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Alvarado, Texas facts for kids

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Alvarado
Motto(s): 
"The Crossroads of Johnson County"
Alvarado is located in Texas
Alvarado
Alvarado
Location in Texas
Alvarado is located in the United States
Alvarado
Alvarado
Location in the United States
Alvarado is located in North America
Alvarado
Alvarado
Location in North America
Country United States
State Texas
County Johnson
Incorporated (city) 1885
Government
 • Type Manager-council government
Area
 • Total 4.89 sq mi (12.68 km2)
 • Land 4.15 sq mi (10.76 km2)
 • Water 0.74 sq mi (1.92 km2)
Elevation
764 ft (233 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,739
 • Density 969.1/sq mi (373.74/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
76009
Area code(s) 817
FIPS code 48-02260
GNIS feature ID 1329475

Alvarado (/ˌælvəˈrd/ AL-və-RAY-doh) is the oldest city in Johnson County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,739 in 2020.

The community's first sheriff, A. H. Onstoott, is credited with naming Alvarado for Alvarado, Veracruz, Mexico, where he fought in a battle during the Mexican–American War.

Geography

Alvarado is located in eastern Johnson County at 32°24′23″N 97°12′46″W / 32.40639°N 97.21278°W / 32.40639; -97.21278 (32.406342, –97.212792), at the intersection of US Highway 67 and Interstate 35W. The city is 26 miles (42 km) south of the center of Fort Worth and 39 miles (63 km) southwest of Dallas.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alvarado has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12.5 km2), of which 4.1 square miles (10.6 km2) are land and 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2), or 15.35%, are water. The water area comprises Alvarado Park Lake, a reservoir on Turkey Creek 3 miles (5 km) southwest of the city. Alvarado is drained by the North Fork of Chambers Creek, a southeast-flowing stream that is part of the Trinity River watershed.

Alvarado's nearest neighboring communities are Venus to the east, Keene to the west, Burleson to the north, and Grandview to the south.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Alvarado has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 377
1890 1,543 309.3%
1900 1,342 −13.0%
1910 1,155 −13.9%
1920 1,284 11.2%
1930 1,210 −5.8%
1940 1,324 9.4%
1950 1,656 25.1%
1960 1,907 15.2%
1970 2,129 11.6%
1980 2,701 26.9%
1990 2,918 8.0%
2000 3,288 12.7%
2010 3,785 15.1%
2020 4,739 25.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
Alvarado racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 2,875 60.67%
Black or African American (NH) 256 5.4%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 22 0.46%
Asian (NH) 35 0.74%
Pacific Islander (NH) 3 0.06%
Some Other Race (NH) 13 0.27%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 248 5.23%
Hispanic or Latino 1,287 27.16%
Total 4,739

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,739 people, 1,388 households, and 1,184 families residing in the city.

BarnettShaleDrilling-9323
Barnett Shale gas drilling rig near Alvarado, Texas (2008)

Economy

Alvarado is a rural community with an economy that has been primarily agricultural with only a modest retail and industrial base. In recent years the trend has been away from agriculture and toward more urban development. In 2007 Sabre Tubular Structures built a new 200,000-square-foot (19,000 m2) facility located on 147 acres (59 ha) on the eastern side of town. Sabre has over 200 employees at this facility. The city received a 2008 grant of $750,000 from the Texas Department of Agriculture for infrastructure improvements related to Sabre.

Barnett Shale

In the latter part of the 2000s, development of natural gas wells in the Barnett Shale were a source of prosperity for the city and many property owners benefited from drilling activity, pipeline construction and royalty payments. As natural gas prices fell in 2009, drilling activity and royalty payments declined rapidly.

Recreation

  • Alvarado Park Lake is located on the west side of the city, three miles (5 km) west of I-35W.
  • Alvarado Parkway Park

Education

The city is served by the Alvarado Independent School District. There are no colleges or universities in Alvarado, although residents pay a Hill College maintenance tax and residents receive in-district student rates.

Notable people

  • Terry Southern, author, born in Alvarado
  • Johnny Trigg, famous barbecuer – Rib King
  • Andrew Sevener, The Voice finalist season 16 (Team Blake)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Alvarado (Texas) para niños

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