Eagle Lake is a city in southeastern Colorado County,

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

, United States. The population was 3,442 at the 2020 census. It is home to a golf course, the largest private lake in Texas, and the Eagle Lake Regional Airport, which serves light aircraft. The lake, along with adjacent rice fields, attracts a large variety of

migratory bird Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement, often north and south along a flyway, between Breeding in the wild, breeding and wintering grounds. Many species of bird migrate. Animal migration, Migration carries high costs in predation a ...

s. The city is known as the "Goose-hunting Capital of the World" and also borders a wildlife preserve.

History

The first newspaper in Eagle Lake was established by Joseph J. Mansfield in the 1880s.

Geography

Eagle Lake is located in eastern Colorado County at . U.S. Route 90 Alternate (US 90 Alt.) travels through Eagle Lake, leading east to

Houston Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...

and west to

Hallettsville Hallettsville is a city in Lavaca County, Texas, United States. Its population was 2,731 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Lavaca County. Hallettsville also has a sizable German-Texan population as the towns founders were mainly German ...

. Eagle Lake is southeast of

Columbus Columbus is a Latinized version of the Italian surname "''Colombo''". It most commonly refers to: * Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), the Italian explorer * Columbus, Ohio, capital of the U.S. state of Ohio Columbus may also refer to: Places ...

, the Colorado County seat. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the city of Eagle Lake has a total area of , of which , or 0.19%, is covered by water. Image:Eagle Lake TX Lake.JPG, The eponymous Eagle Lake from the north side Image:Eagle Lake TX Sugarcane Marker.JPG, Site of a sugar cane factory on FM 102 Image:Eagle Lake TX Municipal Building.JPG, Municipal building on FM 102 in downtown area

Demographics

As of the

2020 United States census The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to of ...

, there were 3,442 people, 1,109 households, and 782 families residing in the city. As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...

of 2000, 3,664 people, 1,296 households, and 935 families resided in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...

was 1,344.6 people per square mile (520.1/km²). The 1,500 housing units averaged 550.5/sq mi (212.9/km²). The

racial makeup A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...

of the city was 52.78% White, 23.39% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 20.47% from other races, and 2.67% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 44.21% of the population. Of the 1,296 households, 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were not families. About 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.31. In the city, the population was distributed as 29.9% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

Economy

Historically, Eagle Lake has been an agricultural community, with

rice Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima ''Oryza glaberrima'', commonly known as African rice, is one of the two domesticated rice species. It was first domesticated and grown i ...

being the main crop. Other key products include cotton, grain, and cattle, along with sand and gravel from mines in the surrounding area. In the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $27,101, and for a family was $29,201. Males had a median income of $26,025 versus $20,299 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the city was $12,426. About 15.0% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...

, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over. Image:Eagle Lake TX Sign.JPG, City limit sign with Eagle Lake Rice Dryer in the background Image:Eagle Lake Tx Rice Culture Marker.JPG, Historical marker explains Eagle Lake's rice farming Image:Eagle Lake TX County Rice Mill.JPG, Colorado County Rice Mill on US 90A and Union Pacific Railroad

Education

Eagle Lake is served by the

Rice Consolidated Independent School District Rice Consolidated Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Altair, Texas (USA). In addition to Altair, the district serves the city of Eagle Lake, the communities of Garwood and Sheridan, as well as rura ...

. The Eula and David Wintermann Library is the public library in the city, opened on February 9, 1975. Mr. and Mrs. David R. Wintermann had originally proposed to erect and furnish the new library building in 1973. Architect for the project was Arthur J. Willrodt of

Columbus, Texas Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Colorado County in southeastern Texas. The population was 3,699 as of the 2020 census. It is located on the Colorado River. The Colorado County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Histori ...

. It replaced the existing library, which was housed in a small portion of the Community Center. The designated community college for Rice CISD is

Wharton County Junior College Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) is a public community college with its main campus in Wharton, Texas. The college also has campuses in Richmond, Sugar Land, and Bay City. WCJC is accredited by the Southern Association of College ...

.Texas Education Code Sec. 130.211. WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
/ref>

Media

The city is served by a weekly newspaper, the ''Colorado County Citizen''.

References

External links

City of Eagle Lake official website

''Eagle Lake Headlight'' Online
{{authority control Cities in Texas Cities in Colorado County, Texas