Richmond, Texas
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Richmond, Texas
| settlement_type = City
| nickname =
| motto = "A Charming Past. A Soaring Future"[http://richmondtx.gov/ City of Richmond official website]
| image_skyline = St Johns UMC Richmond Texas 2018.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = St. John's United Methodist Church, designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1983.
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| image_map = FortBend County Richmond.svg
| mapsize = 250px
| map_caption = Location of Richmond, Texas
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Texas
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = Fort Bend
| government_footnotes =
| government_type = Commission-manager
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Rebecca "Becky" Haas{{cite web | title = Mayor Rebecca "Becky" Haas | publisher = City of Richmond, Texas | url = https://www.richmondtx.gov/government/city-commission/mayor-rebecca-becky-haas | accessdate = March 16, 2021}}
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 =
| established_title = incorporated
| established_date = 1837
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 11.50
| area_land_km2 = 10.58
| area_water_km2 = 0.92
| area_total_sq_mi = 4.44
| area_land_sq_mi = 4.09
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.35
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 11627
| population_density_km2 = 1188.39
| population_density_sq_mi = 3077.56
| timezone = Central (CST)
| utc_offset = -6
| timezone_DST = CDT
| utc_offset_DST = -5
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 28
| elevation_ft = 92
| coordinates = {{coord|29|34|56|N|95|45|39|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type = ZIP Codes
| postal_code = 77406, 77407, 77469
| area_codes = 281, 346, 621, 713, 832
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = {{FIPS|48|61892}}{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}
| blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
| blank1_info = 1345187{{Cite GNIS|1345187|Richmond}}
| website = {{URL|richmondtx.gov}}
| footnotes =
}}
Richmond is a suburb of Houston and the county seat of Fort Bend County, Texas, United States. The city is located within the {{nowrap|Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land}} metropolitan area. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the city population was 11,627.{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/richmondcitytexas| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316182442/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/richmondcitytexas| url-status=dead| archive-date=March 16, 2021| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Richmond city, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=August 30, 2016}}
History
In 1822, a group of Austin's colonists went up the Brazos River, stopping near present-day Richmond where they built a fort called "Fort Bend". Named after Richmond, England, the town was among the 19 cities first incorporated by the short-lived Republic of Texas, in 1837. Early residents of the city include many prominent figures in Texas lore such as Jane Long, Deaf Smith, and Mirabeau Lamar, who are all buried in Richmond, as is Walter Moses Burton, the nation's first Black elected sheriff. On August 16, 1889, the town was the site of the "Battle of Richmond", an armed fight culminating the Jaybird–Woodpecker War, a violent feud over post-Reconstruction political control of Fort Bend County. The mayor from 1949 until his death in 2012 was Hilmar Moore.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7753033.stm| title=Texas mulls defeat in battle of ideas, Kevin Connolly| work=BBC News | date=November 27, 2008 | access-date=January 5, 2010}}{{cite news| url=http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12229545| title=60-year mayor running for re-election| publisher=KLTV| date=March 30, 2010| access-date=August 3, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213011119/http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12229545| archive-date=December 13, 2017| url-status=dead}}
Historically Richmond had government agencies and nonprofit organizations, while most of the area private businesses were located in Rosenberg.Kever, Jeannie. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2003_3684363 Neighborhoods / Memories of home / Quiet pleasures are at hear of Richmond neighborhood]." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday August 27, 2003. Houston 1. Retrieved on May 27, 2012.
