Tomball, Texas
Encyclopedia
Tomball is a city in Harris
county in the U.S. state
of Texas
, a part of the Houston metropolitan area
. The population was 9,089 at the 2000 census. In 1907, the community of Peck was renamed Tomball. The city (and the local school district) are named for local congressman Thomas Henry Ball
, who had a major role in the development of the Port of Houston
.
On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, the City of Tomball City Council voted down a proposal to make the English language
the official language of the city, and it voted down a measure that would have forbidden illegal immigrants from owning and/or renting property and operating and/or owning businesses.
, an attorney
for the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railroad, convinced the railroad to run the line right through downtown Tomball. Soon after, people came in droves to this new train stop. Hotels, boarding houses, saloons, and mercantile stores all began to spring up in the area. At first, people called the area Peck, after a chief civil engineer of the railroad line. However, on December 2, 1907, the town was officially named Tom Ball, later to be shortened to one word for Mr. Ball. While the boom of the railroad lasted less than a decade
, the oil
and gas
industry began to leave its mark on the area. Oil probe instruments often indicated that oil was just underneath Tomball, especially after the Spindletop
gusher in Beaumont
. Although early exploration came up dry, the town remained a frenzy of activity for those who dreamed of oil. Undaunted by the challenges, the persevering spirit of Tomball’s citizens proved rewarding when a drill hit a 100-foot gusher of oil on May 27, 1933. Tomball, which people began to call “a floating island of oil,” was immediately flooded with over two dozen oil companies, which drew thousands of workers and boosted the economy like never before. One major player, the Humble Oil Company, struck a deal with the town through which they would provide gas free of charge to the residents in exchange for rights to drill on the land, this agreement lasted until 1988 when the reservoirs began to be depleted.
Tomball incorporated in 1933. Because of the 1933 incorporation, Houston did not incorporate Tomball's territory into its city limits.
Tomball continued to grow over the years and hit its second major boom after World War II
. People began to desire a more comfortable life, so the entire area saw a shift of Texans migrating from the “big city” to the countryside. In Tomball, people could escape some of the disagreeable qualities of the city, like high taxes, traffic, and crime, but still enjoy the closeness of jobs, culture, and entertainment. In the 1970s, Tomball’s population
again soared. The entire “Sun Belt” experienced a huge influx of residents who desired the affordable land and housing, nice weather, low taxes, and abundant job opportunities. Over the next 20 years, Tomball’s population would increase from 16,000 people in the school district
area to over 85,000 residents. Today, population counts are up to 9,089 within the city limits and 135,050 residents are in the outlying Tomball areas, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. It is said that over 80 percent of all homes in the area were built since 1970.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 10.2 mi² (26.3 km²) with 0.10% being water.
of 2000, there were 9,089 people residing in the city. The population density
was 895.4 people per square mile (345.7/km²). There were 10,009 housing units at an average density of 395.0 per square mile (152.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.73% White, 4.91% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 5.57% from other races
, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.05% of the population.
There were 14,687 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples
living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,787, and the median income for a family was $45,764. Males had a median income of $38,059 versus $26,799 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,331. About 4.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
is Telgte, Germany
. The two cities participate in foreign exchange student programs. The high school also receives exchange students from other areas, such as Armenia.
The North Harris County Regional Water Authority provides water services to Tomball, which is located in Voting District No. 2. The Texas House of Representatives
bill that created the water authority, HB 2965, was signed into law on June 18, 1999. On January 15, 2000 voters voted to confirm the creation of the authority in a special election.
Over 1,000 autogyro
s in the world are used by authorities for military and law enforcement, but the first US Police authorities to evaluate an autogyro are the Tomball police, on a $40,000 grant from DoJ
together with city funds, costing much less than a helicopter to buy ($75,000) and operate ($50/hour), and being able to land in 40 knot crosswinds.
(Main Street) East to West and State Highway 249 (Tomball Parkway) North to South.
