Sweeny, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sweeny, Texas
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Downtown Sweeny
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| Motto(s):
A City with Pride
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Texas | |
| County | Brazoria | |
| Incorporated (town) | 1945 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council-Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.99 sq mi (5.15 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.99 sq mi (5.15 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,626 | |
| • Density | 1,869.72/sq mi (721.86/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central Time Zone) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP Code |
77480
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| Area code(s) | 979 | |
| FIPS code | 48-71492 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1369461 | |
Sweeny is a city located in Brazoria County, Texas, in the United States. In 2020, about 3,626 people lived there. Its motto is "A City with Pride". The city was once called Adamston.
Contents
Geography and Transportation
Sweeny is about 30 feet (9 meters) above sea level. It is also about 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from the Gulf of Mexico. The San Bernard River flows about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) east of the city. The town is surrounded by a thick forest on flat coastal land.
Sweeny is found where Texas Farm to Market Roads 1459 and 524 meet. It is also along the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The city is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Angleton.
The Union Pacific Railroad also runs through the southern part of Sweeny. Trains usually travel between 35 and 60 miles per hour here.
People Living in Sweeny
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 2,177 | 60.04% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 587 | 16.19% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 9 | 0.25% |
| Asian (NH) | 22 | 0.61% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 6 | 0.17% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 128 | 3.53% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 697 | 19.22% |
| Total | 3,626 |
In 2020, Sweeny had 3,626 people living in 1,473 households. There were 986 families.
Back in 2000, there were 3,624 people and 1,338 households. About 38% of households had children under 18. Most households (53.8%) were married couples. The average household had 2.65 people.
The population's age breakdown in 2000 was:
- 29.7% were under 18 years old.
- 8.4% were 18 to 24 years old.
- 26.1% were 25 to 44 years old.
- 19.7% were 45 to 64 years old.
- 16.1% were 65 years or older.
The average age was 35 years.
The median household income in 2000 was $36,497. The median family income was $42,128. About 9.9% of the population lived below the poverty line.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 1,393 | — | |
| 1960 | 3,087 | 121.6% | |
| 1970 | 3,191 | 3.4% | |
| 1980 | 3,538 | 10.9% | |
| 1990 | 3,297 | −6.8% | |
| 2000 | 3,624 | 9.9% | |
| 2010 | 3,684 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,626 | −1.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
History of Sweeny
The area where Sweeny is located was settled even before Texas became a Republic. Imla Keep, a doctor, received land here in 1824. Later, Martin Varner bought the land.
The town was named after John Sweeny. He was a colonist from Tennessee who arrived in 1833. His sons, William Burrell and Thomas Jefferson Sweeny, had already bought land nearby in 1831. John Sweeny settled close by and bought the original land from Varner in 1835. He built a house there, which is now known as the Sweeny Plantation. This home was built in 1837 using bricks, nails, and wood from the land.
The original town was in a forest with very rich soil. Sweeny was briefly called Adamston when the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway arrived in 1905. A post office was set up in 1895, closed, and then reopened in 1909 as Sweeny.
By 1914, Sweeny had a hotel, a flour mill, and a population of 200 people. In the 1920s, Sweeny shipped cotton and vegetables. It also had a brick factory and an orange orchard in 1918.
In 1934, oil was found in Old Ocean. This discovery helped Sweeny grow and become more successful. In 1942, a carbon black plant was built. This plant was later taken over by Phillips Petroleum, which turned it into a large oil refinery and chemical complex. In 2000, Phillips Petroleum merged with Conoco Inc. to form ConocoPhillips.
Important Dates in Sweeny's History
- 1833: John Sweeny settles near the future town.
- 1905: The railroad reaches the town.
- 1912: An independent school system is started.
- 1914: The population grows to 200 people.
- 1934: Oil is discovered in the Old Ocean oilfield.
- 1945: Sweeny officially becomes an incorporated city.
- 1966: The high school football team wins the state championship.
- 1967: A city park is built.
- 1985: The high school basketball team wins state.
- 1985: The high school baseball team wins state.
- 1986: The high school basketball team wins state again.
- 1987: The high school basketball team wins state for a third time.
- 1988: The Community Center and Library are finished.
- 2002: Tropical Storm Fay brings over 20 inches (508 mm) of rain, flooding most roads.
- 2004: Sweeny experiences a Christmas snow, with almost 10 inches (254 mm) in some areas.
- 2007: Sweeny plans to expand its borders by annexing land.
- 2008: The mayoral election is decided by just one vote. Voters also approve the sale of alcohol for the first time.
- 2010: Hurricane Alex causes more than a foot of rain, leading to flooding.
- 2011: A new bypass road (FM 524) is completed, helping travelers avoid the ConocoPhillips refinery.
- Early 2012: Heavy rains cause more flooding in Sweeny.
Education in Sweeny
Schools in Sweeny are part of the Sweeny Independent School District. This district serves Sweeny and nearby areas like Churchill and Old Ocean. The high school's mascot is the Bulldog.
The schools in the district are:
- Sweeny Elementary (Kindergarten to 5th grade)
- Sweeny Junior High (6th to 8th grade)
- Sweeny High School (9th to 12th grade)
Sweeny High School is a 4A school. In 2007, construction began to update the high school building. The school was renovated to improve safety and security. The new building opened on December 1, 2008.
The area in Sweeny ISD is also part of the Brazosport College district. Both Brazosport College and Wharton County Junior College are less than a 45-minute drive from Sweeny.
Notable People from Sweeny
- Ray Butler: A former NFL wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts and Seattle Seahawks.
- Tank Carder: A former TCU linebacker who played for the Cleveland Browns.
- Kevin Garrett: A former NFL cornerback.
- Rusty Hall: A successful NHRA Stock Eliminator Drag Racer. He won the 2002 U.S. Nationals.
- Johnnie Lee Higgins: A former NFL wide receiver.
- Tracy Simien: A former NFL linebacker.
- Darrel Johnson: A former college basketball coach and professional scout.
- Clarence Williams: A former NFL defensive tackle.
- Cedric Woodard: A former NFL defensive tackle.
- Elmo Wright: A former NFL wide receiver, known for being one of the first to do a touchdown celebration dance.
Images for kids
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155 mm Howitzer at VFW Post 8551 on FM 1459
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Sweeny High School on Ashley-Wilson Road
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Sweeny Junior High School on Elm Street
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Sweeny Elementary School on Sycamore Street
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Sweeny ISD Administration Building
See also
In Spanish: Sweeny (Texas) para niños
