Van Vleck is a

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counte ...

(CDP) in

Matagorda County Matagorda County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 36,255. Its county seat is Bay City, not to be confused with the larger Baytown in Harris and Chambers Counties. Matagorda County i ...

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 total represents one of the few areas with positive growth in Matagorda County. The 2010 census showed a 25% increase with 1,844 people (versus 1,411 at the 2000 census). Although near Bay City, the site of Van Vleck falls outside the ETJ of Bay City and is regulated by county police and county ordinance.

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 CDP has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

Van Vleck was first listed as a

census designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counte ...

in the

1980 U.S. Census The 1980 United States census, conducted by the United States Census Bureau, Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 226,545,805, an increase of 11.4% over the 203,184,772 persons Enumeration, enumerated dur ...

. The 2010 census showed a 25% increase with 1,844 people (versus 1,411 at the 2000 census). Further census details are pending. 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, there were 1,411 people, 505 households, and 397 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 578 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 70.09%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 17.51%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.35% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 8.72% from other races, and 3.26% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 25.66% of the population. There were 505 households, out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.18. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,810, and the median income for a family was $40,170. Males had a median income of $31,034 versus $14,438 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 CDP was $15,595. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% 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 2.1% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The local economy is mostly dependent on industrial work in plants at local Sweeny and Bay City. Many Bay City residents of higher income choose to live in the Van Vleck ISD. The Van Vleck area has benefitted greatly from the commercial development just minutes away on Highway 35 that have included several new restaurants, banks, hotels, and a new

Walmart Walmart Inc. (; formerly Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.) is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets (also called supercenters), discount department stores, and grocery stores in the United States and 23 other ...

supercenter. The town site (town center) of Van Vleck has undergone slow but gradual improvements with a new post office, church, and a growingly popular restaurant that seats over 100 and is often full to capacity. Also found in Van Vleck are several authentic Mexican/Hispanic restaurants serving the local Hispanic population and non-Hispanics alike, a doughnut store, a fireworks stand, several gas stations, and equipment rental/sales shops. Although it is of similar size to other nearby towns such as West Columbia, Van Vleck has benefited from high traffic counts equal to or more than most areas of the larger and nearby Bay City. Traffic counts are three times the average for a comparable small town as reported by TXDOT.Traffic counts 2009
state.tx.us Over 10,000 cars pass through the town using the main arterial Texas Highway 35 that connects Bay City to

Texas State Highway 288 State Highway 288 (SH 288) is a north–south highway in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Texas, between Interstate 45, I-45 in downtown Houston, Texas, Houston and Freeport, Texas, Freeport, where it terminates on Farm t ...

and

U.S. Route 59 U.S. Route 59 (US 59) is a north–south U.S. highway (though it was signed east–west in parts of Texas). A latecomer to the U.S. Highway System, US 59 is now a border-to-border route, part of the NAFTA Corridor Highway System. It par ...

. The proximity to the growing potential of Bay City has been to Van Vleck's advantage. The town also has a small but well recognized ISD. File:Van Vleck TX Post Office.jpg, US Post Office on Highway 35 File:Bay City TX Airport.jpg, Bay City Regional Airport is on FM 2540 south of town

Popular culture

In popular culture, Van Vleck is often mentioned for its small but well known small town features. This is also the hometown of Charles Austin.

Healthcare

Van Vleck does not have any local hospitals. For regular and urgent care, residents rely on the nearby Sweeny Community Hospital and its multiple growing clinics. The strong demand has allowed Sweeney to add 1-2 new physicians a year despite the distance from other towns like Van Vleck. Also, a closer and more often used center is Matagorda Regional Medical Center in Bay City. This facility was built in July 2009. Multiple physicians and specialties are available in Bay City. The regional demand for healthcare is very strong as most doctors/hospitals are not currently drawn to the area. The revamped Matagorda Regional Medical Center has made strides in attracting new physicians and fulfilling the medical needs of the county. The hospital is working on developing a regional cancer center, and regularly runs at capacity.

Education

Van Vleck is served by the Van Vleck Independent School District. Van Vleck ISD has Academically State Recognized District and Schools. They have one-to-one digital learning, K-12 STEM Courses, K-12 Fine Arts Programs, 6-12 Pre-Advanced & Advanced Placement Classes, 9-12 Career & Technical Education Courses, and Duel Credit Classes. There is Van Vleck Elementary, E.Rudd Intermediate, O.H. Herman Middle School, and Van Vleck High School. The ISD has several recognitions that include a National Blue Ribbon Elementary School. The VVISD is the proud winner and record setter in numerous areas, including power lifting and jump sports, with first place in multiple years, including those set by Charles Austin. They have a state recognized FFA Chapter & Meat Processing Plant, State Recognized Fine Arts Programs and Outstanding UIL Sports Programs. The local high school also is a recurring winner, and title holder, of multiple national sports competitions. The designated community college for Van Vleck ISD 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 offers a range of postsecondary educational prog ...

. File:Van Vleck ISD High School.jpg, Van Vleck High School File:Van Vleck ISD OH Herman MS.jpg, O.H. Herman Middle School File:Van Vleck TX Rudd Intermediate School.jpg, E. Rudd Intermediate School File:Van Vleck ISD Elementary.jpg, Van Vleck Elementary School

Time line of Van Vleck

1830s Bailey Hardeman moved to this location in Matagorda county in the early part of the decade.
1836 Hardeman dies of fever just 1 mile south of Van Vleck in Caney Creek. Today this area is known as Caney but was called Caney Crossing during the days of the Republic of Texas. It is named for the Caney Creek
1840s The area became known as Hardeman's Post Office, after Bailey Hardeman, one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence
1900s The Texas and New Orleans railroad (T&NO rail road) brings rail lines to Matagorda County with a stop in Van Vleck. The T&NO was a subsidiary of Southern Pacific Railroad
1901 Town officially named for W. G. Van Vleck, a railroad official that served as the companies southern pacific superintendent. Several Hardeman families still live in Matagorda county and Van Vleck has a road named Hardeman road This year, the railroad connected Van Vleck to Wharton Tx.
1930 The town was originally northwest of its present location, but in 1930, when State Highway 35 was built, the town moved to the highway.
1952 First Baptist Church was built
1955 Methodist church built
1996 Charles Austin, of Van Vleck Texas wins olympic gold medal
2010 Population count expands by 25% from prior census of 2000
2010 First Physician clinic to serve the area, a Dermatology clinic opens its doors.
2010 First Baptist Church of Van Vleck builds new church on 4 acre lot on Highway 35 just east of the Van Vleck High School Football Burl McKinney Stadium
2015 Van Vleck Lions Club is established.

References

External links

{{authority control Census-designated places in Matagorda County, Texas Census-designated places in Texas