Editing San Benito, Texas

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = San Benito, Texas
| official_name      = City of San Benito
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = "The Resaca City"
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Texas - San Benito through San Juan - NARA - 68149808 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize          = 300px
| image_caption      = San Benito in 1937
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = TXMap-doton-SanBenito.PNG
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of San Benito, Texas
| image_map1         = Cameron County SanBenito.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  = [[Cameron County, Texas|Cameron]]

<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council-manager government|Council-Manager]]
| leader_title       = [[City Council]]
| leader_name        = [[Mayor]] Celeste Sanchez
| leader_title1      = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name1       = Manuel Lara
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = <!-- 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_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 41.79
| area_land_km2      = 40.90
| area_water_km2     = 0.89
| area_total_sq_mi   = 16.13
| area_land_sq_mi    = 15.79
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.34

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2010 United States Census|2010]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 24861
| 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 = 
| elevation_m        = 11
| elevation_ft       = 36
| coordinates        = {{coord|26|8|12|N|97|38|9|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 78586
| area_code          = [[Area code 956|956]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 48-65036<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        = 1375956<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.cityofsanbenito.com}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''San Benito''' is a city in [[Cameron County, Texas|Cameron County]], in the US state of Texas, United States. Its population was 24,861 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. On April 3, 2007, San Benito celebrated the 100th anniversary of its naming.

The post office was named "Diaz" from April to May 1907. The San Benito Museum, Freddy Fender Museum, and Conjunto Music Museum opened in the same building on November 17, 2007.

On October 25, 1975, on the television show ''[[Hee Haw]]'', [[Freddy Fender]] saluted his hometown of San Benito, population 15,177.

San Benito is part of the [[Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville combined statistical area|Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville]] and the [[Matamoros–Brownsville Metropolitan Area|Matamoros–Brownsville]] metropolitan areas.

==History==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}
San Benito is known as the "Resaca City". The Resaca de los Fresnos, {{convert|400|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide, flows through the city. As indicated by its Spanish name, the [[resaca (channel)|''resaca'']] is a dry river bed. It is now the main [[canal]] of a large [[irrigation]] system.

San Benito was at first named "Diaz" in honor of [[Porfirio Díaz]], [[President of Mexico]] at that time. The people in the San Benito area were predominantly of [[Tejano|Mexican ancestry]]. The Anglo settlers came after the completion of the first irrigation system in 1906. Prior to that time, this region was an [[arid]], [[mesquite]]- and [[cactus]]-covered [[Tamaulipan mezquital|wilderness]]. Irrigation water touched off  crop production, supported by the [[railroad]].

On July 4, 1904, the first passenger train arrived at Diaz. To celebrate the coming of the new railroad, the community leaders renamed the railroad station "Bessie", in honor of Bessie Yoakum, whose father, [[Benjamin Franklin Yoakum]], was instrumental in the construction of the railroad.

Some time later, when the town site was surveyed, the name was changed to "San Benito" in honor of Benjamin Hicks. He was a pioneer rancher whose charitable attitude endeared him to the population. The name was suggested by Rafael Moreno, the popular 90-year-old camp cook of the surveying party. Moreno suggested the name "San Benito" for his beloved "Saint Benjamin" Hicks.

San Benito was a village with a moderate number of homes, businesses, churches, and public schools several years before the town was incorporated in 1911. The original map of the townsite was recorded 28 April 1907. The first school was established in 1907 with 48 pupils and Miss Kate Purvis as the teacher. The post office also opened in 1907. San Benito (Benny) Montalvo was born on September 20, 1907, to Ismael and Francisca Esparza Montalvo. On the night he was born, the city of San Benito was having a celebration in honor of its new name. Upon learning of Benny's birth, Col. Sam Robertson suggested to Ismael and Francisca Montalvo to name their new son San Benito, which is how Benny got his name.

In 1927, the city adopted a commission form of government operating under a [[home rule]] charter.

In 1920, when the city was included in the U.S. Census count for the first time, San Benito had become a city of 4,070 people. By 1950, the census count expanded to 13,271. In 1960, the population had grown to 16,422. <!--when?  The present population is estimated at 24,500. -->

The irrigation district was organized in 1906. As a result of the availability of irrigation water, San Benito and all of the Lower [[Rio Grande Valley (Texas)|Rio Grande Valley]] cities came to serve a newly developing agricultural territory.

The original townsite, created in 1911, contained {{convert|1280|acre|ha}}. Since then, a series of annexations has increased the incorporated area to {{convert|4092.17|acre|ha}}.

The mild winter climate in this southmost section of Texas has played a dominant role in the growth of San Benito and the other cities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Crops grow and flowers bloom year-round. The city has become a hotspot for winter tourists and retired people, providing a substantial percentage of the buying power of this community.

==Geography==

San Benito is located west of the center of Cameron County at {{coord|26|8|12|N|97|38|9|W|type:city}} (26.136603, –97.635878).<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> [[Interstate 69E]] passes through the city, leading northwest {{convert|6|mi|0}} to [[Harlingen, Texas|Harlingen]] and southeast {{convert|19|mi}} to [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], San Benito has a total area of {{convert|41.8|km2|order=flip}}, of which <!-- {{convert|40.9|km2|order=flip}} are land and --> {{convert|0.9|km2|order=flip|1}}, or 2.12%, is covered by water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): San Benito city, Texas |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4865036 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213082534/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4865036 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2015 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder}}</ref>

San Benito is also known as "The Resaca City", due to its ''resaca'' (a former tributary of the Rio Grande, which has been cut off for irrigation purposes).