David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport
, a general aviation airport, is located outside of the Tomball city limits in northwest Harris County. On June 27, 2007, The Texas State Legislature approved Tomball's request to annex Hooks Airport even though the airport does not border the Tomball city limits. Since the airport is in the city of Houston's extraterritorial jurisdiction
, the city of Tomball must get permission from Houston to annex the airport.
Pupils who live in Tomball attend schools in the Tomball Independent School District
.
Five elementary schools, Tomball, Decker Prairie, Lakewood, Willowcreek and Rosehill Elementary Schools. The schools also include a bilingual program. Three intermediate schools (Northpointe, Tomball, and Beckendorf, which closed down in 2009), two junior high schools (Tomball and Willow Wood Junior High Schools), and Tomball High School
also serve Tomball. A second high school, Tomball Memorial High School, is slated to open in August 2011.
(9-12) is a private school in Tomball. There are several private schools in surrounding areas in northwest Harris County such as St. Anne Catholic School (PK-8), Salem Lutheran School, Northwoods Catholic School,Covenant Academy, St. Edwards Catholic School, Rosehill Christian School, Trinity Lutheran School, Cypress Christian School(K-12), and Northland Christian School.
, located in Tomball College, is a joint project between the college and HCPL.
operates the Tomball Post Office at 122 N Holderrieth Blvd, 77375-9998.
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
county in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
, a part of the Houston metropolitan area
Greater Houston
Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas...
. The population was 9,089 at the 2000 census. In 1907, the community of Peck was renamed Tomball. The city (and the local school district) are named for local congressman Thomas Henry Ball
Thomas Henry Ball
Thomas Henry Ball was a Texas politician and a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives. The town of Peck, Texas was renamed Tomball, Texas in his honor in 1907.-External links:...
, who had a major role in the development of the Port of Houston
Port of Houston
The Port of Houston is a port in Houston—the fourth-largest city in the United States. The Port is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico...
.
City Government
| Position | Official | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Gretchen Fagan | Elected May 2007, Reelected 2010 |
| Councilman, Position 1 | F.S. “Field” Hudgins | Elected May 2011 |
| Councilman, Position 2 | Mark Stoll | Elected June 2009, Mayor Pro-Tem |
| Councilman, Position 3 | Rick Brown | Elected May 2010 |
| Councilman, Position 4 | Derek Townsend | Elected May 2009 |
| Councilman, Position 5 | Preston Dodson | Elected August 2010 |
| City Manager | George Shackleford | July 12, 2010 |
| Assistant City Manager | Christal Kliewer | |
| City Attorney | Bill Olson | |
| City Attorney | David Olson | |
| City Secretary | Doris Speer | |
| Fire Chief | Randy Parr | |
| Police Chief | Robert Hauck | June 2, 2008 |
| Director of Public Works | David Kauffman | |
| City Engineer | Mark McClure |
On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, the City of Tomball City Council voted down a proposal to make the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
the official language of the city, and it voted down a measure that would have forbidden illegal immigrants from owning and/or renting property and operating and/or owning businesses.
History
Settlement began in the Tomball area in the early 19th century, where immigrants found an open, fertile land that received adequate rainfall—perfect conditions for farming and raising cattle. However, it was not until 1906 that the area began to boom. Railroad line engineers noticed that the Tomball area was on the boundary between the low hills of Texas and the flat coastal plains of the Gulf, making it an ideal location for a train stop. The railroad could load more cargo on each car because the topography gently sloped toward the Galveston ports and provided an easier downhill coast. Thomas Henry BallThomas Henry Ball
Thomas Henry Ball was a Texas politician and a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives. The town of Peck, Texas was renamed Tomball, Texas in his honor in 1907.-External links:...
, an attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
for the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railroad, convinced the railroad to run the line right through downtown Tomball. Soon after, people came in droves to this new train stop. Hotels, boarding houses, saloons, and mercantile stores all began to spring up in the area. At first, people called the area Peck, after a chief civil engineer of the railroad line. However, on December 2, 1907, the town was officially named Tom Ball, later to be shortened to one word for Mr. Ball. While the boom of the railroad lasted less than a decade
Decade
A decade is a period of 10 years. The word is derived from the Ancient Greek dekas which means ten. This etymology is sometime confused with the Latin decas and dies , which is not correct....
