Editing Cooper, Texas

{{for|another place|Cooper, Houston County, Texas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Cooper, Texas
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| image_skyline            = Cooper tx gazebo.jpg
| imagesize                = 250px
| image_caption            = The gazebo on the square in downtown Cooper
| image_alt                = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = TXMap-doton-Cooper.PNG
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Cooper, Texas
| image_map1               = Delta County Cooper.svg
| mapsize1                 = 250px
| map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{flagicon|US}}United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flagicon|Texas}}[[Texas]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Delta County, Texas|Delta]]
<!-- Government -->
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = 1870
| named_for                = Leroy Cooper
<!-- 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}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 3.80
| area_land_km2            = 3.79
| area_water_km2           = 0.01
| area_total_sq_mi         = 1.47
| area_land_sq_mi          = 1.46
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 1911
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
<!-- 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_ft             = 482
| coordinates              = {{coord|33|22|27|N|95|41|24|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 75432<ref name="ZipCode">{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/zips/75432.html|title=75432 Zip Code Detailed Profile|access-date=February 25, 2013 |website=City-Data}}</ref>
| area_code                = [[Area codes 903 and 430|903, 430]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 48-16564<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 }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2410222<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410222}}</ref>
| website                  = {{Official website|https://www.cityofcoopertx.municipalimpact.com/}}
| footnotes                = 
}}
'''Cooper''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Delta County, Texas|Delta County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. Located between the north and south forks of the [[Sulphur River]], Cooper is the largest settlement in Delta County. At the 2020 United States census, the city had a population of 1,911.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=2020 Race and Population Totals |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Cooper%20city,%20Texas%20population |access-date=2022-05-13 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

First inhabited by native people, Cooper was founded around 1870, at the same time that Delta County was established. Cooper grew rapidly and quickly became the center of local events. The city's economy relied primarily on agriculture and the shipping of local goods. In the mid-1890s, a railroad line was built through the city, assisting in Cooper's growth. The city continued to grow through the 1910s, and into the early 1920s. In 1926, however, the region's [[cotton]] crop failed, devastating the local economy. Many businesses were forced to close, including the railroad, and the city's population plummeted. Although Cooper began to recover during the mid-1930s, many people who left did not return, and the city never fully recovered. The local economy continued to rely on the growing of cotton as the main economy into the 1960s, until it began to shift to [[wheat]] growing in the early 1970s. The population of Cooper has been on a slow decline since the 1970s.

Cooper has no sites listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The city's economy still relies largely on agriculture. Cooper is located on the eastern edge of the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]] (DFW metroplex), a large, 12-county [[metropolitan area]], one of the most populated in the country.

==History==
===Before establishment===
The first inhabitants of the area that is now the site of Cooper were the [[Caddo Indians]], who settled large portions of eastern Texas as early as 800 CE. The Caddo were highly advanced, living in large wooden structures, and were skilled farmers.<ref name="Caddos">{{cite web |last=Perttula |first= Timothy K. |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/bmcaj |title=Caddo Indians |work=Handbook of Texas Online |publisher=[[Texas State Historical Association]] |access-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref> The first European to visit the area was French explorer François Hervey, who discovered the area around 1750. However, a few decades later, some of the Indians caught European diseases and along with attacks from neighboring Indian tribes, forced the Caddo out of the area around Cooper. Around 1820, [[Delaware Indians|Delaware]], [[Quapaw]], and [[Seminole Indians|Seminole]] tribes settled in the area. In 1836, the [[Republic of Texas]] officially recognized the region around Cooper as part of [[Red River County, Texas|Red River County]]. In 1840, [[Lamar County, Texas|Lamar County]] was formed, absorbing the Cooper area. However, just six years later, the region was designated as part of the newly formed [[Hopkins County, Texas|Hopkins County]].<ref name="Delta County">{{cite web |last=McCroskey |first=Vista K. |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcd05 |title=Delta County |work=Handbook of Texas Online |publisher=Texas State Historical Association  |access-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref>

After the Civil War, the region around the site of Cooper began to grow and develop. People in nearby [[Ben Franklin, Texas]], grew tired of the poor road conditions that connected the region. In 1868, people in the area petitioned the state government to create a new county located between the north and south forks of the Sulphur River. On July 29, 1870, after two years of debating, the state of Texas granted the request for the new county. Shortly afterwards, the first settlements were built in Cooper and the town was established. The community was named after Leroy Cooper, the chairman of the Texas House Committee on Counties and Boundaries, who helped establish the new county. Cooper was selected as the seat for the county, which was named Delta County due to its triangular shape.<ref name="Delta County"/><ref name="Cooper TSHA">{{cite web |last=Long |first=Christopher |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hjc17 |title=Cooper, TX (Delta County) |work=Handbook of Texas Online |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |access-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref>

