Editing Sunset Valley, Texas

{{About|the town in Texas|the fictional town in The Sims 3|The Sims 3#Sunset Valley}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Sunset Valley, Texas
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = SunsetValleyTXSign.JPG
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Sunset Valley Sign
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = {{maplink-road|from=Sunset Valley, Texas.map}}
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Sunset Valley, Texas

<!-- 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 = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = September 13, 1954 <ref>{{cite web |title=City History Sunset Valley, TX |url=https://www.sunsetvalley.org/residents/city-history|access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref>


| 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     = 3.61
| area_land_km2      = 3.61
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.40
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.40
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 683
| population_density_km2 = 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        = 203
| elevation_ft       = 666
| coordinates        = {{coord|30|13|32|N|97|48|58|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 78735, 78745
| area_code          = [[Area code 512|512]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 48-71324<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        = 1376344<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            = [http://www.sunsetvalley.org/ Sunsetvalley.org]
| footnotes          = 
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
}}
'''Sunset Valley''' is a city in [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]], [[Texas]], United States. The population was 683 at the time of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. An [[enclave]], it is surrounded on all sides by the city of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]].

==Geography==

Sunset Valley is located 5 miles (8&nbsp;km) southwest of downtown [[Austin, Texas|Austin]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 1.4&nbsp;square miles (3.6&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all  land.

==History==
Mexico's passage of the [[General Colonization Law]] in 1825 enabled and encouraged immigration and settlement in unapportioned land.<ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|9}} The first recorded land transactions in the Sunset Valley area occurred in 1835, while the region was still under the jurisdiction of the [[States of Mexico|Mexican state]] of [[Coahuila y Tejas]]. The state apportioned 25&nbsp;[[Texas land survey system|labors of land]] (roughly equivalent to {{cvt|4425|acre}}) to Theodore Bissell and granted a similarly sized partition of land to the north to Thomas Anderson that same year.<ref name="CityHistory">{{cite web |title=City History |url=https://www.sunsetvalley.org/residents/city-history |publisher=City of Sunset Valley |access-date=July 30, 2023 |location=Sunset Valley, Texas}}</ref><ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|11–13}} Located south of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], the apportioned land lay outside of the jurisdiction of [[Stephen F. Austin]]'s [[Old Three Hundred|colony]].<ref name="InformalHistory">{{cite book |title=An Informal History of Sunset Valley, Texas 1954-2004 |date=2004 |publisher=City of Sunset Valley |location=Sunset Valley, Texas |url=https://www.sunsetvalley.org/home/showpublisheddocument/414/637735537144300000 |access-date=July 30, 2023}}</ref>{{rp|11}} Sections of the lands held by Bissell and Anderson were sold to and settled by buyers over the course of subsequent decades following the [[Annexation of Texas]].<ref name="CityHistory" /><ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|13}} In the early 1950s, brothers M.H. and Clarence Flournoy acquired a large tract of land {{cvt|12|mi}} away from Austin, including what would become Sunset Valley, to develop a [[Subdivision (land)|subdivision]].<ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|13}} The Flournoys also drilled a [[well]] that would ultimately serve as the area's first water system.<ref name="CityHistory" /> A meeting of local residents led to the filing of a petition in 1954 to hold an election seeking to [[Municipal corporation|incorporate]] what had become known as Sunset Valley. The petition approximated the area to be incorporated as having an area less than {{cvt|2|mi2}} and a population of over 200. The election was granted, and on September 13, 1954, voters supported incorporation by a 45–6 vote. On September 17, 1954, the Village of Sunset Valley was officially incorporated with Clinton Vilven as its first mayor.<ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|15}} In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Sunset Valley was known for the [[Christmas lights]] adorning homes along Sunset Trail, attracting visitors from the Austin area. The city also sponsored Texas's largest youth [[rodeo]], which annually drew 250–300 participants and thousands of attendees. The rodeo's proceeds, along with a [[Voluntary taxation|voluntary tax program]], supported Sunset Valley's revenue in its early years.<ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|24–26}}

