Gourt Home::Gourt :: College Station, Texas
Location in the State of Texas
- Land
- Water
104.4 km²
0.1 km²
- Total (2005)
- Density
81,699
768.4/km²
- Summer (DST)
CDT (UTC−5)
Longitude
96°18'52" W
College Station, Texas, is a city in Brazos County, Texas, near the boundary area between East Texas and Central Texas. It is located in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The city is located within the most populated region of Texas, approximately equidistant from three of the 10 largest cities in the United States. It is 152 km (95 mi) north of Houston, 267 km (166 mi) northeast of San Antonio and 268 km (169 mi) south of Dallas. The population estimate as of October 2005 is 81,699.
College Station is home to the main campus of Texas A&M University, one of the premiere universities of Texas and the flagship institution of The Texas A&M University System. The city owes both its name and existence to the University's location along the railroad. Texas A&M's triple designation as a Land-, Sea-, and Space-Grant institution reflects the broad scope of the research endeavors it brings to the city, with ongoing projects funded by agencies such as NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research.
Law and Government
The City of College Station was incorporated in 1938 and has been operated under a council-manager form of government. The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines strong political leadership, representative democracy through elected officials, and professional management. The form establishes a representative form of government by concentrating all power in the elected city council. The council hires a professionally trained and educated city manager to oversee the delivery of public services and the daily operations of the City. Council members are part time volunteers who serve as the policy making board for the City's government.
Historical Events
- 1860: The Houston and Texas Central Railway built through the area.
- 1871: The site was chosen as the location for the proposed A&M College of Texas.
- 1876: The first public institution of higher education in Texas was opened, Texas A&M University.
- 1910: Electric Interurban service is established between Texas A&M College and Bryan, Texas
- 1910: Business district known as Northgate began development.
- 1920: The interurban was replaced by the city bus system.
- 1930: Community north of College Station (North Oakwood) incorporated with Bryan, Texas
- 1938: College Station is incorporated ( John H. Binney was the first mayor )
- 1939: A zoning commission was established for the city.
- 1940: Population reaches 2,184.
- 1942: Ernest Langford, called by some the "Father of College Station," was elected mayor, an office he held for the next twenty-six years.
- 1943: College Station moved to council-manager city government.
- 1997: George Bush Presidential Library opens in College Station
- 1999: Twelve are killed and 27 injured when a huge bonfire structure under construction at the Texas A&M University campus collapsed. ( See: Aggie Bonfire )
- 2000: Population reaches 67,890.
- 2005: Population reaches 81,699. (October 2005)
Geography and climate
College Station is located at (30.601433, -96.314464).According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 104.4 km² (40.3 mi²). 104.3 km² (40.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.10%) is water.
Area Lakes cover 180,000 acres (728 km²) and include Somerville Lake, Lake Conroe, Gibbons Creek Reservoir, Lake Limestone, Lake Bryan and many others.
The local climate is subtropical and temperate and winters are mild with periods of low temperatures usually lasting less than two months. Snow and ice are extremely rare. Summers are warm and hot with occasional showers being the only real variation in weather.
- Average annual rainfall: 39 inches (1 m)
- Average elevation: 367 feet (112 m) above sea level
- Average Temperature: 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius)
- Agricultural Resources: Cattle, corn, cotton, eggs, hay, sorghum
- Mineral Resources: Sand, gravel, lignite, gas, oil
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 67,890 people, 24,691 households, and 10,370 families residing in the city. The population density was 651.1/km² (1,686.5/mi²). There were 26,054 housing units at an average density of 249.9/km² (647.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.53% White, 5.45% African American, 0.30% Native American, 7.29% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.47% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.96% of the population.There were 24,691 households out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.0% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 14.4% under the age of 18, 51.2% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 9.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,180, and the median income for a family was $53,147. Males had a median income of $38,216 versus $26,592 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,170. About 15.4% of families and 37.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
Districts
Northgate
- A mixed use district just north of Texas A&M University and what some may call the original downtown of College Station. Northgate is a vibrant part of the city and is known for its live music scene and eclectic mix of restaurants and bars.
- See also: Northgate District Map
Wolf Pen Creek District
- A high quality commercial development located adjacent to Post Oak Mall and between the city's two main commercial thoroughfares, Texas Avenue and Highway 6 (Earl Rudder Freeway). The area consists of an elaborate greenway with trails, a $1.5 million amphitheater and entertainment area, a small lake, The Arctic Wolf Ice Skating Complex and is home to the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley (P. David Romei Arts Center).
- See also: Wolf Pen Creek District Map
Business parks
- Business Center at College Station
- A 200 acre (800,000 m²), Class "A" Business Center just five miles (8 km) from the University. Current residents include firms involved in telecommunications, software development and technology manufacturing.
- Spring Creek Corporate Campus
- A 100 acre (400,000 m²), Class "A" Business Center just minutes from the University. A green-belt surrounds most of the Campus will provide a buffer between the new development and adjacent land uses which include the Pebble Creek Country Club and Woodland Hills Subdivision.
