College Station, Texas Explained

College Station, Texas
Settlement Type:City
Mapsize:250px
Pushpin Map:Texas#USA
Pushpin Relief:yes
Pushpin Label:College Station
Coordinates:30.6014°N -96.3144°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Brazos
Government Type:Council-Manager
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:John Nichols
Leader Title1:City Council
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:October 19, 1938
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:132.87
Area Total Sq Mi:51.30
Area Land Km2:132.50
Area Land Sq Mi:51.16
Area Water Km2:0.37
Area Water Sq Mi:0.14
Elevation Ft:289
Population Total:120511
Population As Of:2020
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Urban:206,137 (US: 184th)[2]
Population Density Urban Sq Mi:auto
Population Metro:268,248 (US: 186th)
Postal Code Type:ZIP codes
Postal Code:77840-77845
Area Code:979
Leader Title2:City Manager
Leader Name2:Bryan Woods
Timezone:CST
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:48-15976
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:2410193

College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, United States, situated in East-Central Texas in the Brazos Valley, towards the eastern edge of the region known as the Texas Triangle. It is 83miles northwest of Houston and 87miles east-northeast of Austin. As of the 2020 census, College Station had a population of 120,511.[3] College Station and Bryan make up the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area, the 15th-largest metropolitan area in Texas with 268,248 people as of 2020.[4]

College Station is home to the main campus of Texas A&M University, the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The city owes its name and existence to the university's location along a railroad. Texas A&M's triple designation as a land-grant university, National Sea Grant College Program, and National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program reflects the broad scope of the research endeavors it brings to the city, with ongoing projects funded by agencies such as NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research.

History

College Station's origins date from 1860, when the Houston and Texas Central Railway began to build through the region.[5] Eleven years later, the site was chosen as the location for the proposed Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, a land-grant school. In 1876, as the nation celebrated its centennial, the school (renamed Texas A&M University in 1963) opened its doors as the first public institution of higher education in the state of Texas.

College Station's population grew slowly, reaching 350 in 1884 and 391 at the turn of the century. However, during this time, transportation improvements took place in the town. In 1900, the I&GN Railroad was extended to College Station[6] (the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company abandoned the line in 1965),[7] and 10 years later, electric interurban service was established between Texas A&M and the neighboring town of Bryan. A city bus system replaced the interurban in the 1920s.

In 1930, the community to the north of College Station, known as North Oakwood, was incorporated as part of Bryan. College Station did not incorporate until October 19, 1938, after a 217-39 vote,[8] with John H. Binney as the first mayor. Within a year, the city established a zoning commission, and by 1940, the population had reached 2,184.

The city grew under the leadership of Ernest Langford, called by some the "Father of College Station", who began a 26-year stretch as mayor in 1942. Early in his first term, the city adopted a council-manager system of city government.

Population growth accelerated following World War II as the nonstudent population reached 7,898 in 1950, 11,396 in 1960, 17,676 in 1970, 30,449 in 1980, 52,456 in 1990, and 67,890 in 2000. The Bryan-College Station metropolitan area's population crossed 270,000 people in 2018.

In the 1990s, College Station and Texas A&M University drew national attention when the George Bush Presidential Library opened in 1997. Attention was drawn again in 1999, when 12 people were killed and 27 injured when the Aggie Bonfire collapsed while being constructed.

In 2022, it became one of the first areas served by Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery service, along with Lockeford, California.

Geography

College Station is south of the center of Brazos County at (30.601433, –96.314464).[9] It is bordered by the city of Bryan to the northwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 128.5km2, of which 128km2 is land and 0.5km2, or 0.35%, is covered by water.[10]

Climate

College Station has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa). Winters are mild with periods of low temperatures usually lasting less than two months, while summers are hot and humid.

Snow and ice are rare; most recently, College Station received three to five inches of snowfall on February 15, 2021.[11]

Summers are hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms being the only real variation in weather.[12]

Districts

Northgate

Northgate is a mixed-use district north of Texas A&M University that features a combination of businesses, restaurants, apartments, churches, and entertainment. It is known for its eclectic mix of restaurants and bars.[13] [14] A large portion of the stores, bars, and restaurants in Northgate are frequented, patronized, and staffed by Texas A&M students.[14] In total, the district spans about 145acres, bounded by Wellborn Road to the west, South College Avenue to the east, the College Station city limits to the north, and University Drive to the south. The district is the home of the Dixie Chicken.

