Pleasanton is a city in Atascosa County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,266 at the 2000 census. Pleasanton's official motto is "The City of Live Oaks and Friendly Folks." It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Pleasanton was established in 1858 when conflicts with the Indians caused the settlers to move the location of the county seat from Amphion. The settlers chose the current townsite because of its location at the mouth of Bonita Creek. The settlement was named after John Pleasant, an early settler.
At one time Pleasanton had two newspapers, the Pleasanton Picayune, which became the Pleasanton Express in 1909, and the Pleasanton Reporter. The county seat was moved from Pleasanton to Jourdanton in 1910. Pleasanton was incorporated in 1917.
In November, 1957, the citizens of Pleasanton, Texas, voted overwhelmingly in favor of integrating the local public schools. This came only two months after the chaos at Little Rock Central High in neighboring Arkansas. The process of integrating nearly three dozen black students into the school went peacefully.[3]
Geography and climate
Pleasanton is located at 28°58′1″N 98°29′6″W / 28.96694°N 98.485°W / 28.96694; -98.485 (28.966953, -98.484937)[4], about 35 miles south of San Antonio, 110 miles south-southwest of Austin, and 110 miles north by north-northwest of Corpus Christi.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.5 km²), all of it land. The average elevation of Pleasanton is 374 feet above sea level.
The annual temperature of Pleasanton is 70 degrees F. The mean temperature on January 1 is 50 degrees F. and on June 1 is 78 degrees F. Average annual precipitation is 26.1 inches.
Most soils of Pleasanton are quite sandy at the surface but have a clay-rich subsoil which holds moisture. They belong to the Alfisol soil order. Common soil series in town are Nusil, Poth and Rhymes.[5]
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 8,266 people, 2,941 households, and 2,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,293.5 people per square mile (499.5/km²). There were 3,212 housing units at an average density of 502.6/sq mi (194.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.13% White, 0.98% African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 15.34% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.15% of the population.
There were 2,941 households out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,644, and the median income for a family was $34,718. Males had a median income of $28,849 versus $20,144 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,878. About 16.8% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.9% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Pleasanton is known to be home to the first cowboy. The Cowboy Homecoming, begun in 1966, is an annual event pertaining to that and is held at the Atascosa River Park in Pleasanton.
Part of The Sugarland Express was filmed around the intersection of 2nd Street and Commerce Street.
Education
Almost all of Pleasanton is located within the Pleasanton Independent School District.
A small portion of Pleasanton is in the Jourdanton Independent School District.
Notable residents
- Country music legend George Strait was born in Poteet, just outside Pleasanton, and spent most of his youth here.[6]
- Country music superstar Willie Nelson was a radio DJ in Pleasanton at one time.[7]
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ (Civil Rights Chronicles, page 158)
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
- ^ About.com biography on George Strait
- ^ Houston Music - Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride
External links
