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Bay City, Texas

Coordinates: 28°59′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.99750°N 95.96444°W / 28.99750; -95.96444
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Bay City, Texas
City
Entrance sign to Bay City
Entrance sign to Bay City
Map
Map
Map
Map
Bay City is located in Texas
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City is located in the United States
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City is located in North America
Bay City
Bay City
Coordinates: 28°59′51″N 95°57′52″W / 28.99750°N 95.96444°W / 28.99750; -95.96444
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
StateTexasTexas
CountyMatagorda
Government
 • TypeMayor-council government
 • MayorRobert Nelson[1]
 • City CouncilBenjamin Flores
Jim Folse
Brad Westmoreland
Becca Sitz
Blayne Finlay[2]
Area
[3]
 • Total
9.29 sq mi (24.07 km2)
 • Land9.27 sq mi (24.00 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation
[4]
49 ft (15 m)
Population
 (2020)[5]
 • Total
18,061
 • Density1,891.99/sq mi (730.52/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
77404, 77414
Area code979
FIPS code48-05984[6]
GNIS feature ID2409798[4]
Websitecityofbaycity.org
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19103,156—
19203,4549.4%
19304,07017.8%
19406,59462.0%
19509,42743.0%
196011,65623.6%
197013,44515.3%
198017,83732.7%
199018,1701.9%
200018,6672.7%
201017,614−5.6%
202018,0612.5%
U.S. Census Bureau[7]

Bay City is a city and the county seat of Matagorda County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,614 at the 2010 census[5] and 18,061 at the 2020 census.[8]

History

[edit]

[9]

Geography

[edit]

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.

Climate

[edit]

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.[10]

Demographics

[edit]
Bay City racial composition as of 2020[11]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 5,811 32.17%
Black or African American (NH) 2,810 15.56%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 56 0.31%
Asian (NH) 169 0.94%
Pacific Islander (NH) 4 0.02%
Some Other Race (NH) 43 0.24%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 366 2.03%
Hispanic or Latino 8,802 48.73%
Total 18,061

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,061 people, 6,602 households, and 4,086 families residing in the city.

As of the census[6] of 2000, 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,196.0 inhabitants 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.

Economy

[edit]

In 2017, Bay City became the site of a new $1.8-billion Tenaris seamless-pipe mill, making tubular goods, such as drill pipe and casing, for the oil-drilling industry.[13]

Bay City formerly housed the headquarters of Stanley Stores.[14] The chain made several donations to the Bay City Museum.[15]

Attractions

[edit]

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.[16]

Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum,[17] Market Days every third Saturday,[18] 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.

  • Bay City Regional Airport
    Bay City Regional Airport
  • Businesses in Bay City
    Businesses in Bay City
  • Matagorda County Museum
    Matagorda County Museum
  • Downtown Bay City
    Downtown Bay City

Education

[edit]

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 Dr. Marshall Scott III.

The designated community college for Bay City ISD is Wharton County Junior College.[19] It has a campus in Bay City, focusing on technical training and nuclear plant operations.[20]

Infrastructure

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]

Highways

[edit]

Rail

[edit]

Bay City is located on the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) main line that roughly parallels the Texas Gulf Coast from Brownsville to Algoa, near Houston. The main line is shared by the BNSF Railway under trackage rights, and the BNSF operates a branch line from Bay City to Wadsworth.[21]

As of 2024, the rail lines serving the city are used for freight haulage only; no passenger service is offered.

Air

[edit]

Bay City Regional Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located five nautical miles (9 km) east of the central business district of Bay City.[22]

Health care

[edit]

Matagorda County is served by the Matagorda Regional Medical Center, and the mission-aligned Matagorda Medical Group. The Matagorda Episcopal Health Outreach Program (MEHOP), the county's only federally qualified health center, offers Family Medical, OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, Behavior Health, and Dentistry services. MEHOP accepts most insurances and assures that no patient will be denied or unable to access health care services due to an individual's inability to pay.

Government

[edit]
  • Courthouse from 6th Street
    Courthouse from 6th Street
  • The City Hall on 5th Street
    The City Hall on 5th Street
  • Bay City Water Tower
    Bay City Water Tower

Notable people

[edit]
[edit]

Part of the 1965 movie Baby the Rain Must Fall was filmed in Bay City.

Churches

[edit]
  • The First Baptist Church of Bay City dates to the 1850s. A hurricane destroyed the sanctuary in 1909. The current structure dates to 1947.
    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 dates to 1870.
    First United Methodist Church of Bay City dates to 1870.
  • First Presbyterian Church of Bay City
    First Presbyterian Church of Bay City
  • Entrance to Cedarvale Bay City Cemetery, which dates to 1896 with the burial of Rufus A. Mathis, an early Bay City pioneer
    Entrance to Cedarvale Bay City Cemetery, which dates to 1896 with the burial of Rufus A. Mathis, an early Bay City pioneer

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Office of the Mayor". City of Bay City. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "City Council". City of Bay City. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  4. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bay City, Texas
  5. ^ a b "State and County Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 27, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ^ "Historical Decennial Census". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  8. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  9. ^ "History of Bay City | Bay City, TX". www.cityofbaycity.org. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  10. ^ "Climate Summary for Bay City, Texas". Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "Tenaris unveils seamless pipe mill in Bay City, Texas". tenaris.com. December 11, 2017. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  14. ^ Staff. "Price-Lo Supermarkets opens two new stores in Houston Archived 2013-01-19 at archive.today." Houston Chronicle. Sunday July 24, 1988. Business 6. Retrieved on November 20, 2011.
  15. ^ Willey, Scott Reese. "Grocer remembered fondly for his service Archived February 4, 2015, at the Wayback Machine." The Victoria Advocate. July 15, 1999. 1E. Retrieved on November 21, 2011. "Stanley Stores also made considerable donations to the Bay City Museum"
  16. ^ "World Class Bird Watching in Matagorda Couty, Texas". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  17. ^ "Matagorda County Museum Website". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008.
  18. ^ "Matagorda Calendar". Matagorda Calendar. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  19. ^ "EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 130. JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICTS". statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  20. ^ "Superintendent's Office / Office of the Superintendent". Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  21. ^ "bnsf-network-map.pdf" (PDF). January 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  22. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for BYY PDF, effective 2023-08-10.
  23. ^ "Charles Austin". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  24. ^ Brenson, Michael (May 1, 1988). "Forrest Bess: Desire Ruled His Vision". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  25. ^ "Robert Blackmon". NFL Enterprises. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  26. ^ "David Caldwell". NFL Enterprises. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  27. ^ "J.B. Cox". thebaseballcube. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  28. ^ "Joe DeLoach". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 24, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  29. ^ "Mark Dennard". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  30. ^ "Alex Dixon". MLS Soccer. Archived from the original on November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  31. ^ "Hart Lee Dykes". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  32. ^ "Simon Fletcher". NFL Enterprises. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  33. ^ "Ronnie Heard". NFL Enterprises. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  34. ^ "Quentin Jammer". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  35. ^ "Time Out With Chandi Jones". WNBA Enterprises. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  36. ^ "Laughlin, Gregory H.". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  37. ^ "The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl". Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. Archived from the original on September 17, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  38. ^ "Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B." Catholichierarchy.org. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  39. ^ "Tracy Simien". NFL Enterprises. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  40. ^ Bell, Max (June 29, 2023). "That Mexican OT Is Rolling". www.spin.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  41. ^ "Mal Whitfield". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  42. ^ "Cedric Woodard". NFL Enterprises. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[12]
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