===Since establishment===
Cooper grew rapidly after being established, with a post office built in the community in 1871. Cooper was incorporated into a town in 1881 and held its first government elections. That same year, Cooper constructed the county courthouse. The town became the main market center for Delta County, and by 1885, Cooper had a population around 300. The Texas Midland Railroad, which ran through Cooper, was chartered in 1892. The railroad helped promote the rapid growth of the town. By 1896, Cooper's population had passed 1,000 people, and contained two churches, a school, and 21 businesses, including a bank and a hotel. The town also had two weekly newspapers. Cooper continued to grow into the early 1900s, especially in the area of agriculture. From the early 1890s to around 1910, farms boomed both in number and in value, with the number of cash crops nearly tripling. The region produced over 70,000 chickens and almost 7,000 pigs yearly.<ref name="Delta County"/><ref name="Cooper TSHA"/>

Cooper continued to grow into the 1920s. The bank had been rebuilt in 1909, and the region's crops continued to prosper. Cooper reported its largest population, 2,563, in 1925.<ref name="Cooper TSHA"/> Delta County was hit by the [[Great Depression]] early, though. In late 1926, the community's cotton crop failed, forcing many residents to withdraw their savings. The bank was forced to close in 1927, and by the time it reopened a few months later, the region's economy had plummeted. Several families moved away from Cooper during the early 1930s, and in 1933, the bank was forced to close again. The Midland Texas Railroad failed, hurting Cooper's economy further. The [[New Deal]] program offered government-financed construction projects in Cooper, and in 1940, the [[Works Progress Administration]] <!-- (WPA) --> demolished the former courthouse in Cooper and replaced it with a new one at a cost of $110,450 (equivalent to ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|110450|1940|r=-2}}}} respectively in 2022{{inflation-fn|US}}). However, even with the stability of the economy, Cooper's population remained low until the 1950s, when it returned to about 2,350 people. The population declined again in the 1980s, and has continued to slowly decline. Cooper had roughly 60 businesses in the 1970s and 1980s, and in 1986, work on [[Cooper Lake (Texas)|Cooper Lake]] had begun.<ref name="Delta County"/><ref name="Cooper TSHA"/> Filling of the lake began in September 1991, and by the next year, the lake was open for recreation.<ref name="Cooper Lake State Park">{{Cite book |last=Parent |first=Laurence |year=2008 |title=Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites |location=[[Austin, Texas|Austin]] |publisher=[[University of Texas Press]] |edition=2nd |page=141 |isbn=978-0-292-71726-8}}</ref> At that time, Cooper reported having 70 businesses, and a population around 2,200. By 2000, the population had dropped by about 50 people and an estimate for 2016 is 1,957 inhabitants.<ref name="Cooper TSHA"/>

==Geography==
Cooper is the county seat of Delta County, as well as its most populated city.<ref name="Find a County">{{cite web|title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |year=2005 |url=http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm |access-date=May 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626200900/http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=%2Fcffiles%2Fcounties%2Fusamap.cfm |archive-date=June 26, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to statistics from the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.5|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|1.4|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} (99.31%) is land. About {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} (0.69%) is covered by water.<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}}</ref>

Cooper is located at an elevation of {{convert|482|ft|m|abbr=on}}, a few miles north of Cooper Lake, between the north and south forks of the Sulphur River.<ref name=gnis/><ref name="US Map">{{cite map |cartography=[[Rand McNally]] |publisher=Rand McNally |title=The Road Atlas |year=2009 |edition=2009 |pages=100, 135 |isbn=0-528-94200-X}}</ref> It is located about {{convert|76|mi}} northeast of [[Dallas]] and {{convert|94|mi}} west of [[Texarkana, Texas|Texarkana]].<ref name="distance">{{cite web |last=Michels |first=Chris |year=1997 |url=http://www2.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html |title=Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation |publisher=[[Northern Arizona University]] |access-date=February 7, 2013 |archive-date=April 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411174434/http://www.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Texas State Highway 24]] bypasses Cooper to the north; however, Texas State Highway 24 Business splits off and passes through the center of the city. [[Texas State Highway 154]] begins at the western edge of Cooper and passes through the center of the city, intersecting [[Farm to Market Road 1528]] near the county courthouse. [[Farm to Market Road 64]] enters the very western portion of Cooper before terminating at State Highway 24. Nearby highways include [[Farm to Market Road 1880]] and [[Farm to Market Road 1529]].<ref name="Mapbook 502">{{Texas Mapbook|year=2018|502|access-date=July 15, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Statewide Map"/>

