Goldthwaite, Texas

Goldthwaite is a town and the county seat of Mills County, Texas, United States. Its population was 1,738 at the 2020 census, down from 1,878 at the 2010 census.

History

Goldthwaite existed as a small village prior to the arrival of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway in 1885. The population increased after the railway began selling lots. The town is named after George (Joe) Goldthwaite (1836–1892), an employee at the railway. Goldthwaite was once known as "the City of Windmills" because of the large number of water wells in the city; by around 1900, almost every household had one.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Geography

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Goldthwaite has a humid subtropical climate, ''Cfa'' on climate maps.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, 1,738 people, 742 households, and 463 families were residing in the city.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, 1,802 people, 740 households and 466 families lived in the city. The population density was . The 883 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 87.01% White, 0.39% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 10.82% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 18.42% of the population.

Of the 740 households, 29.1% had children under 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were not families. About 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.87.

The city's age distribution was 24.6% under 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 28.5% who were 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.

The median income for a household was $26,731, and for a family was $34,940. Males had a median income of $25,577 versus $19,602 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,591. About 12.5% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under 18 and 22.2% of those 65 or over.

Education

Goldthwaite is served by the Goldthwaite Independent School District. Schools located in Goldthwaite included Goldthwaite Elementary School, Goldthwaite Middle School, and Goldthwaite High School. New Horizons Ranch School is located off Farm-to-Market Road 574.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highways

* U.S. Route 84
* U.S. Route 183 (concurrent with U.S. Route 84 on the north side of the city)
* Texas State Highway 16 (concurrent with U.S. Routes 84 and 183 on the north side of the city)
* Texas Loop 15
* Farm to Market 574
* Farm to Market 2005

Rail

Goldthwaite is located on a BNSF Railway line connecting Temple to Sweetwater. As of 2024, the rail line is used for freight haulage only. The nearest Amtrak passenger train stop is the McGregor station in McGregor, served by the ''Texas Eagle''.

Air

The City of Goldthwaite owns and operates the Goldthwaite Municipal Airport, a general-aviation airport with a asphalt runway.. Federal Aviation Administration, Effective May 24, 2018. The airport originally opened in 2011. In 2015, 10 T-hangars, a hangar apron, an access road, and a garage storage area for a courtesy car were constructed, and a fly-in golf program was offered in partnership with the adjacent golf course.

Notable people

* Jody Conradt, women's basketball coach at the University of Texas at Austin
* Barton Yarborough, actor

References

External links

Community Website

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Cities in Texas
Cities in Mills County, Texas
County seats in Texas
Populated places established in 1885