Jonestown, Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonestown, Texas
City
Welcome sign at east border along RM 1431
Motto(s):  Gateway to the Hill Country
Location of Jonestown, Texas
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Travis
Incorporated	1985; 40 years ago (1985)
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
Area
• Total	7.60 sq mi (19.68 km2)
• Land	6.41 sq mi (16.60 km2)
• Water	1.19 sq mi (3.09 km2)
Elevation	682 ft (208 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,365
• Density	328.44/sq mi (126.82/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	78645
Area code(s)	512
FIPS code	48-38020
GNIS feature ID	2410148

Jonestown is a city in Travis County, Texas, United States. It is located on the north shore of Lake Travis. In 2020, the city had a population of 2,365 people.

History of Jonestown

How Jonestown Started

Jonestown was created by two brothers, Warren and Emmet A. Jones, in the 1930s. They saw a great chance to develop land when the Mansfield Dam was being built on the Colorado River. Once the dam was finished, Jonestown would have waterfront property along the new Lake Travis.

The Jones brothers first sold waterfront lots for $50 in 1939. They later raised the price to $100 and offered payment plans.

Growth and Challenges

For many years, Jonestown had fewer than 1,000 residents. Most of the homes were weekend cabins. The city officially became an incorporated city in 1985. This means it gained its own local government.

After becoming a city, Jonestown grew quickly. The population went from 683 in 1988 to 1,250 by 1990. However, a slowdown in real estate stopped this fast growth around 1990.

In 1992, Jonestown had a small budget. It had two police officers from the Travis County Sheriff's office. It also had a volunteer fire department. However, the city did not provide services like water or electricity.

Changes and Expansion

In the 1990s, some residents wanted to dissolve the city. They were worried about higher taxes and new rules. But others feared that if Jonestown was no longer a city, a larger city like Austin might take over the area. This was a main reason why Jonestown became a city in the first place.

In 1996, Jonestown grew its borders. It added a large piece of land that a real estate group had bought. By 1999, the city had 1,500 residents. Home prices in the area also increased. These changes helped the city offer more services to its residents. Some people liked the changes, but others felt the population was growing too fast. The population continued to grow, reaching 1,834 by 2010.

Geography of Jonestown

Jonestown is located at 30°29′20″N 97°55′27″W / 30.488872°N 97.924208°W / 30.488872; -97.924208. It is at the northern end of Lake Travis. The city is about 19 miles (31 km) northwest of Austin.

The city covers a total area of about 5.3 square miles (13.7 km²). Most of this area, about 4.7 square miles (12.1 km²), is land. The remaining 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) is water, making up about 11.34% of the city's total area.

Population and People

Who Lives in Jonestown?

In 2020, there were 2,365 people living in Jonestown. These people lived in 849 households, with 640 of them being families.

In 2000, there were 1,681 people and 699 households. About 29.6% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.40 people. The average family had 2.98 people.

Culture and Activities

Jonestown is a place where people enjoy outdoor activities. For example, in 2001, Jones Brothers Park hosted a large bass fishing tournament. About 200 anglers, or people who fish, took part in the event.

Parks and Recreation

Veterans Memorial Park in September 2021

Jonestown has several parks for residents and visitors to enjoy. Some are developed with facilities, while others are natural areas.

Developed Parks

• Jones Brothers Park: This is a large 32-acre park along Lake Travis. It has many fun things to do, like recreational areas. It also has the city's three public boat ramps.
• Canyonlands Trail Park: This park has a half-mile nature trail. It connects Jones Brothers Park to Fireman's Park.
• Fireman's Park and Shady Park: These are two smaller parks close to the city center. A walking path connects them. Fireman's Park is next to a public bus stop.
• Veterans Park: This small park is near the city center. It has a special memorial for veterans. It is the only developed park north of RM 1431.
• Pecan Park: This park is along Big Sandy Creek. Locals kept a rock dam in the creek, and it became an official public park.

Undeveloped Parks

The city also manages several undeveloped parks. These include David Reed Park, Laura Reed Park, and other unnamed parks. Jonestown is also surrounded by many natural forest areas. Much of this land is owned by the Lower Colorado River Authority.

Transportation and Roads

Major Roads

RM 1431 is a main road that goes through the middle of Jonestown. This road runs east and west. It connects Jonestown to Marble Falls (about 30 miles west) and Cedar Park (about 8 miles east). In 2008, RM 1431 was improved. It was straightened and made wider to help with the growing traffic around Lake Travis.

Public Transportation

Jonestown has public transportation provided by CapMetro. This is the bus service for the Austin area. The CapMetro Bus route 214, called the Northwest Feeder, has stops in Jonestown. This route goes from Lago Vista (west of Jonestown) to Lakeline station. Lakeline station is a transit center in Northwest Austin.

Education in Jonestown

Students in Jonestown attend schools in two different school districts. These are the Leander Independent School District and the Lago Vista Independent School District.

Notable Person from Jonestown

• Travis Parker: A professional snowboarder who grew up in Jonestown.

See also

In Spanish: Jonestown (Texas) para niños