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West Columbia, Texas facts for kids

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West Columbia, Texas
Capitol Theater
Capitol Theater
Motto(s): 
"Birthplace of a Republic"
Location of West Columbia, Texas
Location of West Columbia, Texas
Country United States
State Texas
County Brazoria
Government
 • Type General Law Municipality
Area
 • Total 2.63 sq mi (6.80 km2)
 • Land 2.61 sq mi (6.75 km2)
 • Water 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
36 ft (11 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 3,905
 • Estimate 
(2019)
3,830
 • Density 1,468.56/sq mi (567.04/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
77486
Area code(s) 979
FIPS code 48-77416
GNIS feature ID 1371096

West Columbia is a city in Brazoria County in the U.S. state of Texas. The city is centered on the intersection of Texas Highways 35 & 36, 55 miles (89 km) southwest of downtown Houston. The population was 3,905 at the 2010 census.

The 1st Congress of the Republic of Texas was convened in West Columbia on October 3, 1836. (It was then named simply Columbia.)

Geography

West Columbia is located in western Brazoria County at 29°8′29″N 95°38′49″W / 29.14139°N 95.64694°W / 29.14139; -95.64694 (29.141513, -95.647016), about 2 miles (3 km) west of the Brazos River. Texas State Highway 35 leads east 13 miles (21 km) to Angleton, the county seat, and southwest 23 miles (37 km) to Bay City. Texas Highway 36 leads north 32 miles (51 km) to Rosenberg and southeast 23 miles (37 km) to Freeport on the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the United States Census Bureau, West Columbia has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2), of which 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2), or 0.67%, is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1940 1,573
1950 2,100 33.5%
1960 2,947 40.3%
1970 3,335 13.2%
1980 4,109 23.2%
1990 4,372 6.4%
2000 4,255 −2.7%
2010 3,905 −8.2%
2019 (est.) 3,830 −1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,255 people, 1,607 households, and 1,099 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,661.9 people per square mile (641.7/km2). There were 1,755 housing units at an average density of 685.5 per square mile (264.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.15% White, 19.51% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.83% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.05% of the population.

There were 1,607 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,115, and the median income for a family was $38,090. Males had a median income of $37,981 versus $19,775 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,647. About 14.0% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Within West Columbia City limits, Columbia-Brazoria ISD, Wal-Mart, HEB, CVS, and Walgreens are major employers. The proximity to major cities allows many residents to commute to oil and gas industry work in nearby cities, and to Houston.

Education

The city is served by the Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District.

Schools that serve the city include West Columbia Elementary School, Barrow Elementary School, Wild Peach Elementary School, West Brazos Junior High School, and Columbia High School. One elementary and the high school are in West Columbia. The junior high and Barrow Elementary are located in Brazoria.

There is a charter school called West Columbia Charter School.

The West Columbia Library is a part of the Brazoria County Library System.

The Texas Legislature assigned the area in Columbia-Brazoria ISD (including West Columbia) to the Brazosport College district.

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See also

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

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