Dalhart, TX

Dalhart, Texas
Location of Dalhart, Texas
Coordinates: 36°3′39″N 102°31′7″W / 36.06083, -102.51861
Country	United States
State	Texas
Counties	Dallam, Hartley
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2000)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	79022
Area code(s)	806
FIPS code	48-185242
GNIS feature ID	13555523

Dalhart is the county seat of Dallam County⁶ in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 7,237 at the 2000 census. Founded in 1901, Dalhart is named for its location on the border of Dallam and Hartley counties.

The city of Dalhart is known by many Texans as a gateway to the Colorado Rockies. The city's position in the northwestern corner of the Texas panhandle makes it a pivotal resting place for weary travelers coming from and going to the mountain range.

The town is also known as the XIT City, due to its relationship with the historic XIT Ranch. The ranch was a 3,000,000 acre plot of land traded in exchange for the construction of the Texas State Capitol. The ranch was dissolved in 1912, but the history of the ranch is celebrated with the city's XIT Rodeo and Reunion. Held annually on the first Thursday through Sunday of August, the event includes the world's largest free barbecue, junior and PRCA rodeo events, three nights of live music and a variety of other events to celebrate the occasion.

Dalhart was in the center of the Dust Bowl, a region adversely affected by a long period of drought and dust storms in the 1930s.

Geography

Dalhart is located at 36°3′39″N, 102°31′7″W (36.060856, -102.518656)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.1 km² (4.3 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.

Dalhart is also notable for being located closer to six other state capitals than to Texas' capital of Austin. In surface mileage (over major highways), Dalhart is 579 miles from Austin[1], but is 263 miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico[2], 343 miles from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma[3], 348 miles from Denver, Colorado[4], 448 miles from Cheyenne, Wyoming[5], 461 miles from Topeka, Kansas[6], and 540 miles from Lincoln, Nebraska[7].

As the "crow flies," Dalhart is 491 miles from Austin, but 201 miles from Santa Fe, 281 miles from Oklahoma City, 289 miles from Denver, 375 miles from Cheyenne, 434 miles from Topeka, and 458 miles from Lincoln.[8]

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 7,237 people, 2,779 households, and 1,939 families residing in the city. The population density was 651.3/km² (1,686.1/mi²). There were 3,101 housing units at an average density of 279.1/km² (722.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.44% White, 1.46% African American, 0.79% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 9.96% from other races, and 2.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.80% of the population.

There were 2,779 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,897, and the median income for a family was $39,193. Males had a median income of $29,521 versus $19,899 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,530. About 8.5% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Dalhart's economy is centered around agribusiness, including farming, ranching, feedlot operations, large scale pig farms, and, more recently, relocated California dairies. The construction of a cheese processing plant near the city by California based Hilmar Cheese Company will add an estimated 300 jobs to the local economy and require additional dairies to meet the daily needs of the plant. The Hilmar plant itself is employing 120 people, of which ~30 were relocated from their original facility. Dalhart is also home to a state prison facility.

Education

The Dalhart Independent School District serves the city of Dalhart.

External links

• City of Dalhart
• Dalhart Chamber of Commerce
• XIT Rodeo & Reunion
• Dalhart Online Magazine: TexasViews.net
• The Dalhart Texan
• Dalhart Police Department

Coordinates: 36.060856° N 102.518656° W

References

Timothy Egan, The Worst Hard Time (Mariner Books, 2006).

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