Colorado City, Texas - Wikipedia

City in the United States Not to be confused with Colorado, Texas or Colorado County, Texas. City in Texas, United States

Colorado City, Texas
City
Downtown Colorado City
Location of Colorado City, Texas
Coordinates: 32°23′46″N 100°51′44″W / 32.39611°N 100.86222°W / 32.39611; -100.86222
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Mitchell
Government
• Mayor	Ruben Hurt[1]
Area[2]
• Total	5.33 sq mi (13.81 km2)
• Land	5.33 sq mi (13.81 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	2,070 ft (630 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	3,991
• Density	748.5/sq mi (289.0/km2)
• Demonym	Colorado Citian
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	79512
Area code	325
FIPS code	48-16120[3]
GNIS feature ID	1333141[4]
Website	www.coloradocitytexas.org

Colorado City (/ˌkɒləˈreɪdə/ kahl-uh-RAY-dō)[5] is a city in and the county seat of Mitchell County, Texas, United States.[6] Its population was 3,991 at the 2020 census.

History

[edit]

Colorado City originated as a ranger camp in 1877. It grew into a cattlemen's center and has been called "the Mother City of West Texas". The town acquired a railway station and post office in 1881 and was named the county seat. In the early 1880s it was a center for cattle shipment, with herds driven to Colorado City and loaded onto trains for shipment to the eastern markets. The population was estimated at 6,000 in 1884–1885, but dropped to 2,500 by 1890 after a drought, and dropped further with the growth of nearby San Angelo.

The first school was conducted in a dugout in 1881 and moved to a building the next year. During the late 19th and 20th century, economic activity centered successively on salt mining, then farming, then oil production. By 1910 the town had a new public school, a waterworks, and an electric plant. A city hall was built by 1926.[7]

An oil refinery began operation in 1924 and closed in 1969. Other industries included a meat-packing operation and a mobile home factory.[7]

Hailey Dunn Disappearance

[edit]

On December 26, 2010, a 13-year-old girl named Hailey Dunn disappeared on the way to her father's house to spend the night.[8] Her body was found in 2013 in Scurry County, Texas.[9] Her mother's boyfriend was long suspected for the death of Hailey and told police she was in Scurry County, but in 2023 the prosecution dropped the case against him based on advice from the FBI.[10]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 sq mi (14 km2), all land. Colorado City is situated along the Colorado River to the west and Lone Wolf Creek to the east.

Climate

[edit]

According to the Köppen climate classification, Colorado City has a semiarid climate, BSk on climate maps.[11]

Climate data for Colorado City, Texas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1900–2009
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	91(33)	99(37)	98(37)	101(38)	110(43)	115(46)	112(44)	110(43)	107(42)	103(39)	91(33)	89(32)	115(46)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	57.9(14.4)	62.1(16.7)	70.2(21.2)	80.5(26.9)	87.2(30.7)	93.1(33.9)	96.7(35.9)	95.6(35.3)	88.1(31.2)	79.3(26.3)	67.0(19.4)	59.0(15.0)	78.1(25.6)
Daily mean °F (°C)	43.0(6.1)	46.6(8.1)	55.3(12.9)	63.6(17.6)	73.2(22.9)	80.0(26.7)	83.7(28.7)	82.1(27.8)	74.9(23.8)	64.8(18.2)	52.3(11.3)	44.0(6.7)	63.6(17.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	28.2(−2.1)	31.2(−0.4)	40.4(4.7)	46.6(8.1)	59.3(15.2)	66.8(19.3)	70.7(21.5)	68.6(20.3)	61.7(16.5)	50.2(10.1)	37.5(3.1)	29.1(−1.6)	49.2(9.6)
Record low °F (°C)	−7(−22)	−1(−18)	8(−13)	23(−5)	27(−3)	42(6)	51(11)	51(11)	33(1)	22(−6)	3(−16)	2(−17)	−7(−22)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.90(23)	1.32(34)	1.68(43)	1.54(39)	2.15(55)	3.05(77)	1.96(50)	2.96(75)	1.90(48)	2.31(59)	1.19(30)	1.04(26)	22.00(559)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	0.2(0.51)	0.1(0.25)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	1.2(3.0)	0.1(0.25)	1.6(4.01)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	3.2	3.3	5.1	3.6	4.8	5.6	3.5	4.4	3.5	5.8	4.7	2.5	50.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	0.2	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.1	0.7
Source 1: NOAA[12]
Source 2: National Weather Service[13]

