Texarkana, Texas
City
Texarkana Texas City Hall
Texarkana Texas City Hall
Nickname(s): 
The Texas Side, T-Town, TK, TXK, Twin City
Motto: 
Twice as Nice
Location of Texarkana, Texas
Location of Texarkana, Texas
Texarkana is located in Texas
Texarkana
Texarkana
Location within Texas
Texarkana is located in the United States
Texarkana
Texarkana
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 33°26′14″N 94°04′03″W / 33.43722°N 94.06750°W / 33.43722; -94.06750
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyBowie
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Bob Bruggeman
Jean H. Matlock
Mary Hart
Betty Williams
Christie Page
Bill Harp
Jay Davis
 • City ManagerDavid Orr, Ph.D.
Area
[1]
 • Total29.47 sq mi (76.33 km2)
 • Land29.03 sq mi (75.20 km2)
 • Water0.44 sq mi (1.13 km2)
Elevation
299 ft (91 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total36,193
 • Density1,228.13/sq mi (474.16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
755XX.
Area codes903, 430
FIPS code48-72368[2]
GNIS feature ID1369752[3]
Websiteci.texarkana.tx.us

Texarkana is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States, in the Ark-La-Tex region. Located approximately 180 miles (290 km) from Dallas, Texarkana is a twin city with neighboring Texarkana, Arkansas. The Texas city's population was 36,193 at the 2020 census.[4]

The city and its Arkansas counterpart form the core of the Texarkana metropolitan statistical area, encompassing all of Bowie County, Texas, and Miller County, Arkansas. The two cities had a combined population of 65,580 in the 2020 decennial census, and the metropolitan area had a population of 149,482.[5]

History

Railroads were quick to see the possibilities of connecting markets in this vast area. In the late 1850s, the builders of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad were pushing their line steadily south across Arkansas. By 1874, they crossed the Red River and reached the Texas state line. Between February 16 and March 19, 1874, trains ran between the Texas border and the Red River, whence passengers and freight were ferried north to Fulton, Arkansas to continue by rail. The Red River Bridge opened on March 20, 1874. Since then, trains have run directly from Texarkana to St. Louis, Missouri.

Keen rivalry existed between the 1870s railroad builders. The Texas and Pacific Railroad reached across Texas to the Arkansas state line. The border was the logical place for the different railways to connect. On December 8, 1873, the Texas and Pacific sold the first town lots for the future city. The first buyer was J. W. Davis,[6] who purchased the land where today's Hotel McCartney now stands on the Texas side of the border, opposite Union Station which is split between both the Arkansas and Texas border.

Etymology

The name Texarkana is known to be a portmanteau of Texas, Arkansas, and nearby Louisiana. However, accounts of the name's origin differ, and it had been in use some time before the town was founded. The most popular tradition is that when the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway was building its line through the area, Col. Gus Knobel, a railroad surveyor, coined the name. He is said to have painted it on a plank and nailed it to a tree, saying "This is the name of a town which is to be built here."[7] Another story tells of a Red River steamboat named The Texarkana, c. 1860. A third account relates that a storekeeper named Swindle in Red Land, Louisiana, concocted a drink called "Texarkana Bitters".[8]

Geography

Texarkana is located at the junction of Interstate 30 and US highways 59, 67, 71 and 82 in extreme northeastern Texas on the Texas-Arkansas border,[9] at 33°26′14″N 94°4′3″W / 33.43722°N 94.06750°W / 33.43722; -94.06750 (33.437170, –94.067394).[10] It is bordered by the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, to the east, and by the smaller cities of Nash, Wake Village and Liberty Eylau, Texas to the west. It is in the Central Time Zone.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Texas city has a total area of 29.5 square miles (76.3 km2), of which 29.0 square miles (75.2 km2) is land and 0.42 square miles (1.1 km2), or 1.39%, is covered by water.[4] The city is roughly 180 miles northeast of Dallas.

