considered to be part of the humid subtropical area.
Greenville was founded in 1846, named for Thomas J. Green, who had played a significant role in the establishment of Texas as a Republic.
As the Civil War approached, Greenville was divided over the issue of secession, as were several area towns and counties. Greenville attorney and State Senator Martin D. Hart was one prominent Unionist. He formed a company of men who fought for the Union in Arkansas, even as other Greenville residents fought for the Confederacy. The divided nature of Greenville, Hunt County and the State of Texas is noted by an historical marker in "The SPOT" Park at 2800 Lee Street in downtown Greenville. In the post-Civil War era, Greenville's economy became partly dependent on cotton, an industry which many local Jews helped develop within the city as the local economy entered a period of transition.[5]
The town was also famous (or infamous) for a sign that hung over Lee Street, the main street in the downtown district, between the train station and the bus station from the 1920s to 1960s. The banner read "Welcome to Greenville, The Blackest Land, The Whitest People".[6] The same sentiment was also printed on the city water tower.[7] An image of the sign was available as a postcard.[8]
In 1957 Greenville annexed Peniel, Texas, which had been founded in 1899 as a religious community.[9]
On May 12, 2011, a white buffalo was born near Greenville, Texas during a thunderstorm on the ranch of Arby Littlesoldier, a great-great grandson of Sitting Bull. A naming ceremony and dedication is scheduled for June 29, 2011 during which the male calf will officially be given the title "Lightening Medicine Cloud." Public ceremonies are now being arranged.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 4,330 |
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| 1900 | 6,860 | 58.4% | |
| 1910 | 8,850 | 29.0% | |
| 1920 | 12,384 | 39.9% | |
| 1930 | 12,407 | 0.2% | |
| 1940 | 13,995 | 12.8% | |
| 1950 | 14,727 | 5.2% | |
| 1960 | 19,087 | 29.6% | |
| 1970 | 22,043 | 15.5% | |
| 1980 | 22,161 | 0.5% | |
| 1990 | 23,071 | 4.1% | |
| 2000 | 23,960 | 3.9% | |
| 2010 | 25,557 | 6.7% | |
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As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 23,960 people, 9,156 households, and 6,171 families residing in the city. The population density was 706.5 people per square mile (272.8/km²). There were 9,977 housing units at an average density of 294.2 per square mile (113.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.71% White, 18.86% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 8.19% from other races, and 2.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.65% of the population.
There were 9,156 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% 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 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,606, and the median income for a family was $41,808. Males had a median income of $31,556 versus $22,373 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,231. About 11.3% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.
According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fund Financial Statements, the city’s various funds had $19.9 million in Revenues, $21.7 million in expenditures, $10.1 million in total assets, $1.8 million in total liabilities, and $1.4 million in investments. [10]
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[11]
| Department | Director |
|---|---|
| City Manager | Steven J. Alexander |
| City Attorney | Brent A. Money |
| City Secretary | Debra Newell |
| Police Chief | Daniel J. Busken |
| Fire Chief | Doug Caison |
| City Planner | Lance Estep |
| Main Street Coordinator | Doyle Dick |
| Finance Director | Cliff Copeland |
| Human Resources Director | Barry Robinson |
| Public Works Director | Massoud Ebrahim |
| Library Director | Paul Phelan |
| Parks & Recreation Director | Colby VanGundy |
Greenville is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Bob Deuell, District 2, and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican Dan Flynn, District 2.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Greenville District Parole Office in Greenville.[12]
At the Federal level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison; Greenville is part of Texas' US Congressional 4th District, which is currently represented by Republican Ralph M. Hall.
The United States Postal Service operates the Greenville,[13] Greenville Finance,[14] and Rolling Hills post offices.[15]
In early years, Hunt County was known as the cotton capital of the world. The world's largest inland cotton compress was located in Greenville until it was destroyed by fire in the mid-1900s.
Currently, the largest industry is L-3 Communications Missions Integration (formerly E-Systems, then Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems (RIIS, IIS)) a major U.S. Defense contractor located at Majors Airport. This airport, created in 1942 and initially financed by the local Rotary club, was used as a training base for P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilots in World War II, and since then has served as a focal point for economic growth in Greenville. Greenville is also known internationally for its saddle making industry.
According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, [16] the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | L-3 Communications | 4,700 |
| 2 | Presbyterian Hospital | 815 |
| 3 | Greenville Independent School District | 810 |
| 4 | Newell Rubbermaid | 650 |
| 5 | Hunt County | 420 |
| 6 | Wal-Mart Supercenter | 363 |
| 7 | McKesson | 300 |
| 8 | City of Greenville | 280 |
| 9 | Masonite International | 250 |
| 10 | Cytec Engineered Materials | 237 |
Entertainment includes the Kenneth Threadgill Concert series, which brings well-known Texas performers to the Municipal Auditorium stage in three concerts per year; the Greenville Entertainment Series, a subscription concert series featuring artists from a variety of musical genres; the Symphony Festival Series, which brings the world-famous Dallas Symphony Orchestra to Greenville for three concerts and an additional children's concert per year; and the Greenville Follies, a musical review showcasing local talent every other year. Local clubs with musical entertainment, live theater in nearby Commerce, local art shows, a movie theater and a bowling alley offer year-round entertainment.
Tourism draws include the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum, Mary of Puddin Hill Chocolate Factory and the historic downtown area which includes wineries, antique malls, public gardens and boutique shopping. The Rally 'Round Greenville festival is held the third weekend each September downtown and includes the Cotton Patch Challenge Bicycle Race and Tour, an Art Show, Barbecue and Chili Cook-Off, Texas Music Weekend, Kids Alley and more. Downtown Blooms is held in May to celebrate the revitalization of the historic Main Street Area.
Greenville is also home to the Hunt Regional Medical Center.
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