Editing Jonestown, Texas

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Jonestown, Texas
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| motto                    = Gateway to the Hill Country
| image_skyline            = Welcome to Jonestown Texas (cropped).jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Welcome sign at east border along RM 1431
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = TXMap-doton-Jonestown.PNG
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Jonestown, Texas
| image_map1               = Travis County Jonestown.svg
| mapsize1                 = 250px
| map_caption1             = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Texas]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Travis County, Texas|Travis]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Mayor & City Council |url=https://jonestowntx.gov/mayorcouncil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902234803/https://jonestowntx.gov/mayorcouncil |archive-date=2 September 2021 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=Jonestown Texas |language=en}}</ref>
| government_type          = [[Mayor-council government|Mayor-council]]
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Paul Johnson{{cn|date=August 2024}}
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = Incorporated
| established_date         = {{start date and age|1985}}
<!-- 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 |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 19.68
| area_land_km2            = 16.60
| area_water_km2           = 3.09
| area_total_sq_mi         = 7.60
| area_land_sq_mi          = 6.41
| area_water_sq_mi         = 1.19
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 2365
| population_density_sq_mi = 328.44
| population_density_km2   = 126.82
<!-- 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             = 682
| coordinates              = {{coord|30|28|50|N|97|55|45|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 78645
| area_code                = [[Area code 512|512]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 48-38020<ref name="GR2">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |archive-date=2021-07-09 |access-date=2008-01-31 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2410148<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410148}}</ref>
| website                  = {{Official website|jonestowntx.gov/}}
| footnotes                = <ref name="TSHA">{{Cite web |last=Smyrl |first=Vivian Elizabeth |title=Jonestown, TX |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/jonestown-tx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902234745/https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/jonestown-tx |archive-date=2 September 2021 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=Handbook of Texas |publisher=Texas State Historical Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jonestown History |url=https://jonestowntx.gov/vertical/sites/%7B98C21F63-2E84-4B40-8ABA-9BA38620A6EC%7D/uploads/%7BB14E5735-875F-4CFD-B251-FC67564EC118%7D.PDF |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902234744/https://jonestowntx.gov/vertical/sites/%7B98C21F63-2E84-4B40-8ABA-9BA38620A6EC%7D/uploads/%7BB14E5735-875F-4CFD-B251-FC67564EC118%7D.PDF |archive-date=2 September 2021 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=Jonestown, Texas}}</ref>
}}
'''Jonestown''' is a city in [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]], [[Texas]], United States on the north shore of [[Lake Travis]]. The population was 2,365 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==

Jonestown was developed by brothers Warren and Emmet A. Jones in the 1930s when they recognized the opportunity presented by the upcoming [[Mansfield Dam]] on the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]]. Once the dam was complete, Jonestown would become waterfront property along the Sandy Creek Arm and Big Devil's Hollow of the newly formed Lake Travis. The Jones brothers initially sold waterfront lots for $50 in 1939, raising the price to $100 and offering financing after complaints the original cost was too high.<ref name="Breyer" />

The area had less than 1,000 residents until the late 1980s and residences were mostly weekend cabins. However, during this time the remote location also attracted "bike gangs, drug dealers and other ne'er-do-wells", according to a 1999 Austin American-Statesman article.<ref name="Breyer">{{Cite news |last=Breyer |first=R. Michelle |date=23 October 1999 |title=Down by the lake, an upscale revival |pages=G1–G2 |work=Austin American-Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84615527/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902234808/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84615527/austin-american-statesman/ |archive-date=2 September 2021}}</ref>

The city officially incorporated in 1985, with city leaders encouraging growth in an attempt to leave the settlement's less savory history behind.<ref name="Breyer" /> Following incorporation, growth was initially rapid, with the 1988 population of 683 growing to 1,250 by 1990<ref name="TSHA" /> but a regional real estate bust brought it to a halt ''circa'' 1990.<ref name="Breyer" />

In 1992, the community had a budget of just over {{US$|310,000}}, a police force of two [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]] Sheriff's deputies, and a volunteer fire department, but did not provide any utilities. In the early and mid-1990s there were several attempts to disincorporate the city due to concerns around increased taxes and ordinances. Residents opposed to dissolution expressed fear that Austin would annex the territory if the city were dissolved, an original driving concern for the city's incorporation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Obregón |first=Enedelia J. |date=5 March 1992 |title=City Or Not City? |pages=1, 8 |work=Austin American-Statesman |location=Jonestown, Texas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84614377/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902234747/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84614377/austin-american-statesman/ |archive-date=2 September 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In 1996, Jonestown increased its borders by annexing a large parcel which had recently been bought by a real-estate development group. By 1999, the city had 1,500 residents and the Lake North area of Travis County, which includes Jonestown, had seen a 62% rise in median home prices from {{US$|84,500}} to {{US$|137,250}} in the five-year period from 1994 to 1999. These changes, along with a corresponding increase in its tax base, were welcomed by some residents as a way to increase city services. Others were unhappy with the changes feeling the population was growing too quickly.<ref name="Breyer" /> The population continued to increase, reaching 1,681 by 2000<ref name="TSHA" /> and 1,834 by the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].

