Bay City, Texas: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 15:57, 14 March 2025

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Template:US Census population Bay City is a city and the county seat of Matagorda County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,614 at the 2010 census<ref name=CensusQF/> and 18,061 at the 2020 census.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and 0.12% is covered by water.

Bay City was formerly named "Bay Prairie", as the natural ecosystems that surround the town are prairies crisscrossed by creeks that lead into the bay.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bay City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

**Bay City racial composition as of 2020**<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
(NH = Non-Hispanic)Template:Efn
Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	5,811	32.17%
Black or African American (NH)	2,810	15.56%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	56	0.31%
Asian (NH)	169	0.94%
Pacific Islander (NH)	4	0.02%
Some Other Race (NH)	43	0.24%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	366	2.03%
Hispanic or Latino	8,802	48.73%
Total	18,061

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,061 people, 6,602 households, and 4,086 families residing in the city.

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, 18,667 people, 6,912 households, and 4,769 families resided in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 8,113 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 61.62% White, 17.26% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 16.84% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 34.74% of the population.

Of the 6,912 households, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were not families. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city, the population was distributed as 30.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,446, and for a family was $39,281. Males had a median income of $38,202 versus $23,058 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,284. About 18.3% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over. Minorities make up the largest ethnic portion of Bay City, Texas.

Economy

In 2017, Bay City became the site of a new $1.8-billion Tenaris seamless-pipe mill, making tubular goods, such as drill pipe and casing, for the oil-drilling industry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bay City formerly housed the headquarters of Stanley Stores.<ref name="2newstores">Staff. "Price-Lo Supermarkets opens two new stores in Houston Template:Webarchive." Houston Chronicle. Sunday July 24, 1988. Business 6. Retrieved on November 20, 2011.</ref> The chain made several donations to the Bay City Museum.<ref>Willey, Scott Reese. "Grocer remembered fondly for his service Template:Webarchive." The Victoria Advocate. July 15, 1999. 1E. Retrieved on November 21, 2011. "Stanley Stores also made considerable donations to the Bay City Museum"</ref>

Attractions

Bay City is home to the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, a Template:Convert expanse of gardens and wildlife along the Colorado River of Texas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Other attractions include the Matagorda County Museum,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Market Days every third Saturday,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and a variety of small shops and boutiques downtown. The Bay City Art League, also located here, has recently undergone major renovations and is currently working to revitalize the art scene in Matagorda County. In addition, the Bay City Community Theatre group (CAST) regularly produces shows at various local venues.

Bay City Regional Airport

Bay City Regional Airport
Businesses in Bay City

Businesses in Bay City
Matagorda County Museum

Matagorda County Museum
Downtown Bay City

Downtown Bay City

Education

Bay City is served by the Bay City Independent School District, consisting of elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high schools (including Bay City High School). The district previously operated seven schools until grade levels were condensed. It is now operating five schools and is led by superintendent Dr. Marshall Scott III.

The designated community college for Bay City ISD is Wharton County Junior College.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has a campus in Bay City, focusing on technical training and nuclear plant operations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highways

Rail

Bay City is located on the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) main line that roughly parallels the Texas Gulf Coast from Brownsville to Algoa, near Houston. The main line is shared by the BNSF Railway under trackage rights, and the BNSF operates a branch line from Bay City to Wadsworth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As of 2024, the rail lines serving the city are used for freight haulage only; no passenger service is offered.

Air

Bay City Regional Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located five nautical miles (9 km) east of the central business district of Bay City.<ref name=FAA>Template:FAA-airport, effective 2023-08-10.</ref>

Health care

Matagorda County is served by the Matagorda Regional Medical Center, and the mission-aligned Matagorda Medical Group. The Matagorda Episcopal Health Outreach Program (MEHOP), the county's only federally qualified health center, offers Family Medical, OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, Behavior Health, and Dentistry services. MEHOP accepts most insurances and assures that no patient will be denied or unable to access health care services due to an individual's inability to pay.