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Lufkin, Texas facts for kids

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"Lufkin" redirects here. For other uses, see Lufkin (disambiguation).
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Lufkin
City
Downtown Lufkin
Pines Theater
City Hall
Perry Building
Kurth Memorial Library
Welcome sign
Clockwise from top: Downtown; City Hall; Kurth Memorial Library; welcome sign; Perry Building and Pines Theater
Location in Angelina County
Location in Angelina County
Lufkin is located in Texas
Lufkin
Lufkin
Location in Texas
Lufkin is located in the United States
Lufkin
Lufkin
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Texas
County Angelina
Founded 1882
Incorporated October 15, 1890
Named for Abraham P. Lufkin
Government
 • Type Council-manager
Area
 • Total 34.48 sq mi (89.30 km2)
 • Land 34.21 sq mi (88.60 km2)
 • Water 0.27 sq mi (0.71 km2)
Elevation
266 ft (81 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 34,143
 • Density 998.13/sq mi (385.38/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
75901, 75902, 75903, 75904, 75915
Area code 936
FIPS code 48-45072 exp
GNIS feature ID 2410895

Lufkin is the biggest city in Angelina County, Texas, United States. It is also the main city, or county seat, of Angelina County. The city is located in a part of Texas called Deep East Texas. It is about 60 miles (97 km) west of the border between Texas and Louisiana. In 2020, about 34,143 people lived in Lufkin.

Lufkin was started in 1884 and got its name from Abraham P. Lufkin. It began as a stop along the Houston, East and West Texas Railway. The city officially became a town on October 15, 1890. For a while, Lufkin was a key place for the railroad. Three business people started the Angelina Lumber Company. This company helped Lufkin's economy grow a lot.

After the "timber boom" (a time when logging was very popular) ended, Lufkin started a new period of growth. It became more industrial with the opening of Lufkin Industries and the Southland Paper Mill. In the mid-1960s, Lufkin also saw cultural growth. Improvements were made to education and daily life, including new museums and a library.

The City of Lufkin has a special type of government called a council–manager government. This means it has six city council members, a mayor, and a city manager who helps run things. Most schools in Lufkin are part of the Lufkin Independent School District. Also, Angelina College, which is a community college, is located in Lufkin.

History of Lufkin

Texas Forestry Museum, Lufkin, TX IMG 8594
The Texas Forestry Museum in Lufkin
Sawmill worker's house, Texas Forestry Museum IMG 8587
A copy of a sawmill worker's house at the Texas Forestry Museum

The city of Lufkin is named after Abraham P. Lufkin. He was a cotton merchant and a city council member in Galveston, Texas. Abraham P. Lufkin was also the father-in-law of Paul Bremond. Paul Bremond was the president of the Houston, East and West Texas Railway, which helped build the town.

In 1906, the writer Katherine Anne Porter lived in Lufkin. She married her first husband, John Henry Koontze, in a special ceremony. Her sister, Gay Porter, also got married at the same time to T.H. Holloway. The minister who led the ceremony was Rev. Ira Bryce. He was serving at Lufkin's First Methodist Church at that time.

Allan Shivers, who later became the 37th Governor of Texas, was born in Lufkin in 1907. He served as governor from 1949 to 1957.

On February 1, 2003, pieces from the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster fell over the Lufkin area.

Lufkin celebrated its 125th birthday in October 2007.

Geography and Location

Lufkin is located at 31.336874 degrees North and -94.730374 degrees West.

The United States Census Bureau says the city covers a total area of about 34.5 square miles (89.3 km2). Most of this area, about 34.2 square miles (88.6 km2), is land. The rest, about 0.3 square miles (0.71 km2), is water.

Lufkin is an important crossroads in East Texas. It is where US 59 (which will become Interstate 69) and US 69 meet. US 59 goes south to Houston and the Rio Grande Valley. It goes north to Nacogdoches and Texarkana. US 69 goes from southeast Texas (Port Arthur and Beaumont) north to places like Jacksonville, Tyler, Dallas, and Oklahoma.

Lufkin is about 120 miles (193 km) northeast of Houston.

