Pflugerville, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pflugerville, Texas
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The East Main Street Historic District
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| Etymology: City of plowmen | |
| Motto(s):
"Willkommen" (English: "Welcome")
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Location of Pflugerville, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Counties | Travis, Williamson |
| Settled | 1849 |
| Incorporated | July 24, 1965 |
| Named for | Henry Pfluger Sr. |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 25.57 sq mi (66.23 km2) |
| • Land | 25.55 sq mi (66.19 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 686 ft (209 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 65,191 |
| • Density | 2,549.5/sq mi (984.31/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
78660, 78691
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| Area code(s) | 512 & 737 |
| FIPS code | 48-57176 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411411 |
| Website | PflugervilleTX.gov |
Pflugerville is a city in Travis County, Texas, United States. A small part of the city is also in Williamson County. In 2020, about 65,191 people lived there. Pflugerville is a suburb of Austin. It is part of the larger Austin–Round Rock–Metropolitan area. The city was named after the first German settlers who farmed the land.
Contents
History of Pflugerville
Early Settlement and Growth
The area was first settled by Henry Pfluger Sr. and his family. They were German immigrants who arrived in late 1849. Henry Pfluger Sr. bought 160 acres (0.65 km2) of land near Austin. In 1853, he bought a larger piece of land, 960 acres (3.9 km2), in an area called Brushy Knob. The Pfluger family lived in a log cabin and grew crops like corn and wheat.
The community started to grow after the Civil War. In the 1870s, a school and a Lutheran church were built. The first store opened in 1890, owned by Louis Bohls. People also started groups like a mutual assistance foundation and a shooting and bowling club. Pflugerville got its own post office in 1893.
By the mid-1890s, about 250 people lived in Pflugerville. A small downtown area began to form. Many buildings on Main Street were built by Conrad Pfluger.
Railroad and Expansion
In 1904, the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad (MKT) built a track near Pflugerville. This helped the community grow quickly. The town was officially planned out on February 19, 1904. This plan included streets, alleys, and a train depot. The first cotton gin was built in 1904 by Otto Pfluger.
The Farmers State Bank of Pflugerville opened in 1906. A local newspaper, the Pflugerville Press, started publishing in 1907.
In 1910, a farmer named La Rue Norton sold land to black workers who worked in the cotton industry. This area became known as Pflugerville's Colored Addition. The first German Day celebration in Pflugerville happened in May 1910.
In the early 1920s, about 500 people lived in Pflugerville. Several smaller school districts joined with Pflugerville High School.
Mid-20th Century Changes
The Great Depression slowed Pflugerville's growth in the 1930s. After World War II, many people moved to larger cities like Austin for jobs. Despite this, Pflugerville continued to exist.
The community gained fame when the Pflugerville Panthers football team won 55 games in a row from 1958 to 1962.
Becoming a City
Pflugerville officially became a city on July 24, 1965. Most people voted for it to become a city. In 1970, the city changed its government to have an elected mayor and five aldermen.
After becoming a city, Pflugerville's population started to grow again. By 1970, there were 549 people, and by 1980, there were 745. A new weekly newspaper, the Pflugerville Pflag, started in 1980.
In the 1980s, Pflugerville was one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. By 1990, the population reached 4,444.
Recent Growth and Diversity
In the 1990s, Austin and its suburbs, including Pflugerville, grew a lot. Pflugerville's population more than doubled by 2000. By 2008, it was almost 40,000. The 2010 Census showed 46,936 people. By 2016, it was estimated to be 59,245.
In 2016, Victor Gonzales became Pflugerville's first Hispanic Mayor. By 2021, the population continued to grow, reaching 66,884.
Geography and Environment
Pflugerville is about 14 miles (23 km) northeast of downtown Austin. It is located in northern Travis County.
