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Lufkin, Texas facts for kids

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Lufkin
City of Lufkin
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
Lufkin is located in North America
Lufkin
Lufkin
Location in North America
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
312 ft (95 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 35,067
 • Estimate 
(2019)
35,021
 • Density 1,023.80/sq mi (395.29/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 1382208

Lufkin is the largest city in Angelina County, Texas and the county seat. The city is situated in Deep East Texas and is 115 mi (185 km) northeast of Houston. Its estimated population is 35,021 as of July 1, 2019.

Lufkin was founded in 1884 and named for Abraham P. Lufkin. It originally served as a stop on the Houston, East and West Texas Railway. It was officially incorporated on October 15, 1890. Lufkin continued to serve as a stop on the railroad until 1890. Three businessmen founded Angelina Lumber Company, which led to much of the economic prosperity Lufkin later had. When the so-called "timber boom" came to an end, a new "golden era of expansion" began. Lufkin became more industrialized with the opening of Lufkin Industries and Southland Paper Mill. In the mid-1960s, a cultural expansion began, and improvements were made to education and the way of life, including museums and the opening of a new library.

The City of Lufkin has a council–manager government, with 6 city council members, a mayor, and a city manager. The Lufkin Independent School District encompasses most of Lufkin and operates almost all of the schools within Lufkin. Additionally, Angelina College, a community college, is located in Lufkin.

History

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

The city is named for Abraham P. Lufkin, a cotton merchant and Galveston city councilman. Lufkin was the father-in-law of Paul Bremond, president of the Houston, East and West Texas Railway which developed the town.

In 1906 while living in Lufkin, writer Katherine Anne Porter married her first husband John Henry Koontze in a double ring ceremony that also saw her sister Gay Porter marry T.H. Holloway. The minister who presided over the ceremony was Rev. Ira Bryce, serving at the time at Lufkin's First Methodist Church.

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

Debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster fell over the Lufkin area on February 1, 2003.

Lufkin celebrated its 125th anniversary in October 2007.

Geography

Lufkin is located at 31°20′13″N 94°43′49″W / 31.33694°N 94.73028°W / 31.33694; -94.73028 (31.336874, -94.730374).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.5 square miles (89 km2), of which, 34.2 square miles (89 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) is water.

Lufkin is at the crossroads of East Texas at the intersections of Highways US 59, future Interstate 69, which leads to Houston and the Rio Grande Valley to the south and Nacogdoches and Texarkana to the north, and US 69, which leads from the Golden Triangle of southeast Texas (Port Arthur and Beaumont) to points such as Jacksonville, Tyler, Dallas, and Oklahoma to the north.

Lufkin is 120 miles (190 km) northeast of Houston.

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
  • On average, the warmest month is August.
  • The highest recorded temperature was 110 °F in 1909.
  • On average, the coolest month is January.
  • The lowest recorded temperature was -2 °F in 1930.
  • The maximum average precipitation occurs in May.

Demographics

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%
2019 (est.) 35,021 −0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 United States Census

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

Lufkin racial composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Number Percentage
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

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 34,143 people, 12,755 households, and 8,277 families residing in the city.

2019 Estimates

The population of the city is estimated to be 35,021 in 2019. The racial makeup of the city is estimated to be 66.6% White, 25.2% African American, 0.7% American Indian or Alaska native, 2.2% Asian, and 2.2% of two or more races. Hispanic or Latinos of any race were estimated to be 28.6%. White alone (not Hispanic or Latino) is estimated to be 41.8%; 11.3% of the population is estimated to be foreign born. An estimated 24.4% of homes are thought to speak a language other than English.

With an estimated 12,910 households, the city averaged 2.68 persons per household. The median household income is estimated to be $43,803, and the per capita income is $23,134; 20.9% of persons are believed to be below the poverty line.

2010 United States Census

As of the census of 2010, 35,067 people, 12,928 households, and 8,717 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,050.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 56.7% White, 27.4% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 11.6% from other races, and 2.2 two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 24.1% of the population.

