Point, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Point, Texas
|
|
|---|---|
Location of Point, Texas
|
|
 |
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Rains |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.78 sq mi (7.21 km2) |
| • Land | 2.76 sq mi (7.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 509 ft (155 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 745 |
| • Density | 268.0/sq mi (103.33/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75472
|
| Area code | 430, 903 |
| FIPS code | 48-58532 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411448 |
Point is a small city located in Rains County, Texas, United States. In 2020, about 745 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a rich history.
Contents
History of Point, Texas
Point started around 1880. It was a small stop on a railroad line called the Missouri–Kansas–Texas (MKT) Railroad. This railroad was being built between Mineola and Greenville.
The first name suggested for the town's post office was Rice's Point. This was to honor an early settler named William Rice. However, that name was not approved. So, the name "Point" was chosen instead.
Early Growth and Community Life
By 1890, Point was growing. It had about 50 residents. The community also had a public school and four churches. This shows it was becoming a real town.
A very important event happened in Point in 1902. Ten men, led by a newspaper writer named Isaac Newton Gresham, met there. They created an organization called the Farmers' Educational and Cooperative Union of America. This group helped farmers. It grew very quickly, reaching a million members by 1908.
In 1913, Point made history in Rains County. It set up the first independent school district. This meant the local community had more control over its schools. By 1914, the town's population had grown to about 600 people.
Challenges and Changes in Point
The Great Depression was a very tough time for the country. It hit Point hard too. Many people lost their jobs, and businesses closed. This caused the town's population to shrink quickly.
In the early 1940s, things started to improve. U.S. Route 69 was paved, which made travel easier. This helped the population grow back to about 420 people. However, by the end of that decade, it had dropped again to 350.
The MKT railroad line, which helped start the town, was closed in the mid-1950s. This was a big change for Point.
Lake Tawakoni and Modern Point
A major development happened in 1957. The Iron Bridge Dam was built on the Sabine River. This created a large lake called Lake Tawakoni. By 1960, the lake was full and only four miles from Point.
Point officially became a city in 1966. This meant it had its own local government. A new community, East Tawakoni, grew up along the lake's shores. It became a separate city in 1967.
Point's population slowly grew after that. It reached 419 people in 1970. This growth was partly due to tourism from Lake Tawakoni. Point also continued to be a center for local farming trade. The population was 645 in 1990 and 792 in 2000.
Geography of Point
Point is located in the northwestern part of Rains County. You can find it where U.S. Route 69 meets Farm Roads 47 and 514. It is about eight miles northwest of Emory. It's also about sixty miles east of Dallas.
Area and Land Use
The city of Point covers a total area of about 2.78 square miles (7.2 km2). Most of this area is land, about 2.76 square miles (7.1 km2). A very small part, about 0.03 square miles (0.078 km2), is water.
Climate in Point
The weather in Point is known for its hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Point has a humid subtropical climate. This type of climate is often shown as "Cfa" on climate maps.
Population and People
Here's a look at how Point's population has changed over the years:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 419 | — | |
| 1980 | 468 | 11.7% | |
| 1990 | 645 | 37.8% | |
| 2000 | 792 | 22.8% | |
| 2010 | 820 | 3.5% | |
| 2020 | 745 | −9.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The table below shows the different groups of people living in Point as of 2020.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 632 | 84.83% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 7 | 0.94% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 8 | 1.07% |
| Asian (NH) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 25 | 3.36% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 67 | 8.99% |
| Total | 745 |
In 2020, there were 745 people living in Point. These people lived in 342 households, and 260 of those were families.
Education in Point
Students in Point attend schools that are part of the Rains Independent School District.
See also
- In Spanish: Point (Texas) para niños
