Big Sandy, Texas
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Big Sandy is a town located in Upshur County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,288.
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Geography
Big Sandy is located at 32°35'5" North, 95°6'44" West (32.584693, -95.112297)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.3 km² (1.7 mi²). 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.80% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,288 people, 532 households, and 342 families residing in the town. The population density is 303.2/km² (786.8/mi²). There are 595 housing units at an average density of 140.1/km² (363.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 81.75% White, 12.89% African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.95% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 3.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 532 households out of which 32.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% are married couples living together, 13.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% are non-families. 34.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.11.
In the town the population is spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $25,284, and the median income for a family is $34,107. Males have a median income of $26,083 versus $21,071 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,989. 17.8% of the population and 16.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.9% of those under the age of 18 and 15.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History of Big Sandy
For many years Big Sandy, Texas was known as the location of the third campus of Ambassador College, a liberal arts institution which briefly became known as Ambassador University. It was sponsored by the Radio Church of God, which later became known as the Worldwide Church of God. Because of the size and location of the campus, the grounds were also used once a year in celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles which attracted hundreds of church members to the area. The economic impact was considerable. While some members camped on the grounds, other members booked into local motels and became patrons of local restaurants and other facilities in the area.