The growth of nearby Austin{{snd}}which impinged upon and eventually enveloped Sunset Valley's city limits{{snd}}led to frequent disputes over territory and jurisdiction. The borders of the newly incorporated Sunset Valley initially spanned from Prather Lane southwestward to Brodie Lane, and from Manchaca Road westward to the modern West Gate Shopping Center. However, in the decade following incorporation, several annexations and de-annexations led to confusion regarding Sunset Valley's borders and further territorial disputes complicated the city's borders. In 1963, the [[Texas Legislature]] granted incorporated areas [[extraterritorial jurisdiction]] (ETJ), giving municipalities the ability to regulate development in areas beyond their borders; the ETJs of Sunset Valley and nearby Austin overlapped.<ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|15–22}} Additional annexations and de-annexations occurred between 1964–1973.<ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|33–35}} In the 1970s, the [[Austin Independent School District]]'s (AISD) proposal to build an athletics complex and [[Bus garage|bus depot]] on Jones Road{{snd}}within Sunset Valley's jurisdiction{{snd}}met opposition from the Sunset Valley community, and the city declined permit issuance for the facility. The resulting legal challenge mounted by the city of Austin culminated in the case ''AISD v. City of Sunset Valley'' (1973), in which the [[Supreme Court of Texas]] ruled in favor of AISD, leading to the construction of the complex in 1976.<ref name="Cases1974">{{cite journal |title=Cases, Statutes, and Recent Developments |journal=The Urban Lawyer |date=1974 |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=677–731 |doi=|jstor=27893005 |publisher=American Bar Association |author1=M. L. M. |author2=W. G. |last3=K |first3=H. J. }}</ref><ref name="InformalHistory" />{{rp|40–43}} Sunset Valley's first city hall was built in 1977. Although informal police protection in Sunset Valley began in 1954, a formal [[police department]] was established in 1979.<ref name="CityHistory" /> While Sunset Valley began as a residential community, in 1990 the city approved the development of a {{cvt|60|acre|adj=on}} retail center. By 1990, the population had grown to 327. A wastewater system was constructed in the early 1990s with a grant from the [[Texas Water Development Board]]. In 1998, Sunset Valley entered into an inter-local agreement with the city of Austin to provide firefighting services.<ref name="CityHistory" /> The population rose to 365 by 2000, an 11.6 percent increase over the 1990 figure. 

In 2001, the [[United States Postal Service]] officially recognized Sunset Valley as a destination for mail delivery. While a vast majority of the city's land remains residential, commercial development has increased in recent years.<ref name="Texas Handbook">{{cite web | url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hls88 | title = Sunset Valley, Texas | publisher = [[The Handbook of Texas]] online | access-date = 2009-09-27}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1960 = 179
| 1970 = 292
| 1980 = 420
| 1990 = 327
| 2000 = 365
| 2010 = 749
| 2020 = 683
| 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><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Sunset Valley, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Sunset%20Valley%20city,%20Texas |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 15, 2024}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 365 people, 146 households, and 109 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|265.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 154 housing units at an average density of {{convert|111.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.05% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.27% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.37% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.66% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.64% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 12.33% of the population.

There were 146 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% 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 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 33.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $75,470, and the median income for a family was $78,937. Males had a median income of $52,083 versus $34,375 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $28,833. About 7.3% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
The [[Municipal council|city council]] consists of one mayor and five council members, one of which is a [[Pro tempore|mayor pro tem]].<ref name=":0" /> As of 2022, the mayor was Marc Bruner and the council members were Mayor Pro tem Alfonso Carmona, Rudi Rosengarten, Wanda Reetz, Justin Litchfield, and Robert Johnson.<ref name=":0">"[https://www.sunsetvalley.org/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC={FBCE4A4E-0C18-40AD-9CF5-195102D3553A} City of Sunset Valley Mayor and Council]."</ref>

==Human resources==

=== Public health ===
[[Emergency medical services]] are provided by Austin-Travis-County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS).<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Cicale|first=Olivia Aldridge,Nicholas|date=2020-07-02|title=Construction begins on new fire and EMS station in Southwest Austin|url=https://communityimpact.com/austin/southwest-austin-dripping-springs/public-safety/2020/07/02/construction-begins-on-new-fire-and-ems-station-in-southwest-austin/|access-date=2022-02-01|website=impact|language=English}}</ref> The [[Austin Fire Department|Austin Fire Department's]] Fire Station 51 and ATCEMS Station Number 40 house emergency medical personnel that service Sunset Valley and the surrounding communities.<ref name=":6" />

=== Public safety ===
Sunset Valley provides funds and a [[Municipal police|municipal law enforcement agency]].<ref name=":3" /> [[Fire protection]] is provided by the Austin Fire Department.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-18|title=New Austin Fire Department station will serve Sunset Valley, Travis Country residents|url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/new-austin-fire-department-station-will-serve-sunset-valley-travis-country-residents/|access-date=2022-02-01|website=KXAN Austin|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Police and law enforcement ===
The Sunset Valley Police Department (SVPD) is the primary law enforcement agency of Sunset Valley.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Police Department Staff - Sunset Valley |url=https://www.sunsetvalley.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BFEF94C11-E500-41EE-B577-9ACDF33CB977%7D|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.sunsetvalley.org}}</ref> and as of 2022, consists of 14 employees, 13 sworn officers and one civilian employee.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Sunset Valley - FY22 Budget (Public Safety)|url=https://www.sunsetvalley.org/vertical/sites/%7B8963FD9D-CEFE-410A-A38B-1611D53E7AA1%7D/uploads/FY22_Final_Adopted_Budget.pdf#page=42|access-date=2022-02-01}}</ref> The department is composed of a police chief, an evidence tech/administrative assistant, a lieutenant, one detective sergeant, two patrol sergeants, and eight patrol officers. There are four patrol officers assigned to each patrol sergeant.<ref name=":1"/>

