Smyer, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Smyer, Texas
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Town
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The town of Smyer in 1925, picture taken from current Lincoln St.
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 Smyer, Texas
Location in Texas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Hockley |
| Region | Llano Estacado |
| Established | 1924 |
| Incorporated | 1963 |
| Founded by | Clinton E. Smyer (1871-1957) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.80 sq mi (2.06 km2) |
| • Land | 0.80 sq mi (2.06 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,389 ft (1,033 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 441 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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433 |
| • Density | 551/sq mi (214.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| ZIP code |
79367
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| Area code | 806 |
| FIPS code | 48-68504 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1368526 |
| Website | https://www.smyer-isd.org |
Smyer is a small town located in Hockley County, Texas, United States. It is found near the historic Old Spade Ranch House. In 2020, about 441 people lived in Smyer. By 2023, the population was estimated to be around 433 residents.
Contents
History of Smyer
How Smyer Started
Smyer began in 1917 when William L. Ellwood started selling parts of the Spade Ranch to farmers. The town itself was officially founded in 1924. By 1925, construction was finished, and the town was ready. This also meant that the Santa Fe railroad could start its service to Smyer.
Early Town Life
Smyer offered many important things for a small town. It had a school, a cotton gin, two stores, a railway depot, and a lumberyard. The school district was created in 1924. It became what it is today in 1927 when the old and new school boards joined together.
Overcoming Challenges
In 1929, a strong tornado hit Smyer. It caused a lot of damage. But the farmers and townspeople worked hard to rebuild everything. They made the town even better than before. New school buildings were added in 1951 and 1957 to help students learn better.
Growth and Incorporation
In 1963, Smyer decided to create its own local government. This was part of their plans for new school buildings. The town officially became an incorporated town that same year. In 1980, Smyer's population grew to 455 people. By 2000, it reached its highest number ever, with 480 residents.
Smyer Today and Tomorrow
In 2020, Smyer updated and rebuilt different parts of the town. Experts believe Smyer will continue to grow in the future. This is because western Lubbock is expanding and affecting nearby areas like Ropesville.
The Smyer Santa Fe Depot
A Key Railroad Stop
In 1925, the Santa Fe railway built a brick depot in Smyer. This depot was important because it served as a midway point. It connected the towns of Levelland and Lubbock. Clinton E. Smyer, a railroad manager, wanted his own town. Other people from the railway company had already gotten approval for their own railroad towns.
Shipping Goods and Supplies
The depot helped Smyer's farmers ship their crops. It also sent other supplies to Lubbock. From there, goods could be moved to bigger railway lines across Texas. The Smyer depot was a newer, updated style compared to older depots. It helped the South Plains & Santa Fe Railroad make long trips across the South Plains region.
The Depot Today
Eventually, the South Plains & Santa Fe Railroad stopped operating. The depot in Smyer was no longer needed for trains. It was then changed into a home. Today, it is still used as a house. You can find the red brick depot building along the road near Smyer's new gas station. It has modern updates like new woodwork.
Geography of Smyer
Smyer is located on the high plains of the Llano Estacado. Its exact location is 33°35′03″N 102°09′48″W / 33.58417°N 102.16333°W. It is in the eastern part of Hockley County. Texas State Highway 114 runs through the southern side of the town. This highway goes west about 16 miles to Levelland, which is the county seat. It goes east about 17 miles to Lubbock.
The United States Census Bureau says that Smyer covers a total area of about 0.80 square miles (2.1 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population of Smyer
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 102 | — | |
| 1940 | 125 | 22.5% | |
| 1950 | 229 | 83.2% | |
| 1960 | 258 | 12.7% | |
| 1970 | 265 | 2.7% | |
| 1980 | 455 | 71.7% | |
| 1990 | 442 | −2.9% | |
| 2000 | 480 | 8.6% | |
| 2010 | 474 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 441 | −7.0% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 433 | −8.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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As of the census in 2020, Smyer had 481 people living in 187 households. About 152 of these were families. The town had about 617 people per square mile. There were 215 housing units, with about 276 units per square mile.
Most of the people in Smyer were White (81.88%). About 13.12% were from other races, and 1.67% were from two or more races. About 29.17% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In the households, 39.1% had children under 18 living with them. About 55.9% were married couples. The average household had 2.68 people, and the average family had 3.04 people.
The population's age breakdown was:
- 32.1% were under 18 years old.
- 6.0% were from 18 to 24 years old.
- 27.3% were from 25 to 44 years old.
- 21.9% were from 45 to 64 years old.
- 12.7% were 65 years or older.
The average age in Smyer was 37 years.
Education in Smyer
The Smyer Independent School District serves the town of Smyer. Mr. Pond is the Principal of the Elementary School. Mr. Schaap is the Principal of the High School. Mr. Chris Wade is the Superintendent for the Smyer school district.
See also
In Spanish: Smyer (Texas) para niños