- Texas A&M University Research Park
- This 324 acre (1.3 km²) Research Park was established to provide businesses direct partnering opportunities with Texas A&M University. Several companies and non-profit research interests have located in the park including Hewlett Packard, Schlumberger, Lynntech, the Institute of Food Science and Engineering, the Electron Beam Food Research Facility and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program to name just a few.
- Crescent Pointe
- Crescent Pointe is a master planned, mixed-use development made up of approximately 192 acres (777,000 m²). The development has frontage on University Drive (Highway 60) and Harvey Road (Highway 30).
Transportation
Mass Transit
- Texas A&M Transportation Services provides public bus transportation throughout Central College Station and Bryan. On Texas A&M football game days, the department provides additional park-and-ride service to and from Kyle Field.
Airports
Regional
- Easterwood Airport (CLL) is located in the north-western part of College Station, adjacent to Texas A&M University. Easterwood provides multiple scheduled flights daily to Dallas and Houston.
- Coulter Field (CFD) is located in east Bryan and is owned by the city of Bryan.
International
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is located in the northern part of Houston, Texas, less than 1.5 hours from College Station off of Interstate 45.
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is located in the southern part of Austin, Texas, less than 2 hours from College Station off of Interstate 35.
Major roads
- Texas State Highway 6: Earl Rudder Freeway (East Bypass)
- Texas State Highway 6 Business: South Texas Avenue
- Texas State Highway 30: Harvey Road
- Texas State Highway 40 Bill Fitch Road
- Texas State Highway 47
- Texas State Highway 308: College Avenue
- Texas Farm to Market Road 60: University Drive
- Texas Farm to Market Road 2154: Wellborn Road
- Texas Farm to Market Road 2347: George Bush Drive
- Texas Farm to Market Road 2818: Harvey Mitchell Parkway (West Bypass)
Railroads
- Union Pacific Rail line: Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)
Economy
- Local unemployment hovers under two percent, among the lowest in the nation.
- Cost of living is as affordable as anywhere in the state.
List of Major Employers
- Texas A&M University System - Educational - 12,000
- St. Joseph Regional Health/Rehab Center - Healthcare - 2,400
- Sanderson Farms - Poultry processing - 1,696
- College Station Independent School District - Educational - 1,100
- UCS/Rentsys - Computer - 850
- City of College Station - Government - 800
Sports facilities
- Football: Kyle Field (Largest Crowd: 87,555)
- Racing: Texas World Speedway (Capacity 23,000)
- Basketball: Reed Arena (Largest Crowd: 13,151)
- Baseball: Olsen Field (Largest Crowd: 11,052)
- Volleyball: G. Rollie White Coliseum (Largest Crowd: 8,608)
- Soccer: Aggie Soccer Stadium (Largest Crowd: 5,447)
- Track and Field: Anderson Track and Field Complex (Capacity: 3,500)
- Tennis: George P. Mitchell Tennis Center (Largest Crowd: 2,339)
- Softball: Aggie Softball Complex (Capacity: 1,750)
- Hockey: Arctic Wolf Ice Center (Capacity: 500)
Media and journalism
Television stations
- KBTX (Channel 3; Owner: Gray Communications of Texas) CBS affiliate (Satellite of KWTX, though has separate news department)
- KBTX-DT(Channel 20; Owner: Gray Communications of Texas) UPN affiliate
- KSCM (Channel 12; Owner: R.D. HARRIS)
- KAMU-TV (Channel 15; Owner: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY)
- KMAY-TV (Channel 23; Owner: CHANNEL 6, INC.) NBC affiliate (Simulcast of KCEN-TV)
- KYLE (Channel 28; Owner: COMCORP OF BRYAN LICENSE CORP.) FOX affiliate
- KNAK (Channel 28; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
- KRHD (Channel 40; Owner: Drewry Broadcasting) ABC affiliate(Satellite of KXXV, with newscasts taped and produced by the station)
- KNED (Channel 47; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)
Radio stations
- FM
- KAMU-FM (90.9 FM; Owner: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY)
- KORA-FM (98.3 FM; Owner: EQUICOM, INC)
- KNFX-FM (99.5 FM; Owner: CCB TEXAS LICENSES, L.P.)
- KNDE (95.1 FM; Owner: BRYAN BROADCASTING LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
- KNDH (100.9 FM; Owner: HOUSTON CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS, INC.)
- KEOS (89.1 FM; Owner: BRAZOS EDUCATIONAL RADIO)
- KNAI (93.3 FM; Owner: KSBJ EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION)
- KLTR (107.3 FM; Owner: FORT BEND BROADCASTING)
- KHTZ (92.5 FM; Owner: FORT BEND BROADCASTING)
- KKYS (104.7 FM; Owner: CCB TEXAS LICENSES, L.P.)
