Stratford, Texas Explained

Official Name:Stratford, Texas
Settlement Type:Town
Image Map1:Sherman County Stratford.svg
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Texas
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Sherman
Established Title:Settled
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:5.98
Area Land Km2:5.98
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:2.31
Area Land Sq Mi:2.31
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Named For:Stratford Hall
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:1939
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation Ft:3694
Coordinates:36.3375°N -102.0761°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:79084
Area Code:806
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:48-70544[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:2411988
Population Density Sq Mi:auto

Stratford is a town and county seat of Sherman County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,939 at the 2020 census, down from 2,017 in 2010.[3]

History

Stratford was first settled, when a man named Aaron Norton bought 100 parcels of land off the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway. His manager, Walter Colton, named it for Stratford Hall, the childhood home of Robert E. Lee, whom he admired. A post office was established in 1900. In July 1901, Stratford was voted county seat, replacing Coldwater. In 1928, the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railway was connected to Stratford. The town was incorporated at some point before 1940.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.3 km), all land.

Stratford is situated in the Llano Estacado. The Rita Blance National Grasslands are due west of the town.

Climate

Stratford has a semi-arid climate (BSk) with long, hot summers and short, cool, and somewhat snowy winters.

Demographics

2020 census

Stratford racial composition[5]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)!Race!Number!Percentage
White (NH)82242.39%
Black or African American (NH)100.52%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)40.21%
Asian (NH)10.05%
Some Other Race (NH)50.26%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)512.63%
Hispanic or Latino1,04653.95%
Total1,939
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,939 people, 702 households, and 554 families residing in the city.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 1,991 people, 722 households, and 535 families living in the city. The population density was 980.2sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 794 housing units at an average density of 390.9sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 83.02% White, 0.30% African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 14.41% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.44%.

Of the 722 households 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.1% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 24.4% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.21.

The age distribution was 30.5% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median household income was $32,656 and the median family income was $37,955. Males had a median income of $27,113 versus $19,524 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,790. About 11.2% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Stratford is at the intersection of US Routes 54 and 287, and is the western terminus of Texas State Highway 15.[6]

The nearest major airport, Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport, is 82 miles and two states away in Liberal, Kansas, although Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is only slightly further away, at 91 miles.[7]

Education

The city of Stratford is served by the Stratford Independent School District, and is home to Stratford High School.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. August 7, 2020.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.
  3. Web site: Find a County. 2011-06-07. National Association of Counties.
  4. Web site: Association . Texas State Historical . Stratford, TX . 2024-07-15 . Texas State Historical Association . en.
  5. Web site: P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race . 2022-05-20 . Census Bureau Table .
  6. Web site: Rita Blanca National Grasslands to Stratford, Texas. Google Maps. February 17, 2021.
  7. Web site: Major Airports near Stratford, Texas. Travelmath . February 17, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220407013906/https://www.travelmath.com/nearest-airport/Stratford,+TX . Apr 7, 2022 .