Geography
Richmond is located near the center of Fort Bend County. Most of the city is situated on the southwest side of the Brazos River, with a small portion (Richmond Landing) on the northeast side, connected by US Highway 90A. Richmond is bordered to the southwest by the city of Rosenberg. US 90A leads east {{convert|8|mi|0}} to Sugar Land and west through Rosenberg {{convert|19|mi}} to East Bernard. Downtown Houston is {{convert|30|mi}} to the northeast.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Richmond has a total area of {{convert|11.1|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|10.2|km2|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.9|km2|order=flip}}, or 8.22%, is covered by water.{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4861892| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Richmond city, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=August 30, 2016}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
In 2003, Jeannie Kever of the Houston Chronicle said, "Some of the old buildings have been reincarnated as shops or law offices. But in other ways, life in Richmond isn't so different from that in the big city, with its Wal-Mart and fast-food joints, check-cashing businesses and strip-center sprawl." {{As of|2006}} several strip malls are along U.S. Route 59 south of town. During the same year, the community included tack stores, two-lane blacktop roads, and horse ranches. John P. Lopez of the Houston Chronicle said, "Richmond is a city of contradiction and transition. It's as if the place is not sure if it wants to be a part of Houston's bustle or remain a slow-paced farm and ranch town. It tries to be both," and, "It is part Acres Homes, part Fort Bend County Fair."Lopez, John P. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2006_4207194 Meet a pair of true Friday night lights]." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday October 10, 2006. Sports 1. Retrieved on May 27, 2012.
=Communities=
The wealthiest neighborhood, as of 2003, in Richmond is Hillcrest. Winston Terrace, another neighborhood, had its first houses built in 1940. Construction increased around the end of World War II. Most of the houses were built between 1940 and 1965. Jeannie Kever of the Houston Chronicle said that Winston Terrace is "a swath of mid-20th-century America, with sweeping oak trees and colorful brick or wood bungalows, named for the descendants of one of the region's most illustrious pioneers."
"Mud Alley" as of 1985 had older bars and strip clubs. Mud Alley is located in an area which, in 1985, housed most of the African Americans in Richmond.Muck, Patti. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1985_5845 Richmond probe over without comment]."{{deadlink|date=October 2022}} Houston Chronicle. Tuesday April 2, 1985. Section 1, Page 1. Retrieved on May 27, 2012. Available from Newsbank, accessible with a Houston Public Library library card. As of 1993 many police raids for drugs occurred in "Mud Alley".Muck, Patti. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1169705 The grinches who stole . . . /Thieves take a big bite out of food pantry]." Houston Chronicle. Saturday December 4, 1993. A38. Retrieved on May 27, 2012. "Mud Alley" was known by several other nicknames, including "Little Boomtown". Historically, the area had a lot of recreational drugs.
=Unincorporated areas of Richmond=
The proximity to affordable and cheap land located off of the Grand Parkway (SH 99) and the Westpark tollway has allowed for multiple master planned communities to be built and take shape. These communities in the 77406 and 77407 zip codes have Richmond addresses, but are not provided any city services since they are unincorporated and in the Extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the city of Houston. The respective MUD districts of the neighborhoods provide water, sewer and fire services. Fort Bend County Sheriffs department and local constables provide police support.
These communities include: Pecan Grove, Texas, The lakes of Bella Terra, Long Meadow Farms, Lakemont, Aliana, Grand Mission, Grand Mission Estates, Twin Oaks Village, Fieldstone, Mission Trace, Mission Sierra, Waterside Estates, Candela, Deer Run Meadows, McCrary Meadows, Mandola Farms, and Harvest Green, among others. Multiple mass merchandisers and restaurants have opened locations along the grand parkway and this area continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Estimates are there could be well over 25,000 homes and 10,000 apartment units with a population above 85,000 plus people.