==Geography==

Jonestown is located at the northern end of [[Lake Travis]], 19 miles (31&nbsp;km) northwest of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 5.3&nbsp;square miles (13.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), of which 4.7&nbsp;square miles (12.1&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>)  is land and 0.6&nbsp;square mile (1.6&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>)  (11.34%) is water.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1990= 1250
|2000= 1681
|2010= 1834
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{Cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=June 4, 2015 |publisher=Census.gov}}</ref>
|2020=2365}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Jonestown racial composition as of 2020'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4838020&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-24 |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>https://www.census.gov/ {{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}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|1,859
|78.6%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|20
|0.85%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|6
|0.25%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|55
|2.33%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|2
|0.08%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|10
|0.42%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|127
|5.37%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|286
|12.09%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''2,365'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 2,365 people, 849 households, and 640 families residing in the city.

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,681 people, 699 households, and 434 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|358.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 770 housing units at an average density of {{convert|164.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.27% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.83% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.42% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.42% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.57% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.50% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 9.58% of the population.

There were 699 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,167, and the median income for a family was $47,708. Males had a median income of $31,888 versus $26,797 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,256. About 3.1% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 0.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Culture==
Jones Brothers Park in Jonestown hosted approximately 200 anglers for a 2001 Texas Tournament Trail bass fishing tournament event.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 April 2001 |title=Wal-Mart tourney trail to visit Texas' Lake Travis |page=6D |work=The Marshall News Messenger |agency=BW SportsWire |location=Gilbertsville, Kentucky |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84650008/ |access-date=3 September 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==Amenities==

[[File:Veterans memorial Jonestown Texas.jpg|thumb|right|Veterans Memorial Park in September 2021]]

There are a number of developed and undeveloped city parks in Jonestown. The developed parks include:<ref name="JT Parks">{{Cite web |title=Parks & Recreation |url=https://jonestowntx.gov/parksrec |access-date=3 September 2021 |website=Jonestown Texas |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Jones Brothers Park''', a 32-acre lakeshore park along the Sandy Creek Arm of Lake Travis just south of the center of the city. The park is the most developed of the city's parks containing recreational amenities and the city's three public boat ramps.
* '''Canyonlands Trail Park''' which contains a half-mile nature trail connecting Jones Brothers Park with Fireman's Park
* '''Fireman's Park''' and '''Shady Park''', two small parks near the center of the city connected to each other by a footpath. Fireman's Park is adjacent to the city's only public transportation, a CapMetro Bus park-and-ride stop.
* '''Veterans Park''', a small park near the city center containing the city's veterans memorial. It is the only developed park north of RM 1431.
* '''Pecan Park''', a small park along Big Sandy Creek also known as Pecan Bottom. It was officially turned into a public park after locals constantly maintained a rock dam in the creek.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

The city also manages several undeveloped parks within city limits: David Reed Park, Laura Reed Park,<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 July 2007 |title=Outdoors |pages=35–36 |work=Austin American-Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84649435/ |access-date=3 September 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and unnamed Parks 1 and 7.<ref name="JT Parks" /> Additionally, the city both contains and is surrounded by a number of areas of publicly accessible, undeveloped forestland, much of it owned by the [[Lower Colorado River Authority]].{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

==Infrastructure==
[[File: Texas_RM_1431.svg|40px|right]]
[[Ranch to Market Road 1431|RM 1431]] runs through the center of Jonestown.<ref name="TSHA" /> This east-west route connects [[Marble Falls, Texas|Marble Falls]] (30&nbsp;mi west) and [[Cedar Park, Texas|Cedar Park]] (8&nbsp;mi east).<ref>{{Cite web |title=RANCH TO MARKET ROAD NO. 1431 |url=https://www.dot.state.tx.us/tpp/hwy/RM/RM1431.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722043248/https://www.dot.state.tx.us/tpp/hwy/RM/RM1431.htm |archive-date=22 July 2019 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=Texas Department of Transportation}}</ref> In the spring of 2008, FM 1431 had major re-engineering to straighten and widen the highway to support rapid growth along the North Shore of [[Lake Travis]] which [[Ranch to Market Road 1431|RM 1431]] serves.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Austin-area [[CapMetro]]'s [[CapMetro Bus]] route 214 - Northwest Feeder has one park-and-ride and two other stops in Jonestown. The route runs from neighboring [[Lago Vista, Texas|Lago Vista]], west of Jonestown, to [[Lakeline station]], a transit center east of Jonestown in Northwest [[Austin, Texas|Austin]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 August 2021 |title=214: Northwest Feeder: Local |url=https://www.capmetro.org/current_schedules/pdf/214.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228005801/https://www.capmetro.org/current_schedules/pdf/214.pdf |archive-date=28 February 2021 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref>

==Education==
The City of Jonestown is served by the [[Leander Independent School District]] and the [[Lago Vista Independent School District]].

==Notable person==
* [[Travis Parker]], professional snowboarder originally from Jonestown

==See also==
* {{Commons-inline}}

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

==External links==
{{commons category|Jonestown, Texas}}
* {{URL|jonestowntx.gov|City Website}}
* [http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=914370&page=&vc=1#Post914370 Google Earth map pins for Jonestown]
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=hrj14|name=Jonestown, Texas}}
* [https://darksky.org/news/jonestown-becomes-texass-ninth-international-dark-sky-community/ "Jonestown becomes Texas’s ninth International Dark Sky Community"] by Drew Reagan of [[International Dark-Sky Association|DarkSky International]] (January 8, 2024)

{{Travis County, Texas}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Travis County, Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Greater Austin]]