Shepherd, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shepherd, Texas
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Location within San Jacinto County and Texas
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 Shepherd, Texas
Location in Texas
Shepherd, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | San Jacinto |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.12 sq mi (15.85 km2) |
| • Land | 6.10 sq mi (15.79 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 144 ft (44 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,105 |
| • Density | 395.83/sq mi (152.84/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77371
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| Area code(s) | 936 |
| FIPS code | 48-67424 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1382753 |
Shepherd is a city in San Jacinto County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,105 at the 2020 census.
Contents
Historical information
Texas Historical Marker #7672, erected in 1970, located west of FM 222 on SH 150 in Shepherd, gives a brief background for the town. Exact text on the marker is as follows:
Originated in vicinity of Old Drew's Landing, a Trinity River port for settlers bringing in goods and shipping cotton, tobacco, and other products to markets. An early nearby community was Big Creek. Into these pioneer settlements came Houston East & West Texas Railroad investors, including Benjamin A. Shepherd (1814-1891) of Houston, who in 1875 platted townsite here, naming it for himself. The town square was on west side of H. E. & W. T., which was completed beyond this point in 1879. The Shepherd Post Office opened Dec. 22, 1879, with Jack B. Noble as postmaster. A pioneer physician was Dr. William Herbert Beazley (1837-1919); Mrs. Jessie Fain operated an early hotel; Mrs. Jane Langham taught first public-school session, in Methodist church building. James Ephraim Tribe, a native of Canada, came here in 1895, was a carpenter, coffin maker, millwright, and wheelwright. A Baptist, he built a church edifice for that faith in 1896. Distinguished native son Robert Scott Lovett (1860-1932), became president of Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads and rendered outstanding civilian service to the nation during World War I. Once a center for the lumbering industry, Shepherd remains an important market town of southeast Texas.
2023 petroleum plant explosion
On November 8, 2023, a petroleum processing plant exploded in Shepherd. Shelter-in-place orders were issued within a five-mile (8.0 km) radius, which was later lowered to one mile (1.6 km). One employee was injured, with minor burns. US 59 was closed.
Geography
Shepherd is located at 30°29′29″N 94°59′59″W / 30.49139°N 94.99972°W (30.491363, –94.999595).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (16 km2), of which 6.1 square miles (16 km2) is land and 0.16% is water.
Shepherd is located along US Route 59 which is planned to be upgraded to Interstate 69.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 39 | — | |
| 1970 | 1,037 | — | |
| 1980 | 1,674 | 61.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,812 | 8.2% | |
| 2000 | 2,029 | 12.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,319 | 14.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,105 | −9.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 1,354 | 64.32% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 250 | 11.88% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 5 | 0.24% |
| Asian (NH) | 7 | 0.33% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 2 | 0.1% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 101 | 4.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 386 | 18.34% |
| Total | 2,105 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,105 people, 684 households, and 510 families residing in the city.
2010 census
The population was 2,319 people in the 2010 United States census. Shepherd is the 642nd most populated city in the state of Texas out of 1,752 cities.
In 2010, the median household income of Shepherd residents was $27,131. Shepherd households made slightly more than Chilton households ($27,115) and Bedias households ($27,112) However, 25.7% of Shepherd residents live in poverty.
The median age for Shepherd residents was 36.3 years old.
Education
The City of Shepherd is served by the Shepherd Independent School District.
Notable people
- Ernest Bailes, politician
- Amber Holcomb, American Idol season 12 finalist
- Tyler Kolek, Minor League Baseball pitcher
- Stephen Kolek, pitcher for the San Diego Padres
- Bert Long Jr., artist
- Jonathan Marshall, defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Travian Smith, American football linebacker
See also
In Spanish: Shepherd (Texas) para niños
