Bay City, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bay City, Texas
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption = Entrance sign to Bay City


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Bay City, Texas

---

mapsize1 = 250px
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Matagorda

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Richard Knapik
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 22.0
area_land_km2 = 22.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 8.5
area_land_sq_mi = 8.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 18667
population_density_km2 = 847.9
population_density_sq_mi = 2196.0

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 16
elevation_ft = 52
latd = 28 |latm = 58 |lats = 51 |latNS = N
longd = 95 |longm = 57 |longs = 52 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 77404, 77414
area_code = 979
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-05984GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1351611GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Bay City is a city in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. The population was 18,667 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Matagorda CountyGR|6. It should not be confused with the larger Baytown, an industrial city in Harris and Chambers counties.

Geography

Bay City is located at coor dms|28|58|51|N|95|57|52|W|city (28.980766, -95.964459)GR|1.

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) of it is land and 0.12% is water.It used to be named "Bay Prairie", as the natural ecosystems that surround the town are prairies criscrossed by creeks that lead into the bay.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 families residing 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/sq mi (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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.74% of the population.

There were 6,912 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 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 spread out with 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 the median income 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.

Education

Bay City is served by the Bay City Independent School District.

Attractions

Bay City is home to the "Matagorda County Birding Nature Center", a 35-acre expanse of gardens and wildlife along the Colorado River of Texas. [Matagorda County Birding Guide]

Other attractions include the "Matagorda County Museum" [Matagorda County Museum Website] , "Market Days" every 3rd Saturday [Matagorda County Calendar] , and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown. The "Bay City Art League" is also located here which has recently undergone major renovations and is currently working to revitalize the art scene in Matagorda County. [BCAL Website]

Location from Bay City

geocompass
hub = Bay City
type = ex
NW = El Campo
NWv= Highway 35
NE = West Columbia
NEv= Highway 35
NN = Wharton
NNv= Highway 60
WW = Markham
WWv= Highway 35
EE = Lake Jackson
EEv= FM 457
SS = Wadsworth, Matagorda
SSv= Highway 60
SE = Sargent
SEv= Highway 35
SW = Palacios
SWv= Highway 35

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofbaycity.org/ City of Bay City]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/BB/heb2.html Bay City in Handbook of Texas] at University of Texas