Lufkin's Climate

Weather chart for Lufkin, Texas
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
4.5
 
59
38
 
 
3.2
 
65
41
 
 
3.5
 
72
48
 
 
3.1
 
78
54
 
 
5.3
 
84
63
 
 
4.2
 
90
69
 
 
2.5
 
93
72
 
 
3.1
 
94
71
 
 
4.1
 
89
66
 
 
4.1
 
80
55
 
 
4.5
 
69
46
 
 
4.4
 
61
39
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: Weather.com / NWS
Metric conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
113
 
15
3
 
 
81
 
18
5
 
 
90
 
22
9
 
 
80
 
26
12
 
 
134
 
29
17
 
 
106
 
32
21
 
 
64
 
34
22
 
 
78
 
34
22
 
 
104
 
32
19
 
 
105
 
27
13
 
 
115
 
21
8
 
 
113
 
16
4
temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm
  • August is usually the warmest month.
  • The hottest temperature ever recorded was 110 °F (43 °C) in 1909.
  • January is usually the coolest month.
  • The coldest temperature ever recorded was -2 °F (-19 °C) in 1930.
  • May usually has the most rain.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1890 529 —
1900 1,527 188.7%
1910 2,749 80.0%
1920 4,878 77.4%
1930 7,311 49.9%
1940 9,567 30.9%
1950 15,135 58.2%
1960 17,641 16.6%
1970 23,049 30.7%
1980 28,562 23.9%
1990 30,206 5.8%
2000 32,709 8.3%
2010 35,067 7.2%
2020 34,143 −2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
Lufkin racial composition as of 2020
Race Number Fraction
White (NH) 13,871 40.63%
Black or African American (NH) 9,045 26.49%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 56 0.16%
Asian (NH) 668 1.96%
Pacific Islander (NH) 15 0.04%
Some Other Race (NH) 89 0.26%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 992 2.91%
Hispanic or Latino 9,407 27.55%
Total 34,143

In 2020, the United States census showed that 34,143 people lived in Lufkin. There were 12,755 households and 8,277 families. In 2019, the city's population was estimated to be 35,021.

Based on 2019 estimates, the people living in Lufkin were about 66.6% White and 25.2% African American. About 0.7% were American Indian or Alaska Native, and 2.2% were Asian. About 2.2% of people were of two or more races. People who are Hispanic or Latino made up about 28.6% of the population. About 41.8% of the population was White alone (not Hispanic or Latino).

About 11.3% of the people in Lufkin were born in other countries. It is estimated that 24.4% of homes speak a language other than English. The city had about 12,910 households, with an average of 2.68 people per household. The average household income was about $43,803. The income per person was $23,134. About 20.9% of people were living below the poverty line.

Lufkin's Economy

Regions Bank, Lufkin, TX IMG 3943
Regions Bank
Perry Building, Lufkin, TX IMG 3958
Perry Building

Lufkin is home to Lufkin Industries and Lufkin Gears LLC. These companies make and fix equipment for oil fields and power systems. They also supply utility poles treated with creosote. The Atkinson Candy Company, which makes the Chick-O-Stick, is also in Lufkin. Brookshire Brothers, a chain of grocery stores in Texas and Louisiana, started here. In late 2009, Lufkin got Texas's first power plant that uses biomass (energy from plants and animals). Aspen Power built this plant.

Some of the biggest employers in Lufkin include:

  • Angelina College: A community college with about 5,000 students.
  • Atkinson Candy Company: This company was founded and has its main office in Lufkin.
  • Brookshire Brothers: A regional grocery company that started and is based in Lufkin.
  • Lufkin Industries: Founded and based in Lufkin, it makes oil pumping equipment.
  • Lufkin Gears LLC: Also founded and based in Lufkin, it makes power transmission equipment.
  • Lufkin Independent School District: The local school district.
  • Pilgrim's: A company that processes poultry and employs over 1,500 people.
  • Stephen F. Austin State University: A state university located in Nacogdoches, Texas. Some of its employees live in Lufkin.
  • Temple-Inland: This company makes paper, wood, and other related products. It was a large company listed in the Fortune 500. Its main office was in Diboll, Texas, about 15 miles (24 km) south of Lufkin. It also had employees in Lufkin. Temple-Inland was later sold to International Paper.

According to the city's 2019 financial report, here are the top employers in Lufkin:


Rank Employer Employees Fraction of total
city employment
1 Lufkin Independent School District >1000 2.34%
2 Pilgrim's Pride >1000 1.98%
3 Brookshire Brothers >1000 1.67%
4 Lufkin State Supporting Living Center >1000 1.67%
5 CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial >1000 1.64%
6 Woodland Heights Medical Center 500–999 0.88%
7 Georgia Pacific 500–999 0.83%
8 City of Lufkin 400–500 0.70%
9 Walmart 400–500 0.68%
10 Angelina County 400–500 0.61%

Local Festivals

The Texas State Forest Festival and Southern Hushpuppy Championships happen in September. This festival brings about $60,000 in profit to the city.

