Waskom, Texas

Waskom is a city in the U.S. state of Texas with a 2020 census-tabulated population of 1,910,[5] down from 2,160 residents in 2010.[6][7] It is located in Harrison County and lies approximately 19 miles (31 km) east of the county seat, Marshall, on U.S. 80 and Interstate 20.[8] Waskom forms part of Greater Marshall, which is also included in the Longview–Marshall combined statistical area in the Ark-La-Tex region. To the east are the cities of Greenwood and Shreveport, Louisiana.

Waskom, Texas
City
Waskom Volunteer Fire Department
Waskom Volunteer Fire Department
Nickname: 
The Gateway to Texas[1]
Location within Harrison County
Location within Harrison County
Map of the U.S.
Map of the U.S.
Waskom, Texas
Location within Texas
Map of the U.S.
Map of the U.S.
Waskom, Texas
Location within the United States
Map of the U.S.
Map of the U.S.
Waskom, Texas
Location within North America
Coordinates: 32°28′42″N 94°3′50″W
Country United States
State Texas
CountyHarrison
Area
[2]
 • Total2.68 sq mi (6.94 km2)
 • Land2.68 sq mi (6.94 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
285 ft (87 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,910
 • Density710/sq mi (280/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
75692
Area code(s)430, 903
FIPS code48-76636[3]
GNIS feature ID1349531[4]
Websitecityofwaskom.com

History

The city of Waskom was established in 1850 as Powell Town, presumably for Jonathan S. Powell, who owned a land grant in the area.[9] It was founded as a midway point for an east-west (Dallas to Shreveport) cattle and cotton economic trail to the Red River in Louisiana.[9][10]

From 1850 to 1872 it had a post office as Powellton. In 1872, it became a main railroad station between Dallas, Texarkana, and Shreveport. The city's named was changed to Waskom Station in 1872 and to Waskom in 1881 after J. M. Waskom, a director of the Southern Pacific Railroad.[10][9]

In 2014 and 2015, Waskom High School won the 3A D2 state title in football.[11]

In June 2019, the city council voted to outlaw abortion in the city, declaring Waskom a "sanctuary city for the unborn" (the first such city to designate itself as such), as state governments elsewhere in the United States also were drafting abortion bans.[12][13] There is currently no abortion clinic in the city.[14][15] The Waskom ordinance has led other small cities in Texas (and, as of April 2021, in Nebraska) to vote in favor of becoming "sanctuary cities for the unborn."[16][17][18] In May 2021, Lubbock became the largest Texas city to ban abortion following Waskom.[19]

Geography

Waskom is located in eastern Harrison County at 32°28′42″N 94°3′50″W (32.478416, –94.063769).[20] The eastern border of the city is the Texas–Louisiana border. Interstate 20 provides access to the city from Exit 633 on the west side and Exit 635 to the south. Interstate 20 leads east 20 miles (32 km) to Shreveport and west 166 miles (267 km) to Dallas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.7 square miles (6.9 km2), all land.[6] The city drains to the north towards Paw Paw Bayou and to the south towards tributaries of Cross Bayou. Both bayous run east to Cross Lake, which flows out to the Red River in Shreveport.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1940564—
195071927.5%
19601,33685.8%
19701,4609.3%
19801,82124.7%
19901,812−0.5%
20002,06814.1%
20102,1604.4%
20201,910−11.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,910 people, 589 households, and 436 families residing in the city.

In 2018 there was an estimated population of 1,887, a decrease of 273 inhabitants since the 2010 census.[22] Per the American Community Survey's 2018 estimates, a total of 598 households and 468 families resided in Waskom.[23] There were 833 housing units in 2018.[24] At the census of 2010 and the American Community Survey's estimates, there were 2,160 people, 732 households, and 460 families residing in the city.[25][26] The population density was 750.0 inhabitants per square mile (289.6/km2) in 2000. There were 868 housing units in 2010.[25]

In 2000, there were 790 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,737, and the median income for a family was $32,243. Males had a median income of $29,625 versus $18,859 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,080. About 19.4% of families and 24.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.5% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.