Climate

  • The warmest month is August.
  • The highest recorded temperature was 112 °F (47 °C) on August 4–5, 2011.
  • On average, the coolest month is January.
  • The lowest recorded temperature was –6 °F (–21 °C) on December 22–23, 1989.
  • The most precipitation on average occurs in December.
  • A humid subtropical climate (Cfa) exists in the region.
Climate data for Texarkana, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1968–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 81
(27)		 89
(32)		 89
(32)		 95
(35)		 98
(37)		 105
(41)		 105
(41)		 112
(44)		 108
(42)		 95
(35)		 87
(31)		 83
(28)		 112
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 73.3
(22.9)		 76.9
(24.9)		 83.6
(28.7)		 86.9
(30.5)		 91.1
(32.8)		 95.8
(35.4)		 99.9
(37.7)		 100.8
(38.2)		 97.2
(36.2)		 89.7
(32.1)		 80.1
(26.7)		 74.8
(23.8)		 102.0
(38.9)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 54.3
(12.4)		 58.6
(14.8)		 66.7
(19.3)		 74.8
(23.8)		 82.0
(27.8)		 89.3
(31.8)		 93.3
(34.1)		 93.5
(34.2)		 87.2
(30.7)		 76.7
(24.8)		 64.8
(18.2)		 56.3
(13.5)		 74.8
(23.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 43.7
(6.5)		 47.6
(8.7)		 55.2
(12.9)		 63.1
(17.3)		 71.8
(22.1)		 79.6
(26.4)		 83.2
(28.4)		 82.8
(28.2)		 76.2
(24.6)		 64.9
(18.3)		 53.6
(12.0)		 46.1
(7.8)		 64.0
(17.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 33.1
(0.6)		 36.6
(2.6)		 43.8
(6.6)		 51.4
(10.8)		 61.7
(16.5)		 69.8
(21.0)		 73.0
(22.8)		 72.1
(22.3)		 65.2
(18.4)		 53.2
(11.8)		 42.4
(5.8)		 35.8
(2.1)		 53.2
(11.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 19.8
(−6.8)		 24.9
(−3.9)		 29.2
(−1.6)		 37.7
(3.2)		 48.7
(9.3)		 61.8
(16.6)		 67.3
(19.6)		 65.8
(18.8)		 53.4
(11.9)		 38.9
(3.8)		 28.8
(−1.8)		 23.9
(−4.5)		 17.9
(−7.8)
Record low °F (°C) 2
(−17)		 −3
(−19)		 15
(−9)		 28
(−2)		 38
(3)		 52
(11)		 57
(14)		 55
(13)		 38
(3)		 27
(−3)		 16
(−9)		 −6
(−21)		 −6
(−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.26
(108)		 4.58
(116)		 4.70
(119)		 4.88
(124)		 5.25
(133)		 4.39
(112)		 3.40
(86)		 2.77
(70)		 3.89
(99)		 4.78
(121)		 4.33
(110)		 5.18
(132)		 52.41
(1,331)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 1.0
(2.5)		 1.0
(2.5)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.1
(0.25)		 2.1
(5.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11.0 11.2 10.8 9.7 10.3 8.5 6.8 6.5 6.7 8.6 9.1 10.6 109.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.8
Source: NOAA[11][12]

On May 22, 2008, a microburst producing winds up to 100 mph occurred over Stateline Avenue and surrounding communities. An analysis of radar data leading up to the damage showed that two severe thunderstorms came together on the south side of the city. One severe storm was moving northeastward from southern Bowie County, while the other was moving northwestward through Miller County. Both storms collided in an area just south of downtown Texarkana.[13]

On May 16, 2020, a waterspout tornado formed in adjacent Lake Wright Patman.[14]

On December 31, 2021, a rare weather phenomenon called "animal rain" caused fish to fall out of the sky and land in pedestrian's yards, sidewalks and business lots.[15]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18801,833—
18902,85255.6%
19005,25684.3%
19109,79086.3%
192011,48017.3%
193016,60244.6%
194017,0192.5%
195024,75345.4%
196030,21822.1%
197030,4970.9%
198031,2712.5%
199031,6561.2%
200034,7829.9%
201036,4114.7%
202036,193−0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
Texarkana racial composition[17]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 16,825 46.49%
Black or African American (NH) 13,565 37.48%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 164 0.45%
Asian (NH) 736 2.03%
Pacific Islander (NH) 25 0.07%
Some Other Race (NH) 173 0.48%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,613 4.46%
Hispanic or Latino 3,092 8.54%
Total 36,193

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 36,193 people, 14,148 households, and 8,767 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,228.13 inhabitants per square mile (474.18/km2). The 16,270 housing units averaged 589.4 per square mile (227.5/km2). Of the 16,280 households, 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present. and 34.1% were not families; 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the age distribution of the population was 26.0% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,727, and for a family was $39,119. Males had a median income of $34,155 versus $21,143 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,815. About 19.4% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over. The most affluent area of Texarkana is Pleasant Grove, where the median income is $49,562 for each household and the median for a family is $57,219 in 2013.

