Leakey, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leakey, Texas
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Real County Courthouse in Leakey
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Location of Leakey, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Real |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.56 sq mi (1.45 km2) |
| • Land | 0.56 sq mi (1.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,604 ft (489 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 315 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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438 |
| • Density | 780.75/sq mi (301.46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78873
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| Area code | 830 |
| FIPS code | 48-42004 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411643 |
Leakey (pronounced LAY-kee) is a small city in Texas, United States. It's the main town, also known as the county seat, of Real County. In 2020, about 315 people lived there.
The city is named after John H. Leakey (1824–1900), who was a pioneer from Tennessee. The Alto Frio Baptist Encampment, a place for religious retreats, is located southeast of the city.
Contents
History of Leakey
Long ago, different Native American tribes like the Lipan Apache, Comanche, and Tonkawa lived in or traveled through the Frio Canyon area.
Settlement by Anglo-Americans began in 1856. John Leakey, his wife Nancy, and a few others settled near a spring by the Frio River. They used the many cypress and cedar trees to make shingles and lumber. Early settlers faced challenges, including occasional conflicts with Native American groups until around 1882.
After the American Civil War, more families moved to the area, and Leakey grew. In 1883, a post office was moved to Leakey. That same year, the Texas State Legislature created Edwards County, and Leakey was chosen as its county seat. Also in 1883, the first school in the area was started on land given by the Leakey family. A new school building was finished in 1890. However, in 1891, the Edwards County seat was moved to Rocksprings.
In the early 1900s, ranching became more important than lumber, cotton, and corn farming for the local economy. Raising Angora goats was a big part of the ranching business. In 1902, the school in Leakey had 102 students. By 1904, the town's population was estimated to be 318 people.
Real County was formed in 1913 from parts of Edwards, Bandera, and Kerr Counties. Leakey became the county seat again. In 1919, the Leakey Independent School District was created. By the mid-1920s, the population had gone down to about 120. A larger school building was completed in 1930. Soon after, several smaller schools nearby joined with Leakey schools.
Leakey officially became a city on June 11, 1951. The number of people living there changed a lot in the second half of the 20th century. Leakey had 450 people in 1960, 393 in 1970, 468 in 1980, and 399 in 1990. By 2000, there were 387 residents.
On March 29, 2017, a serious traffic accident occurred near Leakey. Thirteen senior citizens from a church group were involved in a crash on U.S. Highway 83 in Uvalde County. One person survived the crash.
Geography and Location
Leakey is located where several important roads meet: U.S. Highway 83, RM 336, RM 337, and FM 1120. It is in the southeastern part of Real County. The city is about 35 miles north of Uvalde and 90 miles northwest of San Antonio.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Leakey covers an area of about 0.6 square miles (1.45 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
The community is also close to Garner State Park, which is a popular place for outdoor activities.
Climate in Leakey
Leakey has a humid subtropical climate. This means that the summers are hot and humid, and the winters are generally mild to cool.
Population and Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 587 | — | |
| 1970 | 393 | −33.0% | |
| 1980 | 468 | 19.1% | |
| 1990 | 399 | −14.7% | |
| 2000 | 387 | −3.0% | |
| 2010 | 425 | 9.8% | |
| 2020 | 445 | 4.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
The 2020 United States census showed that there were 315 people living in Leakey. About 55% of the residents were male. There were 163 households and 184 housing units in the city.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 206 | 65.4% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 6 | 1.9% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 1 | 0.32% |
| Asian (NH) | 3 | 0.95% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 3 | 0.95% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 96 | 30.48% |
| Total | 315 |
About 75% of Leakey's residents are white, and about 25% are Hispanic or Latino.
Economy and Jobs
Since the 1970s, a lot of Leakey's money has come from two main sources. In the fall, deer hunters visit the area. During the summer, many tourists come to enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Education in Leakey
Public schools in Leakey are part of the Leakey Independent School District. Children in the city can attend these schools. There is also an option for children to attend Ed Brune Charter School.
See also
In Spanish: Leakey (Texas) para niños
