Bay City, Texas

Bay City, Texas
City
Entrance sign to Bay City
Location of Bay City, Texas
Coordinates: 28°58′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.98083°N 95.96444°W / 28.98083; -95.96444Coordinates: 28°58′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.98083°N 95.96444°W / 28.98083; -95.96444
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Matagorda
Government
• Type	Mayor-council government
• Mayor	Mark Bricker
• City Council	William Cornman Julie Estlinbaum Chrystal Folse Carolyn Thames Steven Johnson
Area
• Total	8.5 sq mi (22.0 km2)
• Land	8.5 sq mi (22.0 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	52 ft (16 m)
Population (2010)[1]
• Total	17,614
• Estimate (2013)[1]	17,509
• Density	2,196.0/sq mi (847.9/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	77404, 77414
Area code(s)	979
FIPS code	48-05984[2]
GNIS feature ID	1351611[3]
Website	cityofbaycity.org

Bay City is a city in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,614 at the 2010 census.^[1] It is the county seat of Matagorda County.^[5] The current mayor is Mark Bricker.

Geography

Bay City is located at 28°58′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.98083°N 95.96444°W / 28.98083; -95.96444 (28.980766, -95.964459).^[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22.0 km²), of which 8.5 square miles (22.0 km²) is land and 0.12% is covered by water.

Bay City was formerly named "Bay Prairie", as the natural ecosystems that surround the town are prairies crisscrossed by creeks that lead into the bay.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,196.0 people per square mile (847.9/km²). There were 8,113 housing units at an average density of 954.4 per square mile (368.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.62% White, 17.26% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 16.84% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 34.74% of the population.

Of the 6,912 households, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were not families. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city, the population was distributed as 30.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,446, and for a family was $39,281. Males had a median income of $38,202 versus $23,058 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,284. About 18.3% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over. Minorities make up the largest ethnic portion of Bay City, Texas.

Education

Bay City is served by the Bay City Independent School District, consisting of elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high schools (including Bay City High School). The district previously operated seven schools until grade levels were condensed. It is now operating five schools and is led by superintendent Keith Brown.

Wharton County Junior College has a campus in Bay City.

Medical community/hospitals

Matagorda County is served by the Matagorda Regional Medical Center. Multiple medical and dental specialists have offices in the area.

Economy

Bay City formerly housed the headquarters of Stanley Stores.^[7] The chain made several donations to the Bay City Museum.^[8]

Attractions

Bay City is home to the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, a 35-acre (140,000 m²) expanse of gardens and wildlife along the Colorado River of Texas.^[9]

Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum,^[10] Market Days every 3rd Saturday,^[11] and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown. The Bay City Art League, also located here, has recently undergone major renovations and is currently working to revitalize the art scene in Matagorda County. In addition, the Bay City Community Theatre group (CAST) regularly produces shows at various local venues.

Destinations from Bay City

	El Campo via Highway 35	Wharton via Highway 60	West Columbia via Highway 35
	Markham via Highway 35		Lake Jackson via FM 457
	Bay City
	Palacios via Highway 35	Wadsworth, Matagorda via Highway 60	Sargent via Highway 35

In popular culture

Part of the 1965 movie Baby the Rain Must Fall was filmed in Bay city.^[12]

Notable people

• Charles Austin, Olympic gold medalist.^[13]
• Forrest Bess, artist^[14]
• Robert Blackmon, professional football player.^[15]
• David Caldwell, professional football player.^[16]
• J. B. Cox, professional baseball player.^[17]
• Joe DeLoach, Olympic gold medalist during the Seoul Olympics.^[18]
• Mark Dennard, professional football player.^[19]
• Alex Dixon, professional soccer player.^[20]
• Hart Lee Dykes, professional football player.^[21]
• Simon Fletcher, professional football player.^[22]
• Ronnie Heard, professional football player.^[23]
• Quentin Jammer, professional football player.^[24]
• Chandi Jones, professional basketball player.^[25]
• Greg Laughlin, U.S. Representatives from Texas's 14th district.^[26]
• C. Wallis Ohl, Jr., retired Provisional Bishop of Fort Worth.^[27]
• Ricardo Ramírez, Roman Catholic Bishop.^[28]
• Tracy Simien, professional football player.^[29]
• Loy Sneary, rice farmer and former county judge; Democratic candidate for congress in two elections against opponent Ron Paul.^[30]
• Mal Whitfield, Olympic gold medalist.^[31]
• Cedric Woodard, professional football player.^[32]
• Tom Uher, Attorney and Texas State Representative for several terms

Gallery

• 

  Downtown Bay City

• 

  The First Baptist Church of Bay City dates to the 1850s. A hurricane destroyed the sanctuary in 1909. The current structure dates to 1947.

• 

  First United Methodist Church of Bay City

• 

  Bay City Water Tower

• 

  Entrance to Cedarvale Bay City Cemetery, which dates to 1896 with the burial of Rufus A. Mathis, an early Bay City pioneer

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bay City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.^[33]

References

External links

• City of Bay City
• Bay City in Handbook of Texas

Municipalities and communities of Matagorda County, Texas, United States County seat: Bay City Cities Bay City Palacios CDPs Blessing Markham Matagorda Van Vleck Other unincorporated communities Allenhurst Caney Cedar Lake Cedar Lane Collegeport El Maton Hawkinsville Midfield Pledger Sargent Wadsworth

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