Editing Livingston, Texas

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Livingston, Texas
| settlement_type          = [[Town]]
| image_skyline            = Corrected photo, Livingston, TX, City Hall IMG_8286.JPG
| imagesize                = 250px
| image_caption            = Livingston City Hall at 220 West Church Street
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Polk County Livingston.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Livingston, Texas
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{nowrap|{{flagu|United States}}}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Texas}}
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Polk County, Texas|Polk]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = Council / Manager
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = City Manager
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = October 3, 1902
<!-- 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           = 22.64
| area_land_km2            = 22.61
| area_water_km2           = 0.03
| area_total_sq_mi         = 8.74
| area_land_sq_mi          = 8.73
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 5640
| population_density_sq_mi = 600.46
| population_density_km2   = 231.85
<!-- 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             = 184
| coordinates              = {{coord|30|42|36|N|94|56|17|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code              = 77351, 77399
| area_code                = [[Area code 936|936]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 48-43132<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2412903<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412903}}</ref>
| website                  = [http://www.cityoflivingston-tx.com/ Livingston City website]
| footnotes                = 
}}

[[File:Locomotive No 5 -- Livingston, Texas.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Locomotive No 5 – Livingston, Texas]]
[[File:The Fain Theater -- Livingston, Texas.jpg|200px|right|thumb|The Fain Theater In Livingston, Texas]]
[[File:Courthouse Polk County Texas.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Courthouse Polk County Texas – In Livingston]]
[[File:Courthouse Whistle Stop Cafe, Livingston, TX IMG 8283.JPG|200px|right|thumb|The Courthouse Whistle Stop Cafe is located across from the courthouse in downtown Livingston.]]
[[File:Livinstotex.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Historic downtown Livingston]]
[[File:Livingston, TX, water tower IMG 8288.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Livingston water tower]]
[[File:Central Baptist Church, Livingston, TX IMG 8300.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Central [[Baptist]] Church in Livingston]]

'''Livingston''' is a town in and the [[county seat]] of [[Polk County, Texas]], United States. With a population of 5,640 at the [[United States Census, 2020|2020 census]], it is the largest city in Polk County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> It is located approximately {{convert|46|mi|}} south of [[Lufkin, Texas|Lufkin]] and roughly {{convert|74|mi|}} northeast of [[Houston]] and was originally settled in 1835 as Springfield. Its name was changed in 1846 to Livingston, when it was designated as the county seat of Polk County.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cityoflivingston-tx.com/information/history.asp |title=City of Livingston, Texas, Information, History<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=September 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911145318/http://www.cityoflivingston-tx.com/information/history.asp |archive-date=September 11, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas|Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation]] is located to the east of Livingston. These people traditionally occupied territory in what is now east Texas and Louisiana. The [[United States Census, 2000|2000 census]] reported a resident population of 480 persons within the reservation. The tribe has nearly 1200 enrolled members.

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|8.4|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|8.4|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} are land and 0.12% is covered by water. However, the town of Livingston is approximately {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Lake Livingston]], which is the largest drinking-water [[Reservoir (water)|reservoir]] in Texas.

The zip code is 77351 for the general area of Livingston.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 135
|1920= 928
|1930= 1165
|1940= 1851
|1950= 2865
|1960= 3398
|1970= 3965
|1980= 4928
|1990= 5019
|2000= 5433
|2010= 5335
|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}}</ref>
|2020=5640}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Livingston racial composition as of 2020'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4843132&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=May 25, 2022 |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|url=https://www.census.gov/en.html|title=Census.gov|website=Census.gov}}</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=May 18, 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|3,103
|55.02%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|997
|17.68%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|28
|0.5%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|96
|1.7%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|20
|0.35%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|199
|3.53%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|1,197
|21.22%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''5,640'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 5,640 people, 1,951 households, and 1,268 families residing in the town.

The population in the 2010 census was 5,335, and was estimated to be 5,128 in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=United States Census Bureau |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 23, 2019 |language=en }}</ref>
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, the population density was {{convert|649.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 2,358 housing units averaged 282.1 per square mile (108.9/km{{sup|2}}). The [[Race (U.S. Census)|racial makeup]] of the town was 70.38% White, 18.50% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 8.08% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. About 13.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 2,048 households, 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were not families. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the town, the population was distributed as 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,424, and for a family was $37,868. Males had a median income of $30,318 versus $21,774 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $17,214. About 18.2% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.
 