This area of unincorporated Richmond, in Fort Bend County, is split among precinct 3 and precinct 4 for voting purposes, and also split among US house districts 7 (Lizzie Fletcher, D) and district 22 (Troy Nehls, R)
=Climate=
{{Weather box
|collapsed=
|open=
|single line=y
|location= Richmond, TX
|temperature colour=
|Jan record high F= 84
|Feb record high F= 89
|Mar record high F= 92
|Apr record high F= 95
|May record high F= 99
|Jun record high F= 102
|Jul record high F= 105
|Aug record high F= 105
|Sep record high F= 108
|Oct record high F= 98
|Nov record high F= 91
|Dec record high F= 90
|year record high F= 108
|Jan high F= 65
|Feb high F= 68
|Mar high F= 74
|Apr high F= 81
|May high F= 88
|Jun high F= 93
|Jul high F= 95
|Aug high F= 96
|Sep high F= 91
|Oct high F= 84
|Nov high F= 75
|Dec high F= 67
|year high F= 81.4
|Jan mean F= 55
|Feb mean F= 58
|Mar mean F= 64
|Apr mean F= 71
|May mean F= 79
|Jun mean F= 84
|Jul mean F= 86
|Aug mean F= 87
|Sep mean F= 81
|Oct mean F= 74
|Nov mean F= 65
|Dec mean F= 56
|year mean F= 71.7
|Jan low F= 44
|Feb low F= 48
|Mar low F= 53
|Apr low F= 61
|May low F= 69
|Jun low F= 75
|Jul low F= 77
|Aug low F= 77
|Sep low F= 71
|Oct low F= 63
|Nov low F= 54
|Dec low F= 45
|year low F= 61.4
|Jan record low F= 6
|Feb record low F= 9
|Mar record low F= 21
|Apr record low F= 32
|May record low F= 47
|Jun record low F= 56
|Jul record low F= 63
|Aug record low F= 60
|Sep record low F= 47
|Oct record low F= 30
|Nov record low F= 22
|Dec record low F= 6
|year record low F= 6
|rain colour= green
|Jan rain inch = 3.55
|Feb rain inch = 3.18
|Mar rain inch = 3.43
|Apr rain inch = 3.36
|May rain inch = 4.30
|Jun rain inch = 5.65
|Jul rain inch = 3.97
|Aug rain inch = 4.43
|Sep rain inch = 5.10
|Oct rain inch = 5.28
|Nov rain inch = 4.84
|Dec rain inch = 3.37
|year rain inch = 50.46
}}
Demographics
{{US Census population
|1870= 816
|1880= 1156
|1890= 993
|1910= 1371
|1920= 1273
|1930= 1432
|1940= 2026
|1950= 2030
|1960= 3668
|1970= 5777
|1980= 9692
|1990= 9801
|2000= 11081
|2010= 11679
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}
|2020=11627}}
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 11,627 people, 4,231 households, and 2,668 families residing in the city.
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,081 people, 3,413 households, and 2,628 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,975.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,595 housing units at an average density of {{convert|965.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 51.20% White, 10.55% African American, 0.63% Native American, 3.53% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 31.00% from other races, and 3.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 58.71% of the population.
There were 3,413 households, out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.16 and the average family size was 3.60.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,888, and the median income for a family was $35,801. Males had a median income of $27,457 versus $22,723 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,195. About 17.0% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.4% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Jester State Prison Farm units, including the Jester I Unit, the Carol Vance Unit (formerly the Jester II Unit), the Jester III Unit, and the Wayne Scott Unit (formerly the Jester IV Unit), in an unincorporated area {{convert|4|mi|km}} east of Richmond."[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/j2.htm Vance Unit] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821230553/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/j2.htm |date=August 21, 2008 }}." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.Staff and Wire Reports. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/topstory2/3363238.html Parts of Houston join evacuation]." Houston Chronicle. September 21, 2005. Retrieved on May 10, 2010.
Arts and culture
=Public libraries=
Fort Bend County Libraries operates the George Memorial Library, the central library and the site of the administrative offices of the library system, located along Farm to Market Road 762."[http://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/branches/gm.html George Memorial Library]." Fort Bend County Libraries. Retrieved on May 14, 2010. Richmond also has the Fort Bend County Law Library."[http://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/branches/ll.html Fort Bend County Law Library]." Fort Bend County Libraries. Retrieved on May 14, 2010.
The Main Library moved from Rosenberg to its current location in Richmond in 1986. The George Foundation funded the {{convert|77000|sqft|sqm}} library facility, designed by Ronald Wedemeyer Associates and built on {{convert|6|acre|ha}} of land. When the library opened, it had unfinished areas to facilitate future expansion. In December 1989 the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, in accordance with Texas Local Government code §323.021(a), ordered the construction of a law library. The main library expansion and the 1991 installation of an automation system used funds from the 1989 bond election, and expansion occurred on 1995 and 2002. The 2002 expansion included the addition of two conference rooms.
