Alto, Texas

Alto is a town in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. With a population of 1,027 at the 2020 U.S. census,[4] Alto is the closest municipality to the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, an archaeological site dating back to 800 CE, featuring a prehistoric village and ceremonial center.

Alto, Texas
Town
Location of Alto, Texas
Location of Alto, Texas
Coordinates: 31°39′0″N 95°4′26″W
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyCherokee
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • City CouncilMayor Jimmy Allen
Ell Thacker (Mayor Pro-Term)
Carey Palmer
Jerry Flowers
Steve Cox
Randy Selman
 • Chief of PoliceJeremy Jackson
Area
[1]
 • Total1.71 sq mi (4.42 km2)
 • Land1.71 sq mi (4.42 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
436 ft (133 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,027
 • Density727.27/sq mi (280.83/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
75925
Area code936
FIPS code48-02188[2]
GNIS feature ID1372283[3]
Websitecityofalto.com

History

An early settler in the region was Martin Lacy, who built Lacy's Fort just to the west to the current site of Alto in around 1838. In 1838 and 1839, during the campaign to suppress the Córdova Rebellion, the fort served as an operations and supply base for the Third Militia brigade commanded by Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Rusk.[5]

The town of Alto was laid out in 1849 and named for the Spanish word meaning "high," on account of the site's elevation on a drainage divide between the Neches and Angelina Rivers.[6]

Geography
Caddo Mound Site near Alto

Alto is located at 31°39′0″N 95°4′26″W (31.650131, –95.073810).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), all land. Alto had a prisoner of war camp during World War II, which served the Cherokee County area.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Alto has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
187061—
18808844.3%
1890210138.6%
1910672—
19201,08160.9%
19301,053−2.6%
19401,1418.4%
19501,021−10.5%
1960869−14.9%
19701,04520.3%
19801,20315.1%
19901,027−14.6%
20001,19015.9%
20101,2252.9%
20201,027−16.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
Alto racial composition as of 2020[10]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 416 40.51%
Black or African American (NH) 268 26.1%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 2 0.19%
Asian (NH) 1 0.1%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 38 3.7%
Hispanic or Latino 302 29.41%
Total 1,027

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,027 people, 459 households, and 283 families residing in the town.

According to the 2000 U.S. census, there were 1,190 people, 452 households, and 282 families residing in the town.[2] The population density was 707.1 inhabitants per square mile (273.0/km2). There were 534 housing units at an average density of 317.3 per square mile (122.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 65.55% White, 24.79% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 6.81% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.25% of the population.

Education

Public schools are managed by the Alto Independent School District. These are Alto High School, Alto Middle School, and Alto Elementary School.[13]

Public safety

In 2011, the city eliminated its entire police force after the city council cut the police budget to zero,[14] causing residents to brace for increased crime.[15] A councilman is quoted as saying "The police department, being a non-money-making entity, was the easiest to get rid of." Meanwhile, police services are provided by the county sheriff and, assuming the town's finances improve, it will be opened up again in December.[16]

Notable people

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. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  5. "Texas State Historical Association". Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  6. Tarpley, Fred (July 5, 2010). 1001 Texas Place Names. University of Texas Press. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-292-78693-6.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. Climate Summary for Alto, Texas
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  11. http://www.census.gov
  12. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. "Alto ISD Campuses" Archived 2008-12-12 at the Wayback Machine, Alto Independent School District
  14. "Tiny Texas city lays off entire police force". CBS News. July 5, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  15. Ana Campoy (June 29, 2011). "The Day the Law Left Town". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  16. "Texas Town Dismisses Police Because of Budget Crisis".
  17. Miller, Thomas Lloyd (August 1, 1995). "Biography, George Butler Terrell (1862–1947)". TSHA Online. Austin, TX: Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  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.[11][12]
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