Editing Cameron, Texas

{{Short description|City in Texas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Distinguish|Cameron County, Texas}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Cameron, Texas
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = "Hometown, Texas"
| motto                    = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Cameron Texas Post Office 2018.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Cameron Post Office
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = TXMap-doton-Cameron.PNG
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Cameron, Texas
| image_map1               = Milam County Cameron.svg
| mapsize1                 = 250px
| map_caption1             = 
| pushpin_map              = Texas#USA
| pushpin_label            = Cameron

<!-- Location -->| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Texas}}
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Milam County, Texas|Milam]]

<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 1846

<!-- Area -->| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017010302/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 13.57
| area_land_km2            = 13.57
| area_water_km2           = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi         = 5.24
| area_land_sq_mi          = 5.24
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 5306
| population_density_km2   = 402.72
| population_density_sq_mi = 1042.95

<!-- General information -->| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 400
| coordinates              = {{coord|30|51|16|N|96|58|43|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 76520
| area_code                = [[Area code 254|254]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 48-12040<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1353598<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1353598}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.camerontexas.net/}}
| footnotes                = 
}}
'''Cameron''' is a city in [[Milam County, Texas]], United States. Its population was 5,306 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is the [[county seat]] of Milam County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Cameron water tower.png|thumb|Water tower in Cameron]]
Cameron is located at {{coord|30|51|16|N|96|58|43|W|type:city}} (30.854544, –96.978716).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is situated at the junction of [[U.S. Route 77 in Texas|U.S. Highways 77]] and [[U.S. Route 190|190]], approximately 71 miles northeast of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] in north-central Milam County.<ref name="Texas Escapes">{{cite web | url = http://www.texasescapes.com/CentralTexasTownsSouth/Cameron-Texas.htm | title = Cameron, Texas | publisher = Texas Escapes Online Magazine | access-date = 2009-05-30 | archive-date = December 28, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171228221608/http://www.texasescapes.com/CentralTexasTownsSouth/Cameron-Texas.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.2|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

===Climate===
{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Cameron, Texas (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =60.8
| Feb high F  =65.8
| Mar high F  =71.9
| Apr high F  =78.1
| May high F  =84.5
| Jun high F  =91.0
| Jul high F  =93.9
| Aug high F  =94.5
| Sep high F  =89.8
| Oct high F  =81.0
| Nov high F  =70.9
| Dec high F  =63.3
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =49.8
| Feb mean F  =54.6
| Mar mean F  =61.0
| Apr mean F  =67.5
| May mean F  =74.9
| Jun mean F  =81.3
| Jul mean F  =83.3
| Aug mean F  =83.8
| Sep mean F  =78.8
| Oct mean F  =69.1
| Nov mean F  =59.5
| Dec mean F  =52.1
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =38.7
| Feb low F  =43.4
| Mar low F  =50.1
| Apr low F  =57.0
| May low F  =65.3
| Jun low F  =71.6
| Jul low F  =72.6
| Aug low F  =73.0
| Sep low F  =67.8
| Oct low F  =57.3
| Nov low F  =48.1
| Dec low F  =41.0
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =2.60
| Feb precipitation inch  =2.35
| Mar precipitation inch  =2.90
| Apr precipitation inch  =2.32
| May precipitation inch  =5.28
| Jun precipitation inch  =3.61
| Jul precipitation inch  =2.61
| Aug precipitation inch  =2.51
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.89
| Oct precipitation inch  =4.29
| Nov precipitation inch  =3.11
| Dec precipitation inch  =3.13
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =0.0
| Feb snow inch  =0.1
| Mar snow inch  =0.0
| Apr snow inch  =0.0
| May snow inch  =0.0
| Jun snow inch  =0.0
| Jul snow inch  =0.0
| Aug snow inch  =0.0
| Sep snow inch  =0.0
| Oct snow inch  =0.0
| Nov snow inch  =0.0
| Dec snow inch  =0.0
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00411348 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-04-05 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==History==

