Luling, Texas
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Luling is a city located in Caldwell County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,080.
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Geography
TXMap-doton-Luling.PNG
Location of Luling, Texas
Luling is located at 29°40'50" North, 97°38'44" West (29.680499, -97.645439)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²). 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.26% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 5,080 people, 1,791 households, and 1,226 families residing in the city. The population density is 510.8/km² (1,324.1/mi²). There are 1,950 housing units at an average density of 196.1/km² (508.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 65.30% White, 9.55% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 22.09% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. 44.02% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,791 households out of which 34.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% are married couples living together, 15.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% are non-families. 28.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.75 and the average family size is 3.39.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 79.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,923, and the median income for a family is $31,094. Males have a median income of $22,365 versus $18,432 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,373. 19.4% of the population and 17.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.9% of those under the age of 18 and 20.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Events and Traditions
The Luling Watermelon Thump is held each year during the last full weekend in June.
An important part of the economy of Luling is oil. Some of the oil pump jacks along main streets of Luling are decorated with whimsical characters, such as a girl eating a watermelon.
History
Luling was founded in 1874 as a railroad town. There is some debate as to how Luling got its name. Some say it was named for a Chinese railroad worker, others for a judge named Luling. Most likely it was the maiden name of railroad builder’s wife, though no one can be certain.
The single most important event in Luling’s history was the discovery of oil by Edgar B. Davis on August 9, 1922. The economy moved quickly from the railroad to oil, which formed much of Luling’s wealth for the next 60 years. The discovery was well timed, as that the railroads largely pulled out of Luling in the 1930s and 1940s.
Agriculture has always been an important part of Luling. Cotton was a major crop in Luling until Edgar B. Davis established the Luling Foundation Farm in 1927, a working experimental agriculture center intended to help family farmers in the area achieve higher yields and diversify crops.
Lieutenant Commander Worf was born here.