Waskom, Texas | |
|---|---|
 Waskom Volunteer Fire Department | |
| Nickname: The Gateway to Texas[1] | |
 Location withinHarrison County | |
  Waskom, Texas Location within Texas Show map of Texas Waskom, Texas Location within the United States Show map of the United States Waskom, Texas Location within North America Show map of North America | |
| Coordinates:32°28′36″N94°03′52″W / 32.47667°N 94.06444°W /32.47667; -94.06444 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Harrison |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.68 sq mi (6.94 km2) |
| • Land | 2.68 sq mi (6.94 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 279 ft (85 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,910 |
| • Density | 710/sq mi (280/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 75692 |
| Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
| FIPS code | 48-76636[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412190[3] |
| Website | City of Waskom |
Waskom is a city in theU.S. state ofTexas with a2020 census-tabulated population of 1,910,[5] down from 2,160 residents in2010.[6][7] It is located inHarrison County and lies approximately 19 miles (31 km) east of thecounty seat,Marshall, onU.S. 80 andInterstate 20.[8] Waskom forms part of Greater Marshall, which is also included in theLongview–Marshall combined statistical area in theArk-La-Tex region. To the east are the cities ofGreenwood andShreveport, Louisiana.
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 theRed River inLouisiana.[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 theSouthern 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]
Waskom is located in eastern Harrison County. 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 theUnited 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 toCross Lake, which flows out to the Red River in Shreveport.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 564 | — | |
| 1950 | 719 | 27.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,336 | 85.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,460 | 9.3% | |
| 1980 | 1,821 | 24.7% | |
| 1990 | 1,812 | −0.5% | |
| 2000 | 2,068 | 14.1% | |
| 2010 | 2,160 | 4.4% | |
| 2020 | 1,910 | −11.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[20] | |||
As of the2020 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.[21] Per theAmerican Community Survey's 2018 estimates, a total of 598 households and 468 families resided in Waskom.[22] There were 833 housing units in 2018.[23] At thecensus of2010 and the American Community Survey's estimates, there were 2,160 people, 732 households, and 460 families residing in the city.[24][25] The population density was 750.0 inhabitants per square mile (289.6/km2) in 2000. There were 868 housing units in 2010.[24]
In 2000, there were 790 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the city was $13,080. About 19.4% of families and 24.2% of the population were below thepoverty 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.[22] The average household size was 3.16 and the average family size was 3.59.[22] The median age of Waskom was 49.9.[26] The median income was $29,844.[27] In 2020 the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $799 according toSperling's BestPlaces,[28] making it relatively cheaper than neighboring Shreveport, Louisiana.[29]
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 1,089 | 57.02% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 249 | 13.04% |
| Native American orAlaska 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 |
At the 2020 census, its racial composition was 57.02% non-Hispanic white, 13.04% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American or Alaska Native, 0.31% Asian, 0.1% some other race, 4.45% multiracial, and 24.25% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[30] 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% fromtwo or more races.[23]Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 19.0% of the city's populace.[23] The2010 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.[33] 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% fromother races, and 1.26% from two or more races.Hispanic and Latin Americans of any race were 9.86% of the population.
Waskom and Harrison County are predominantly Christian areas, typical of theBible Belt.[34] The largest Christian tradition in the city of Waskom are theBaptists, followed byMethodists andCatholics. Of the Baptist population, the largest denomination is theSouthern Baptist Convention.[35] Predominantly African American-led Baptist churches are eitherindependent Baptist, or part of the National Baptist Convention (USA orAmerica). There is oneUnited Methodist congregation in the city limits,[36] and one Catholic church.[37]
The city is served by theWaskom Independent School District.
Waskom is within the media market of theShreveport-Bossier City metropolitan statistical area.
The city's newspaper market is primarily served byThe Marshall News Messenger andThe Waskom Post.[38]The Shreveport Times, owned byUSA Today, also has circulation within Waskom.
Municipalities and communities ofHarrison County, Texas,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Authority control databases: Geographic |
|---|
