College Station, Texas

City of College Station, Texas

Missing image CollegeStationLogo.JPG Official Logo of City of College Station, Texas
City nicknames: "Aggieland", "heart of the Research Valley"
Missing image TXMap-doton-CollegeStation.PNG Location of College Station Location in the State of Texas
County	Brazos County
Mayor	Ron Silvia
Area  - Land  - Water	104.5 km² 104.4 km² 0.1 km²
Population  - Total (2004)  - Density	192,603 (metropolitan area) 80,254 768.4/km²
Time zone  - Summer (DST)	CST (UTC−6) CDT (UTC−5)
Latitude Longitude	30°36'5" N 96°18'52" W
Official website: City of College Station (http://www.cstx.gov)

College Station, Texas is a city located in Brazos County, and is situated in East Texas. The city is centrally located in the heart of Texas, approximately equidistant from three of the 10 largest cities in the United States. It is 95 miles north of Houston, 166 miles northeast of San Antonio and 169 miles south of Dallas. It is 104 miles east of Austin, the state capital of Texas. 75% of the Texas and Louisiana populations (13.1 million people) live within 3.5 driving hours of College Station. The population estimate as of January 2005 is 80,254. College Station boasts many of the amenities of a large city while maintaining a small town atmosphere.

College Station is home to the main campus of Texas A&M University, one of the premiere universities of Texas and the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The city owes both its name and existence to the University's location along the railroad. Texas A&M's triple designation as a Land-, Sea-, and Space-Grant institution reflects the broad scope of the research endeavors it brings to the city, with ongoing projects funded by such prominent and diverse agencies as NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research.

Contents

1 Law and Government 2 Historical Events 3 Geography and Climate 4 Demographics 5 Districts 5.1 Northgate 5.2 Wolf Pen Creek District 6 Business parks 7 Transportation 7.1 Mass Transit 7.2 Airports 7.2.1 Regional 7.2.2 Intercontinental 7.3 Major roads 7.4 Railroads 8 Economy 8.1 List of Major Employers 9 Sports facilities 10 Media and journalism 10.1 Television stations 10.2 Radio stations 10.3 Area newspapers 10.4 Area magazines 11 Education 11.1 Area colleges and universities 11.2 Area school districts 12 Tallest buildings 13 Surrounding cities 13.1 Nearest cities 13.2 Nearest major cities 14 Notable people who have lived in College Station 15 Sister Cities 16 Internal Links 17 External links

Law and Government

The City of College Station was incorporated in 1938 and has been operated under a council-manager form of government. The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines strong political leadership, representative democracy through elected officials, and professional management. The form establishes a representative form of government by concentrating all power in the elected city council. The council hires a professionally trained and educated city manager to oversee the delivery of public services and the daily operations of the City. Council members are part time volunteers who serve as the policy making board for the City's government.

Historical Events

• 1860: The Houston and Texas Central Railway built through the area.
• 1871: The site was chosen as the location for the proposed A&M College of Texas.
• 1876: The first public institution of higher education in Texas was opened, Texas A&M University.
  • 1884: Population reaches 350
  • 1900: Population reaches 391
• 1910: Electric Interurban service is established between Texas A&M College and Bryan, Texas
• 1910: Business district known as Northgate began development.
• 1920: The interurban was replaced by the city bus system.
• 1930: Community north of College Station (North Oakwood) incorporated with Bryan, Texas
• 1938: College Station is incorporated ( John H. Binney was the first mayor )
• 1939: A zoning commission was established for the city.
  • 1940: Population reaches 2,184.
• 1942: Ernest Langford, called by some the "Father of College Station," was elected mayor, an office he held for the next twenty-six years.

• 1943: College Station moved to council-manager city government.
  • 1950: Population reaches 7,898.
  • 1960: Population reaches 11,396.
  • 1970: Population reaches 17,676
  • 1980: Population reaches 30,449
  • 1990: Population reaches 52,456.
• 1997: George Bush Presidential Library opens in College Station
• 1999: Twelve are killed and 27 injured when a huge bonfire structure under construction at the Texas A&M University campus collapsed. ( See: Aggie Bonfire )
  • 2000: Population reaches 67,890.
  • 2005: Population reaches 80,254. (January 2005)

Geography and Climate

College Station is located at 30°36'5" North, 96°18'52" West (30.601433, -96.314464)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 104.4 km² (40.3 mi²). 104.3 km² (40.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.10% water.

Area Lakes cover 180,000 acres (728 km²) and include Lake Somerville, Lake Conroe, Gibbon's Creak Reservoir, Lake Limestone, Lake Bryan and many others.

The local climate is subtropical and temperate and winters are mild with periods of low temperature usually lasting less than two months. Snow and ice are extremely rare. Summers are warm and hot with occasional showers being the only real variation in weather.

