Marble Falls, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marble Falls, Texas
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Hill view of Marble Falls, 2007
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| Nickname(s):
Marble
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| Motto(s):
"Lakeside Charm with Downtown Flair"
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Location of Marble Falls, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Burnet |
| Area | |
| • Total | 15.16 sq mi (39.26 km2) |
| • Land | 14.51 sq mi (37.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.65 sq mi (1.67 km2) |
| Elevation | 801 ft (244 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,037 |
| • Density | 464.18/sq mi (179.24/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
78654, 78657
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| Area code(s) | 830 |
| FIPS code | 48-46584 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411030 |
Marble Falls is a city located in Burnet County, Texas, United States. In 2020, about 7,037 people lived there. The city is known for Lake Marble Falls, which is part of the Highland Lakes. This is the biggest chain of lakes in Texas, found on the Colorado River. Marble Falls was started in 1887 by Adam Rankin Johnson. He was a former soldier and general.
Contents
History of Marble Falls
Marble Falls was founded in 1887 by Adam Rankin "Stovepipe" Johnson. He had explored the area before and saw the natural marble falls. He wanted to build a city there that could use the Colorado River for power.
Johnson helped build a railroad to nearby Granite Mountain in 1884. He also helped plan the town of Marble Falls. People started buying land in 1887. Johnson built his home, a college, and a factory near the falls. The town grew quickly, reaching 1,800 people within ten years.
In 1917, something special happened. Marble Falls elected Ophelia Crosby "Birdie" Harwood as its mayor. She was the first woman mayor in Texas! This was three years before women in the U.S. were even allowed to vote.
In 1951, the Max Starcke Dam was finished. This dam caused the original marble falls to be covered by the new Lake Marble Falls. The town's economy changed after this. In the 1970s, it became a popular place for tourism and retirement. Since the 1980s, Marble Falls has grown into a main shopping and fun spot for the Highland Lakes area.
Geography of Marble Falls
Marble Falls is located right on the banks of Lake Marble Falls. The original falls, which gave the town its name, were covered when the lake was created. These falls were made of a type of limestone that looked like marble. They were three separate waterfalls that dropped about 50 feet. Today, these falls are usually underwater. But sometimes, when the lake is lowered, you can see them again!
Lake Marble Falls is located between Lake Lyndon B. Johnson to the north and Lake Travis to the south.
Another important natural feature is Granite Mountain. This huge rock formation is on the western edge of town. It's famous for its pink granite. This granite was used to build the Texas State Capitol building. You can also find it in the Galveston Seawall and the Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.
The city covers a total area of about 15.16 square miles (39.26 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
People in Marble Falls (Demographics)
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 587 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,061 | — | |
| 1920 | 630 | −40.6% | |
| 1930 | 865 | 37.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,021 | 18.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,044 | 100.2% | |
| 1960 | 2,161 | 5.7% | |
| 1970 | 2,209 | 2.2% | |
| 1980 | 3,252 | 47.2% | |
| 1990 | 4,007 | 23.2% | |
| 2000 | 4,959 | 23.8% | |
| 2010 | 6,077 | 22.5% | |
| 2020 | 7,037 | 15.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
The 2020 United States census counted 7,037 people living in Marble Falls. There were 2,789 households and 1,664 families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (NH) | 4,505 | 64.02% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 138 | 1.96% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 23 | 0.33% |
| Asian (NH) | 161 | 2.29% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 1 | 0.01% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 12 | 0.17% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 292 | 4.15% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,905 | 27.07% |
| Total | 7,037 |
2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 6,077 people living in the city. There were 2,486 households. About 29.8% of these households had children under 18. The average household had 2.41 people.
Education in Marble Falls
The Marble Falls Independent School District runs the public schools in the area. This includes Marble Falls High School.
There are also places for higher education:
- Texas Tech University at Highland Lakes
- Central Texas College – Marble Falls
Famous People from Marble Falls
- J. Frank Dobie (1888–1964), a famous writer and storyteller, owned a ranch here.
- Gerald Lyda (1923–2005), a builder and cattle rancher, was born and grew up in Marble Falls.
- Leonel Manzano, won a silver medal in running at the 2012 London Olympics.
- John Arthur Martinez, came in second place on the TV show Nashville Star.
- David Morgan, a tight end who played for the Minnesota Vikings.
Images for kids
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Max Starke Dam
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Aerial view of Marble Falls, Texas
See also
In Spanish: Marble Falls para niños