Cooper, as well as most of Delta County, is located in the [[Texas Blackland Prairies]] region, a flat, tall-grass prairie ecosystem that covers a large portion of north-central Texas. The region's elevation rarely differs from around {{convert|400|to|500|ft|abbr=on}}. The area's geology consists mainly of deep clay, or clay mixed with a dark-colored loam. However, the county is also known to have high-quality topsoil, ideal for crop growing.<ref name="Delta County"/>

===Climate===
Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], Cooper is in zone ''Cfa'' with warm, wet summers and a [[humid subtropical climate]].<ref name="Climate">{{cite journal |author1=Peel, M. C. |author2=Finlayson B. L. |author3= McMahon, T. A. |name-list-style=amp | year=2007 | title= Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification | journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. | volume=11 |issue=5 | pages=1633–1644 |doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 |bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P | url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.html | issn = 1027-5606| doi-access=free }} ''(direct: [http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf Final Revised Paper])''</ref> The average temperature in Cooper in January is {{convert|43|°F|°C|0|}}, and in July it is {{convert|92|°F|°C|0|}}. Its highest recorded temperature  was {{convert|115|°F|°C|0|}} in 1969, and the lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-4|°F|°C|0|}} in 1989. The average wettest month is October. The average coolest month is January, while the average hottest month is August.<ref name="Weather Channel">{{cite web | title = Monthly averages for Cooper, TX| url =http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USTX0290 |website=The Weather Channel | year=2013 | access-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref>

{{Weather box 
|location = Cooper, Texas
|single line = Y
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 85
|Feb record high F = 91
|Mar record high F = 91
|Apr record high F = 93
|May record high F = 99
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 111
|Aug record high F = 115
|Sep record high F = 112
|Oct record high F = 100
|Nov record high F = 89
|Dec record high F = 85
|Jan high F = 53
|Feb high F = 57
|Mar high F = 65
|Apr high F = 73
|May high F = 80
|Jun high F = 87
|Jul high F = 92
|Aug high F = 93
|Sep high F = 86
|Oct high F = 75
|Nov high F = 64
|Dec high F = 54
|Jan low F = 33
|Feb low F = 37
|Mar low F = 44
|Apr low F = 52
|May low F = 61
|Jun low F = 69
|Jul low F = 73
|Aug low F = 72
|Sep low F = 64
|Oct low F = 53
|Nov low F = 44
|Dec low F = 34
|Jan record low F = 0
|Feb record low F = −1
|Mar record low F = 11
|Apr record low F = 27
|May record low F = 36
|Jun record low F = 48
|Jul record low F = 53
|Aug record low F = 49
|Sep record low F = 39
|Oct record low F = 23
|Nov record low F = 14
|Dec record low F = −4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.0
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.8
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.4
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.8
|May precipitation inch = 4.8
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.4
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.4
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.4
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.0
|Oct precipitation inch = 5.4
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.5
|Dec precipitation inch = 4.3
|source 1 = <ref name="Weather Channel"/>
|date=February 2013
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=right
|1880= 294
|1890= 629
|1900= 1518
|1910= 1513
|1920= 2563
|1930= 2023
|1940= 2537
|1950= 2350
|1960= 2213
|1970= 2258
|1980= 2338
|1990= 2153
|2000= 2150
|2010= 1969
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|footnote=<ref name="2010Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010|date=December 2010|access-date=February 10, 2013|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name="Texas Almanac">{{cite web |url=https://www.texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/CityPopHist%20web.pdf|title=City Population History from 1850-2000|work=The Texas Almanac|access-date=February 9, 2013}}</ref>
|2020=1911}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Cooper racial composition'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4816564&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=data.census.gov}}</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>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|1,395
|73.0%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|253
|13.24%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|7
|0.37%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|23
|1.2%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|4
|0.21%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|12
|0.63%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|57
|2.98%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|160
|8.37%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''1,911'''
|
|}
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 U.S. census]], the population of Cooper was 1,969.<ref name="2010Census"/> 500 families were residing in 771 households spread across 897 housing units across the city.<ref name="2010Census"/> The total showed an increase of 56.6% from 2000.<ref name="CensusHousing">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_5YR_DP04|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212211434/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_5YR_DP04|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-12|title=Selected Housing Characteristics: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|date=December 2010|access-date=February 10, 2013|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> In 2010, the [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Race|racial make-up]] of the town was 77.2% [[White American|White]], 14.8% [[African American]], 1.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 1.1% [[Asian American|Asian]] and 2.8% from other races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 6.1% of the population.<ref name="2010Census"/> In 2020, the population declined to 1,911 people with a yet predominantly [[Non-Hispanic whites|non-Hispanic white]] population.<ref name=":0" /> The [[American Community Survey]] of 2020 estimated its racial and ethnic makeup was 74.6% non-Hispanic white, 16.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 1.8% multiracial and 6.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 American Community Survey Demographic and Housing Estimates |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Cooper%20city,%20Texas%20population&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP05 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

