Sierra Blanca, Texas
Encyclopedia
Sierra Blanca is a census-designated place
(CDP) in and the county seat
of Hudspeth County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 533 at the 2000 census, and had decreased to 510 according to a July 2007 estimate.
The town, founded in 1881 at the completion point of a long-sought southern transcontinental railway, was named for nearby Sierra Blanca Mountain, which was named for the white poppies which grew on it (sierra blanca is Spanish for white mountain).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²), of which 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.73%) is water.
of 2000, there were 533 people, 184 households, and 126 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 131.0 people per square mile (50.6/km²). There were 227 housing units at an average density of 55.8 per square mile (21.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.99% White, 3.19% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 5.07% from other races
, and 3.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 72.61% of the population.
There were 184 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples
living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,438, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $26,071 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $10,768. About 19.6% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 32.6% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Hudspeth County
Hudspeth County, Texas
Hudspeth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. As of 2000, the population was 3,344. By 2010, the population had increased to 3,476. Its county seat is Sierra Blanca. The largest city is Fort Hancock...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 533 at the 2000 census, and had decreased to 510 according to a July 2007 estimate.
The town, founded in 1881 at the completion point of a long-sought southern transcontinental railway, was named for nearby Sierra Blanca Mountain, which was named for the white poppies which grew on it (sierra blanca is Spanish for white mountain).
Geography
Sierra Blanca is located at 31°10′55"N 105°20′27"W (31.182009, -105.340843).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²), of which 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.73%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 533 people, 184 households, and 126 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 131.0 people per square mile (50.6/km²). There were 227 housing units at an average density of 55.8 per square mile (21.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.99% White, 3.19% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 5.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 72.61% of the population.
There were 184 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,438, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $26,071 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $10,768. About 19.6% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 32.6% of those age 65 or over.
Environment
The outskirts of Sierra Blanca was the location of a sludge dump that received 250 tons of treated sewage each week from New York City. The dumping was discontinued in 2001.External links
- http://www.txpeer.org/toxictour/merco.html