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Nacogdoches (pronounced ) is a city in Nacogdoches County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 29,914. It is the county seat of Nacogdoches County and is situated in East Texas.
Nacogdoches entered the news in February 2003, as one of the East Texas towns that received much of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster debris.
Geography
Nacogdoches is located at (31.608855, -94.650862). Its location is approximately 140 miles NNE of Houston, 130 miles SE of Dallas and 90 miles SW of Shreveport.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 65.5 km² (25.3 mi²). 65.3 km² (25.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.24%) is water. The city center is located just to the north of the fork of two creeks, the LaNana and Banita.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 29,914 people, 11,220 households, and 5,935 families residing in the city. The population density was 457.8/km² (1,185.9/mi²). There were 12,329 housing units at an average density of 188.7/km² (488.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.98% White, 25.06% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 5.84% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.82% of the population.
There were 11,220 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.7% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.1% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 30.9% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,700, and the median income for a family was $37,020. Males had a median income of $28,933 versus $22,577 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,546. About 20.9% of families and 32.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.4% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
History
Nacogdoches is the oldest town in Texas. Evidence of settlement on the same site dates back to 10,000 years ago. It was the location of a Caddo settlement starting around 700 BC, and was one of the European settlements in the region. The city has been under more flags than the state of Texas, claiming up to 9 flags. In addition to the Six Flags of Texas, it also flew under these flags: The Magee-Gutierrez Republic, The Long Republic, and The Fredonia Republic.
In 1912, the Marx Brothers came to town to perform their singing act at the old Opera House. Their performance was interrupted by a man who came inside shouting, "Runaway mule!" Most of the audience left the building, apparently thinking a runaway mule would provide better entertainment. When they filed back in, Julius (later known as Groucho) began insulting them, saying "Nacogdoches is full of roaches!" and "The jackass is the flower of Tex-ass!" Instead of becoming angry, audience members laughed. Soon afterward, Julius and his brothers decided to try their hand at comedy instead of singing, at which they had barely managed to scrape together a living. A historic plaque commemorating the event is posted in downtown Nacogdoches.
In 1997, Willie Nelson came to Nacogdoches to perform with his friend, Paul Buskirk, a renowned mandolin player. During his stay, Nelson recorded a number of jazz songs at Encore Studios. In 2004, he released those recordings on a CD entitled Nacogdoches.
Today, Nacogdoches is home to Stephen F. Austin State University, which is an institution of about 11,000 students.
The East Texas author Joe R. Lansdale lives in Nacogdoches.
New England Revolution and US National Team soccer player Clint Dempsey is from Nacogdoches.
External links
Cities in Texas | Nacogdoches County, Texas | County seats in Texas
"Nacogdoches, Texas"