In 2010, of the 771 households, 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.1% were not families.<ref name="2010Census"/> Of all households, 31.5% were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="2010Census"/> The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09.<ref name="FamilySize">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_QTP11&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212054906/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_QTP11&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-12|title=Households and Families: 2010|date=December 2010|access-date=February 10, 2013|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The age distribution was 25.9% under 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64 and 19.7% who were 65 or older.<ref name="Ages2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_QTP1&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212213704/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_QTP1&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-12|title=Age Groups and Sex: 2010|date=December 2010|access-date=February 10, 2013|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The median age was 40.2 years.<ref name="Ages2"/> The [[median household income]] was $27,531,<ref name="MedHouse">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_B19013&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212211743/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_B19013&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-12|title=Median Household Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2010 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)|date=December 2010|access-date=February 10, 2013|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> and the median family income was $29,853.<ref name="MedHouse2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_B19019&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212210255/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_B19019&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-12|title=Median Household Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2010 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) By Household Size|date=December 2010|access-date=February 10, 2012|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> In 2000, employed males had a median income of $25,592 and females $17,500. The [[per capita income]] was $13,815.<ref name="Economy">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_00_SF3_DP3&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150215020224/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_00_SF3_DP3&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-02-15|title=DP-3. Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000|date=December 2000|access-date=February 10, 2013|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> By 2020, its median household income increased to $36,458.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 American Community Survey Financial Characteristics |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Cooper%20city,%20Texas%20income&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S2503 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

During the 2010 census, residents self-identified with a variety of ethnic ancestries; the major categories reflecting the settlers of the early to mid-19th century. People of American descent make up 21% of the population of the city, followed by [[Irish American|Irish]] at 15.2%, [[English American|English]] at 7.2%, [[German American|German]] at 4.3%, [[Russian American|Russian]] at 2.5%, [[French American|French]] at 2.4%, [[Scottish American|Scottish]] at 1.5%, [[French Canadian American|French−Canadian]] at 0.7%, [[Dutch American|Dutch]] at 0.5%, [[Norwegian American|Norwegian]] at 0.5%, Slavic at 0.5%, [[Palestinian American|Palestinian]] at 0.4%, [[Austrian American|Austrian]] at 0.3%, [[Welsh American|Welsh]] at 0.3%, [[Polish American|Polish]] at 0.2%, and [[Italian American|Italian]] rounding out at 0.2%.<ref name="Ancestry">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_B04003&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150302012456/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_B04003&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-03-02|title=Total Ancestry Reported - Universe: Total ancestry categories tallied for people with one or more ancestry categories reported 2006-2010|date=December 2010|access-date=February 10, 2012|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> A total of 818 persons were of "other ancestries".<ref name="Ancestry"/>

===Religion===
[[File:Cooper October 2015 5 (First United Methodist Church).jpg|thumb|First United Methodist Church in Cooper]]
The first religious establishment in the region was erected by pioneers from Tennessee in 1847. By 1860, two [[Methodist Episcopal Church|Methodist Episcopal churches]] had been built nearby. In 1880, seven churches, which were predominantly [[Methodist]], had been established in Delta County. In 1889, seven [[Baptist]] churches that had been established in the region held a meeting as the Delta County Baptist Association. During the early 1980s, 17 churches were in Delta County, two of which were located in Cooper.<ref name="Delta County"/><ref name="Cooper TSHA"/> In 1931, 13 Baptist churches were located in and around Cooper. During the mid-1960s, 32 churches were in the region, representing seven Christian denominations. However, by 1982, five of those churches had closed.<ref name="Delta County"/>