===Early years===

Soon after Texas became a U.S. state, the [[Texas Legislature]] authorized a seven-member commission to find a permanent site for the Milam County seat.<ref name="Texas Handbook">{{cite web | url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hfc01 | title = Cameron, Texas | publisher = [[The Handbook of Texas]] online | access-date = 2013-06-28 | archive-date = February 23, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200223191803/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hfc01 | url-status = live }}</ref> The commission purchased a 60-acre tract of Daniel Monroe's headright on the [[Little River (Texas)|Little River]] in 1846 and named the new community Cameron after [[Ewen Cameron (Captain)|Ewen Cameron]], a [[Scottish people|Scottish highlander]] prominent in the [[Texas Revolution]] and a member of the [[Mier Expedition]] during the war with [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cameron-tx.com/tourism/history.html |title=History |publisher=Cameron Area Chamber of Commerce |access-date=2009-05-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603022341/http://www.cameron-tx.com/tourism/history.html |archive-date=June 3, 2008 }}</ref> When the courthouse in Cameron was completed later that year, county records were transferred to Cameron from [[Nashville, Texas|Nashville]]—a community situated along the [[Brazos River]] that had served as the Milam County seat during the period when Texas was an independent [[Republic of Texas|republic]].<ref name="Texas Escapes"/><ref name="Kubiak">{{cite web | url = http://www.forttumbleweed.net/cameron.html | title = Cameron, Texas Webpage | work = Leonard Kubiak's Online Texas History Webpages | publisher = Leonard Kubiak | access-date = 2009-05-30 | archive-date = December 2, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202225017/http://www.forttumbleweed.net/cameron.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The new town struggled due to its isolated location, with the nearest railroad being 50 miles away. In the late 1840s and early 1850s, several attempts were made to navigate the Little River to give Cameron easier access to trade routes.<ref name="Kubiak"/> The most successful attempts occurred in 1850 after heavy rains made the river rise. J.W. McCown Sr. persuaded Captain Basil M. Hatfield to bring his steamboat ''Washington'' through the upper Brazos up to the Little River. The steamboat and the merchandise it brought caused great excitement among the locals, and a two-day celebration was held when the boat tied up 2.5 miles east of Cameron.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> Despite this, however, navigation of the river was impractical on a regular basis, and places such as [[Port Sullivan, Texas|Port Sullivan]] and Nashville developed into Milam County's dominant business centers during the 1850s and 1860s.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> More competition came in the 1870s when nearby [[Rockdale, Texas|Rockdale]] was established on the [[International-Great Northern Railroad]]. Faced with these challenges, some Milam County residents began to question whether Cameron should remain the county seat instead of the newly prosperous town of Rockdale. Elections were held in 1874 and 1880 on the issue, with the results going in favor of maintaining the status quo.<ref name="Texas Escapes"/>

===Incorporation and growth===
In 1881, the [[Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway]] arrived in Cameron. This improved the local economy and led to population growth. Between 1878 and 1884, the total number of residents increased by 60%, from around 500 to 800.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> Cameron had attempted to incorporate in 1856, 1866, and 1873, but each time the charter was allowed to lapse. It was officially incorporated in 1889.<ref name="Kubiak"/> The  [[San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway]] arrived in 1890, giving the town another boost. By 1892, the population stood at nearly 2,000.

Although cotton dominated the economy of Cameron during the 19th century, the 20th century brought more diversified industries. The discovery of oil in neighboring [[Williamson County, Texas|Williamson County]] in 1915 prompted Milam County residents to initiate their own exploration. The Minerva-Rockdale oil field, discovered in 1921, provided new opportunities for investment.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> In the 1920s and 1930s, several milk-product companies also operated in Cameron, including the Kraft-Phenix Cheese Corporation.<ref name="Kubiak"/> At the [[United States Census, 1930|1930 census]], the population was 4,565. That figure rose to 5,040 in 1940.

===Modern times===
Cameron residents received much-needed job opportunities in the 1950s when the [[Alcoa|Aluminum Company of America]] built a plant southwest of Rockdale. Jobs at the plant, as well as the [[lignite]] industry that supplied the plant's power, revitalized the economy of Milam County. Between 1950 and 1960, Cameron registered an increase of 588 residents, from 5,052 to 5,640.

This level of growth would not continue, however. The [[Texas and New Orleans Railroad]] discontinued its track from Cameron south to [[Giddings, Texas|Giddings]]. [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]], which had taken over the Texas and New Orleans, abandoned its track from Cameron north to [[Rosebud, Texas|Rosebud]].<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> The population continued to experience slight fluctuations throughout the remainder of the late 20th century. The Alcoa plant closed in 2009.

Since 2010, the annual [[Burning Flipside]] festival has been held at the nearby Apache Pastures campground, drawing tourists to the area.