• Average annual rainfall: 39 inches (1 m)
• Average elevation: 367 feet (112 m) above sea level
• Average Temperature: 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius)
• Agricultural Resources: Cattle, corn, cotton, eggs, hay, sorghum
• Mineral Resources: Sand, gravel, lignite, gas, oil

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 67,890 people, 24,691 households, and 10,370 families residing in the city. The population density is 651.1/km² (1,686.5/mi²). There are 26,054 housing units at an average density of 249.9/km² (647.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 80.53% White, 5.45% African American, 0.30% Native American, 7.29% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.47% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. 9.96% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 24,691 households out of which 21.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% are married couples living together, 6.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 58.0% are non-families. 27.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 2.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.98.

In the city the population is spread out with 14.4% under the age of 18, 51.2% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 9.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 22 years. For every 100 females there are 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 104.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $21,180, and the median income for a family is $53,147. Males have a median income of $38,216 versus $26,592 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,170. 37.4% of the population and 15.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Districts

Northgate

• A mixed use district just north of Texas A&M University and what some may call the original downtown of College Station. Northgate is a vibrant part of the city and is known for its live music scene and eclectic mix of restaurants and bars.
  • See also: Northgate District Map (http://www.northgatetx.com/index.php?action=map)

Wolf Pen Creek District

• A high quality commercial development located adjacent to Post Oak Mall and between the city's two main commercial thoroughfares, Texas Avenue and Highway 6 (Earl Rudder Freeway). The area consists of an elaborate greenway with trails, a $1.5 million amphitheater and entertainment area, a small lake, The Arctic Wolf Ice Skating Complex (http://www.arcticwolfice.com/) and is home to the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley (P. David Romei Arts Center) (http://acbv.org/).
  • See also: Wolf Pen Creek District Map (http://www.cstx.gov/docs/real_estate_5a.pdf)

Business parks

• Business Center at College Station (http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=158)
  • A 200 acre (800,000 m²), Class "A" Business Center just five miles (8 km) from the University. Current residents include firms involved in telecommunications, software development and technology manufacturing.
• Spring Creek Corporate Campus (http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=2270)
  • A 100 acre (400,000 m²), Class "A" Business Center just minutes from the University. A green-belt surrounds most of the Campus will provide a buffer between the new development and adjacent land uses which include the Pebble Creek Country Club and Woodland Hills Subdivision.
• Texas A&M University Research Park (http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=160)
  • This 324 acre (1.3 km²) Research Park was established to provide businesses direct partnering opportunities with Texas A&M University. Several companies and non-profit research interests have located in the park including Hewlett Packard, Schlumberger, Lynntech, the Institute of Food Science and Engineering, the Electron Beam Food Research Facility and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program to name just a few.
• Crescent Pointe (http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=165)
  • Crescent Pointe is a master planned, mixed-use development made up of approximately 192 acres (777,000 m²). The development has frontage on University Drive (Highway 60) and Harvey Road (Highway 30) and is located directly adjacent to the First American Bank corporate headquarters (http://www.fabtexas.com/AboutUS.htm).

Transportation

Mass Transit

• Texas A&M Transporation Services (http://transport.tamu.edu) provides public bus transportation throughout Central College Station and Bryan. On Texas A&M football game days, the department provides additional park-and-ride service to and from Kyle Field.

Airports

Regional

• Easterwood Airport (CLL) is located in the north-western part of College Station, adjacent to Texas A&M University. Easterwood provides multiple scheduled flights daily to Dallas and Houston.
• Coulter Field (CFD) is located in east Bryan and is owned by the city of Bryan.

Intercontinental

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is located in the northern part of Houston, Texas, less than 1.5 hours from College Station off of Interstate 45.
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is located in the southern part of Austin, Texas, less than 2 hours from College Station off of Interstate 35.

Major roads

• Texas State Highway 6: Earl Rudder Freeway (East Bypass)
• Texas State Highway 6 Business: South Texas Avenue
• Texas State Highway 30: Harvey Road
• Texas State Highway 40 (currently being constructed)
• Texas State Highway 47
• Texas FM 60: University Drive
• Texas FM 2154: Wellborn Road
• Texas FM 2347: George Bush Drive
• Texas FM 2818: Harvey Mitchell Parkway (West Loop, West Bypass)

Railroads

• Union Pacific Rail line: Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)

Economy

• Local unemployment hovers under two percent, among the lowest in the nation.
• Cost of living is as affordable as anywhere in the state.