Currently,{{when|date=March 2024}} 18 churches are located within the city limits of Cooper. These include congregations of the [[United Methodist Church]] and the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], as well as those of Baptist, [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]], Methodist Episcopal and other denominations of Christianity. Six of the churches are of Baptist denomination and three are Methodist.<ref name="Churches">{{cite web |publisher=[[Delta County, Texas|Delta County Chamber of Commerce]] |url=http://www.deltacounty.org/churches.htm |title=Worship in the Church of Your Choice |work=Delta County |access-date=February 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621153349/http://www.deltacounty.org/churches.htm |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Cooper downtown.jpg|thumb|Businesses on Cooper's town square, December 2012]]
Cooper's economy relied heavily on agriculture from its founding until the 1950s, especially on the growing of [[cash crop]]s. In 1880, cotton, corn, sorghum and other crops were grown on over {{convert|100,000|acre}} of farmland. The county also produced large quantities of livestock, with almost 3,000 cattle and 10,000 hogs grazing on land near Cooper. The logging industry began to grow in the region, and several mills were constructed, producing furniture and lumber. In 1886, the Santa Fe Railway built a line through the county, and the shipping of crops and lumber became a major business in Cooper. During the early 1890s, the livestock industry in Delta County struggled, with the number of hogs being raised dropping to half of what it had been the previous decade. However, the agricultural business boomed, with the number of farms in the area around Cooper increasing to 1,188, and the value of the farms doubled to $1,400 (equivalent to ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|110450|1890|r=-2}}}}, respectively in 2022{{inflation-fn|US}}) each. The production of cotton tripled and the poultry industry began to boom. Within the city limits, Cooper had a hotel, a shoemaker, a grocery store, a wagon maker, feed stores, general stores, drug stores and several cotton and oat gins. Delta County contained 18 manufacturing establishments, but they only employed 33 people. The average income for someone working in the region was $208 (equivalent to ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|110450|1890}}}} respectively in 2022{{inflation-fn|US}}).<ref name="Delta County"/><ref name="Cooper TSHA"/>

At the start of the 20th century, the cotton industry was booming. The crop made up 69% of the agricultural business in the region. Livestock production was booming, as was poultry production, especially chicken. In addition, the shipping of agricultural goods and livestock was the other main business in Cooper. The First National Bank was rebuilt in 1909 and became an important factor in Cooper's economy. In the 1910s, potatoes become an important part of the economy due to the sudden drop in the livestock business. In 1926, the cotton crop failed and Cooper's economy plummeted. Many of Cooper's inhabitants became deep in debt as the price of crops plummeted. The lumber businesses had exhausted the regions resources, forcing most of them to go out of business. Many people moved away to find new work. The local economy stabilized in the mid-1930s, and cotton, potato, and corn production began to rise. The growing of oats, however, had ended. In addition, the railroad going through Cooper had failed a few years before, so the shipping industry in Cooper was struggling. Cotton and alfalfa carried Cooper's economy through the 1950s and 1960s, until the shift to the growing of wheat in the 1970s. Cooper reported 60 businesses in the 1970s, more than half of which were dairies. During the 1980s and 1990s, Cooper's economy shifted to the manufacturing and shipping of local goods, and in 1991, Cooper had 70 businesses.<ref name="Delta County"/><ref name="Cooper TSHA"/>

Currently,{{when|date=March 2024}} Cooper's economy has several industries. According to the 2010 census, the industries in the town (by percentage of employed civilian population 16&nbsp;years and over) were educational, health and social services at 34.6%, manufacturing at 18.7%, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services with 13.6%, construction at 10.2%, transportation, warehousing and utilities at 5.1%, professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management services at 4.9%, public administration with 4.3%, retail trade at 3.9%, finance, insurance, real estate and rental and leasing with 2.0%, other services (except public administration) with 1.6% and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting and mining at 1.0%.<ref name="Economy"/>

Of the people in the [[labor force]] over the age of 16, 679 (49.3% of the population) were in the civilian work force, while 697 (50.7% of the population) were not in the labor force at all. At the time of the census, 70 people (5.1%) were unemployed, with none in the [[United States armed forces|armed forces]]. Of the 609 employed residents over the age of 16, private-sector wage and salary workers accounted for 475 (78.0%). 109 (17.9%) were classified as [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] workers, with the self-employed making up 4.1% of the population. No one was classified as an unpaid worker.<ref name="Economy"/>