Of the 12,929 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were not families; 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city, the age distribution was 8.3% under 5 years, 7.5% from 5 to 9, 7.1% from 10 to 14, 7.2% from 15 to 19, 7.4% from 20 to 24, 7.1% from 25 to 29, 6.6% from 30 to 34, 5.8% from 35 to 39, 5.9% from 40 to 44, 6.2% from 45 to 49, 6.3% from 50 to 54, 5.5% from 55 to 59, 4.8% from 60 to 64, 3.7% from 65 to 69, 3.2% from 70 to 74, 2.7% from 75 to 79, 2.4% from 80 to 84, and 2.4% 85 and over. The median age was 34 years.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Lufkin is served by U.S. Highway 69, U.S. Highway 59, State Highway 94, and State Highway 103.

Lufkin will be served by the extension to Interstate 69, which is planned to run from the Canada–US border at Port Huron, Michigan, to the Texas/Mexico border.

General aviation service is provided by Angelina County Airport.

The Coach USA bus lines serve Lufkin, carried under the Kerrville Bus Company.

Brazos Transit District (formerly Brazos Valley Transit Authority) provides regularly scheduled public bus service in the Lufkin area.

The Angelina and Neches River Railroad (A&NR) runs through Lufkin. It has an approximate length of 20 miles (32 km) and connects with the Union Pacific Railroad lines.

Points of interest

Pines Theater, Lufkin, TX IMG 3938
The refurbished Pines Theater, a multi-use facility in downtown Lufkin, seats 459.
Naranjo Auditorium, Lufkin, TX IMG 3964
Naranjo Auditorium in Lufkin
  • Ellen Trout Zoo, public zoo owned by the City of Lufkin with more than five hundred animals
  • Ellen Trout Park, public park with a lake and playgrounds
  • Crown Colony Country Club Golf Course, #3 rated golf course in Texas by The Dallas Morning News
  • Texas Forestry Museum, features exhibits about forestry of the Lufkin and East Texas area
  • Museum of East Texas, exhibits on regional history and art
  • Lufkin Azalea Trail, 1.9-mile (3.1 km) public nature trail
  • Medford Collection of American Western Art, contemporary art collection at the Lufkin City Hall
  • Downtown Walking Tour, tour through historic Downtown Lufkin
  • First United Methodist Church
  • Pines Theater, refurbished multi-use facility in downtown, seats 459.

National forests and grasslands

The headquarters of all four United States National Forests and two United States National Grasslands in Texas are located in Lufkin. They are the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Sam Houston National Forests and the Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands.



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, which manufactures and services oil field equipment and power transmission equipment, and supplies of creosote-treated utility poles. It is also home to the Atkinson Candy Company, the creator of the Chick-O-Stick, and Brookshire Brothers, a chain of grocery stores in Texas and Louisiana. Lufkin received Texas's first biomass power plant in late 2009. Aspen Power is building the power plant.

Some of the city's major employers include:

  • Angelina College, community college with enrollment of 5,000
  • Atkinson Candy Company, founded and headquartered in Lufkin
  • Brookshire Brothers, a regional grocery company founded and headquartered in Lufkin
  • Lufkin Industries, founded and headquartered in Lufkin, oil pumping manufacturer
  • Lufkin Gears LLC, founded and headquartered in Lufkin, power transmission equipment manufacturer
  • Lufkin Independent School District
  • Pilgrim's, poultry processor that employs more than 1,500 people
  • Stephen F. Austin State University, state university (located in Nacogdoches; some employees reside in Lufkin)
  • Temple-Inland is Fortune 500 company that produces paper, wood, and other related products. Headquartered in Diboll, 15 miles (24 km) south of Lufkin, it has employment in Lufkin, as well. Temple-Inland was sold to International Paper.

According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees Percentage 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 .88%
7 Georgia Pacific 500–999 .83%
8 City of Lufkin 400–500 .70%
9 Walmart 400–500 .68%
10 Angelina County 400–500 .61%

Festivals

September ~ Texas State Forest Festival and Southern Hushpuppy Championships. Brings net profits to the city of $ 60,000.

