Cameron, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cameron, Texas
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Cameron Post Office
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"Hometown, Texas"
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Location of Cameron, Texas
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 Cameron, Texas
Location in Texas
Cameron, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Milam |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.24 sq mi (13.57 km2) |
| • Land | 5.24 sq mi (13.57 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 400 ft (100 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,306 |
| • Density | 1,042.95/sq mi (402.72/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
76520
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| Area code(s) | 254 |
| FIPS code | 48-12040 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1353598 |
Cameron is a city located in Milam County, Texas, United States. It is the main town, also known as the county seat, of Milam County. In 2020, about 5,306 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Cameron's Location
Cameron is found at 30°51′16″N 96°58′43″W / 30.85444°N 96.97861°W. This means it's at a specific spot on the map. It sits where two major roads, U.S. Highways 77 and 190, meet.
The city is about 71 miles northeast of Austin. This places it in the north-central part of Milam County. The United States Census Bureau says Cameron covers about 4.2 square miles (13.57 square kilometers) of land.
Cameron's Past: A Look at History
How Cameron Began
After Texas became part of the U.S., a group was formed in 1846. Their job was to find a permanent spot for the Milam County seat. They bought land near the Little River. They named the new town Cameron. It was named after Ewen Cameron, a brave Scottish highlander. He was important in the Texas Revolution.
The county records were moved to Cameron later that year. Before this, Nashville was the county seat. Cameron faced challenges because it was far from a railroad. The closest one was 50 miles away.
People tried to use the Little River for trade. In 1850, a steamboat named Washington even reached Cameron. This caused a big celebration! However, using the river regularly was too hard. Other towns like Port Sullivan and Nashville became bigger trade centers. Later, Rockdale also grew with a new railroad. People wondered if Cameron should stay the county seat. But after votes in 1874 and 1880, Cameron remained the county seat.
Growing Up: Becoming a City
In 1881, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway came to Cameron. This helped the town's economy a lot. More people moved there. Between 1878 and 1884, the number of residents grew from 500 to 800.
Cameron officially became an incorporated city in 1889. This meant it had its own local government. Another railroad, the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway, arrived in 1890. By 1892, nearly 2,000 people lived in Cameron.
At first, cotton was the main product. But in the 1900s, Cameron's economy became more varied. Oil was found nearby in 1915. This led to new investments. In the 1920s and 1930s, milk product companies, like Kraft-Phenix Cheese, opened. By 1930, the population was 4,565. It grew to 5,040 by 1940.
Cameron Today
In the 1950s, the Aluminum Company of America built a plant near Rockdale. This created many jobs for Cameron residents. The plant used lignite for power, which also boosted the local economy. Between 1950 and 1960, Cameron's population grew from 5,052 to 5,640.
However, this growth didn't last. Railroad tracks were removed, making transportation harder. The Alcoa plant closed in 2009. The population numbers changed a bit over the years.
Since 2010, the Burning Flipside festival has been held nearby. This event brings visitors to the area.
In 2021, a train derailment happened near Cameron. A train carrying petroleum crashed. This caused an explosion and led to nearby homes being evacuated. Luckily, no one was hurt.
Since October 2021, Cameron's downtown area has been getting a fresh start. Historic buildings are being fixed up. Many new businesses have opened. The downtown is now a busy place. You can find the Historic Courthouse, the Milam County Museum, and the Railroad Museum. There are also new shops, restaurants, and a coffee place. The city also holds many festivals and car shows downtown.
Who Lives in Cameron: Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 441 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,608 | 264.6% | |
| 1900 | 3,341 | 107.8% | |
| 1910 | 3,263 | −2.3% | |
| 1920 | 4,298 | 31.7% | |
| 1930 | 4,565 | 6.2% | |
| 1940 | 5,040 | 10.4% | |
| 1950 | 5,052 | 0.2% | |
| 1960 | 5,640 | 11.6% | |
| 1970 | 5,546 | −1.7% | |
| 1980 | 5,721 | 3.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,580 | −2.5% | |
| 2000 | 5,634 | 1.0% | |
| 2010 | 5,552 | −1.5% | |
| 2020 | 5,306 | −4.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Cameron as of 2020:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 2,232 | 42.07% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 978 | 18.43% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 9 | 0.17% |
| Asian (NH) | 20 | 0.38% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 2 | 0.04% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 9 | 0.17% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 98 | 1.85% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,958 | 36.9% |
| Total | 5,306 |
In 2020, there were 5,306 people living in Cameron. These people lived in 1,891 households. About 1,209 of these households were families.
Back in 2000, there were 5,634 people. About 32.9% of households had children under 18. The average household had about 2.58 people. The average family had about 3.25 people.
The median age in Cameron in 2000 was 37 years old. This means half the people were younger and half were older. About 28.0% of the population was under 18.
Learning in Cameron: Schools
The schools in Cameron are part of the Cameron Independent School District. This district is responsible for educating the children in the city.
Famous People from Cameron
Many interesting people have connections to Cameron:
- Pat M. Baskin: A judge and city council member. He was born in Cameron in 1926.
- Daniel E. Garcia: A bishop in California. He was born and grew up in Cameron.
- William Graham Gillis Jr.: A soldier from Cameron who died in WWII. A building at West Point is named after him.
- Virgil Johnson: The lead singer of The Velvets. He was also a teacher.
- Manse Jolly: A Confederate soldier who lived in Cameron for two years.
- Drayton McLane Jr.: A business leader and former owner of the Houston Astros baseball team. He was born and grew up in Cameron.
- Dede Westbrook: A wide receiver for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. He is from Cameron.
- Sam Williams: A former NFL player for the San Diego Chargers. He was born in Cameron.
Cameron's Weather: Climate
The weather in Cameron has hot and humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, it's shown as Cfa.
See also
In Spanish: Cameron (Texas) para niños