The [[median household income]] for the city of Cooper was $27,531 with 137 persons (19.7%) in that class of income. 125 (18.0%) identified themselves as retired.<ref name="Economy"/>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Cooper Lake State Park Texas swimming hole.jpg|thumb|right|A swimming area on [[Cooper Lake (Texas)|Cooper Lake]]: The lake is the most popular attraction in the area.|alt=A swimming area on a lake]] 
[[File:Cooper October 2015 3 (Chiggerfest).jpg|thumb|Chiggerfest in 2015]]
Since its founding, Cooper has been the center of attractions for Delta County. The city has several small schools and churches.<ref name="Delta County"/> In 1955, the construction of Cooper Lake was authorized. In 1986, major work on the lake began and it was finished in 1991.<ref name="Lake History">{{cite web |publisher=[[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] |url=https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/cooper/Information/History.asp |title=History of Jim Chapman Lake/Cooper Dam |work=Jim Chapman Lake/Cooper Dam |date=March 6, 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> The lake is now the most popular tourist attraction in the area. Boating, swimming and fishing are available at Cooper Lake. The main fish stocked in the lake are catfish, largemouth bass and crappie.<ref name="Cooper Lake State Park"/> Along the north shore of the lake is the Doctor's Creek Unit of [[Cooper Lake State Park]]. The park contains several picnic areas, campgrounds and a large swimming area on Cooper Lake. It also contains several hiking and equestrian trails.<ref name="Cooper Lake State Park"/> On the eastern edge of the lake near the Cooper Lake Dam is the Wildlife Observation Deck, a large birdwatching platform.<ref name="Wildlife Deck">{{cite web |publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers |url=https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/cooper/Recreation/Parks/Corpsparks.asp |title=Corps parks at Jim Chapman Lake/Cooper Dam |work=Jim Chapman Lake/Cooper Dam |date=July 19, 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> Along the west and northwest shores of the lake is the Cooper Wildlife Management Area. The park was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and protects four unique habitat types. These are wetland, Blackland Prairie, Upland Post Oak and Bottomland Hardwood. The park contains several hiking trails, as well as birdwatching stations and wildlife viewing areas. The park allows fishing and hunting to visitors if they have a proper license.<ref name="WMA">{{cite web |publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers |url=https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/cooper/Recreation/Hunting.asp |title=Hunting at Jim Chapman Lake/Cooper Dam |work=Jim Chapman Lake/Cooper Dam |date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

Cooper hosts the annual Chiggerfest. The event, held every October, is a social gathering for the region. The two-day event begins with an open-air concert in Historic Cooper Square. Other events include a [[5K race|5K run/walk]] and smashing a car. The festival includes numerous street vendors and a children's area.<ref name="Chiggerfest">{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Jessica |date=October 24, 2011 |url=http://www.theeasttexan.com/cooper-hosts-annual-chiggerfest-1.2662955#.URghMWeaRRw |title=Cooper hosts annual Chiggerfest |newspaper=The East Texan |publisher=[[Texas A&M University–Commerce]] |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> Patterson Memorial County Library is also located in Cooper, as well as a {{convert|15|acre|adj=on}} municipal park and numerous recreational and community centers,<ref name="Delta County"/> including the historic McKinney Home, the house of Dr. John and May McKinney, which was built in 1912 and later restored by their descendant, the author Susan Albright Hyde.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ketr.org/post/coopers-dollhouse-turns-100|title=Cooper's 'Dollhouse' turns 100|date=November 22, 2013 }}</ref>

==Government==
Since its incorporation in 1870, Cooper has served as the seat for Delta County. Because of this, Cooper houses the [[Delta County Courthouse|county courthouse]], county offices, sheriff, and county library. Cooper has a [[mayor–council government]]. The city council is made up of five members who are elected at large. The council members were (in 2013) mayor [[Pro tempore|pro-tem]] David Philips, Allen Foster, Amanda L'Esperance, Diane Stegall, and Elmo Robinson. The city's mayor in 2013 was Darren Brady.<ref name="Delta Government">{{cite web |publisher=[[Delta County, Texas|Delta County]] |url=http://www.deltacounty.org/government.htm |title=Delta County Government |access-date=February 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193626/http://www.deltacounty.org/government.htm |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The first election in Delta County occurred on October 6, 1870, to establish control in the newly formed county. Cooper held its first election in 1881, establishing an [[alderman]]ic government. Around that time, the first county courthouse was built in Cooper. Delta County, in addition to Cooper, voted for the Democratic Party in every presidential election from its incorporation in 1870 until 1968. However, the [[Populist Party (United States)|Populist Party]] won numerous local and county government positions during the 1890s and the early 1900s. In the 1970s, politics in Delta County changed and most of the county began voting for the Republican Party.<ref name="Delta County"/><ref name="Cooper TSHA"/>

