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Tenaha, Texas
TenahaTexasTower.JPG
Location within Shelby County (left) and Texas
Location within Shelby County (left) and Texas
Country United States
State Texas
County Shelby
Established 1886
Area
 • Total 3.76 sq mi (9.74 km2)
 • Land 3.74 sq mi (9.70 km2)
 • Water 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
348 ft (106 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 989
 • Density 306.09/sq mi (118.18/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
75974
Area code 936
FIPS code 48-72188
GNIS feature ID 1369702

Tenaha is a town in Shelby County, Texas, United States. The population was 989 at the 2020 census.

History

Tenaha was established on February 2, 1886. The community was named by members of the Hicks family (Cherokee) for Tenehaw Municipality, from the Spanish, the original name of Shelby County.

Geography

Tenaha is located at 31°56′39″N 94°14′47″W / 31.94417°N 94.24639°W / 31.94417; -94.24639 (31.944062, –94.246274).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.0  square miles (10.3 km2), of which 4.0  square miles (10.2 km2) is land and 0.04  square miles (0.1 km2) (0.50%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1910 491
1920 577 17.5%
1930 591 2.4%
1940 608 2.9%
1950 715 17.6%
1960 1,097 53.4%
1970 1,094 −0.3%
1980 1,005 −8.1%
1990 1,072 6.7%
2000 1,046 −2.4%
2010 1,160 10.9%
2020 989 −14.7%
U.S. Decennial Census
Tenaha racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 271 27.4%
Black or African American (NH) 349 35.29%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 1 0.1%
Some Other Race (NH) 1 0.1%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 26 2.63%
Hispanic or Latino 341 34.48%
Total 989

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 989 people, 559 households, and 394 families residing in the town.

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,160 people, 422 households, and 287 families residing in the town. The population density was 268.4 inhabitants per square mile (103.6/km2). There were 475 housing units at an average density of 122.3 per square mile (47.2/km2). The racial and ethnic makeup of the town was 37.6% non-Hispanic African American, 36.6% non-Hispanic White, 24.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 1.9% other.

Of the 422 households, 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals living alone; 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,750, and mean household income was $31,055. Median family income was $26,154, and mean family income was $32,600. The town's per capita income was $11,600. About 33.6% of families and 35.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.4% of those under age 18 and 30.4% of those aged 65 or over.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Tenaha is located on a junction of U.S. Routes 59, 84 and 96. In the future, Interstate 69 and Interstate 369 is planned to intersect at Tenaha.

Education

Public education in the town of Tenaha is provided by the Tenaha Independent School District. The best known alumnus of Tenaha High School is Jim Wilkinson (James R. Wilkinson), who gave up plans to become an undertaker to go to work for Republican Congressman Dick Armey in 1992. He served as General Tommy R. Franks' director of strategic communications, and is deputy national security advisor for communications as of December 2003.

Media

The Light and Champion, a news and information company, marked its 140th year of operation in 2017. It serves Shelby County, as well as Logansport, Louisiana. The Light and Champion produces a weekly print edition, a weekly free-distribution print product called The Merchandiser, operates a web site, www.lightandchampion.com, and a Facebook page. The Light and Champion is owned by Moser Community Media, based in Brenham, Texas.

Notable people

  • Bobo Barnett, a circus clown whose career lasted from the late 1920s to the early 1970s
  • Wayne Christian, Republican state representative from Shelby and neighboring counties, was raised in Tenaha and graduated from Tenaha High School in 1969
  • George Peddy, State representative from Shelby County

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tenaha (Texas) para niños

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