Weatherford, Texas
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Weatherford is a city located in Parker County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,000. It is the county seat of Parker CountyTemplate:GR.
Named by the State Legislature as the Peach Capital of Texas, Weatherford and Parker County growers produce the biggest, sweetest, juiciest peaches around. The Peach is celebrated each year at the Parker County Peach Festival, Weatherford’s largest event and one of the best-attended festivals in Texas. More than 35,000 visitors come to Weatherford to enjoy homemade peach ice cream, peach cobbler, peach pie, peach juleps, peach smoothies, and just plain juicy peaches! Be sure and visit the Farmers Market for peaches and other delicious Parker County produce, including watermelons and pecans.
Perhaps Weatherford’s greatest treasure is the abundance of historic homes and buildings. More than 60 Queen Anne, Victorian and other architecturally significant homes built at the turn of the century sit along the tree-lined avenues where horse-drawn carriages once carried the pillars of the community.
The crown jewel is the breathtaking Parker County Courthouse. Located in the geographical center of the County, this Second Empire style courthouse is the heart of downtown and the entire community. Visit the historic shops around the downtown area and you will find that they served other purposes at the turn of the century – some of them were saloons and “cat-houses!” Each year at Christmas-time, the Parker County Heritage Society arranges a Candlelight Tour of Homes that give attendees a rare opportunity to see the inside of many restored homes.
Weatherford is also the birthplace and was the home of Mary Martin, internationally known Broadway star, renowned for her portrayal of the beloved Peter Pan. Her son, Larry Hagman, became a famous TV star, forever immortalized as the villainous J.R. Ewing of the television melodrama, Dallas. Larry Hagman is just as fond of Weatherford as his mother was and he still makes appearances for special occasions and to help many Weatherford charities. Former U.S. Speaker of the House Jim Wright grew up in Weatherford and even wrote a book about his youth, “Weatherford Days…a Time of Learning.” Famed portrait artist Douglas Chandor moved to Weatherford to be with the love of his life, Weatherford native, Ina Kuteman. Known internationally for his portraits of the rich and famous including Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Chandor created another masterpiece in Weatherford, his magnificent gardens that are now open to the public.
Geography
TXMap-doton-Weatherford.PNG
Location of Weatherford, Texas
Weatherford is located at 32°45'33" North, 97°47'6" West (32.759238, -97.784997)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 58.7 km² (22.7 mi²). 54.1 km² (20.9 mi²) of it is land and 4.6 km² (1.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 7.86% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 19,000 people, 7,442 households, and 5,045 families residing in the city. The population density is 351.3/km² (909.9/mi²). There are 8,232 housing units at an average density of 152.2/km² (394.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 90.90% White, 2.07% African American, 0.86% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.06% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 10.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,442 households out of which 31.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% are married couples living together, 11.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% are non-families. 27.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 2.99.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,714, and the median income for a family is $47,152. Males have a median income of $35,690 versus $24,938 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,787. 11.5% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.9% of those under the age of 18 and 10.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.