Delta County's government consists of a county judge and four county commissioners, representing four county precincts. The Delta County judge (in 2013) was Herbert Brookshire and the four commissioners are B. V. Templeton, David Moody, Wayne Poole, and Mark Brantley.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Delta County |url=http://www.co.delta.tx.us/default.aspx?Delta_County/Commissioners.Court |title=Commissioners Court |work=Delta County, Texas |access-date=February 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312062742/http://www.co.delta.tx.us/default.aspx?Delta_County%2FCommissioners.Court |archive-date=March 12, 2013 }}</ref> The county sheriff in 2013 was Charla Singleton.<ref name="County sheriff">{{cite web |publisher=Delta County |url=http://www.co.delta.tx.us/default.aspx?Delta_County/Sheriff |title=County Sheriff |work=Delta County, Texas |access-date=February 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312062633/http://www.co.delta.tx.us/default.aspx?Delta_County%2FSheriff |archive-date=March 12, 2013 }}</ref> In addition, Cooper is served by two Texas judicial districts. Judge Scott McDowell serves as judge of the 62nd Texas Judicial District, a position he has held since 2000. However, McDowell has announced that he will not be seeking another term.<ref name="McDowell">{{cite news |last=Richards |first=Charles |date=September 1, 2011 |url=http://www.eparisextra.com/paris-texas-news/2011/09/01/will-biard-announces-his-candidacy-for-62nd-state-district-judge-hell-run-in-the-gop-primary-next-march/ |title=Will Biard announces his candidacy for 62nd state district judge; he'll run in the GOP primary next March |newspaper=EParis Extra|access-date=February 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504051532/http://www.eparisextra.com/paris-texas-news/2011/09/01/will-biard-announces-his-candidacy-for-62nd-state-district-judge-hell-run-in-the-gop-primary-next-march/ |archive-date=May 4, 2013 }}</ref> Cooper is also part of Texas' 8th Judicial District, which is served by Judge Robert Newsom. Newsom has served as 8th district judge since his election in 1997, but has also announced that he will not be seeking another term.<ref name="Newsom">{{cite news |last=Craig |first=Kerry |date=September 14, 2011 |url=http://www.myssnews.com/news-telegram/news/16122-state-district-judge-robert-newsom-says-he-will-not-run-for-a-fifth-term.html |title=State District Judge Robert Newsom says he will not run for a fifth term |newspaper=The Sulphur Springs News-Telegram |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref>

==Education==
{{see also|History of East Texas Normal College}}
[[File:Original Cooper Campus (ETNC).jpg|thumb|right|East Texas Normal College (now known as [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]) was located in Cooper from 1889 until 1894, when the campus (pictured here in 1890) was destroyed in a fire.|alt=A college building in 1890]]

Delta County has historically been advanced in education. Around the time that Cooper and the county were founded, nine churches were already in the county. By 1880, that number had increased to nearly 30. A combined 998 students attended those schools, which operated 4½ months a year. In 1889, East Texas Normal College was founded in Cooper. The school did very well while located in Cooper, but the college moved to Commerce after the campus was destroyed in a fire in 1894. The school was later renamed East Texas State University, then [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]].<ref name="Delta County"/> In 1896, Cooper reported to have one successful school located within the city proper.<ref name="Cooper TSHA"/>

Schools were important during the 1940s, as they became the local activity centers. In the early 1940s, there were 34 common schools and six independent school districts within Delta County. These schools employed 134 people and had a combined total of 4,000 students enrolled. Cooper, along with Pecan Gap and Enloe, offered a four-year high school program. Late in the 1940s, with the help of state taxes on transportation, the schools and districts began to consolidate. In 1966, Cooper had two elementary schools, a junior high school, and a high school.<ref name="Delta County"/>

The [[Cooper Independent School District]] (Cooper ISD) currently{{when|date=March 2024}} operates the schools that serve Cooper. Cooper ISD covers the majority of Delta County, except for the community of [[Lake Creek, Texas|Lake Creek]], which is located within the jurisdiction of [[Chisum Independent School District|Chisum ISD]], and the communities of [[Pecan Gap, Texas|Pecan Gap]] and [[Ben Franklin, Texas|Ben Franklin]], which are located within [[Fannindel Independent School District|Fannindel ISD]].<ref>{{cite map |cartography=Texas Education Agency GIS department |publisher=[[Texas Education Agency]] |url=http://wgisprd.tea.state.tx.us/sdl/# |title=School District Locator |date=January 2, 2013 |edition=2013 |access-date=February 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101052708/http://wgisprd.tea.state.tx.us/SDL/ |archive-date=November 1, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are currently only three schools under the jurisdiction of Cooper ISD, all three of which are located within Cooper proper. The schools are Cooper Elementary School,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Cooper Independent School District]] |url=http://www.cooperisd.net/MP.cfm?P=480 |title=Cooper Elementary School  |access-date=February 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918145715/http://www.cooperisd.net/MP.cfm?P=480 |archive-date=September 18, 2012 }}</ref> Cooper Junior High School,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Cooper Independent School District |url=http://www.cooperisd.net/MP.cfm?P=479 |title=Cooper Junior High School |access-date=February 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918145710/http://www.cooperisd.net/MP.cfm?P=479 |archive-date=September 18, 2012 }}</ref> and [[Cooper High School (Cooper, Texas)|Cooper High School]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Cooper Independent School District |url=http://www.cooperisd.net/MP.cfm?P=478 |title=Cooper Senior High School |access-date=February 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918145647/http://www.cooperisd.net/MP.cfm?P=478 |archive-date=September 18, 2012 }}</ref>