Demographics

[edit] Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	1,582	—
1910	1,840	—
1920	1,766	−4.0%
1930	4,671	164.5%
1940	5,213	11.6%
1950	6,774	29.9%
1960	6,457	−4.7%
1970	5,227	−19.0%
1980	5,405	3.4%
1990	4,749	−12.1%
2000	4,281	−9.9%
2010	4,146	−3.2%
2020	3,991	−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, Colorado City had a population of 3,991, with 1,542 households and 728 families, and the median age was 37.1 years.[15]

27.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.1 males.[15]

There were 1,542 households in Colorado City, of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.9% were married-couple households, 21.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]

There were 1,950 housing units, of which 20.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.0% were owner-occupied and 37.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.2%.[15]

93.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 6.2% lived in rural areas.[16]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[17]

Race	Number	Percent
White	2,561	64.2%
Black or African American	238	6.0%
American Indian and Alaska Native	62	1.6%
Asian	43	1.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	0	0%
Some other race	536	13.4%
Two or more races	551	13.8%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)	1,815	45.5%

2010 census

[edit]

As of the census[3] of 2010, 4,146 people, 1,646 households, and 1,124 families resided in the city. The population density was 809.2 inhabitants per square mile (312.4/km2). There were 2,076 housing units at an average density of 392.4 per square mile (151.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 76.71% White, 5.09% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 14.62% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 36.25% of the population.

Of the 1,646 households, 34.2% had children under 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were not families. About 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the age distribution was 28.5% under 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,842, and for a family was $27,363. Males had a median income of $22,272 versus $20,037 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,591. About 18.7% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.2% of those under age 18 and 23.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[edit]

Colorado City is served by the Colorado Independent School District.

Notable people

[edit]

• Dick Compton, played for the Detroit Lions, Houston Oilers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, graduated from Colorado High School
• Martin Dies Jr., U.S. Congressman, was born in Colorado City
• Margaret Formby is the founder of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth[18]
• George H. Mahon, U.S. Representative; was raised in Mitchell County and is honored with a statue in front of the courthouse
• Don Maynard, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, graduated from Colorado High School[19]

See also

[edit]

• Champion Creek Reservoir

References

[edit]

1. ^ "Welcome to Colorado City, TX". Colorado City. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 20, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. ^ "Town Pronunciation Guide" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
7. ^ a b Hunt, William R. "Colorado City, TX (Mitchell County)". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
8. ^ "12 years after Hailey Dunn's disappearance and murder, where does the case stand?". newswest9.com. December 26, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
9. ^ Kendall, Jennifer; Garza, Ariana (April 29, 2013). "A tragic end to the Hailey Dunn story: Scurry County remains identified as the missing teen's". KTXS. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
10. ^ "State explains reasons for dismissal of Shawn Adkins case". newswest9.com. June 28, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
11. ^ "Climate Summary for Colorado City, Texas". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
12. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Colorado City, TX". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
13. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Midland". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
14. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
15. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
18. ^ "Clint Formby obituary". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
19. ^ "Don Maynard Bio | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site". Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.

External links

[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Colorado City, Texas.

• Colorado City – Official website
• "Colorado. A town and the county-seat of Mitchell County, Tex" . New International Encyclopedia. 1905.

v t e Municipalities and communities of Mitchell County, Texas, United States
County seat: Colorado City
Cities	Colorado City Westbrook
Town	Loraine
CDP	Lake Colorado City
Othercommunities	Buford
Ghost towns	Cuthbert Hyman Iatan Spade Valley View
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