Beginning in the early-1950s, a series of city service development began, culminating in a Police Protection organization in 1954 and a police reserve force in 1978.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Lueckemeyer|first=Olivia|date=2017-09-08|title=Sunset Valley unanimously approves appointment of new police chief|url=https://communityimpact.com/southwest-austin/city-county/2017/09/08/sunset-valley-slated-appoint-new-police-chief-tuesday-sept-12/|access-date=2022-02-01|website=impact|language=English}}</ref> SVPD was formally created in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web|title=City History - Sunset Valley |url=https://www.sunsetvalley.org/index.asp?SEC=2D89AFF2-E41F-4E3B-A0C3-0C3334D02AAE&Type=B_BASIC|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.sunsetvalley.org}}</ref> The SVPD headquarters are at the Sunset Valley City Hall, located at 3205 Jones Rd, Sunset Valley, TX 78745.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cities: Sunset Valley - Texas State Directory Online|url=https://www.txdirectory.com/online/city/detail.php?id=63|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.txdirectory.com}}</ref> As of Fiscal Year 2022, the annual budget was $1.8 million.<ref name=":1" />

On September 12, 2017, Lenn Carter replaced intermin Police Chief Lt. Rich Andreucci as Chief of Police. Prior to joining the SVPD, Lenn Carter served as the deputy police chief for the Denton Police Department.<ref name=":2" /> Upon becoming Chief of Police, Lenn Carter's primary goal was stated as fostering a sense of trust between community members and the police department.<ref name=":2" /> The Chief of Police position is appointed by a City Council vote.<ref name=":2" />

==== Police services ====
Sunset Valley Police Department provides 24-hour law enforcement services to a retail and residential community surrounded entirely by the City of Austin.<ref name=":1" /> SVPD enforces the laws of the State of Texas, as well as the City of Sunset Valley Code of Ordinances.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Code of Ordinances - Sunset Valley|url=https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sunsetvalley/latest/sunsetvalley_tx/0-0-0-1|access-date=2022-02-01}}</ref> The SVPD has a stated focus of providing shared partnerships within their community.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Police Department - Sunset Valley |url=https://www.sunsetvalley.org/index.asp?SEC=93C27A99-A140-46B6-BAB5-A3492CBE9FD1&Type=B_BASIC|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.sunsetvalley.org}}</ref> As of Fiscal Year 2022, SVPD's budget includes operations for a National Night Out Against Crime, a Community Partnership program, a Crime Prevention program/Child Safety program, and a Neighborhood Watch program.<ref name=":1" />

==== Notable incidents ====
The Sunset Valley Police Department contributed to the investigation of the [[Austin serial bombings]] that occurred between March 2 and March 22, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Almasy|first=Jason Hanna,Madison Park,Steve|date=2018-03-20|title=Package explodes in San Antonio, then Austin police respond to reports of another incident|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/20/us/austin-explosions/index.html|access-date=2022-02-01|website=CNN|language=en}}</ref> The suspect, 23-year-old Mark Anthony Conditt, was observed on security footage at a FedEx store within Sunset Valley, where multiple explosive packages had been shipped.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Austin On Edge As Another Explosion Is Reported Late Tuesday|language=en|work=NPR.org|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/20/595136020/bomb-destined-for-austin-explodes-at-fedex-hub-near-san-antonio|access-date=2022-02-01}}</ref>

=== Firefighting ===
Firefighting services were historically provided by a volunteer department, but this was dissolved in September 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunset Valley Volunteer Fire Department :: Texas (US) :: OpenCorporates|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0800754336|access-date=2022-02-01|website=opencorporates.com}}</ref> In 2018, a new fire station was proposed to be built within Sunset Valley city limits.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Proposed Fire Station Project - Sunset Valley |url=https://www.sunsetvalley.org/index.asp?SEC=E042EF32-1342-4424-981A-8F9E171D6FA1&Type=B_LIST#%7BDD1CF47A-B9A4-493E-9EEB-8D08BDAA0D2A%7D|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.sunsetvalley.org}}</ref> However, the decision was made to build the station within Austin city limits and services both communities.<ref name=":5" /> The Austin Fire Department (AFD) now services the citizens of Sunset Valley.<ref name=":4" /> The new station, Fire Station 51, is located at 5410 Highway 290 and employs both ATCEMS and AFD personnel.<ref name=":4"/>

[[Image:SunsetValleyESTX.JPG|thumb|Sunset Valley Elementary School]]
==Education==
Sunset Valley is within the [[Austin Independent School District]]. The city is zoned to Sunset Valley Elementary School in Sunset Valley, Covington Middle School, and [[Crockett High School (Austin, Texas)|Crockett High School]].<ref>"[https://access.austinisd.org/school_boundaries/index.php School Assignment by Residential Address]." ''[[Austin Independent School District]]''. Retrieved on December 13, 2008.</ref> <!--Please enter the address of Sunset Valley's city hall to check school zoning-->

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" widths="180px">
Image:2007.09.26-cityhall-closeup.jpg|Sunset Valley City Hall
Image:SunsetValleyTXCityOffices.JPG|City offices – 2004
Image:SunsetValleyTXPolice.JPG|Sunset Valley Police Department
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.sunsetvalley.org/ City of Sunset Valley website]
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=hls88|name=Sunset Valley, Texas}}

{{Travis County, Texas}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Travis County, Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Greater Austin]]
[[Category:Enclaves in the United States]]