Overton, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Overton, Texas
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City
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The McMillan Memorial Library in Overton, Texas
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| Motto(s):
"A Growing Community nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas"
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Location of Overton, Texas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Counties | Rusk, Smith |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.75 sq mi (17.48 km2) |
| • Land | 6.70 sq mi (17.35 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) |
| Elevation | 492 ft (150 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,275 |
| • Density | 373.58/sq mi (144.24/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75684
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| Area code(s) | 903 |
| FIPS code | 48-54432 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411343 |
Overton is a city located in the state of Texas in the United States. It is unique because it sits across two different counties: Rusk and Smith. This also means it's part of two different larger city areas. The part of Overton in Rusk County is near Longview, while the part in Smith County is near Tyler.
In 2020, about 2,275 people lived in Overton.
Contents
History of Overton
Long ago, the area where Overton now stands was known as Tiyuk Hekia, meaning "Standing Pine." This name was used by Native American tribes like the Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks who lived there. Many years later, when the town was officially formed, it became known as Overton.
The town got its name from Major Frank Overton. He was an early settler and owned a lot of land. He generously gave some of his land to create the town site. Overton was planned out in 1873, and a post office opened that same year.
Overton was first planned to be a meeting point for two railroad lines. In 1875, a 16-mile long railroad was finished, connecting Overton to Henderson. Later, another railroad, the International-Great Northern, joined it. When nearby towns were not connected by the railroad, Overton became a popular place. Businesses and people moved there to use the new train lines. The town even offered land for businesses to set up shop.
The first school in Overton was built by groups called the Masons and Odd Fellows. A church was also built in 1875. By 1888, the town had grown to 500 people and had all the important businesses, including a newspaper. Overton was a successful farming community. By 1904, its population had reached 568.
In 1930, a man named C. M. "Dad" Joiner was drilling for oil nearby. The town of Overton helped him raise money for his drilling project. When he found oil, Overton became very successful. New churches, schools, and even an oil refinery were built. A college called Hubbard College also started during this time. The town's economy quickly changed from farming to being all about oil production.
Overton's population grew very fast. It jumped from 426 people in 1931 to 3,000 in 1933. By 1936, it reached 4,500. The town did well even during the Great Depression, a tough economic time. However, after World War II, the population dropped by half, reaching about 2,000 in the 1950s. It stayed around that level until the 1970s. In the 1980s, Overton was the second-largest city in Rusk County. By the 1990s, Overton had grown to include parts of neighboring Smith County.
Today, Overton has a voting base mostly made up of older voters who tend to support the Republican party.
Overton's Location and Size
Overton covers a total area of about 6.8 square miles (17.5 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 6.7 square miles (17.4 square kilometers). A small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.1 square kilometers), is water. Most of the city is in Rusk County, with a small part reaching into Smith County.
Main Roads in Overton
State Highway 135
State Highway 323
People in Overton
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 353 | — | |
| 1890 | 401 | 13.6% | |
| 1920 | 528 | — | |
| 1930 | 426 | −19.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,313 | 443.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,001 | −13.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,950 | −2.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,084 | 6.9% | |
| 1980 | 2,430 | 16.6% | |
| 1990 | 2,105 | −13.4% | |
| 2000 | 2,350 | 11.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,554 | 8.7% | |
| 2020 | 2,275 | −10.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Group | Number of People | Percentage |
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| White (NH) | 1,653 | 72.66% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 349 | 15.34% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 17 | 0.75% |
| Asian (NH) | 13 | 0.57% |
| Some Other Group (NH) | 7 | 0.31% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 97 | 4.26% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 139 | 6.11% |
| Total | 2,275 |
In 2020, there were 2,275 people living in Overton. There were 826 households (groups of people living together) and 580 families.
Back in 2010, there were 2,554 people and 935 households. About 32.8% of households had children under 18. About 47.7% were married couples. The average household had 2.6 people.
The average age of people in Overton in 2010 was 35.2 years old. About 26.9% of the population was under 18.
The average yearly income for a household in the city was $32,292. For a family, it was $55,261. The average income per person was $18,987.
Overton's Economy
How Overton's Economy Works
The Overton Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a group of local business owners and leaders. Their main job is to bring new businesses to Overton and help existing ones grow. The EDC has a seven-member board. It gets its money from a small sales tax (0.25 cents on every dollar). This money helps them achieve their goals.
Help for Businesses
The Overton EDC offers help to businesses that qualify. They look for ways to encourage companies to move to Overton or expand there. They consider things like the taxes a business would pay, how many jobs it would create, and how much it would spend locally.
The EDC mostly looks for businesses in manufacturing, production, healthcare, hospitality, and distribution. The money they offer can be used for things like buying or leasing land, building or fixing buildings, buying equipment, or training employees.
However, the funds cannot be used for starting new risky ventures, for everyday operating costs, or for personal loans. The EDC can help with different types of loans and financial support programs.
Education in Overton
Most of Overton is served by the Overton Independent School District. This part is in Rusk County. A small part of Overton in Smith County is in the Arp Independent School District. Also, a tiny part of Overton in Rusk County is served by the West Rusk ISD.
Students in the Overton ISD and West Rusk ISD areas can attend Kilgore Junior College. Students in the Arp ISD area can go to Tyler Junior College.
News and Media
Newspapers
- Overton Press (This newspaper closed in June 2011)
- Overton News
- Henderson Daily News
Famous People from Overton
- Jerry L. Buchmeyer: A judge for the United States District Court.
- Robert Lee Howze: A Major General who received the Medal of Honor.
- Michael "Bo" Kelly: A former professional football player in the Arena Football League.
- Clyde Lee: Served as a head coach at Overton High School.
- Earle Bradford Mayfield: A lawyer and politician who served in both the Texas State Senate and the United States Senate.
- Max McGee: A professional football wide receiver in the NFL.
Climate in Overton
The weather in Overton has hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Overton has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm temperatures and plenty of rain throughout the year.
See also
In Spanish: Overton (Texas) para niños
