White Settlement, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
White Settlement, Texas
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| City of White Settlement | |
White Settlement Police station, November 2023
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Location of White Settlement in Tarrant County, Texas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County |  Tarrant |
| Named for | The homogeneity of white settlers in an area populated predominantly by American Indian villages during the 1840s. |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.04 sq mi (13.05 km2) |
| • Land | 5.04 sq mi (13.05 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 686 ft (209 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 18,269 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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18,046 |
| • Density | 3,543.97/sq mi (1,368.36/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
76108
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| Area code(s) | 817 and 682 |
| FIPS code | 48-78544 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412255 |
| Website | wstx.us |
White Settlement is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States. It is a suburb located northwest of Fort Worth. In 2021, about 18,084 people lived there. The city is next to Lockheed Martin and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
The White Settlement Public Library is famous for its cat, Browser. In 2016, Browser became well-known around the world when some local leaders tried to remove him from the library. However, many residents wanted him to stay.
Contents
History of White Settlement
Early Settlers and the Town's Name
Even before the military outpost of Fort Worth was built nearby, white settlers found a safe place along a creek. This creek was later called Farmers Branch Creek. By the end of 1841, settlers started arriving from states like Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky.
In 1850, the first count of people in the area showed 599 white Americans and 65 enslaved Black people. By the mid-1850s, more settlers arrived, bringing more enslaved people with them.
The oldest street in White Settlement is White Settlement Road. This road was originally a path from the fort to the "white settlement." This settlement was about eight miles west, in what was then Native American territory. As Native Americans moved from the area, the settlement grew westward, and the road followed. This was the only public road in the early days of White Settlement.
Life was challenging for the early settlers. They often had difficulties with the Native American groups living there. Despite this, White Settlement grew into a place where people could trade goods. Both outsiders and Native Americans started calling the area "the white settlement." This name came about because it was a place where white colonists lived among several Native American villages in the Fort Worth area during the 1840s.
Growth and Modern Times
In February 1942, the Consolidated Aircraft Company started building the B-24 Liberator heavy bomber at Air Force Plant #4. To house the many aircraft workers, a community called Liberator Village was created. This village had housing units all across the city.
Today, White Settlement is important for national defense. It is bordered by Lockheed Martin and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. These are federal properties, but the White Settlement Police Department also helps with calls and patrols at the military base and aircraft plant.
City Leadership and Changes
The city's 19th Mayor, Ronald White, passed away on January 17, 2023. After his death, Mayor Pro Tem Amber Muñoz became the 20th Mayor of White Settlement. She was the first female Mayor in the city's history. On May 6, 2023, citizens voted for Faron Young in a special election to finish Mayor White's term.
Understanding the City's Name
The city's name, White Settlement, comes from its history. It was a place where white colonists settled among several Native American villages in the Fort Worth area in the 1840s.
On October 14, 2005, city leaders thought about changing the name to West Settlement. They believed the name "White Settlement" made it harder to attract new businesses. They asked local voters to decide on the name change. However, in the election on November 8, the idea to change the name was strongly rejected. The vote was 2,388 against the change and only 219 for it.
Geography and Location
According to the United States Census Bureau, White Settlement covers a total area of about 5.1 square miles (13.1 km2). All of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 10,827 | — | |
| 1960 | 11,513 | 6.3% | |
| 1970 | 13,449 | 16.8% | |
| 1980 | 13,508 | 0.4% | |
| 1990 | 15,472 | 14.5% | |
| 2000 | 14,831 | −4.1% | |
| 2010 | 16,116 | 8.7% | |
| 2020 | 18,269 | 13.4% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 18,046 | 12.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 9,515 | 52.08% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,290 | 7.06% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 112 | 0.61% |
| Asian (NH) | 393 | 2.15% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 68 | 0.37% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 65 | 0.36% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 844 | 4.62% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5,941 | 32.52% |
| Total | 18,269 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,290 households and 4,010 families living in the city.
Culture and Community Life
White Settlement has fun places for its residents. The city owns a water park called Splash Days, which is open during the summer. The White Settlement Public Library is home to Browser, a cat who became famous in 2016. This happened when some local politicians tried to remove him, but many residents wanted him to stay.
White Settlement is also a winter home for some groups of Irish Travellers. The Texas Civil War Museum used to be located in White Settlement.
Religious Places
Most people in White Settlement are Protestant Christians. However, there is also a Mormon church and a Buddhist temple within the city limits.
Education in White Settlement
The White Settlement Independent School District serves the City of White Settlement. In 2009, the Texas Education Agency rated the school district as "academically acceptable."
The White Settlement Public Library is located in the Municipal Complex. It's a great place for students to find books and resources.
Less than 16% of the people living in White Settlement have a bachelor's degree or higher. This is lower than the average for all Texans, where about 34% have a bachelor's degree or higher.
See also
In Spanish: White Settlement (Texas) para niños