On February 23, 2021, a collision between a flatbed tractor-trailer and a BNSF railroad train on [[Farm to Market Road 2095]] near Cameron caused a [[derailment]]. The train's petroleum cargo exploded, resulting in the evacuation of nearby homes. At least one structure burned, but no loss of life or injuries were reported.<ref name="NBC">{{cite web |title=Massive Explosion Follows Train, Tractor-Trailer Collision in Central Texas |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/huge-explosion-erupts-after-18-wheeler-hits-fuel-train-texas-n1258642 |website=www.nbcnews.com |date=February 24, 2021 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318222358/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/huge-explosion-erupts-after-18-wheeler-hits-fuel-train-texas-n1258642 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news |title=Texas train carrying fuel in flames after crossing collision |work=BBC News |date=February 23, 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56117353 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319023610/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56117353 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Since Oct of 2021, the City of Cameron and the Downtown Square have been experiencing a renaissance as the community has started to renovate the historic buildings and add numerous businesses.  The downtown is now bustling with activity. In addition to the Historic Courthouse, The Milam County Museum and Railroad Museum, the downtown square now hosts Shirley Mae's renowned bakery, Cameron Coffee Co, ZX Texas Boutique and Wine Bar, General Mercantile Antique, The Venue at Railfan, The Shop on Houston, Central Avenue Bistro, Ginno's Italian, The Bling Box Boutique, 44 Farms and many more businesses. The City also hosts numerous downtown festivals, car shows and parades.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 441
|1890= 1608
|1900= 3341
|1910= 3263
|1920= 4298
|1930= 4565
|1940= 5040
|1950= 5052
|1960= 5640
|1970= 5546
|1980= 5721
|1990= 5580
|2000= 5634
|2010= 5552
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321050514/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|2020=5306}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Cameron racial composition as of 2020'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4812040&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=data.census.gov |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524152633/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4812040&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |url-status=live }}</ref><br> (NH = Non-Hispanic){{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>http://www.census.gov {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728124052/http://www.census.gov/ |date=July 28, 2014 }} {{nonspecific|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022 |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520112546/https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|2,232
|42.07%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|978
|18.43%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|9
|0.17%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|20
|0.38%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|2
|0.04%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|9
|0.17%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/multiracial]] (NH)
|98
|1.85%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|1,958
|36.9%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''5,306'''
|
|}
[[File:Cameron, Texas CIMG7552.JPG|thumb|right|A "Welcome to Cameron" sign]]
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 5,306 people, 1,891 households, and 1,209 families residing in the city.

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, 5,634 people, 2,090 households, and 1,404 families were residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,327.9 people/sq mi (513.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The 2,383 housing units averaged 561.6/sq mi (217.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 66.68% White, 20.66% African American , 0.60% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 10.17% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 26.66% of the population.

Of the 2,090 households,  32.9% had children under 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were not families. About 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.58, and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city, the age distribution was 28.0% under 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65  or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,878, and for a family was $30,927. Males had a median income of $23,988 versus $18,497 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,122. About 20.8% of families and 22.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The City of Cameron is served by the [[Cameron Independent School District]].

==Notable people==

* [[Pat M. Baskin]], state court judge and city council member in [[Midland, Texas|Midland]], was born in Cameron in 1926<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mrt.com/import/article_36344499-db0c-52e5-bacf-2319b1082b68.html|title=Pat Baskin, longtime Midland leader, dies |author=Gary Ott|date=May 28, 2005|newspaper=[[Midland Reporter-Telegram]]|access-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref> 
* [[Daniel E. Garcia]], bishop of the [[Diocese of Monterey]] in California, was born and grew up in Cameron
* [[William G. Gillis|William Graham Gillis Jr.]], killed in France during WWII, was from Cameron. He is the namesake of [[Gillis Field House]] at [[West Point]]
* [[Virgil Johnson (singer)|Virgil Johnson]], lead singer of [[The Velvets]] and retired educator, was born in Cameron
* [[Manse Jolly]], a Confederate during the Civil War, lived in Cameron for two years at the end of his life
* [[Drayton McLane Jr.]], a third-generation leader of [[McLane Company]], a former owner of the [[Houston Astros]], and namesake for [[McLane Stadium]], was born and grew up in Cameron
* [[Dede Westbrook]], wide receiver for the NFL's [[Minnesota Vikings]], is a native of Cameron
* [[Sam Williams (defensive back)|Sam Williams]], a former NFL player for the [[San Diego Chargers]], was born in Cameron

==Climate==
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], Cameron has a [[humid subtropical climate]], ''Cfa'' on climate maps.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=843114&cityname=Cameron%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Climate Summary for Cameron, Texas |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818110513/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=843114&cityname=Cameron%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
<references />
{{notelist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Cameron, Texas}}
*[https://www.camerontexas.net/ Official website]

{{Milam County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Milam County, Texas]]
[[Category:County seats in Texas]]