Northgate's roots started in the 1930s as the city began enjoying rapid population growth from the influx of Texas A&M University students, professors, and their families. Realizing that proximity to the campus would be a boon for revenues, the first business district was established in College Station near the campus, taking its name for the closest on-campus landmark: the north gate. When the city was incorporated in 1938, its first City Hall was opened in the new district. In 1994, restoration efforts began to revitalize the ailing area. A four-day music festival, "North By Northgate", was introduced in 1998 and has become an annual tradition, renamed the "Northgate Music Festival" in 2002. In 2006, the city council incorporated Northgate as a special tax zone to finance additional improvements and expansions.[15]

Live music is a major draw to the Northgate area. Many well-known musicians, especially in the Texas country music scene, initially performed in the Northgate area. Notable names include Robert Earl Keen, Grammy award-winner Lyle Lovett, Dub Miller, and Roger Creager. The district is bisected to the north by Church Street, made famous by the Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett duet "The Front Porch Song".[16]

Wolf Pen Creek District

Wolf Pen Creek District is a large commercial development adjacent to Post Oak Mall and between two of the city's main commercial thoroughfares: Earl Rudder Freeway and Texas Avenue. The area consists of a greenway with trails, a $1.5 million amphitheater and entertainment area, a small lake, the Spirit Ice Arena, and is the home of the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley. The amphitheater has hosted a variety of musical events, including the annual Starlight Music Series, a concert series that starts in late spring and runs through late summer. Wolf Pen also has a sidewalk for a scenic run that when completed is about 10NaN0.

Wellborn District

Wellborn became a community in 1867 as a construction camp on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. The town's name has been attributed to a well at the construction camp, a foreman named E.W. Wellborn, or a landowner named W.W. Willburn. Also in 1867, a post office opened in the community under the name Wellborn Station. In 1870, the name was shortened to Wellborn.[17] On April 14, 2011, the City Council of College Station voted 5–2 to annex Wellborn, thus making the community the Wellborn district. Wellborn is often mispronounced as 'well-born' but is pronounced by locals as 'Well-burn'.[18]

Demographics

2020 census

College Station city, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)!Pop 2000[19] !Pop 2010[20] ![21] !% 2000!% 2010!
White alone (NH)51,36264,060style='background: #ffffe6; 70,25575.65%68.25%style='background: #ffffe6; 58.30%
Black or African American alone (NH)3,6476,161style='background: #ffffe6; 9,4795.37%6.56%style='background: #ffffe6; 7.87%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)161247style='background: #ffffe6; 2800.24%0.26%style='background: #ffffe6; 0.23%
Asian alone (NH)4,9328,518style='background: #ffffe6; 12,2247.26%9.08%style='background: #ffffe6; 10.14%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)3636style='background: #ffffe6; 1170.05%0.04%style='background: #ffffe6; 0.10%
Some Other Race alone (NH)107149style='background: #ffffe6; 4750.16%0.16%style='background: #ffffe6; 0.39%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)8861,521style='background: #ffffe6; 4,3241.31%1.62%style='background: #ffffe6; 3.59%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)6,75913,165style='background: #ffffe6; 23,3579.96%14.03%style='background: #ffffe6; 19.38%
Total67,89093,857style='background: #ffffe6; 120,511100.00%100.00%style='background: #ffffe6; 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 120,511 people, 41,682 households, and 20,487 families residing in the city.

As of the census of 2000, 67,890 people, 24,691 households, and 10,370 families resided in the city.Of the 24,691 households, 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.0% were not families. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98. The racial makeup of the city as of 2019 was 77.45% White, 7.74% African American, 0.30% Native American, 10.25% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 6.32% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnicity/nationality were 15.6% of the population.

In the city, the population was distributed as 14.4% under the age of 18, 51.2% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 9.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,180, and for a family was $53,147. Males had a median income of $38,216 versus $26,592 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,170. About 15.4% of families and 37.4% of the population were below the poverty line, the worst poverty rate in the US for a city with over 100,000 people. This includes 16.4% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The city of College Station has a council-manager form of government. Voters elect the members of a city council, who pass laws and make policy. The council hires a professional city manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations of the city and its public services.[22]

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Bryan District Parole Office in College Station.[23]

The United States Postal Service operates the College Station and Northgate College Station post offices.[24] [25]

Business parks

Economy

As of May 2008, the local unemployment hovered around 3 to 4%, among the lowest in Texas. This rate is largely attributed to the significant role the university plays in the local economy.[26] [27] However, underemployment is an ongoing issue.[28]

Major employers

Post Oak Mall

See main article: Post Oak Mall.

Post Oak Mall was the city's first mall and is currently the largest mall in the Brazos Valley. The 82acres mall is home to 125 stores; its opening on February 17, 1982, helped create the impetus for growing economic and commercial developments for College Station.[30] It is currently the largest taxpayer in College Station and the second-largest in the Brazos Valley, though the anchor stores are free-standing units that are privately owned and taxed separate from the mall proper.[31] Over 75% of retail sales in the Brazos Valley come from sales at the mall's stores.