The city covers about 22.32 square miles (57.8 km2) of land. It has one main body of water, Lake Pflugerville. This lake was created in 2005 to provide drinking water and a place for fun activities. There are also two creeks, Gilleland Creek and Wilbarger Creek. A local school group helps monitor Wilbarger Creek to keep its water clean.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 549 | — | |
| 1980 | 745 | 35.7% | |
| 1990 | 4,444 | 496.5% | |
| 2000 | 16,335 | 267.6% | |
| 2010 | 46,936 | 187.3% | |
| 2020 | 65,191 | 38.9% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 66,884 | 42.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Pflugerville is a diverse city. In 2020, there were 65,191 people living there. There were 22,210 households and 16,615 families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (NH) | 26,151 | 40.11% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 9,624 | 14.76% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 149 | 0.23% |
| Asian (NH) | 5,437 | 8.34% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 103 | 0.16% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 422 | 0.65% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 2,982 | 4.57% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20,323 | 31.17% |
| Total | 65,191 |
Population Details from 2010
In 2010, the city had 46,936 people. There were 15,789 households. About 45% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.96 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 30.6% were under 18. The median age was 33.8 years. For every 100 females, there were about 93.9 males.
The median income for a household was $75,119. For a family, it was $84,449. About 9% of the population lived below the poverty line.
Economy and Transportation
Pflugerville has worked to improve its economy. From 2003 to 2014, the city lowered property taxes. This was because sales tax revenue increased. In 2015, taxes went up slightly to pay for new transportation and park projects.
Major highways like State Highway 130 and State Highway 45 make it easier to get to Pflugerville. These roads opened in 2006.
A large shopping area called Stone Hill Town Center has opened. It includes stores, a movie theater, and a 24-hour emergency care center. Being close to the Austin Executive Airport and SH 130 helps attract businesses and jobs to Pflugerville.
Pflugerville Community Development Corporation
The Pflugerville Community Development Corporation (PCDC) helps the city's economy grow. It uses a small sales tax to promote new businesses.
In 2010, a large solar farm was planned, but construction has been slow. The PCDC has helped develop the 130 Commerce Center. This is an office park with companies like FedEx and Community Impact Newspaper.
In 2013, the city agreed to build a Hawaiian Falls water park. It opened in 2014. The water park is now known as Typhoon Texas.
In 2020, Amazon started building a large distribution center in Pflugerville. This center is expected to create 1,000 full-time jobs. The city and PCDC are also improving roads to support this project.
Curative, Inc. also opened a lab in Pflugerville in 2020. This lab processes COVID-19 tests and created many jobs.
Parks and Recreation
Pflugerville has many parks and trails. There are 28 developed parks and over 40 miles (64 km) of trails. The city has 500 acres (2.0 km2) of parks and 528 acres (2.14 km2) of open space. Many parks have playgrounds, pools, and picnic areas.
- Pfluger Park: This park is along Gilleland Creek. It hosts the city's annual German festival, the Deutschen Pfest. The park has trails, a playground, and sports courts.
- Lake Pflugerville: This 180-acre (0.73 km2) lake is a water source for the city. It is also a popular spot for fishing, swimming, jogging, and boating. The park around the lake has a three-mile trail and a beach area.
- Northeast Metro Skate/BMX Park: This park opened in 2012. It is part of the larger Northeast Metropolitan Park. This park has soccer fields, baseball fields, a cricket field, and a skate park.
- Typhoon Texas: This water park opened in 2014 as Hawaiian Falls. It offers many water rides and attractions.
- 1849 Park: In 2015, the city bought land for this community park. The first part of the park has soccer fields for local teams.
In 2023, Pflugerville announced itself as the "Trail Capital of Texas." The city is working to get this official title.
Education in Pflugerville
Most public schools in Pflugerville are part of the Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD). This district includes parts of six different towns.
As of the 2017–2018 school year, PfISD had about 25,300 students. It operates four high schools: Pflugerville, Connally, Hendrickson, and Weiss. The district also has six middle schools and 20 elementary schools.
Small parts of Pflugerville are also served by the Round Rock Independent School District and the Manor Independent School District.
Notable People from Pflugerville
- Michael Johnson: A former American football safety who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants. He played football and basketball at Pflugerville High School.
- Alex Okafor: An American football player for the Kansas City Chiefs. He also attended Pflugerville High School.
- Samaje Perine: An American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. He attended Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville.
- Eugene Lee Yang: A Korean-American filmmaker, actor, and internet celebrity. He is known for his work with BuzzFeed and The Try Guys.
Images for kids
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The East Main Street Historic District
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Location of Pflugerville, Texas
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Mokan Corridor, from Austin to Georgetown, Texas
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Gilleland Creek
See also
In Spanish: Pflugerville (Texas) para niños
