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 located in San Jacinto County, Texas, in the United States. It's a small but important community in southeast Texas. In 2020, about 2,105 people lived there.
Contents
Discover Shepherd's Past
Shepherd has a rich history that dates back to the days when the Trinity River was a busy waterway. Long ago, settlers used a place called Old Drew's Landing on the river to bring in goods and ship out products like cotton and tobacco.
How Shepherd Got Its Name
The city of Shepherd was officially started in 1875. It was named after Benjamin A. Shepherd, who was one of the investors in the Houston East & West Texas Railroad. He helped plan the town's layout. The railroad was completed through Shepherd in 1879, which helped the town grow.
Early Life in Shepherd
Many important people helped build Shepherd in its early days:
- The first post office opened in 1879, with Jack B. Noble as the postmaster.
- Dr. William Herbert Beazley was a pioneer doctor who cared for the community.
- Mrs. Jessie Fain ran one of the first hotels.
- Mrs. Jane Langham taught the first public school classes in the Methodist church building.
- James Ephraim Tribe, who came to Shepherd in 1895, was a skilled craftsman. He worked as a carpenter, made coffins, and built and repaired machinery. He also built a Baptist church in 1896.
Famous People from Shepherd's History
One of Shepherd's most famous people was Robert Scott Lovett (1860-1932). He became the president of major railroads like Southern Pacific and Union Pacific. He also helped the country during World War I. Shepherd was once a big center for the lumber industry and continues to be an important market town today.
Recent Event: Plant Incident
On November 8, 2023, a petroleum processing plant in Shepherd had an incident. As a safety measure, people living nearby were asked to stay indoors for a short time. One employee received minor burns, but thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. A nearby road, US 59, was temporarily closed.
Shepherd's Location and Land
Shepherd is located in Texas at coordinates 30.491363 degrees North and 94.999595 degrees West.
City Size and Water
The city covers an area of about 6.1 square miles (15.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small part (about 0.16%) being water.
Major Roads in Shepherd
Shepherd is situated along US Route 59. There are plans to upgrade this route to Interstate 69 in the future, which would make travel to and from Shepherd even easier.
Who Lives in Shepherd?
| 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 | |||
In 2020, there were 2,105 people living in Shepherd. The city had 684 households and 510 families.
Population Changes Over Time
Shepherd's population has grown quite a bit since 1880, when only 39 people lived there! By 2010, the population reached 2,319, making it the 642nd most populated city in Texas at that time.
Income and Age
In 2010, the average yearly income for households in Shepherd was about $27,131. The average age of people living in Shepherd was 36.3 years old.
Learning in Shepherd
The Shepherd Independent School District serves the students in the City of Shepherd, providing education for the community's children and teens.
Well-Known People from Shepherd
Shepherd has been home to several notable individuals:
- Ernest Bailes – A politician.
- Amber Holcomb – A finalist on the TV show American Idol (season 12).
- Tyler Kolek – A baseball pitcher in Minor League Baseball.
- Stephen Kolek – A pitcher for the San Diego Padres baseball team.
- Bert Long Jr. – A talented artist.
- Jonathan Marshall – An American football defensive tackle.
- Travian Smith – An American football linebacker.
See also
In Spanish: Shepherd (Texas) para niños
