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Spur is a city in Dickens 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 863 at the 2020 census, down from 1,318 at the 2010 census. A city council resolution passed in July 2014 proclaimed Spur the "nation's first tiny house-friendly town."


History

Spur began after E. P. Swenson and associates purchased Spur Ranch in 1907 and subdivided land for settlers. The Burlington Railroad then built a railway northwest from Stamford to the future site of Spur. On November 1, 1909, the Stamford and Northwestern's first train arrived at the new depot, marking the opening of Spur. Spur was incorporated in 1911.


Geography

Spur is located in southern Dickens County at (33.477650, –100.857018). Texas State Highway 70 passes through the city, leading north to
Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the great ...
, the
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...
, and southeast to Jayton. 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

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, Spur has a
semi-arid climate A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of se ...
, ''BSk'' on climate maps.


Demographics


2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 863 people, 387 households, and 195 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, 1,088 people, 472 households, and 288 families resided in the city. The population density was . The 641 housing units averaged 396.7 per square mile (152.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 72.52% White, 3.40% African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 21.14% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. About 31.25% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 472 households, 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were not families. Around 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89. In the city, the population was distributed as 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $24,286, and for a family was $32,772. Males had a median income of $25,972 versus $18,631 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 $14,601. 19.8% of the population and 16.2% of families 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 ...
. 24.8% of those under the age of 18 and 21.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.


Education

The city of Spur is served by the Spur Independent School District. The
Texas Legislature The Texas State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. It is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The state legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin. It is a p ...
designated the county as being in the Western Texas College District.


Tiny houses

Spur's regulations are friendly to tiny houses, with some of the only requirements being a provision for a foundation to be laid, as well as
plumbing Plumbing is any system that conveys fluids for a wide range of applications. Plumbing uses piping, pipes, valves, piping and plumbing fitting, plumbing fixtures, Storage tank, tanks, and other apparatuses to convey fluids. HVAC, Heating and co ...
and
electrical wiring Electrical wiring is an electrical installation of Electrical cable, cabling and associated devices such as switches, distribution boards, sockets, and light fittings in a structure. Wiring is subject to safety standards for design and in ...
installed. Flush toilets are required, as well as a wood or metal frame. In general, experimental strawbale houses,
yurt A yurt (from the Turkic languages) or ger (Mongolian language, Mongolian) is a portable, round tent covered and Thermal insulation, insulated with Hide (skin), skins or felt and traditionally used as a dwelling by several distinct Nomad, nomad ...
s, or underground houses are not permitted. Lastly, house plans must be approved.


Notable people

* Marshall Applewhite (1931–1997), the leader of the Heaven's Gate cult, was born in Spur. He died in the group's mass suicide of 1997 * Raymond Beadle (1943–2014), a drag-racing driver and member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, was born in Spur * Aaron Latham (1943-2022), a Spur native, wrote the script of the 1980 film ''
Urban Cowboy ''Urban Cowboy'' is a 1980 American romantic Western film directed by James Bridges. The plot concerns the love-hate relationship between Buford "Bud" Davis (John Travolta) and Sissy ( Debra Winger). The film's success was credited for spurri ...
''. In the story line, the protagonist, Bud Davis (played by
John Travolta John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is an American actor. He began acting in television before transitioning into a leading man in films. List of awards and nominations received by John Travolta, His accolades include a Primetime Em ...
), is said to have been from Spur *
Red McCombs Billy Joe "Red" McCombs (October 19, 1927 – February 19, 2023) was an American businessman. He was the founder of the Red McCombs Automotive Group in San Antonio, Texas, a co-founder of iHeartMedia, Clear Channel Communications, a past chairma ...
(1927-2023), a
San Antonio San Antonio ( ; Spanish for " Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the ...
businessman who owned the NBA's
San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...
and
Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA), W ...
as well as the NFL's
Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. The Vikings compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. Founded in 1960 as ...
, was born in Spur, and named the Spurs NBA team after the city he grew up in. * Jesse Powell Played for
Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...
; graduated from Spur High School


Gallery

Image:SpurTexas5 (1 of 1).jpg Image:SpurTexas4 (1 of 1).jpg Image:SpurTexas3 (1 of 1).jpg Image:SpurTexas2 (1 of 1).jpg Image:SpurTexas6 (1 of 1).jpg


References

{{authority control Cities in Dickens County, Texas Cities in Texas