- KXCS-FM (103.9 FM; Owner: CCB TEXAS LICENSES, L.P.)
- AM
- KZNE (1150 AM; 10 kW; Owner: BRYAN BROADCASTING LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
- WTAW (1620 AM; 10 kW; Owner: BRYAN BROADCASTING LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
- KTAM (1240 AM; 0 kW; Owner: EQUICOM, INC)
- KAGC (1510 AM; daytime; 1 kW; Owner: DIVCON ASSOCIATES, INC.)
Area newspapers
- The Bryan/College Station Eagle (City newspaper)
- The Battalion (Texas A&M University newspaper)
- Maroon Weekly (Student-run independent newspaper)
- The Touchstone (Left/Progressive, Alt/Indy newspaper)
Area magazines
Education
Area colleges and universities
- Texas A&M University (approximately 45,000 students)
- Blinn College-Bryan (approximately 10,000 students)
Area Independent Schools
Area school districts
Tallest buildings
- Buildings with 7 or more floors
- Plaza Hotel: 17 floors
- Kyle Field: 180 feet
- Oceanography & Meteorology Building: 15 floors
- Albritton Bell Tower: 138 feet
- Rudder Tower: 12 floors
- College Station Hilton: 11 floors
- Adam Corporation Building (formally First American Bank Headquarters): 11 floors (to be completed in mid-2006)
- College Station Conference Center and Marriott Hotel: 10 floors (to be completed)
- Northgate Gameday Center: 10 floors (to be completed late-2006)
- Richardson Petroleum Engineering: 10 floors
- CE / Texas Transportation Institute: 8 floors
- Regents Building: 8 floors
- Brown Engineering: 7 floors
- Harrington: 7 floors
- Bright Building: 7 floors
Surrounding cities
Nearest cities
- Cities within 30 miles (50 km)
- Bryan, Texas 5.7 miles (9 km)
- Wixon Valley, Texas 11.1 miles (18 km)
- Snook, Texas 13.2 miles (21 km)
- Navasota, Texas 21.5 miles (35 km)
- Somerville, Texas 23.1 miles
- Anderson, Texas 23.8 miles (38 km)
- Caldwell, Texas 27.0 miles (43 km)
- Hearne, Texas 27.2 miles (44 km)
Nearest major cities
- Cities with population over 500,000 within 200 miles (300 km)
- Houston, Texas (95.1 miles) (Population: 1,953,631, Metro Population: 4,986,399)
- Austin, Texas (107.7 miles) (Population: 656,562)
- San Antonio, Texas (169 miles) (Population: 1,144,646)
- Fort Worth, Texas (173 miles) (Population: 534,694, Metro Population: 5,222,000)
- Dallas, Texas (187 miles) (Population: 1,188,580, Metro Population: 5,222,000)
Notable people who have lived in College Station
- George Bush, 41st President of the United States.
- Henry Cisneros, first Hispanic mayor of a major city (San Antonio), Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Bill W. Clayton, Speaker, Texas House of Representatives
- Chet Edwards, U.S. Congressman
- J.H. Galloway, vice president Exxon Oil Corporation
- Louie Gohmert, U.S. Congressman
- Phil Gramm, U.S. Congressman and Senator
- Gerald D. Griffin, Director, NASA Johnson Space Center
- Dante Hall, wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Robert Earl Keen, Musician
- Dan Kuykendall, U.S. Congressman (R-Tenn, 1966-1974)
- Lyle Lovett, Musician
- L. Lowry Mays, President, CEO of Clear Channel Communications
- Randy Matson, former shot put world record holder, Olympic gold and silver medalist, and AAU Sullivan Award winner.
- Dat Nguyen, NFL player
- C.E. "Pat" Olsen, MLB Player
- Jack Pardee, NFL player, Head Football Coach
- Rick Perry, Governor of the State of Texas
- Jorge Quiroga, Former President of Bolivia
- James Earl Rudder, 16th President of Texas A&M University, World War II General
- Marvin Runyon, Jr., Postmaster General, United States Postal Service
- Bjarne Stroustrup, Computer Scientist, Developer of C++
- Olin E. Teague, U.S. Congressman
- Rip Torn, Actor
- Chuck Norris, Actor
Sister cities
See also
- Arts Council of the Brazos Valley
- Bryan - College Station
- Brazos County, Texas
- Texas A&M University
- Texas A&M University System
External links
- The Official Web site of the City of College Station
- Bryan / College Station Eagle (City Newspaper)
- The Battalion (TAMU Newspaper)
- College Station Visitors & Convention Bureau
- College Station Chamber of Commerce
- Research Valley Main Page
- Research Valley Details
- College Station Medical Center
- St. Joseph Regional Medical Center
- College Station Easterwood Airport
- Building and Development of College Station
- Bryan/College Station Links and Online Resources
- Local Restaurant Menus
Brazos County, Texas | Cities in Texas | College Station, Texas | University towns
"College Station, Texas"