===Climate===

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, dry summers and generally warm winters.  According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], San Benito has a semiarid, borderline tropical savannah climate, ''Cfa'' on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=349314&cityname=San+Benito,+Texas,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=San Benito, Texas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase.com|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1920= 5070
|1930= 10753
|1940= 9501
|1950= 13271
|1960= 16422
|1970= 15176
|1980= 17988
|1990= 20125
|2000= 23444
|2010= 24250
|2020= 24861
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 1850–1900<ref name=1900CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/49-population-tx.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-tx-p1.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1920<ref name=1920CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-tx-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1930<ref name=1930CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch10.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch09.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br>
1950<ref name=1950CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-46.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/33255142v1p45ch02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00496492v1p45s1ch02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1980<ref name=1980CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/texas/1980a_txab-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cph-2/cph-2-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2000<ref name=2000CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
}}


===2020 census===

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''San Benito racial composition'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4865036&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-21 |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 |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|1,731
|6.96%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|71
|0.29%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|33
|0.13%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|68
|0.27%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|2
|0.01%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|52
|0.21%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|109
|0.44%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|22,795
|91.69%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''24,861'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 24,861 people, 7,535 households, and 5,472 families residing in the city.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, 23,444 people, 7,065 households, and 5,715 families were residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,130.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 9,120 housing units averaged 828.7 per sq mi (319.8/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 76.16% White, 0.32% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 20.48% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 86.93% of the population.

Of the 7,065 households,  41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were not families. About 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.30, and the average family size was 3.72.

In the city, the age distribution was 33.3% under  18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65  or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,027, and for a family was $26,415. Males had a median income of $22,097 versus $18,512 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $10,317. About 28.7% of families and 32.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 42.1% of those under age 18 and 22.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
The [[United States Postal Service]] operates the San Benito Post Office.<ref>"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/san-benito-200-w-hicks-st-san-benito-tx-1380583 Post Office Location - SAN BENITO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405072138/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/san-benito-200-w-hicks-st-san-benito-tx-1380583 |date=2010-04-05 }}." [[United States Postal Service]]. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.</ref>

==Education==
The [[San Benito Consolidated Independent School District]] serves San Benito. <!-- The local high school is . --> The district has two high schools (Veterans Memorial Academy and [[San Benito High School (Texas)|San Benito High School]]), and three middle schools (Riverside, Berta Cabaza, and Miller Jordan).

In addition, [[South Texas Independent School District]] serves San Benito and many nearby communities by providing several magnet schools. [[South Texas Academy of Medical Technology]] (Med Tech) is located in San Benito.

San Benito Public Library is the city's library.<ref>"[http://www.cityofsanbenito.com/libAdministration.php Public Library] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919053036/http://cityofsanbenito.com/libAdministration.php |date=2010-09-19 }}." City of San Benito. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.</ref>

IDEA Public Schools also has a school in San Benito.

==Notable people==

* [[Charley Crockett]], musician<ref name="Chron">{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/music/article/Talking-music-race-and-Texas-with-Charley-12898104.php|title=Talking music, race and Texas with Charley Crockett|first=Cary|last=Darling|date=8 May 2018|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref>
* [[T. R. Fehrenbach]], author<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/8483/tr-fehrenbach|title=T.R. Fehrenbach - Penguin Random House|website=PenguinRandomhouse.com|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref>
* [[Freddy Fender]] (born Baldemar Huerta), musician
* [[Charles Fincher|Charles Pugsley Fincher]], [[cartoonist]], lawyer, creator of ''Thadeus & Weez'' newspaper comic strip<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theallisonlawfirm.com/HTMLpages/Charles.html|title=Charles Pugsley Fincher|website=Theallisonlawfirm.com|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref>
* [[Narciso Martínez]], ''[[conjunto]]'' musician<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/benson/border/arhoolie2/narciso.html|title=Narciso Martínez "Father of the Texas-Mexican Conjunto"<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=Lib.utexas.edu|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204094114/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/benson/border/arhoolie2/narciso.html|archive-date=4 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Bobby Morrow]], winner of three gold medals in the [[1956 Summer Olympics]] 
*Col. Sam A. Robertson, founder, railroad pioneer, first postmaster, World War I recipient of Distinguished Service Medal<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fro32|title=ROBERTSON, SAMUEL ARTHUR|first=VERNA J.|last=MCKENNA|date=15 June 2010|website=Tshaonline.org|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref>
* [[Charles M. Robinson III]], author, history scholar
* [[Robert Salaburu]], professional poker player, eighth-place finisher in the Main Event of the [[2012 World Series of Poker]]
* [[Armando Torres III]], a former U.S. Marine kidnapped in Mexico
* [[Wilma Vinsant]], combat flight nurse killed over Germany<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fsh64|title=Shea, Wilma Vinsant [Dolly]|last=Gilbert|first=Minnie|date=15 June 2010|website=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=[[Texas State Historical Association]]|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Texas}}
*[[La Calle Stenger]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{notelist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.cityofsanbenito.com/ City of San Benito official website]
*{{Handbook of Texas |id=hes01 |name=San Benito, Texas}}
*[https://www.pipercubforum.com/ Assembling Piper Cubs at San Benito]
*{{HAER |survey=TX-132 |id=tx1174 |title=San Benito Irrigation System, San Benito, Cameron County, TX |photos=13 |data=55 |cap=2}}
*{{HAER |survey=TX-132-A |id=tx1175 |title=San Benito Irrigation System, Pump House, Weber Drive, one-half mile south of Military Highway, Los Indios, Cameron County, TX |photos=12 |data=35 |cap=2 |link=no}}

{{Cameron County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Cameron County, Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Texas]]