In the 2010 Census, Livingston lost 1.8% of its population.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120107064836/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4843132.html 2010 Census for Livingston, Texas]

==Government and infrastructure==
The [[United States Postal Service]] operates the Livingston Post Office.<ref>"[http://usps.whitepages.com/post_office/TX/Livingston Post Office Location - LIVINGSTON] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026231801/http://usps.whitepages.com/post_office/TX/LIVINGSTON |date=2011-10-26 }}." [[United States Postal Service]]. Retrieved on May 16, 2010.</ref>

The [[Livingston Municipal Airport (Texas)|Livingston Municipal Airport]], operated by the City of Livingston, is located in [[West Livingston]].<ref name="CDPMap">"[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US4877662&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on West Livingston CDP, Texas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606111713/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US4877662&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on |date=2011-06-06 }}." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.</ref><ref name="LivAirportProf">"[http://www.cityoflivingston-tx.com/departments/airport.asp Municipal Airport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506141635/http://www.cityoflivingston-tx.com/departments/airport.asp |date=2010-05-06 }}." City of Livingston. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.</ref>

Nearby West Livingston has the [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]  [[Allan B. Polunsky Unit]].<ref name="CDPMap"/><ref name="TCDJProfile">"[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/tl.htm Polunsky Unit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725201405/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/tl.htm |date=2010-07-25 }}." [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]. Retrieved on May 7, 2010.</ref><ref>Rainwater, Mary. "[http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_ac28d20a-58bf-11df-afd4-001cc4c03286.html Death row inmate: No justice by execution]," ''[[Rapid City Journal]]''. May 5, 2010. Retrieved on May 9, 2010. "are heavy on the mind of 41-year-old former South Dakota resident Kevin Scott Varga, who sits on death row in the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas."</ref> Since 1999 this prison has been the location of Texas's [[death row]].<ref>"[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm Death Row Facts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806085208/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm |date=2009-08-06 }}." [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]. Retrieved on May 7, 2010.</ref>

A few miles outside of Livingston is the IAH Polk County Secure Adult Detention Center, which houses around 700 immigrant men daily who have been detained by federal agents of [[Immigration and Customs Enforcement]]. Run by the  private-prison company [[Community Education Centers]], the facility has frequently been criticized for its subpar treatment of migrants. It is ranked as one of the 10 worst detention centers in the nation, which are the subject of a nationwide campaign by activists to close them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/pressroom/reports/2012/expose-and-close|title=Expose & Close|date=February 9, 2016|website=Detention Watch Network}}</ref>

===Local government===
Livingston has a manager-council system of government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cityoflivingston-tx.com/148/City-Council|title=City Council {{!}} Livingston, TX|website=cityoflivingston-tx.com|language=en|access-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref> It elects a mayor [[at-large]], and has a city council made up of members elected from [[single-member district]]s. The city council hires a professional city manager to handle operations. The current mayor is Judy Cochran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cityoflivingston-tx.com/149/Mayor|title=Mayor {{!}} Livingston, TX|website=cityoflivingston-tx.com|language=en|access-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref>

==Economy==
The major employers in Livingston are lumber operations and the Polunsky Unit state prison in West Livingston.<ref>Hannaford, Alex. "[http://www.thenation.com/article/inmates-arent-only-victims-prison-industrial-complex/  Inmates Aren't the Only Victims of the Prison-Industrial Complex]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150922143643/http://www.thenation.com/article/inmates-arent-only-victims-prison-industrial-complex/ Archive]). ''[[The Nation]]''. September 16, 2014. Retrieved on January 20, 2016.</ref>

Livingston is the headquarters to two regional bank systems, the First National Bank and the First State Bank.

First State Bank has its main office in downtown Livingston and branches in Livingston (west side of town on Highway 190), [[Onalaska, Texas|Onalaska]], and [[Shepherd, Texas|Shepherd]].

First National Bank has its main office on Highway 190 and branches in downtown Livingston and Onalaska.

==Transportation==
The city's airport, [[Livingston Municipal Airport (Texas)|Livingston Municipal Airport]] (LMA) is located to the southwest of the city.  It is classified as a general-aviation facility serving private aircraft.

Major highways:
* [[File:US 59.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 59 in Texas|U.S. Highway 59]]
** U.S. 59 is scheduled to be upgraded to [[File:I-69 (TX).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 69 in Texas|Interstate 69]].
* [[File:US 190.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Route 190]]
* [[File:Texas 146.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 146 (Texas)|State Highway 146]]

==Education==
The City of Livingston is served by the [[Livingston High School (Texas)|Livingston Independent School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48373_polk/DC20SD_C48373.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Polk County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-09-24}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48373_polk/DC20SD_C48373_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

The [[Texas Legislature]] designated Polk County as within the boundary of [[Angelina College]]'s district.<ref>[https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code Sec. 130.165.  ANGELINA COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.].</ref> Polk County Community College opened in the fall of 2014. The college offers various classes and two-year associate degrees.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.polkcountycollegecc.com/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710192534/http://www.polkcountycollegecc.com/ |archive-date=July 10, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Recreation==
[[File:Camp Cho Yeh -- Livingston, Texas.jpg|upright|thumb|Camp Cho Yeh -- Livingston, Texas]]
Lake Evelyn is within the borders of Camp Cho-Yeh, which began operation in the 1940s; it continues to operate as a summer camp and retreat center. Cho-Yeh means 'land of tall pines', and was so named because of the large pine trees on the property. Cho-Yeh is also used by [[Texas A&M Galveston]] for their yearly Fish Camp to introduce TAMUG students to the traditions of the university system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cho-yeh.org/summer-camp/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1-fVBRC3ARIsAIifYOMFfOkgPfpoFKAW55yDJL2bk64P920hvPDaMBlB77-XHAhav5IskqUaAk4CEALw_wcB|title=Houston-Area Summer Camp for Kids - Camp Cho-Yeh|work=Camp Cho-Yeh|access-date=March 28, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