Government
The United States Postal Service Richmond Post Office is located at 5560 Farm to Market Road 1640."[https://archive.today/20120722005956/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/30520?p=1&s=TX&service_name=post_office&z=Richmond Post Office Location - RICHMOND]." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
The city is governed by a mayor and four commissioners elected at large for two-year terms. The commission sets policy and the day-to-day management is done by a city manager hired by the commission.[http://www.ci.richmond.tx.us/elected.htm Elected Officials] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226144750/http://www.ci.richmond.tx.us/elected.htm |date=December 26, 2008 }}, City of Richmond web site, retrieved 2008-12-29
Hilmar G. Moore served as mayor from 1949 until his death on December 4, 2012 and was believed to be the longest-serving mayor in the United States.[http://www.ci.richmond.tx.us/hilbio.htm Hilmar G. Moore] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227093205/http://www.ci.richmond.tx.us/hilbio.htm |date=February 27, 2011 }}, City of Richmond web site, retrieved 2008-12-29Stewart, Richard, [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/6184886.html Meet America's (likely) longest-serving mayor: Richmond's leader has held office since 1949. Could any other city in the U.S. say the same?], Houston Chronicle, Dec. 29, 2008, 3:39AM, retrieved 2008-12-29 Rebecca "Becky" Haas is currently the mayor.
Education
File:LamarConsolidatedHS.jpg]]
Children living within the corporate city limits of Richmond are served by Lamar Consolidated Independent School District.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48157_fort_bend/DC20SD_C48157.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48157_fort_bend/DC20SD_C48157.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Fort Bend County, TX|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2024-09-10}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48157_fort_bend/DC20SD_C48157_SD2MS.txt Text list]
Elementary schools within the Richmond city limits include Jane Long,[https://www.lcisd.org/long Home]." Jane Long Elementary School. Retrieved on December 27, 2016. "907 Main Str. Richmond, TX 77469 " Pink,[https://www.lcisd.org/campuses/pink/home Home]. Pink Elementary School. Retrieved on December 27, 2016. "1001 Collins Road Richmond, Texas 77469" and Smith.[https://www.lcisd.org/campuses/smith/home Home]. Smith Elementary School. Retrieved on December 27, 2016. "2014 Lamar Drive Richmond, TX 77469 "
Wessendorff Middle School, Lamar Junior High School, and Lamar Consolidated High School serve students living within the Richmond city limits. The three schools are in Rosenberg."[http://www.lcisd.org/docs/default-source/students-parents-documents/district-map/lamar-cisd-high-school-attendance-zones.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Lamar C.I.S.D. High School Attendance Zones]" ( {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222656/http://www.lcisd.org/docs/default-source/students-parents-documents/district-map/lamar-cisd-high-school-attendance-zones.pdf?sfvrsn=2 |date=2016-03-03 }}). Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. Retrieved on July 6, 2015."[http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st48_tx/place/p4861892_richmond/DC10BLK_P4861892_000.pdf 2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Richmond city, TX]" ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706133919/http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st48_tx/place/p4861892_richmond/DC10BLK_P4861892_000.pdf |date=2015-07-06 }}). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on July 6, 2015.
Various schools operated by LCISD and neighboring Fort Bend Independent School District bear Richmond addresses, but do not serve the city limits of Richmond. George Ranch High School, Foster High School, Reading Junior High School, and Briscoe Junior High in LCISD and Travis High School and Bush High School in the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) bear "Richmond, Texas" addresses.
The designated community college for LCISD is Wharton County Junior College.[https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code Sec. 130.211. WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.]
Infrastructure
=Transportation=
Fort Bend County Public Transportation provides local bus service in Richmond.[http://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/index.aspx?page=1553 Point Deviation Route Service]
See also
{{Portal|Texas}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{notelist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://richmondtx.gov/}}
{{Richmond, Texas}}
{{Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA}}
{{Fort Bend County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas county seats}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Cities in Fort Bend County, Texas