Points of interest

  • Ellen Trout Zoo, public zoo owned by the City of Lufkin with more than 500 animals
  • Ellen Trout Park, a public park with a lake and playgrounds
  • Crown Colony Country Club Golf Course, third-rated golf course in Texas by the Dallas Morning News
  • Texas Forestry Museum features exhibits about forestry of the Lufkin and East Texas area.
  • Museum of East Texas, exhibits on regional history and art
  • Lufkin Azalea Trail, 1.9-mile (3.1 km) public nature trail
  • Medford Collection of American Western Art, the contemporary art collection at the Lufkin City Hall
  • Downtown Walking Tour, a tour through historic downtown Lufkin
  • First United Methodist Church
  • Pines Theater, refurbished multiuse facility in downtown, seats 459
  • Naranjo Museum of Natural History

Education

Lufkin High School
Lufkin High School

According to the United States Census Bureau 80.7% of people in Lufkin above the age of 25 are high-school graduates or higher. About 21.5% of people 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Almost all of Lufkin's public schools are operated by the Lufkin Independent School District, with a few small sections in the west within the Hudson Independent School District. A very small portion of the city on Highway 69 is within Central ISD. Lufkin also has a small charter school, Pineywoods Community Academy, that serves grades Pre-K12 and is an early college high school. Additionally, Lufkin is served by two small private schools, St. Cyprian's Episcopal School and St. Patrick Catholic School.

Angelina College, a community college, is located in Lufkin. The college has roughly 5,000 students. Additionally, Stephen F. Austin State University is located not far away in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Notable people

  • Jacques Abram, classical pianist
  • Trent Ashby, member of the Texas House of Representatives from Lufkin
  • Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants first baseman and 2012, 2014 World Series champion
  • Dez Bryant, former Oklahoma State University standout; former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver. Current NFL Free Agent
  • Carrington Byndom, former Carolina Panthers cornerback, current NFL Free Agent
  • Corey Clark, American Idol contestant, famous for his alleged affair with Paula Abdul, and disqualification from the show for legal troubles
  • Keke Coutee, Houston Texans wide receiver
  • Anthony Denman, former NFL linebacker
  • Medford Bryan Evans, college professor, author, conservative political activist, born in Lufkin in 1907
  • Jermichael Finley, former Texas Longhorns football standout and Green Bay Packers tight end
  • William Delbert Gann, finance trader
  • Rex Hadnot, former Houston Cougars guard and San Diego Chargers guard
  • Dante Hall, former Texas A&M running back, former Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams wide receiver and return specialist
  • Max Hopper, pre-eminent modern-era CIO and a founding father of IT-inspired competitive advantage
  • Ken Houston, Lufkin Dunbar graduate who played for the Houston Oilers and Washington Redskins, Pro Football Hall of Famer
  • Ray Jones, former NFL defensive back
  • Reagan Jones, founder and vocalist of electronica band Iris
  • Terrence Kiel, former Texas A&M University and San Diego Chargers safety
  • Jorvorskie Lane, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback, former Texas A&M University football player, held school record for career rushing touchdowns (49) for three years
  • Abe Martin, college football coach
  • Reggie McNeal, former Texas A&M University quarterback and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
  • Don Muhlbach, former Texas A&M University football player; current Detroit Lions long snapper
  • Tom Murphy, former Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Jim Reese, former guitarist for the Bobby Fuller Four, lived there until his death in 1991 and is buried in the Garden of Memories cemetery.
  • Joe Robb, former NFL lineman
  • Ryan Rottman, actor
  • Pete Runnels, former Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Colt .45s infielder
  • Chris Seelbach, former Atlanta Braves pitcher
  • Jacoby Shepherd, former NFL cornerback
  • Allan Shivers, 37th Texas governor, 1949–1957
  • Tedashii, Christian rapper
  • Buddy Temple, businessman and former politician
  • T.J. Turner, former NFL defensive end
  • Charlie Wilson, former U.S Representative best known for his involvement in Operation Cyclone, as depicted in the book and movie Charlie Wilson's War
  • J. Frank Wilson, lead vocalist of J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers

Images for kids

See also

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