==Notable people==

* [[Laci Kaye Booth]], ''American Idol'' contestant 2019, top-five finalist
* [[Paul Carr (American football)|Paul Carr]], [[NFL]] and [[University of Houston]] football player<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CarrPa20.htm|title = Paul Carr Stats|website = [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
* [[Billy Eli]], musician and songwriter
* [[Percy Foreman]], criminal defense attorney
*[[Annette Gordon-Reed]], Harvard historian and law professor<ref>{{cite web |last=Walsh |first=Colleen |title=Annette Gordon-Reed's personal history, from East Texas to Monticello |url=https://today.law.harvard.edu/annette-gordon-reeds-personal-history-east-texas-monticello/ |website=Harvard Law Today |publisher=[[Harvard Law School]] |access-date=October 7, 2018 |date=May 4, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Lyda Green]], Alaska state senator for 14 years
* [[Margo Jones]], stage director<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.texasescapes.com/AllThingsHistorical/Tennessee-Williams-Texas-Director-Margaret-Virginia-Margo-Jones-BB506.htm|title = Tennessee Williams' Texas Director Margaret Virginia Jones}}</ref>
* [[Sally Mayes]], Award-winning Broadway actress and singer
* [[Mark Moseley]], football player
* [[Gene Phillips (basketball)|Gene Phillips]], Professional [[basketball]] player
* [[Samuel Whitside|Samuel M. Whitside]], Commanded Camp Livingston in the late 1860s during the [[Reconstruction era|Reconstruction]] period<ref name="SMW">Russell, Major Samuel L., "Selfless Service: The Cavalry Career of Brigadier General Samuel M. Whitside from 1858 to 1902." MMAS Thesis, Fort Leavenworth: U.S. Command and General Staff College, 2002.</ref>
* [[Brad Womack]], star of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[The Bachelor (US TV series)|The Bachelor]]''
* [[Bobby Wayne Woods]], Convicted child rapist and murderer; the last inmate executed in [[Texas]] in the 2000s decade

==Media==

* KCTL Television
* KETX Television
* STRYK TV – Video Country Locally owned & operated by Mouser Media
* KETX Radio (1440 [[KETX (AM)]]
* [[KEHH]]
* PolkCountyToday.com (news website)
* ''Polk County Enterprise'' (newspaper), East Texas News (online version of the "Polk County Enterprise")
* Livingston Dunbar (1A-PVIL) state champions 1954
* Livingston Dunbar (1A-PVIL) state champions 1958
* Livingston Dunbar (1A-PVIL) state runner-up 1959

High-school basketball:
* Livingston High (all schools in one division) 1939
* Livingston Dunbar (1A-PVIL) Runner Up 1952

==Tourism and recreation==

=== Destinations ===
* [[Lake Livingston]] 
* [[Lake Livingston State Park]] [http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-livingston Lake Livingston State Park — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department]
* [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pedigo-Park/290425851037336 Pedigo Park]
* [[Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation]]

=== Attractions ===
* [[Light of Saratoga]] at Bragg Road
* 391 Historical Markers<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/shell-county.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225022100/http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/shell-county.htm|url-status=dead|title=THC - Atlas - County Search<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=February 25, 2013}}</ref>
* Polk County [[Museum]][https://web.archive.org/web/20170228080352/http://www.polkcountyhistoricalsociety.org/polk-county-museum/ POLK COUNTY MUSEUM – Polk County Historical Society]
* Swartout: Former River [[Ferry]] Town, now a [[ghost town]]

=== Events ===
* Trinity Neches [[Livestock show]] and [[Rodeo]] (founded in 1945)
* Polk County [[Fireworks]] on Lake Livingston
* Annual Jingle Bell Fun Run and Walk
* Hometown Christmas
* 5k [[Dam]] Run

== Entertainment references ==
Lake Livingston was featured on the third episode of the first season of the television show, ''[[River Monsters]]'', which aired April 19, 2009, on [[Animal Planet]]. The host, [[Jeremy Wade]], was searching for [[alligator gar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animal.discovery.com/fish/river-monsters/alligator-gar/ |title=River Monsters : Alligator Gar : Animal Planet |access-date=May 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100622005635/http://animal.discovery.com/fish/river-monsters/alligator-gar/ |archive-date=June 22, 2010 }}</ref>

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

==External links==

{{Commons category|Livingston, Texas}}
{{Portal|Texas}}
* [http://www.cityoflivingston-tx.com/ Livingston City website]
* [http://www.lpcchamber.com/ Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.livingstonisd.com/ Livingston ISD]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090805195532/http://www.lakelivingston.com/ Lake Livingston Recreational Home Page]
* [https://bgfamilydentistry.com/ Dentists In Livingston TX]

{{Polk County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Polk County, Texas]]
[[Category:Towns in Texas]]
[[Category:County seats in Texas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1835]]
[[Category:1835 establishments in Texas]]