Economy

According to the city's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[20] the top employers in the Texarkana Metropolitan Statistical Area, are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Red River Army Depot and tenants 2,225
2 Christus St. Michael Health Care 1,800
3 Cooper Tire & Rubber Company 1,793
4 Wal-Mart/Sam's Club 875
5 Texarkana Independent School District 846
6 Graphic Packaging (International Paper) 829
7 Wadley Regional Medical Center 652
8 Domtar 548
9 Texarkana Arkansas School District 370
10 City of Texarkana, Texas 365

Government

Local government

According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fund Financial Statements, the city's various funds had $36.0 million in revenues, $37.0 million in expenditures, $18.9 million in total assets, $3.5 million in total liabilities, and $7.2 million in investments.[21]

State government

Though the city was historically Democratic, Texarkana is currently represented by Republicans in both houses of the Texas State Legislature. The state senator is Bryan Hughes from District 1. State Representative Gary VanDeaver represents Texas House District 1.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Texarkana District Parole Office in Texarkana.[22]

The Texas Sixth Court of Appeals is located downtown in the Bi-State Justice Building.[23]

Federal government

At the federal level, the two U.S. senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz; since a remap in 2022, the city of Texarkana is part of Texas's 1st congressional district, which is currently represented by Republican Nathaniel Moran. Much of the rest of Bowie County is in the Texas's 4th congressional district.[24][25]

The Federal Courthouse (which also holds the downtown post office[26]) is located directly on the Arkansas-Texas state line and is the only federal office building to straddle a state line. During his campaign for the presidency, John F. Kennedy spoke on the steps of the courthouse September 13, 1960, and so did President Jimmy Carter, on October 22, 1980.[27]

The Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana, is a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility in unincorporated Bowie County just outside the southwest border of the city.[28][29]

Education

Public school districts

Schools in Texarkana, Texas, are under the jurisdiction of the Texarkana Independent School District, the Liberty-Eylau Independent School District, Pleasant Grove Independent School District, and Red Lick Independent School District.[30]

Colleges and universities

Texarkana is home to Texas A&M University–Texarkana, a four-year branch of the Texas A&M University System, and to Texarkana College, a community college.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Amtrak station in Texarkana

Texarkana Regional Airport is located in Texarkana, Arkansas, and serves general aviation and American Eagle service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Texarkana Union Station is located in downtown Texarkana along the state line, with Amtrak's Texas Eagle providing daily service east to Chicago and west to San Antonio, continuing on to Los Angeles three days a week with intermediate points.

The Texarkana Urban Transit District provides bus transportation to major areas of town along nine different routes. Service runs from 5:30 am to 6:20 pm Monday–Saturday.

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines.[31]

Interstate 30 passes through Texarkana on the north. Loop 151 on the west of the city forms part of the Texarkana Loop, a three-quarter loop around the west, south, and east of the twin cities with I-30 completing the loop on the north. Interstate 369 shares the western portion of Loop 151. Interstate 49 is a newly constructed interstate corridor on the Arkansas side of the city which connects Texarkana to Shreveport, Louisiana.

Notable people

Notes

  1. ↑ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[18][19]

References

  1. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Quick Facts: Texarkana city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Census Reporter: Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR Metro Area". Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Happy Birthday, Texarkana: Our hometown is 145 years old today". Texarkana Gazette. December 7, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  7. ↑ Compiled by workers of the Writers' Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Arkansas (1941). Arkansas: A Guide to the State. Arkansas State Planning Board. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-62376-004-5.
  8. ↑ The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association, University of North Texas.
  9. ↑ "Our City". Ci.texarkana.tx.us. Archived from the original on October 23, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  10. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. ↑ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Station: Texarkana, TX". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  13. ↑ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "May 22, 2008: Microburst in Texarkana". www.weather.gov. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Storms across Northeast Texas spin up tornadoes, waterspouts". wfaa.com. May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ "'2021 is pulling out all the tricks': Fish rain from the sky in rare phenomenon in Texas". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  18. ↑ https://www.census.gov/
  19. ↑ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  20. ↑ City of Texarkana 2021 ACFR . Retrieved August 24, 2023
  21. ↑ Archived November 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ Parole Division Region I Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Contact Information Archived January 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Texas Sixth Court of Appeals. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
  24. ↑ https://redistricting.capitol.texas.gov/Current-districts#us-congress-section
  25. ↑ https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/reference-maps/congressional-district-maps.html
  26. ↑ "Post Office in Texarkana, TX - USPS Hours and Location". Uspspostoffices.com. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  27. ↑ Walsh, Field (March 16, 2014). "Presidents Visiting Texarkana". Txktoday.com. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  28. ↑ FCI Texarkana Contact Information. Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved June 2, 2010
  29. ↑ Ward Map Archived January 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. City of Texarkana, Texas. Retrieved July 2, 2010
  30. ↑ "Texas School District Locator". Tea-texas.maps.arcgls.com. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Arkansas Bus Stops". Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Benjamin Marcus Bogard (1868–1951)". Encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  33. ↑ Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues - A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 300. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  34. ↑ "Verna Elisha Howard (1911-2000)". Therestorationmovement.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  35. ↑ William H. Trent (1989). Treasured poems of America. Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum. p. 298. ISBN 9780923242015.
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