, the oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
and gas
Gas
Gas is one of the three classical states of matter . Near absolute zero, a substance exists as a solid. As heat is added to this substance it melts into a liquid at its melting point , boils into a gas at its boiling point, and if heated high enough would enter a plasma state in which the electrons...
industry began to leave its mark on the area. Oil probe instruments often indicated that oil was just underneath Tomball, especially after the Spindletop
Spindletop
Spindletop is a salt dome oil field located in the southern portion of Beaumont, Texas in the United States. The Spindletop dome was derived from the Louann Salt evaporite layer of the Jurassic geologic period. On January 10, 1901, a well at Spindletop struck oil . The new oil field soon produced...
gusher in Beaumont
Beaumont, Texas
Beaumont is a city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Texas, United States, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's population was 118,296 at the 2010 census. With Port Arthur and Orange, it forms the Golden Triangle, a major industrial area on the...
. Although early exploration came up dry, the town remained a frenzy of activity for those who dreamed of oil. Undaunted by the challenges, the persevering spirit of Tomball’s citizens proved rewarding when a drill hit a 100-foot gusher of oil on May 27, 1933. Tomball, which people began to call “a floating island of oil,” was immediately flooded with over two dozen oil companies, which drew thousands of workers and boosted the economy like never before. One major player, the Humble Oil Company, struck a deal with the town through which they would provide gas free of charge to the residents in exchange for rights to drill on the land, this agreement lasted until 1988 when the reservoirs began to be depleted.
Tomball incorporated in 1933. Because of the 1933 incorporation, Houston did not incorporate Tomball's territory into its city limits.
Tomball continued to grow over the years and hit its second major boom after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. People began to desire a more comfortable life, so the entire area saw a shift of Texans migrating from the “big city” to the countryside. In Tomball, people could escape some of the disagreeable qualities of the city, like high taxes, traffic, and crime, but still enjoy the closeness of jobs, culture, and entertainment. In the 1970s, Tomball’s population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
again soared. The entire “Sun Belt” experienced a huge influx of residents who desired the affordable land and housing, nice weather, low taxes, and abundant job opportunities. Over the next 20 years, Tomball’s population would increase from 16,000 people in the school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
area to over 85,000 residents. Today, population counts are up to 9,089 within the city limits and 135,050 residents are in the outlying Tomball areas, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. It is said that over 80 percent of all homes in the area were built since 1970.
Geography
Tomball is located at 30°5′56"N 95°37′8"W (30.098905, -95.618899).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 city has a total area of 10.2 mi² (26.3 km²) with 0.10% being 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 9,089 people residing in the city. 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 895.4 people per square mile (345.7/km²). There were 10,009 housing units at an average density of 395.0 per square mile (152.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.73% White, 4.91% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 5.57% 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 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.05% of the population.
There were 14,687 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% 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, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,787, and the median income for a family was $45,764. Males had a median income of $38,059 versus $26,799 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 city was $20,331. About 4.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
Sister city
Tomball's sister cityTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
is Telgte, Germany
Telgte
Telgte is a town in the Warendorf district, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the river Ems, 10 km east of Münster, and 15 km west of Warendorf.-History:...
. The two cities participate in foreign exchange student programs. The high school also receives exchange students from other areas, such as Armenia.
Government and infrastructure
Harris County operates a tax office at 101 South Walnut Street in Tomball.The North Harris County Regional Water Authority provides water services to Tomball, which is located in Voting District No. 2. The Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
bill that created the water authority, HB 2965, was signed into law on June 18, 1999. On January 15, 2000 voters voted to confirm the creation of the authority in a special election.