Sports facilities

Media and journalism

Television stations

Two full power local commercial television stations included CBS affiliate KBTX-TV (which also includes subchannels affiliated with CW and Telemundo) and MyNetworkTV affiliate KYLE-TV which also airs Fox programming (via Waco-based KWKT-TV) on its second digital subchannel. Low power television stations KAGS-LD and KRHD-CD respectively air programming from NBC (via Temple-based KCEN-TV) and ABC (via Waco-based KXXV). PBS member station KAMU, which is owned by Texas A&M University, is also based in College Station.

Radio stations

College Station is part of the Bryan-College Station Arbitron market #238.

Area newspapers

Area magazines

Education

Local colleges and universities

The service area of Blinn College includes all of Brazos County.[34] Blinn operates a campus in nearby Bryan.[35]

Local school districts

Almost all of College Station is within the College Station Independent School District, while small sections are in Bryan Independent School District.[36] College Station ISD operates two high schools: A&M Consolidated High School and College Station High School.

Students living in the portion of Bryan ISD located in the City of College Station are zoned for: Stephen F. Austin Middle School,[37] and Bryan High School.[38]

Transportation

Mass transit

Major roads

Railroads

Airport

Easterwood Airport, owned by Texas A&M, is located 3miles southwest of the center of College Station and has flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Notable people

The following people have lived or are currently living in College Station:

Points of interest

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. August 7, 2020.
  2. Web site: List of 2020 Census Urban Areas. census.gov. United States Census Bureau. January 8, 2023.
  3. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: College Station city, Texas.
  4. Web site: 2020 Population and Housing State Data . United States Census Bureau, Population Division . January 3, 2024 . January 4, 2024 . June 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220629175327/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html#v2022 . live .
  5. Web site: College Station, Texas. Mark. Odintz. Texas State Historical Association. June 15, 2008.
  6. Web site: A Guide to Historic Brazos County. Brazos Heritage Society. 2003. 25. June 15, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080626162050/http://www.brazosheritage.org/pdfs/historicbrazosbrochure.pdf . June 26, 2008.
  7. Web site: International-Great Northern Railroad. George C.. Werner. Texas State Historical Association. June 15, 2008.
  8. Web site: Williams. Jessica. How you can help make College Station's 85th birthday bash on Oct. 18 a night to remember. October 2, 2023. City of College Station. October 19, 2023.
  9. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  10. Web site: Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): College Station city, Texas. https://archive.today/20200212201245/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4815976. dead. February 12, 2020. U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. April 21, 2014.
  11. Web site: Vogel. Aubrey. Texas, Brazos County see 'once-in-a-generation' winter storm. 2023-11-08. www.thebatt.com. February 21, 2021 . en.
  12. Web site: Weather averages College Station, Texas.
  13. News: College Station, Tex. . . September 22, 2006 . Finn-Olaf . Jones . 1F.
  14. Web site: Retail and Entertainment District: Northgate . City of College Station . June 16, 2008 .
  15. News: College Station creates Northgate tax zone . The Bryan-College Station Eagle . June 23, 2006. Avison . April . https://web.archive.org/web/20121026054110/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-147396685.html. dead. October 26, 2012.
  16. Web site: Clark . Rob . 14 February 2013 . Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen recall the legendary 'Front Porch' at Texas A&M . https://archive.today/20230105050738/https://myaggienation.com/aggie_profiles/lyle-lovett-and-robert-earl-keen-recall-the-legendary-front-porch-at-texas-a-m/article_771efed0-3921-11e4-95db-001a4bcf887a.html . 5 January 2023 . 4 January 2023 . myaggienation.com.
  17. "Wellborn, Texas". The Handbook of Texas online. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  18. Web site: CS City Council Votes to Annex Wellborn. Cody Lillich and Clay. Falls. April 19, 2012. March 14, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120314020047/http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/CS_City_Council_Votes_to_Annex_Wellborn_119890359.html. dead.
  19. Web site: P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – College Station city, Texas . .
  20. Web site: P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – College Station city, Texas . .
  21. Web site: P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – College Station city, Texas . .
  22. Web site: City of College Station : Type Of Government. cstx.gov. June 22, 2010. October 5, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101005153725/http://cstx.gov/index.aspx?page=2021. dead.
  23. "Parole Division Region I ." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  24. "Post Office Location - COLLEGE STATION ." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  25. "Post Office Location - NORTHGATE COLLEGE STATION ." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  26. Web site: Texas Employers Add 8,700 Jobs in May . 2 . Texas Workforce Commission . June 20, 2008 . July 1, 2008 . August 21, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080821231319/http://www.twc.state.tx.us/news/press/2008/062008epress.pdf . dead .
  27. News: New equation gives more realistic look at local jobless rate . Nauman . Brett . The Bryan-College Station Eagle . May 15, 2005 . July 1, 2008 . dead . https://archive.today/20051104065850/http://theeagle.com/businesstechnology/051505bcs2.php . November 4, 2005 .
  28. Web site: College Station Demographic Report . 2 . City of College Station . July 1, 2008 .
  29. Web site: Real Estate Market Overview 2008 College Station — Bryan . Edith . Craig . Thomas, Beth . Lacy, Blake . Merten, Kory . Texas A&M University Real Estate Center . 2008 . June 15, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080626162050/http://recenter.tamu.edu/mreports/CSBryan.pdf . June 26, 2008 .
  30. News: Post Oak Mall to celebrate 25 years . January 7, 2008 . Hensley . Laura . February 16, 2007 . The Bryan-College Station Eagle .
  31. News: Post Oak Mall works to retain costumers . January 25, 2008 . Levey . Kelli . April 4, 2004 . The Bryan-College Station Eagle . https://archive.today/20070901165843/http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/040404postoakmall.htm . September 1, 2007.
  32. Web site: Stunning transformation of A&M;'s Kyle Field gives fans taste of what's to come Dallas Morning News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140716071540/http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/texas-aggies/20140709-stunning-transformation-of-kyle-field-to-give-fans-taste-of-what-s-to-come-in-aggieland.ece. 2014-07-16.
  33. Web site: Davis Diamond - Facilities - Texas A&M Athletics . 12thMan.com . 2021-11-23.
  34. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Sec. 130.168. BLINN JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  35. Web site: Bryan Campus. Blinn College. 2022-10-15.
  36. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Brazos County, TX. U.S. Census Bureau. 2022-10-15.
  37. Web site: Middle School Attendance Zones. Bryan Independent School District. 2022-10-15. - Linked from here - Compare to the US Census school district maps showing College Station in Bryan ISD
  38. Web site: High School Attendance Zones. Bryan Independent School District. 2022-10-15. - Linked from here - Compare to the US Census school district maps showing College Station in Bryan ISD
  39. News: Getting the most from the 'Texas Eagle' detour . Trains Magazine . Bob . Johnston . June 6, 2017 . April 9, 2019 . July 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170720040829/http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/06/06-getting-the-most-from-the-texas-eagle-detour . dead .
  40. Web site: Texas Central Media Center . April 27, 2020.
  41. News: Briginshaw . David . Texas Central wins four-year legal fight with landowners . 21 July 2020 . International Railway Journal . 13 May 2020.
  42. News: Murray . Lance . Texas Central Makes $5.9B Deal With Spanish Firm to Develop, Operate High-Speed Rail Line . 21 July 2020 . Dallas Innovates . 25 February 2020.
  43. News: Krauss . Andy . Amtrak considers adding new Bryan College Station stop on route connecting Texas Triangle . May 5, 2023 . . . April 6, 2021.
  44. News: Anti-abortion group will meet pope in Washington . https://web.archive.org/web/20080424154204/http://www.theeagle.com/local/Anti-abortion-group-will-meet-pope-in-Washington . unfit . April 24, 2008 . Janet Phelps . The Bryan College Station Eagle . June 16, 2008 . April 16, 2008 .
  45. News: CS man has fantasy gig at ESPN . https://web.archive.org/web/20090911115956/http://www.theeagle.com/local/CS-man-has-fantasy-gig-at-ESPN . unfit . September 11, 2009 . Matthew Watkins . The Bryan College Station Eagle . June 16, 2008 . May 4, 2008 .
  46. Web site: Research Division of the Texas Legislative Council. Presiding Officers of the Texas Legislature 1846–2016. Texas Legislative Council. Texas Legislative Reference Library.
  47. Web site: Office of the president, History of the office . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20090214210203/http://tamu.edu/president/history.html . February 14, 2009 .
  48. Web site: Kyle Kacal's Biography. votesmart.org. February 23, 2014.
  49. News: Longtime Texas A&M history professor receives surprise send-off during final lecture . . Sam Peshek . May 1, 2015 . May 13, 2015 .
  50. Web site: Nobel Prize Winner to Join Texas A&M Physics Faculty . May 26, 2011 . Texas A&M University College of Science . https://web.archive.org/web/20100307181030/http://www.science.tamu.edu/articles/684 . March 7, 2010 . unfit .
  51. Web site: David M. Lee . May 26, 2011. The Nobel Foundation.
  52. News: A changing of the guard . Joe Southern . Amarillo Globe-News . June 16, 2008 . January 4, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110603235737/http://amarillo.com/stories/010408/new_9299151.shtml . June 3, 2011 . unfit.

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