List of Major Employers

• Texas A&M University System - Educational - 12,000
• St. Joseph Regional Health/Rehab Center (http://www.st-joseph.org/default.asp) - Healthcare - 2,400
• Sanderson Farms (http://www.sandersonfarms.com/) - Poultry processing - 1,696
• College Station Independent School District (http://www.csisd.org/) - Educational - 1,100
• UCS/Rentsys (http://www.universalcomputersys.com/Careers/CollegeStation.asp?section=AllOpenPositions) - Computer - 850
• City of College Station (http://www.cstx.gov) - Government - 800

Sports facilities

• Football: Kyle Field (Largest Crowd: 87,555)
• Racing: Texas World Speedway (Capacity 23,000)
• Basketball: Reed Arena (Largest Crowd: 13,126)
• Baseball: Olsen Field (Largest Crowd: 11,052)
• Volleyball: G. Rollie White Coliseum (Largest Crowd: 8,608)
• Soccer: Aggie Soccer Complex (http://sports.tamu.edu/facilities.php?FID=1) (Largest Crowd: 5,384)
• Track and Field: Anderson Track and Field Complex (http://sports.tamu.edu/facilities.php?FID=3) (Capacity: 3,500)
• Tennis: George P. Mitchell Tennis Center (http://sports.tamu.edu/facilities.php?FID=15) (Largest Crowd: 2,339)
• Softball: Aggie Softball Complex (http://sports.tamu.edu/facilities.php?FID=2) (Capacity: 1,750)
• Hockey: Arctic Wolf Ice Center (http://bcs-icerink.ahraiding.org/?op=merchandise) (Capacity: 500)

Media and journalism

Television stations

• KBTX (Channel 3; Owner: Gray Communications of Texas) CBS affiliate (Satellite of KWTX, though has separate news department)
• KSCM (Channel 12; Owner: R.D. HARRIS)
• KAMU-TV (Channel 15; Owner: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY)
• KMAY-TV (Channel 23; Owner: CHANNEL 6, INC.) NBC affiliate (Simulcast of KCEN-TV)
• KYLE (Channel 28; Owner: COMCORP OF BRYAN LICENSE CORP.) FOX affiliate
• KNAK (Channel 28; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
• KRHD (Channel 40; Owner: Drewry Broadcasting) ABC affiliate(Satellite of KXXV, with newscasts taped and produced by the station)
• KNED (Channel 47; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)

Radio stations

• FM
  • KAMU-FM (90.9 FM; Owner: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY)
  • KORA-FM (98.3 FM; Owner: EQUICOM, INC)
  • KNFX-FM (99.5 FM; Owner: CCB TEXAS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KNDE (95.1 FM; Owner: BRYAN BROADCASTING LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
  • KNDH (100.9 FM; Owner: HOUSTON CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS, INC.)
  • KEOS (89.1 FM; Owner: BRAZOS EDUCATIONAL RADIO)
  • KNAI (93.3 FM; Owner: KSBJ EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION)
  • KKYS (104.7 FM; Owner: CCB TEXAS LICENSES, L.P.)
• AM
  • KZNE (1150 AM; 10 kW; Owner: BRYAN BROADCASTING LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
  • WTAW (1620 AM; 10 kW; Owner: BRYAN BROADCASTING LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
  • KTAM (1240 AM; 0 kW; Owner: EQUICOM, INC)
  • KAGC (1510 AM; daytime; 1 kW; Owner: DIVCON ASSOCIATES, INC.)

Area newspapers

• The Bryan/College Station Eagle (http://www.theeagle.com/) (City Newspaper)
• The Battalion (http://www.thebatt.com/) (TAMU Newspaper)
• Maroon Weekly (http://www.maroonweekly.com/) (Student-run independent Newspaper)
• The Touchstone (http://www.rtis.com/touchstone/) (Left/Progressive, Alt/Indy newspaper)

Area magazines

• 12th Man Magazine (http://www.12thmanfoundation.com/login/login.htm)
• 12th Man On Campus Magazine (http://www.12thmanfoundation.com/OnCampus/site/advertisinginfo.asp)
• Insite Magazine (http://www.insitegroup.com/mag.html)

Education

Area colleges and universities

• Texas A&M University (approximately 44,000 students)
• Blinn College (approximately 10,000 students)

Area school districts

• College Station Independent School District (http://www.csisd.org/)
• Bryan Independent School District (http://www.bryanisd.org/)

Tallest buildings

• Buildings with 7 or more floors
  • University Tower: (http://www.universitytower.net/) 17 floors
  • Oceanography & Meteorology Building: (http://www.tamu.edu/buildings/ocean.html) 13 floors
  • Albritton Tower: (http://www.tamu.edu/buildings/albritton.html) 138 feet
  • Rudder Tower: (http://uc.tamu.edu/buildings/rudder.htm) 12 floors
  • College Station Hilton: (http://www.hiltoncs.com/) 11 floors
  • Northgate Gameday Center: (http://www.gamedaycenters.com/) 10 floors (to be completed late-2006)
  • First American Bank Headquarters: (http://www.fabtexas.com/AboutUS.htm) 10 floors (to be completed in mid-2006)
  • Richardson Petroleum Engineering: (http://www.tamu.edu/buildings/richardson.html) 10 floors
  • CE / Texas Transportation Institute: (http://www.tamu.edu/buildings/cetti.html) 8 floors
  • Regents Building: (http://tamusbor.tamu.edu/) 8 floors
  • Brown Engineering: (http://cheweb.tamu.edu/jeb/) 7 floors
  • Harrington: (http://www.tamu.edu/buildings/harrington-center.html) 7 floors
  • Bright Building: (http://www.cs.tamu.edu/department/information/bright) 7 floors

