Dell City, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dell City, Texas
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Sign indicating the city limits
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Location of Dell City, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Hudspeth |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.67 sq mi (4.32 km2) |
| • Land | 1.67 sq mi (4.32 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,698 ft (1,127 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 245 |
| • Density | 146.7/sq mi (56.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
79837
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| Area code(s) | 915 |
| FIPS code | 48-19708 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2410318 |
Dell City is a small city in Hudspeth County, Texas, United States. In 2020, about 245 people lived there. This number was 365 in 2010 and 413 in 2000.
The city was officially started in 1948. This happened after oil explorers found a large underground water supply. This discovery brought many farmers to the area. The city's name comes from the children's song "The Farmer in the Dell."
Contents
History of Dell City
Dell City began in 1948 because of the newly found underground water. People from other parts of Texas and New Mexico moved there. It quickly grew into a town focused on farming. In the 1950s, about 500 people lived in Dell City.
In 2012, a writer from The New York Times called Dell City "a borderline ghost town". By 2014, the population was 336, with an average age of 50. In 2016, a reporter noted that residents had different ideas about the town's future. Some thought it was "dying," while others believed it would get better. The people of Dell City said no to plans for building a prison or a factory.
Where is Dell City Located?
Dell City is in the northeastern part of Hudspeth County in West Texas. It is about 13 miles (21 km) north of U.S. Routes 62 and 180. The city is also about 4 miles (6 km) south of the New Mexico border. The Guadalupe Mountains can be seen to the east.
The city covers a total area of about 1.67 square miles (4.3 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Dell City is about 90 miles (140 km) from El Paso, which is to the west. Carlsbad, New Mexico, is also about 90 miles (140 km) away to the northeast.
The city is located about 20 miles (32 km) west of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It takes about 45 minutes to drive there, according to Texas Highways.
What is the Climate Like?
| Climate data for Dell City, Texas | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 81 (27) |
87 (31) |
93 (34) |
101 (38) |
108 (42) |
115 (46) |
112 (44) |
108 (42) |
105 (41) |
101 (38) |
90 (32) |
79 (26) |
115 (46) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 60.0 (15.6) |
64.8 (18.2) |
72.7 (22.6) |
80.8 (27.1) |
89.4 (31.9) |
97.6 (36.4) |
97.3 (36.3) |
94.9 (34.9) |
88.8 (31.6) |
80.5 (26.9) |
68.4 (20.2) |
59.3 (15.2) |
79.5 (26.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.4 (−3.7) |
30.0 (−1.1) |
35.6 (2.0) |
42.9 (6.1) |
52.6 (11.4) |
60.9 (16.1) |
64.8 (18.2) |
63.5 (17.5) |
56.2 (13.4) |
44.4 (6.9) |
32.2 (0.1) |
25.6 (−3.6) |
44.5 (6.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 3 (−16) |
−9 (−23) |
11 (−12) |
20 (−7) |
32 (0) |
44 (7) |
53 (12) |
50 (10) |
34 (1) |
21 (−6) |
9 (−13) |
−5 (−21) |
−9 (−23) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.43 (11) |
0.59 (15) |
0.28 (7.1) |
0.27 (6.9) |
0.89 (23) |
0.94 (24) |
1.48 (38) |
1.89 (48) |
1.74 (44) |
0.99 (25) |
0.54 (14) |
0.52 (13) |
10.55 (268) |
| Source: The Western Regional Climate Center | |||||||||||||
Economy and Businesses
As of 2019, the main jobs in Dell City were in farming and ranching. Many farms were owned by families. Two cotton gins also provided jobs. By 2016, the number of farms had gone down. However, by 2019, some new businesses started growing alfalfa. People from nearby areas also began growing chile peppers on rented land around Dell City.
In 1979, Dell City had three grocery stores and four bars. By 1989, there was only one grocery and general store, Dell City Mercantile. It later burned down in a fire that year. At that time, there were also three bars, two gas stations, two restaurants, a hardware store, and a video rental place. In 2016, the city had one grocery store called Two T's Grocery. The Dell City Mercantile was also still open as a general store. There were also two restaurants: Spanish Angel Cafe and Rosita’s Cafe.
In 1989, there were no barber shops in Dell City or the rest of Hudspeth County. By 2023, a barber shop called The Hair Hauler opened.
By 2019, a business owner started renting out several old buildings as Airbnbs for visitors.
Healthcare Services
In 1989, Dell City had one doctor who saw patients on Wednesdays. For other medical needs, people had to travel to El Paso. The closest hospital in 1989 was also in El Paso. Today, there is an Emergency Services District that helps with medical emergencies in the area.
Town Appearance
Dell City does not have any traffic lights. Many of its buildings are built in the adobe style. Since the town was started in the 20th century, it looks different from older small towns in Texas. Laura Lynch, who was a member of the original Dixie Chicks, worked to restore old buildings in the town.
Education and Schools
The Dell City Independent School District serves the area. This school district has only one school. It teaches students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. In 1949, a teacher was sent to Dell City from another school district. In 1950, Grace Grebing became the first superintendent of Dell City ISD.
The school district also runs the Grace Grebing Public Library. This library is open to everyone in Dell City. It was named after Grace Grebing, who was a teacher there for many years.
El Paso Community College also serves Hudspeth County.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 383 | — | |
| 1980 | 495 | 29.2% | |
| 1990 | 569 | 14.9% | |
| 2000 | 413 | −27.4% | |
| 2010 | 365 | −11.6% | |
| 2020 | 245 | −32.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
What is Dell City's Population Like?
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 84 | 34.29% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1 | 0.41% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 4 | 1.63% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 7 | 2.86% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 149 | 60.82% |
| Total | 245 |
According to the 2020 United States census, 245 people lived in Dell City. There were 83 households and 30 families in the city.
Local Media
The Dell Valley Review newspaper started in Dell City in 1956. In 1964, its name changed to the Hudspeth County Herald. Its offices are now in Odessa. The newspaper still uses a mailing address in Fort Hancock. Its full name is Hudspeth County Herald and Dell Valley Review. In 2012, the newspaper had one employee, who was the editor.
Dell City in Culture
Filmmaker Josh Carter helped people from Dell City make four films starting in 2002. He combined these films into one work called Tales from Dell City, Texas, which came out in 2012. A reviewer said the film shows a "dusty slice of vanishing Americana." It tells a story about hard work, strength, and dreams in the desert.
Notable People from Dell City
- Laura Lynch, who helped start the original Dixie Chicks music group.
Images for kids
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Sign for Dell City at Dell City Junction (south of Dell City, U.S. Highway 62 at FM 1437)
See also
In Spanish: Dell City (Texas) para niños