In 2018, 48.1% of households had children under the age of 18 living with them.[23] The average household size was 3.16 and the average family size was 3.59.[23] The median age of Waskom was 49.9.[27] The median income was $29,844.[28] In 2020 the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $799 according to Sperling's BestPlaces,[29] making it relatively cheaper than neighboring Shreveport, Louisiana.[30]

Race and ethnicity
Waskom racial composition as of 2020[31]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 1,089 57.02%
Black or African American (NH) 249 13.04%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 12 0.63%
Asian (NH) 6 0.31%
Some Other Race (NH) 2 0.1%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 85 4.45%
Hispanic or Latino 467 24.45%
Total 1,910

The racial makeup in 2018 was 61.0% non-Hispanic white, 17.1% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American or Alaskan Native, and 2.2% from two or more races.[24] Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 19.0% of the city's populace.[24] The 2010 U.S. census determined Waskom's population was 69.77% White, 13.29% Black or African American, 0.93% Native American or Alaska Native, 2.22% two or more races, 13.56% some other race, 0.23% Asian, and 19.58% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[34] In 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 75.05% White, 15.76% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 7.16% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latin Americans of any race were 9.86% of the population.

Religion

Waskom and Harrison County are predominantly Christian areas, typical of the Bible Belt.[35] The largest Christian tradition in the city of Waskom are the Baptists, followed by Methodists and Catholics. Of the Baptist population, the largest denomination is the Southern Baptist Convention.[36] Predominantly African American-led Baptist churches are either independent Baptist, or part of the National Baptist Convention (USA or America). There is one United Methodist congregation in the city limits,[37] and one Catholic church.[38]

Education

The city is served by the Waskom Independent School District.

Media

Waskom is within the media market of the Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan statistical area.

The city's newspaper market is primarily served by The Marshall News Messenger and The Waskom Post.[39] The Shreveport Times, owned by USA Today, also has circulation within Waskom.

References
  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.[32][33]
  1. "Waskom, TX". City of Waskom. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. "2020 U.S. Census Race and Population Totals". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Waskom city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  7. "2010 DEC Summary File". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  8. "Find Distance Between Cities Locations on Map Mileage Calculator: Waskom, Texas to Marshall, Texas". Distancebetweencities.us. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  9. Lentz, Sallie M. (June 15, 2010). "WASKOM, TX". Tshaonline.org. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  10. "History | City of Waskom, Texas Official Site". Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  11. Nathan Hague. "Waskom Wildcats wins back-to-back state titles". Marshall News Messenger. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  12. "Texas town bans abortion in all-male council vote". BBC News. June 13, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  13. Miller, Ryan W. "'Sanctuary city for the unborn': All-male city council in Texas town bans most abortions". Usatoday.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  14. Isaac Stanley-Becker. "Five men outlaw abortion in a Texas town, declaring a 'sanctuary city for the unborn'". The Washington Post.
  15. Hargett, Kenley. "'Abortion is Freedom' billboards cause controversy in Waskom, city declared the act illegal". Ksla.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  16. Emily Wax-Thibodeaux (October 1, 2019). "Anti-abortion law spreads in East Texas as "sanctuary city for the unborn" movement expands". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  17. Parke, Caleb (January 16, 2020). "Banning abortion, more Texas towns become 'sanctuary cities for the unborn'". Fox News. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  18. Walters, Edgar (January 15, 2020). "Three Texas towns vote in favor of 'sanctuary cities for the unborn,' hoping to ban abortion". Click2houston.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  19. "Lubbock votes to become largest city in U.S. to ban abortion". KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com. May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  20. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  21. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  22. "2018 ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  23. "2018 ACS Households and Families Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  24. "2018 ACS Demographic and Housting Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  25. "2010 ACS Demographic and Housting Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  26. "2010 ACS Households and Families Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  27. "2018 ACS Age and Sex Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  28. "2018 ACS Annual Income Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  29. "Cost of Living Estimates for Waskom, Texas". Sperling's BestPlaces.
  30. "Cost of Living Estimates for Shreveport, Louisiana". Sperling's BestPlaces.
  31. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  32. https://www.census.gov/
  33. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  34. "Waskom, TX Population - Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts - CensusViewer". censusviewer.com. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  35. "Religion in Waskom, Texas". Sperling's BestPlaces.
  36. "SBC Churches Directory". churches.sbc.net. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  37. "Search - Find A Church". The United Methodist Church. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  38. "The Best Catholic Churches in Waskom, Texas, United States Rated By Past Visitors". The Catholic Directory. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  39. "The Waskom Post". The Waskom Post. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
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