Nocona is a city along
U.S. Highway 82 and
State Highway 175 in
Montague County,
Texas
Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
, United States. The population was 3,002 at the
2020 census.
History
The city is named for
Peta Nocona, the
Comanche chief. The area was first known to white settlers as the last stop in Texas before crossing the Red River on the
Chisolm Trail. It was founded in 1887 along a particular bend in the
Gainesville, Henrietta and Western Railway line, which soon became part of the
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, connecting
Gainesville and
Henrietta, and later
Wichita Falls. Nocona assumed the role of economic and industrial center of northern Montague County, and many older towns in the area, bypassed by the railroad, and its businesses shuttered. Its citizens moved to Nocona. The city has steadily maintained a population around 3000 since the 1940s, though industries responsible for its growth have come and gone. The "North Field", an oil field between Nocona and the Red River, contributed to Nocona's economy for much of the 20th century and continues to do so on a small scale. The MKT line, which was responsible for Nocona's founding, was abandoned in 1969 and the tracks removed in 1971. Nocona also has a proud history of leather works and has been home to Justin Industries,
Nocona Boot Company, and the Nocona Belt Company. Nocona Boot Company and Justin Industries have since moved; however, the Montague Boot Company has been established in downtown Nocona, making boots for the Larry Mahan line at Cavender's Boot City. Also integral to the Nocona economy is the
Nocona Athletic Goods Company (product names are spelled "Nokona"), which manufactures baseball gloves, bats, catcher's equipment, and other sports accessories. The Athletic Goods' facilities burned in July 2006, and production has been moved to a temporary facility.
Nocona has a lake, about 10 miles north of the city, appropriately named
Lake Nocona, or Farmer's Creek Reservoir. It is a recreational lake popular with people from across north-central Texas. On Lake Nocona sits Nocona Hills, an attractive gated lakeside "city" with many homes, a hotel, golf course, landing strip, and other amenities. Nocona is also home to an 18-hole golf course, airstrip (FAA identifier F48), hospital, and one of the finest city parks in Texas.
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , all land.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
system, Nocona has a
humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...
, ''Cfa'' on climate maps.
Climate Summary for Nocona, Texas
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Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,002 people, 1,100 households, and 785 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census
A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, 3,198 people, 1,286 households, and 825 families resided in the city. The population density was . The 1,456 housing units averaged 516.5/sq mi (199.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 93.59% White, 0.25% African American, 0.84% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.31% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 12.48% of the population.
Of the 1,286 households, 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were no t families. About 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city, the population was distributed as 26.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.
The median income
The median income is the income amount that divides a population into two groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount. It may differ from the mean (or average) income. Both of these are ways of unde ...
for a household in the city was $28,893, and for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $24,868 versus $16,500 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year.
In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the city was $14,080. About 10.6% of families and 16.9% 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 ...
, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Nocona is served by the Nocona Independent School District
Nocona Independent School District is a public school district based in Nocona, Texas ( USA). Nocona ISD provides more than the standard K-12 curriculum. NISD offers extended opportunities for students ranging from Head Start for very young c ...
.
Nocona High School's mascot is the Indians and the Braves.
Notable people
* Jack Crain, (a.k.a. "Jackrabbit") football player and Texas state representative
* Otis Dudley Duncan, sociologist
* Joe Hancock, American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse, or Quarter Horse, is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name is derived from its ability to outrun other horse breeds in races of or less; some have been clocked at speeds up to ...
legend. Joe Hancock foaled c. 1925
* Herman Joseph Justin, Founder of the Justin Industries.
* Enid Justin, Founder of the Nocona Boot Company and daughter of H.J. Justin, founder of Justin Boots.
* Ruth Roach (1896–1986), championship bronc rider and rodeo performer, retired to a ranch near Nocona
* Charles C. "Charlie" Robertson major league baseball player with the Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
and others
Transportation
* U.S. Highway 82 East–West: Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States
Georgia may also refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Georgia (name), a list of pe ...
to New Mexico
New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States. It is one of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, sharing the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. It also ...
* FM 103 North–South: Nocona to Spanish Fort
* FM 1759 East–West: Nocona to northwestern Montague County
* FM 1956 East–West: Nocona to Capps Corner
References
External links
Horton Classic Car Museum
Nocona Chamber of Commerce
Nocona Economic Development Corporation
Nocona Independent School District
Fishing Lake Nocona
History of the Chisholm Trail
NHS Distinguished Alumni
Nocona Cemetery
Hope 29:11, Inc. Foodbank Outreach
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Cities in Texas
Cities in Montague County, Texas