Bay City, Texas | |
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 Entrance sign to Bay City | |
 Show Bay City Show Matagorda County Show Texas Show the United States | |
  Bay City  Bay City  Bay City | |
| Coordinates:28°59′02″N95°57′36″W / 28.98389°N 95.96000°W /28.98389; -95.96000 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Matagorda |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council government |
| • Mayor | Robert Nelson[1] |
| • City Council | Benjamin Flores Jim Folse Brad Westmoreland Becca Sitz Blayne Finlay[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 9.29 sq mi (24.07 km2) |
| • Land | 9.27 sq mi (24.00 km2) |
| • Water | 0.023 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 18,061 |
| • Density | 1,892.0/sq mi (730.52/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 77404, 77414 |
| Area code | 979 |
| FIPS code | 48-05984[6] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409798[4] |
| Website | cityofbaycity.org |
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 3,156 | — | |
| 1920 | 3,454 | 9.4% | |
| 1930 | 4,070 | 17.8% | |
| 1940 | 6,594 | 62.0% | |
| 1950 | 9,427 | 43.0% | |
| 1960 | 11,656 | 23.6% | |
| 1970 | 13,445 | 15.3% | |
| 1980 | 17,837 | 32.7% | |
| 1990 | 18,170 | 1.9% | |
| 2000 | 18,667 | 2.7% | |
| 2010 | 17,614 | −5.6% | |
| 2020 | 18,061 | 2.5% | |
| U.S. Census Bureau[7] | |||
Bay City is acity and the county seat ofMatagorda County,Texas, United States. The population was 17,614 at the 2010 census[5] and 18,061 at the2020 census.[8]
Bay City was incorporated in 1894 as the county seat, as it was in the center of Matagorda County.[9] The Bay City Town Company was founded by David Swickheimer in partnership with G. M. Magill, N. M. Vogelsang, and Nicholas King.[10]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22.0 km2), of which 8.5 square miles (22.0 km2) is land and 0.12% is covered by water.
Bay City was formerly named "Bay Prairie", as the natural ecosystems that surround the town are prairies crisscrossed by creeks that lead into the bay.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Bay City has ahumid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[11]
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 5,811 | 32.17% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 2,810 | 15.56% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 56 | 0.31% |
| Asian (NH) | 169 | 0.94% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 4 | 0.02% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 43 | 0.24% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 366 | 2.03% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 8,802 | 48.73% |
| Total | 18,061 |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 18,061 people, 6,602 households, and 4,086 families residing in the city.
As of thecensus[6] of 2000, 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,196.0 inhabitants per square mile (847.9/km2). There were 8,113 housing units at an average density of 954.4 per square mile (368.5/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 61.62% White, 17.26% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 16.84% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 34.74% of the population.
Of the 6,912 households, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% weremarried couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were not families. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the city, the population was distributed as 30.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,446, and for a family was $39,281. Males had a median income of $38,202 versus $23,058 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $15,284. About 18.3% of families and 21.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over. Minorities make up the largest ethnic portion of Bay City, Texas.
In 2017, Bay City became the site of a new $1.8-billionTenaris seamless-pipe mill, making tubular goods, such asdrill pipe andcasing, for the oil-drilling industry.[14]
Bay City formerly housed the headquarters ofStanley Stores.[15] The chain made several donations to the Bay City Museum.[16]
Bay City is home to the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, a 35-acre (140,000 m2) expanse of gardens and wildlife along theColorado River of Texas.[17]
Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum,[18] Market Days every third Saturday,[19] and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown. The Bay City Art League, also located here, has recently undergone major renovations and is currently working to revitalize the art scene in Matagorda County. In addition, the Bay City Community Theatre group (CAST) regularly produces shows at various local venues.
Bay City is served by theBay City Independent School District, consisting of elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high schools (includingBay City High School). The district previously operated seven schools until grade levels were condensed. It is now operating five schools and is led by superintendent Dr. Marshall Scott III.
The designated community college for Bay City ISD isWharton County Junior College.[20] It has a campus in Bay City, focusing on technical training and nuclear plant operations.[21]
Bay City is located on theUnion Pacific Railroad (UP) main line that roughly parallels theTexas Gulf Coast fromBrownsville toAlgoa, nearHouston. The main line is shared by theBNSF Railway undertrackage rights, and the BNSF operates abranch line from Bay City toWadsworth.[22]
As of 2024, the rail lines serving the city are used for freight haulage only; no passenger service is offered.
Bay City Regional Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located five nautical miles (9 km) east of thecentral business district of Bay City.[23]
Matagorda County is served by the Matagorda Regional Medical Center, and the mission-aligned Matagorda Medical Group. The Matagorda Episcopal Health Outreach Program (MEHOP), the county's only federally qualified health center, offers Family Medical, OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, Behavior Health, and Dentistry services. MEHOP accepts most insurances and assures that no patient will be denied or unable to access health care services due to an individual's inability to pay.
Part of the 1965 movieBaby the Rain Must Fall was filmed in Bay City.
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Municipalities and communities ofMatagorda County, Texas,United States | ||
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