Fun Places to Visit

  • Crown Colony Country Club Golf Course: This golf course is ranked as the third-best in Texas by the Dallas Morning News.
  • Downtown Walking Tour: You can take a tour to see the historic downtown area of Lufkin.
  • Ellen Trout Park: A public park with a lake and playgrounds.
  • Ellen Trout Zoo: A public zoo owned by the City of Lufkin. It has more than 500 animals.
  • First United Methodist Church
  • Lufkin Azalea Trail: A public nature trail that is about 1.9 miles (3.1 km) long.
  • Medford Collection of American Western Art: A collection of modern art at the Lufkin City Hall.
  • Museum of East Texas: This museum has exhibits about the history and art of the region.
  • Naranjo Museum of Natural History
  • Pine Valley Raceway: A ¼-mile drag strip located ten miles southwest of Lufkin.
  • Pines Theater: A renovated building in downtown Lufkin used for many events. It can seat 459 people.
  • Texas Forestry Museum: This museum shows exhibits about forestry in the Lufkin and East Texas area.
  • Ward R. Burke Courthouse, Lufkin, TX IMG 3949

    Ward R. Burke United States Courthouse

  • Texas Forestry Museum, Lufkin, TX IMG 8594

    Texas Forestry Museum

  • Sawmill worker's house, Texas Forestry Museum IMG 8587

    Replica of a sawmill worker's house at the Texas Forestry Museum

  • Pines Theater, Lufkin, TX IMG 3938

    Pines Theater

  • Naranjo Auditorium, Lufkin, TX IMG 3964

    Naranjo Auditorium

Education in Lufkin

Lufkin High School
Lufkin High School

The United States Census Bureau reports that 80.7% of people in Lufkin who are over 25 years old have graduated from high school or have a higher degree. About 21.5% of people 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Most of Lufkin's public schools are run by the Lufkin Independent School District. A few small areas in the west are part of the Hudson Independent School District. A very small part of the city on Highway 69 is in Central ISD. Lufkin also has a small charter school called Pineywoods Community Academy. This school serves students from Pre-K to 12th grade and is an early college high school. Lufkin also has two small private schools: St. Cyprian's Episcopal School and St. Patrick Catholic School.

Angelina College, which is a community college, is located in Lufkin. About 5,000 students attend this college. Also, Stephen F. Austin State University is not far away in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Transportation and Roads

Lufkin is served by several important roads. These include U.S. Highway 69, U.S. Highway 59, State Highway 94, and State Highway 103.

Lufkin will also be part of the new Interstate 69. This highway is planned to go all the way from the Canada–US border in Michigan to the Texas/Mexico border.

For air travel, Angelina County Airport provides service for general aviation (smaller planes).

The Coach USA bus lines, run by the Kerrville Bus Company, serve Lufkin.

The Brazos Transit District (which used to be called Brazos Valley Transit Authority) offers regular public bus service in the Lufkin area.

The Angelina and Neches River Railroad (A&NR) runs through Lufkin. It is about 20 miles (32 km) long and connects with the Union Pacific Railroad lines.

Media and News

Newspapers

  • The Lufkin Daily News

Television Stations

  • KTRE: KTRE Channel 9 (ABC)
  • KYTX: KYTX Channel 19 (CBS)
  • KFXK-LP: KFXL Channel 30 (FOX)
  • KLNM-LD: Millennium Communications (AmericaOne) Digital 42.1 and 42.2 (AMGTV)

Radio Stations

AM Stations

  • KRBA: 1340 AM The Pioneer radio station in East Texas. It started in 1938. (News/Talk, Variety)
  • KSML (AM): ESPN 1260 (Sports)
  • KSFA: News Talk 860 (News/Talk)
  • XEG: 1050 AM La Ranchera de Monterrey (Regional Mexican) (Night Time)

FM Stations

  • KAXM: 90.1 Your East Texas Alternative (College)
  • KYKS: Kicks 105 (Country)
  • KJCS: 103 The Bull (Classic Country)
  • KYBI: Y100 (Country)
  • KSML-FM: Super Mix 101.9 (Regional Mexican)
  • KAFX-FM: KFOX 95.5 (Top 40)
  • KLDN: Red River Radio (NPR)
  • KTBQ: Classic Rock Q107 (Classic Rock)
  • KVLL: La Mejor 94.7 (Regional Mexican)
  • KSWP: 90.9 KSWP (Contemporary Christian)
  • KAVX: KAVX 91.9 (Christian talk)
  • KXXE: The New Country Channel (Hot Country)
  • KOYE: La Invasora 97.5 (Regional Mexican)
  • KLVH: K-Love 97.1 (Contemporary Christian)
  • KGFZ: Z-97.7 (Hip Hop/R&B)
  • KHPT: The Eagle 106.9 (107.5 simulcast KGLK) (Classic Rock)

Famous People from Lufkin

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lufkin para niños

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