Roby, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roby, Texas
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Downtown Roby
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Location of Roby, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Fisher |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.72 sq mi (1.86 km2) |
| • Land | 0.72 sq mi (1.86 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,965 ft (599 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 591 |
| • Density | 821/sq mi (317.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
79543
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| Area code(s) | 325 |
| FIPS code | 48-62612 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2410974 |
Roby is a small city located in Fisher County, Texas, United States. It is the main town, also known as the county seat, for Fisher County. In 2020, about 591 people lived there.
Contents
Roby's History: From Settlement to City
How Roby Began
In 1885, soon after Fisher County was officially formed, two business partners named M.L. and D.C. Roby had a disagreement with another town called Fisher. Both wanted their land to be chosen for the county's main courthouse. The town of Fisher is now known as North Roby.
In 1886, construction started on the new courthouse. A school and a post office also opened. By that summer, the community had 13 houses. By 1890, about 300 people lived in Roby. The town had a hotel, two general stores, and churches for Baptists and Methodists. There was also a restaurant and a weekly newspaper called the Fisher County Call.
Growing Up: Jails, Banks, and Railroads
Roby did not have a jail until 1892, when one was built from stone. A newer jail was built from brick in 1926. This brick jail was used until 2016. In 2016, a brand new jail was built. The old brick jailhouse was then named a historic landmark.
Roby has had three different courthouses over the years. This is unusual, as many Texas county seats have kept their original courthouses. The most recent courthouse was built in 1972. It looks very modern compared to many older courthouses in Texas.
In 1898, Roby got its first bank. The Roby school district was also created that year. The school district slowly grew bigger. It took in smaller rural schools nearby, like those in Longworth and McCaulley.
By 1900, Roby's population had grown to 712 residents. By 1914, the city had several churches, including Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Nazarene. Telephone service also became available in 1914.
Roby got its first railroad, the Texas Central, in 1907. In 1915, the Roby and Northern railroad built a short track. It connected Roby with North Roby. The population actually grew during the Great Depression, reaching 904 people by 1940. The Roby and Northern rail line was taken apart during World War II. Its rails were used to help with the war effort.
Modern Times and Population Changes
Roby officially became a city in 1915. Its population grew to 801 in 1930 and 904 in 1940. The number of people living in Roby and North Roby reached its highest point in 1950, with 1,040 residents and 60 businesses.
For a long time, Roby struggled with not having enough water. In 1953, during a long period of drought, water was finally piped in from Oak Creek Lake at Blackwell. By 1970, the population had dropped to under 800, with only 22 businesses. It fell even further to 616 in 1990. However, it went up slightly to 673 in 2000. By the 2010 Census, the population was 643.
Geography and Climate
Where is Roby Located?
The city of Roby covers about 0.7 square miles (1.8 square kilometers) of land. It is surrounded by large fields of cotton.
Roby's Weather
Roby has a climate that is often found near deserts. It is a semiarid steppe region. This means it is usually dry but not a true desert. The weather is often warm, with hot summers and mild winters.
| Climate data for Roby, Texas | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 14 (58) |
17 (62) |
22 (71) |
26 (78) |
29 (85) |
33 (92) |
35 (95) |
35 (95) |
32 (89) |
26 (78) |
19 (67) |
14 (58) |
25 (77) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1 (30) |
−1 (31) |
4 (39) |
9 (49) |
14 (57) |
18 (65) |
20 (68) |
20 (68) |
17 (62) |
10 (50) |
4 (40) |
−1 (31) |
9 (49) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 20 (0.8) |
25 (1) |
25 (1) |
53 (2.1) |
81 (3.2) |
69 (2.7) |
46 (1.8) |
61 (2.4) |
66 (2.6) |
58 (2.3) |
30 (1.2) |
25 (1) |
560 (22.1) |
| Source: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
People of Roby
Population Over the Years
The number of people living in Roby has changed over time. Here's a look at the population from 1920 to 2020:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 635 | — | |
| 1930 | 801 | 26.1% | |
| 1940 | 904 | 12.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,051 | 16.3% | |
| 1960 | 913 | −13.1% | |
| 1970 | 784 | −14.1% | |
| 1980 | 814 | 3.8% | |
| 1990 | 616 | −24.3% | |
| 2000 | 673 | 9.3% | |
| 2010 | 643 | −4.5% | |
| 2020 | 591 | −8.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
What the 2020 Census Shows
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 591 people living in Roby. There were 306 households and 216 families. Most residents were White (65.31%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (31.47%).
The Roby 42: A Lucky Win
In 1996, something amazing happened in Roby. Forty-two residents decided to pool their money for a lottery ticket. Each person put in $10. On Thanksgiving of that year, they won a huge jackpot of $46,000,000! This made about 6-7% of Roby's population instant millionaires (before taxes).
Education in Roby
The city of Roby is served by the Roby Consolidated Independent School District. Students in Roby attend Roby High School, where their sports teams are known as the Lions.
Images for kids
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Downtown Roby
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Location of Roby, Texas
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Map of Fisher County showing Roby
See also
In Spanish: Roby (Texas) para niños
