Edna, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edna, Texas
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Edna City Hall
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 Edna, Texas
Location in Texas
Edna, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County |  Jackson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.13 sq mi (10.71 km2) |
| • Land | 4.13 sq mi (10.71 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,987 |
| • Density | 1,449.6/sq mi (559.01/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77957
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| Area code(s) | 361 |
| FIPS code | 48-22720 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1356828 |
Edna is a city in Jackson County, Texas, United States. It is the "county seat," which means it's the main town where the county government is located. In 2020, about 5,987 people lived in Edna.
Edna is often called the "Flag City of Texas." It is also known as the gateway to Lake Texana, a huge lake that covers about 11,000 acres. The city has a hospital, a library, a museum, and a city park with a swimming pool. It also has a country club with a golf course.
Contents
History of Edna, Texas
Edna was founded in 1882. This happened when a new railroad line, the New York, Texas and Mexican Railway, was built. The railroad bypassed the old county seat, Texana.
The railroad construction began in September 1881. The town of Edna was planned on land owned by Mrs. Lucy Flournoy. The railroad company, led by Italian Count Joseph Telfener, named the new town after his daughter, Edna.
Many Italian workers built the "Macaroni" railroad, as it was nicknamed. After the railroad was finished, many of these workers stayed in the area and made Edna their home. The first train arrived on July 4, 1882.
Becoming the County Seat
On January 22, 1883, people voted to make Edna the new county seat instead of Texana. A new courthouse was planned in February 1884. A post office opened in Edna in 1886.
The first churches in Edna, the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations, moved from Texana. The Presbyterian church even moved its building about 8 miles overland! This building, built in 1859, is now the oldest public building in the county. It has been restored and is a cultural center.
Newspapers and Important Cases
The first newspaper in Edna was the Jackson County Progress. A big fire in 1906 destroyed the newspaper office and much of the business area. After that, the Edna Herald newspaper started publishing on November 22, 1906.
In 1954, a very important court case called Hernandez v. Texas happened. This case was about how juries were chosen in Edna. The U.S. Supreme Court decided that all groups, including Mexican Americans, must have equal protection under the law. This was a big step for civil rights in the United States.
Geography and Climate
Edna is located in the Gulf Coast region of Texas. This area is known for its large live oak trees, thick forests, and rich farmland.
The city covers about 4.13 square miles (10.7 square kilometers) of land. Edna is in the area where water flows into the Lavaca River. This river eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Lake Texana, a large lake, is about 6 miles east of Edna.
Major Roads
U.S. Highway 59 (which will become I-69) runs through the northwest part of Edna. This highway connects Edna to Houston, about 100 miles northeast, and Victoria, about 25 miles southwest. Corpus Christi is about 119 miles southwest.
Weather in Edna
Edna has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 537 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,752 | — | |
| 1940 | 2,724 | 55.5% | |
| 1950 | 3,855 | 41.5% | |
| 1960 | 5,038 | 30.7% | |
| 1970 | 5,332 | 5.8% | |
| 1980 | 5,634 | 5.7% | |
| 1990 | 5,343 | −5.2% | |
| 2000 | 5,899 | 10.4% | |
| 2010 | 5,499 | −6.8% | |
| 2020 | 5,987 | 8.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,987 people living in Edna. The city is home to a diverse population.
In 2000, there were 5,899 people and 2,227 households. About 35% of households had children under 18. The average age of people in Edna was 35 years old.
Education in Edna
The Edna Independent School District serves the city. It includes one elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The high school mascot is the Cowboy.
Famous People from Edna
- "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, a famous professional wrestler and film star.
- Iben Browning, a climatologist.
- Shifty Henry, a musician and songwriter.
- Curtis Cavielle Taylor, a lawyer who worked for civil rights.
Fun Facts About Edna
- Edna is known as "The Flag City of Texas."
- In the 1920s, the school mascot was the eagle.
- The First National Bank of Edna was the first bank bought by Prosperity Bancshares, a large bank company.
See also
In Spanish: Edna (Texas) para niños
