Spur, Texas
| Spur, Texas | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 33°28′40″N 100°51′25″W / 33.47778°N 100.85694°WCoordinates: 33°28′40″N 100°51′25″W / 33.47778°N 100.85694°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Dickens |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km2) |
| • Land | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,287 ft (697 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 1,088 |
| • Density | 673.4/sq mi (260.0/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 79370 |
| Area code(s) | 806 |
| FIPS code | 48-69848[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1369049[2] |
Spur is a city in Dickens County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,088.
On October 9, 2009, Spur celebrated its centennial with the dedication of a Giant Spur sculpture. The Giant Spur was built by local welder John Grusendorf. The event, sponsored by the Dickens County Historical Commission, was held at Dyess Park off U.S. Highway 70.
Geography
Spur is located at 33°28′40″N 100°51′25″W / 33.47778°N 100.85694°W (33.477650, -100.857018)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2), all land.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,088 people, 472 households, and 288 families residing in the city. The population density was 673.4 people per square mile (259.3/km²). There were 641 housing units at an average density of 396.7 per square mile (152.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.52% White, 3.40% African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 21.14% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. 31.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 472 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,286, and the median income for a family was $32,772. Males had a median income of $25,972 versus $18,631 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,601. 19.8% of the population and 16.2% of families were below the poverty line. 24.8% of those under the age of 18 and 21.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Education
The City of Spur is served by the Spur Independent School District.
Notable residents
- Marshall Applewhite (May 17, 1931 – March 26, 1997), the leader of the Heaven's Gate cult, was born in Spur. He died in the group's mass suicide of 1997.
- Billy Ray Barrett (1925-1995), letter carrier, firefighter, alderman, and three-term mayor of Spur
- Charles Weldon Cannon, a well-known maker of boots and saddles, lived in Spur from 1949–1964, when he relocated to Dickens. After 1970, he devoted his energies exclusively to saddles.
- Aaron Latham, a Spur native, wrote the script of the 1980 film Urban Cowboy. In the story line, the protagonist called "Bud Davis" (played by John Travolta) is said to have been from Spur.
- A.J. Hagins (1840-1928), brought the first cotton gin to Spur, run by four horses.
- Red McCombs (born 1927), San Antonio businessman
- William B. McIver a Spur student in the 1940s, wrote By Dead Reckoning, a book that includes chapters on the history of the Espuela Land and Cattle Company, the founding of Spur, and life on a cotton farm and dairy in Highway Community district of Dickens County.
Pop Culture
In the 1980 film Urban Cowboy starring John Travolta, the main character is from Spur, Texas.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
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