Quitman, Texas

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Quitman, Texas
City
Quitman Town Square
Quitman Town Square
Location of Quitman, Texas
Location of Quitman, Texas
Wood County Quitman.svg
Quitman is located in Texas
Quitman
Quitman
Location in Texas
Coordinates: 32°47′39″N 95°26′44″W / 32.794033°N 95.44546°W / 32.794033; -95.44546Coordinates: 32°47′39″N 95°26′44″W / 32.794033°N 95.44546°W / 32.794033; -95.44546[1]
Country United States
State Texas
CountyWood
Founded1850;
171 years ago (1850)[2]
Incorporated1941;
80 years ago (1941)[3]
Named forJohn A. Quitman
Government
 • TypeMayor–council government
 • MayorRandy Dunn
 • Mayor pro temporeDavid Dobbs
 • City Secretary / AdministratorRodney Kieke
 • City Council
Members
Area
 • Total1.886 sq mi (4.885 km2)
 • Land1.877 sq mi (4.862 km2)
 • Water0.009 sq mi (0.023 km2)
Elevation
413 ft (126 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total1,809
 • Estimate 
(2019)[1][5]
1,849
 • Density960/sq mi (370/km2)
Time zoneUTC−06:00 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−05:00 (CDT)
ZIP code
75783
Area codes903, 430
FIPS code48-60188[6]
GNIS feature ID1375601[7]
WebsiteOfficial website

Quitman is a city and the county seat of Wood County, Texas, United States.[8] Its population was 1,809 at the 2010 census. It is most notable for being the birthplace of Academy Award-winning actress Sissy Spacek. The city was named for John A. Quitman, a veteran of the Mexican–American War, and once governor of Mississippi.[2]

Geography[]

Quitman is located at

 WikiMiniAtlas
32°47′46″N 95°26′40″W / 32.7961°N 95.4444°W / 32.7961; -95.4444.[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.886 sq mi (4.88 km2).

Climate[]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Quitman has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[9]

Government[]

Quitman operates under a mayor-council form of government in which the mayor is the head. The mayor, with advice from the council, hires a professional administrator who oversees the day-to-day operation of the city. As of May 2019, the mayor is Randy Dunn.[needs update][3] Rodney Kieke is the current city administrator.[10]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870320—
1880151−52.8%
1930368—
1950927—
19601,23733.4%
19701,49420.8%
19801,89326.7%
19901,684−11.0%
20002,03020.5%
20101,809−10.9%
2019 (est.)1,849[5]2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

At the 2010 census, 1,809 people were in 775 households, including 509 families, in the city. The population density was 959.0 inhabitants per square mile (370.27/km2). The 874 housing units averaged 475.1 per square mile (183.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.05% White, 6.4% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 1.63% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.3%.[6]

Of the 775 households, 28.1% had children under 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were not families. About 32.0% of households were one person, and 23.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32, and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 29.0% 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.

The median household income was US$31,607 and the median family income was US$39,643. Males had a median income of US$28,929 versus US$25,060 for females. The per capita income for the city was US$17,831. About 9.2% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy[]

Quitman serves as the home to many local businesses, most of which provide services to Wood County. BTH Bank, however, has spread its roots beyond county lines, and continues to grow throughout the East Texas area. Several locally owned restaurants provide a "mom and pop" service to the town. Quitman is also the home to several co-operative businesses. Wood County Electric Co-operative, Inc. and Peoples Telephone Co-operative, Inc are both located in Quitman.

Culture[]

The Quitman Community Theatre, awarded by County Line magazine as the Best Small Town Community Theatre in the Upper Eastside of Texas for five consecutive years, has provided the town with live productions since 2001. Each production takes place at the Carroll Green Civic Center, and the theatre typically produces around three productions per year, including a musical. The 2017 Reaching Others Through Christ award went to Quitman to build wheelchair ramps for some of the families living in Quitman and the surrounding cities.

Education[]

The City of Quitman is served by the Quitman Independent School District, a University Interscholastic League (UIL) class-3A school district. Recently, the school has produced a state championship in golf, UIL news writing, and powerlifting, and received first runner-up at the 2011 state UIL one-act play contest.

Public Library[]

The Quitman Public Library is located at 202 East Goode Street, one block east of the Wood County Courthouse. The library was formed in 1975 when a group of citizens gathered to study the need for a public library that would serve Quitman and the surrounding community. The Quitman City Council chartered the library in 1975. The library's first building was in a frame house offered by the Liles family located at the corner of Main and Lane Streets near the courthouse square.[12]

In August 1980, a financial drive began to purchase a larger building to house the many books that had been collected from donations. The community supported the drive, and the former facility of the First National Bank, at 202 East Goode Street, Quitman, was purchased. In early 1987, a local fundraising effort was started for additional space in the library to accommodate a children's department, a staff book-processing area, and a community meeting room. The library received several grants, and in October 1988, the Thurman Shamburger Wing was dedicated.

Today, the Quitman Public Library is fully staffed and houses a collection of nearly 30,000 items in a variety of formats; the library also houses the collection of the Wood County Genealogical Society. The library has an advisory board and active Friends of the Library group.

The mayor of Quitman and the Quitman city council are the governing body of the Quitman Public Library as it is a department of the city government.

Notable people[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. 2019. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Gilbreath, David W. (n.d.). "Quitman, TX". Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Mayor And City Council". City of Quitman, Texas. n.d. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  4. ^ Dunn, Randy; Kieke, Rodney D. (1 October 2019). "SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES" (PDF). City of Quitman, Texas. City Council Chambers, City Hall. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. 24 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  7. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 25 October 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  8. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  9. ^ Climate Summary for Quitman, Texas
  10. ^ "Welcome To City Of Quitman, TX". City of Quitman, Texas. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  12. ^ "Quitman Public Library - About Us". Quitman Public Library. n.d. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  13. ^ Lefevre, Jr., Arthur (n.d.). "Hogg, William Clifford (1875–1930)". Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020. William Clifford Hogg, lawyer and businessman, son of Sallie (Stinson) and James Stephen Hogg, was born at Quitman, Texas, on January 31, 1875.

External links[]

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