Over 1,000 autogyro
Autogyro
An autogyro , also known as gyroplane, gyrocopter, or rotaplane, is a type of rotorcraft which uses an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift, and an engine-powered propeller, similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft, to provide thrust...
s in the world are used by authorities for military and law enforcement, but the first US Police authorities to evaluate an autogyro are the Tomball police, on a $40,000 grant from DoJ
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
together with city funds, costing much less than a helicopter to buy ($75,000) and operate ($50/hour), and being able to land in 40 knot crosswinds.
Transportation
The city of Tomball is primarily served by FM 2920Farm to Market Road 2920
Farm to Market Road 2920 is a state highway in northwest Harris County in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston – Sugar Land – Baytown metropolitan area.The road, also called Waller–Tomball Road, passes from U.S...
(Main Street) East to West and State Highway 249 (Tomball Parkway) North to South.
David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport
David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport
David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport is a public-use airport located near the city of Tomball in unincorporated Harris County, Texas. It is northwest of the central business district of Houston...
, a general aviation airport, is located outside of the Tomball city limits in northwest Harris County. On June 27, 2007, The Texas State Legislature approved Tomball's request to annex Hooks Airport even though the airport does not border the Tomball city limits. Since the airport is in the city of Houston's extraterritorial jurisdiction
Extraterritorial jurisdiction
Extraterritorial jurisdiction is the legal ability of a government to exercise authority beyond its normal boundaries.Any authority can, of course, claim ETJ over any external territory they wish...
, the city of Tomball must get permission from Houston to annex the airport.
Healthcare
The city is served by Tomball Regional Medical Center, located at 605 Holderrieth Boulevard, 77375-6445, is a full-service 357-bed facility hospital providing special expertise in cardiovascular disease, cancer care, emergency services, digital diagnostic imaging, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, and comprehensive wound and lymphedema care.Public schools
Tomball Independent School District
Tomball Independent School District is a school district serving Tomball, Texas .Tomball ISD serves some areas in northern Harris County and southwestern Montgomery County, Texas, including the city of Tomball, , Creekside Park Village , and the communities of Hufsmith, Decker Prairie, and Rose...
.
Five elementary schools, Tomball, Decker Prairie, Lakewood, Willowcreek and Rosehill Elementary Schools. The schools also include a bilingual program. Three intermediate schools (Northpointe, Tomball, and Beckendorf, which closed down in 2009), two junior high schools (Tomball and Willow Wood Junior High Schools), and Tomball High School
Tomball High School
Tomball Senior High School is an accredited public high school in the city of Tomball, Texas. Until 2011, it was the only high school in the Tomball Independent School District, which serves nearly 9,500 students...
also serve Tomball. A second high school, Tomball Memorial High School, is slated to open in August 2011.
Private schools
Concordia Lutheran High SchoolConcordia Lutheran High School (Texas)
Concordia Lutheran High School is a private high school located in Tomball, Texas, on the north-western outskirts of Houston.Children associated with local Lutheran churches are eligible to receive lower tuition rates....
(9-12) is a private school in Tomball. There are several private schools in surrounding areas in northwest Harris County such as St. Anne Catholic School (PK-8), Salem Lutheran School, Northwoods Catholic School,Covenant Academy, St. Edwards Catholic School, Rosehill Christian School, Trinity Lutheran School, Cypress Christian School(K-12), and Northland Christian School.
Colleges and universities
Lone Star College (originally the North Harris Montgomery Community College District) serves the community. The territory in Tomball ISD joined the community college district in 1982. The system operates the Fairbanks Center in unincorporated Harris County; Fairbanks Center is a part of Lone Star College–CyFair. Tomball is served by Lone Star College - Tomball, a member of the Lone Star College System.Public libraries
A branch of the Harris County Public LibraryHarris County Public Library
Harris County Public Library is a public library system serving Harris County, Texas, United States. The county library system is headquartered at 8080 El Rio in Houston....
, located in Tomball College, is a joint project between the college and HCPL.
Postal service
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Tomball Post Office at 122 N Holderrieth Blvd, 77375-9998.