Elkhart, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elkhart, Texas
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Downtown Elkhart
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Location of Elkhart, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Anderson |
| Government | |
| • Type | Type A Mayor & Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.54 sq mi (3.99 km2) |
| • Land | 1.54 sq mi (3.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 407 ft (124 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,287 |
| • Density | 843.4/sq mi (325.65/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75839
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| Area code(s) | 903, 430 |
| FIPS code | 48-23140 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412476 |
Elkhart is a small town located in Anderson County, Texas, in the United States. It was named after a helpful Native American who assisted the first people to settle there. In 2020, about 1,287 people lived in Elkhart.
Contents
Discovering Elkhart's Past
The story of Elkhart began with a church group led by Daniel Parker. This group, called the Pilgrim Predestinarian Baptist Church, formed in Illinois in 1833. They moved to Texas because the Mexican government at the time did not allow their church to organize.
Early Settlers and Churches
Daniel Parker and his father, John Parker, brought their church members to Texas in 1834. John Parker's group settled and built Fort Parker. Daniel's group first settled in what is now Grimes County. Later, they moved closer to Fort Houston.
Daniel Parker traveled often to preach to his church members in their homes. In 1836, threats from a general's army and an attack on Fort Parker made John Parker's group seek safety near Fort Houston. The Pilgrim Church started meeting again in February 1837.
In 1839, the church decided to build a church house. They chose a spot near Daniel Parker's home. They built a log house and cleared a burial ground. Daniel Parker was buried there in 1844. This church, now called Old Pilgrim Church, became the center of the community. People called the area Parker's Settlement or just Pilgrim.
Around the same time, the first Methodist sermon was given by Rev. William Stevenson. His church members built their own church around 1840. It was about a mile west of the Pilgrim Baptist Church.
How Elkhart Got Its Name
The community received a post office in March 1850. It was first named Elkheart, but later changed to Elkhart. The post office was located about four miles south of where Elkhart is today. It was named after a Native American who had helped the early settlers.
The Railroad Arrives
When the railroad line from Houston to Palestine was completed in 1872, Elkhart moved north. It relocated to be closer to the new train depot. This is how Elkhart became known as the "railroad village" connected to the original Parker settlement.
Exploring Elkhart's Location
Elkhart is found in the southern part of Anderson County. U.S. Route 287 goes right through the town. This road leads north about 10 miles to Palestine, which is the main city of the county.
The highway also goes south. It's about 12 miles to Grapeland and 25 miles to Crockett. Crockett is the main city for Houston County. The town of Elkhart covers about 1.5 square miles of land, with no water area.
Who Lives in Elkhart?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 751 | — | |
| 1950 | 776 | 3.3% | |
| 1960 | 780 | 0.5% | |
| 1970 | 997 | 27.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,317 | 32.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,076 | −18.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,215 | 12.9% | |
| 2010 | 1,371 | 12.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,287 | −6.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 969 | 75.29% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 125 | 9.71% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 5 | 0.39% |
| Asian (NH) | 6 | 0.47% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 2 | 0.16% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 9 | 0.7% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 44 | 3.42% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 127 | 9.87% |
| Total | 1,287 |
In 2020, the town of Elkhart had 1,287 people living there. There were 453 households and 316 families. Most of the people living in Elkhart were non-Hispanic white. Black or African Americans made up the second largest group.
In 2020, the average household income in Elkhart was $37,159. About 19.9% of the people in the town lived at or below the poverty line.
Learning in Elkhart
The students in Elkhart attend schools that are part of the Elkhart Independent School District.
Famous People from Elkhart
- F. Tillman Durdin, a journalist
- Tye Sheridan, an actor
- Jeff Wilson, an NFL running back for the Miami Dolphins
See also
In Spanish: Elkhart (Texas) para niños
