Waka, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waka, Texas
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unincorporated community
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 Waka, Texas
Location in Texas
Waka, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Ochiltree |
| Elevation | 3,041 ft (927 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
79093
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| Area code(s) | 806 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2805825 |
Waka is a small, unincorporated community located in western Ochiltree County, Texas, United States. It sits along State Highway 15, southwest of Perryton, which is the main town and county seat of Ochiltree County. Waka is about 3,045 feet (928 meters) above sea level. Even though Waka is not officially a town with its own government, it has its own post office with the ZIP code 79093. In the year 2000, about 76 people lived in the area covered by this ZIP code.
Contents
History of Waka, Texas
How Waka Got Its Name and Started
The community of Waka was first settled in 1885 by German families. They originally named it "Wawaka." The first post office for Wawaka opened in 1901.
Moving the Community and Changing Names
Later, a new community called Burnside was planned about 3 miles (5 km) away. This new place was built along the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railway, which was an important train line. Because of this, many residents of Wawaka, including the postmaster, decided to move to Burnside. In 1921, two years after the move, the community was renamed Waka. However, the post office kept the name "Wawaka" for another six years before it also changed to Waka.
The Post Office Closes
In 2014, it was announced that the post office in Waka would close on March 29. Residents were then asked to use postal services in nearby towns like Farnsworth or Perryton.
Geography and Climate in Waka
What is Waka's Climate Like?
Waka has a type of weather known as a semi-arid climate. This means it's usually dry, but not quite a desert. On climate maps, this is often shown as "BSk." This kind of climate has hot summers and cool to cold winters, with not a lot of rain or snow.
Education in Waka
Local Schools and School Districts
Students in Waka attend schools that are part of the Perryton Independent School District. This district also operates Perryton High School, which is where older students from Waka would go.
Joining School Districts
Before 1990, Waka had its own school district called the Waka Independent School District. However, on September 9, 1990, the Perryton district took over the Waka school district. This means that all schools in the Waka area became part of the larger Perryton school system.
Population and People of Waka
Who Lives in Waka?
Waka was officially counted as a "census designated place" for the first time in the 2020 U.S. Census. This means it was recognized as a specific area for counting its population.
In 2020, the total population of Waka was 50 people. Most of the residents, about 70%, were White (not Hispanic or Latino). About 26% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino. A small number, about 4%, were of mixed race.