==Media==
The first newspaper published in Cooper was the ''Delta Courier'' in 1873. The newspaper, published by Bob Michiel, ran weekly until the mid-1890s. Around the time the publishing of the ''Delta Courier'' ended, the ''People's Cause'' newspaper began running weekly. This eventually stopped running. ''[[The Cooper Review]]'' began weekly in 1982<ref name="Delta County"/><ref name="Cooper TSHA"/> and, run by Jim and Sally Butler, is still{{when|date=March 2024}} published.<ref name="Cooper Review">{{cite web |publisher=Jim Butler |url=http://www.cooperreview.com/ |title=The Cooper Review |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:Cooper Depot Texas Midland blt 1913.png|thumb|Texas Midland railroad depot, erected in 1913]]
[[Texas State Highway 154]] (TX 154) intersects the city, passing through the central portion of Cooper. The highway begins at its terminus in the western portion of Cooper. The roadway travels eastward through central Cooper, before bending southeast and exiting the city. TX 154 travels within the Cooper proper for approximately {{convert|1.94|mi}}.<ref name="Statewide Map">{{cite map|cartography=Transportation Planning and Programming Division |publisher=Texas Department of Transportation |url=http://www.dot.state.tx.us/travel/planning_map.htm |title=Statewide Planning Map |date=2013 |access-date=February 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023163533/http://www.dot.state.tx.us/travel/planning_map.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2012 }}</ref> TX 154 was first constructed through Cooper on September 26, 1935.<ref>{{TxDOT|SH|154|access-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref> [[Texas State Highway 24|State Highway 24]] bypasses Cooper as a four-lane divided highway.<ref name="Mapbook 502"/> Only {{convert|0.48|mi}} of the highway pass through Cooper, traveling through the western edge of the city limits.<ref name="Statewide Map"/> TX 24 was originally designated through Cooper on September 26, 1939.<ref>{{TxDOT|SH|24|link=no|access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref> However, TX 24 was rerouted around Cooper and, on January 14, 1991, the {{convert|1.94|mi}} long portion of highway was redesignated as Texas State Highway 24 Business.<ref>{{TxDOT|BS|24|D|link=no|access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref>

[[Farm to Market Road 64]] (FM 64) enters the western portion of Cooper, traveling for a short distance before terminating at TX 154. The highway, which was constructed on June 23, 1942, spends approximately {{convert|0.41|mi}} within the city.<ref name="Statewide Map"/><ref>{{TxDOT|FM|64|link=no|access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref> FM 1528, known locally as 1st Street, travels through the center of Cooper. Beginning at an intersection with TX 154, the highway travels southward through the city for about {{convert|0.6|mi}}, before exiting and turning westward. The road was constructed on September 28, 1949.<ref name="Statewide Map"/><ref>{{TxDOT|FM|1528|access-date=February 20, 2013|link=no}}</ref> Nearby highways include FM 1880, which travels from the edge of the city to a part of the Cooper Lake Wildlife Management Area, FM 128, which ends at an intersection with TX 24 a short distance north of Cooper, and FM 1529, which northward a short distance east of the city.<ref name="Mapbook 502"/>

In 1886, the Santa Fe Railroad was constructed to the north of Cooper, through Ben Franklin and Pecan Gap. Nearly a decade later, in 1895, the Texas Midland Railroad was constructed through Cooper, helping the city's economy to boom. The extant depot was built in 1913<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jpchurchill.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/88/|title=Delta County museum holds heritage of area|date=8 February 2010}}</ref> and, the railroad flourished until 1928, when it was sold to the [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific Corporation]] due to the region's struggling economy.<ref name="Delta County"/> The line was closed in 1934, and was abandoned in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reed |first=S. G |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqt22 |title=Texas Midland Railroad |work=Handbook of Texas Online |access-date=February 22, 2013}}</ref> Currently,{{when|date=March 2024}} the only railroad to pass near Cooper is the [[Blacklands Railroad]].<ref name="Mapbook 502"/> Commerce Municipal Airport is currently the closest airfield to Cooper, located approximately {{convert|13|mi}} away.<ref name="Statewide Map"/>

==Notable person==
* [[Ron Morris (American football)|Ron Morris]], former professional [[American football]] wide receiver in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for six seasons with the [[Chicago Bears]]<ref name="Ron Morris">{{cite web |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com|Pro-Football-Reference]] |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MorrRo00.htm |title=Ron Wayne Morris |access-date=February 24, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{notelist}}


{{Delta County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Delta County, Texas]]
[[Category:County seats in Texas]]
[[Category:Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]]