Surrounding cities

Nearest cities

• Cities within 30 miles (50 km)
  • Bryan, Texas 5.7 miles (9 km)
  • Wixon Valley, Texas 11.1 miles (18 km)
  • Snook, Texas 13.2 miles (21 km)
  • Navasota, Texas 21.5 miles (35 km)
  • Somerville, Texas 23.1 miles
  • Anderson, Texas 23.8 miles (38 km)
  • Caldwell, Texas 27.0 miles (43 km)
  • Hearne, Texas 27.2 miles (44 km)

Nearest major cities

• Cities with population over 500,000 within 200 miles (300 km)
  • Houston, Texas (95.1 miles) (Population: 1,953,631, Metro Population: 4,986,399)
  • Austin, Texas (107.7 miles) (Population: 656,562)
  • San Antonio, Texas (169 miles) (Population: 1,144,646)
  • Fort Worth, Texas (173 miles) (Population: 534,694, Metro Population: 5,222,000)
  • Dallas, Texas (187 miles) (Population: 1,188,580, Metro Population: 5,222,000)

Notable people who have lived in College Station

• Henry Cisneros, first Hispanic mayor of a major city (San Antonio), Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Bill W. Clayton, Speaker, Texas House of Representatives
• Dante Hall, wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs
• J.H. Galloway, vice president Exxon Oil Corporation
• Louie Gohmert, U.S. Congressman
• Gerald D. Griffin, Director, NASA Johnson Space Center
• Dan Kuykendall, U.S. Congressman (R-Tenn, 1966-1974)
• Lyle Lovett, Musician
• L. Lowry Mays, President, CEO of Clear Channel Communications
• Dat Nguyen, NFL player
• C.E. "Pat" Olsen, Baseball Player
• Jack Pardee, Pro-Football Player, Head Football Coach
• Rick Perry, Governor of the State of Texas
• Jorge Quiroga, Former President of Bolivia
• James Earl Rudder, 16th President of Texas A&M University, World War II General
• Marvin Runyon, Jr., Postmaster General, United States Postal Service
• Olin E. Teague, U.S. Congressman
• Chet Edwards, U.S. Congressman
• Rip Torn, Actor
• Bjarne Stroustrup, Computer Scientist, Developer of C++

Sister Cities

• Kazan, Russia
• Greifswald, Germany
• Zuazua, Mexico
• Ciudad Real, Spain

Internal Links

• Bryan - College Station
• Brazos County, Texas
• Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M University System

External links

• The Official Web site of the City of College Station (http://www.cstx.gov/)
• Bryan / College Station Eagle (City Newspaper) (http://www.theeagle.com/)
• The Battalion (TAMU Newspaper) (http://www.thebatt.com/)
• College Station Visitors & Convention Bureau (http://www.bryan-collegestation.org/)
• College Station Chamber of Commerce (http://www.bcschamber.org/)
• Research Valley Main Page (http://www.researchvalley.org/)
• Research Valley Details (http://www.researchvalley.org/index.k2?did=3356)
• College Station Medical Center (http://www.csmedcenter.com/)
• St. Joseph Regional Medical Center (http://www.st-joseph.org/)
• College Station Easterwood Airport (http://www.tamu.edu/easterwoodairport)
• Building and Development of College Station (http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=415)

Template:Mapit-US-cityscale

• • Texas A&M University Map (http://www.tamu.edu/map/gifs/campus1.pdf)

Texas
Regions: Arklatex | Big Bend | Central Texas | Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex | East Texas | Edwards Plateau | Houston Metropolitan Area | North Texas | Northeast Texas | Piney Woods | Rio Grande Valley | Texas Hill Country | Texas Panhandle | Llano Estacado | Southeast Texas | South Texas | West Texas
Metropolitan Areas: Abilene | Amarillo | Austin-Round Rock | Beaumont-Port Arthur | Brownsville-Harlingen | College Station-Bryan | Corpus Christi | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | El Paso | Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown | Killeen-Temple | Laredo | Longview-Marshall | Lubbock | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | Midland | Odessa | San Angelo | San Antonio | Sherman-Denison | Texarkana | Tyler | Victoria | Waco | Wichita Falls
See also: List of Texas counties