Hondo, Texas

Hondo is a city in and the county seat of Medina County, Texas, United States.[5] According to the 2010 Census, the population was 8,803. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Hondo, Texas
City
Hondo Public Library
Location of Hondo, Texas
Coordinates: 29°20′49″N 99°8′44″W
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyMedina
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor James W. Danner, Sr.
John McAnelly
Sammy Nooner
Eric A. Torres
Ann Michelle Long
Johnny Villa
 • City ManagerKim Davis
Area
 • Total10.08 sq mi (26.10 km2)
 • Land10.05 sq mi (26.03 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation
892 ft (272 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,803
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
9,436
 • Density939.09/sq mi (362.57/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
78861
Area code(s)830
FIPS code48-34676[3]
GNIS feature ID1359487[4]
Websitecityofhondo.com

Geography
Hondo, Texas sign
Hondo Municipal Building
U.S. Post Office in Hondo
Hondo National Bank (established 1901)
The Raye Theater still operates in Hondo.
Hermann Sons Steakhouse in Hondo

Hondo is located at 29°20′49″N 99°8′44″W (29.346838, -99.145543),[6] approximately 40 miles (64 km) west of Downtown San Antonio.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.6 square miles (25 km2), of which, 9.6 square miles (25 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.21%) is covered with water. Hondo was mentioned in Season 2 Episode 13 of The Night Shift and described as " a two stoplight town down I-90".

History

Original inhabitants of the area, now Medina County, were the Coahuiltecan people. Non-indigenous settlers to the area came from Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, Belgium and Mexico. Many family-owned businesses, farms, and ranches are still owned by descendants of the non-indigenous families.

The first Spaniard to explore the area was Cabeza de Vaca in the early 1530s, some 40 years after Columbus arrived in the New World.

The city of Hondo was first settled in 1881 and incorporated in 1942.

Hondo was the scene of two bank robberies in the early 1920s. The crooks were the famed Newton Gang, the most successful outlaws in U.S. history. Both bank heists occurred the same night.

In 1930, the local Hondo Lions Club erected the now somewhat famous sign reading "This is God's Country, Don't Drive Thru It Like Hell" at the city limits with the intention of slowing down those speeding while traveling through town. Later, in the 1940s the sign was changed to "This is God's Country, Please Don't Drive Through It Like Hell" to satisfy those in the town who were displeased with the tone of the old sign. The sign has been in news and print in many magazines, including on the cover of National Geographic, and in the music video of Little Texas' song "God Blessed Texas."

The U.S. Army built an air field in the town in 1942 to train new pilots; at one time the largest air navigation school in the world, Hondo Army Airfield trained over 14,000 navigators for service during World War II before closing in 1946.

  • Picture of original sign and LaVarian Schrandt taken by Robert Schrandt in 1941 while stationed at Hondo Army Airfield

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19504,188—
19604,99219.2%
19705,4879.9%
19806,05710.4%
19906,018−0.6%
20007,89731.2%
20108,80311.5%
Est. 20199,436[2]7.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 7,897 people, 2,207 households, and 1,664 families residing in the city. The population density was 823.8 people per square mile (317.9/km2). There were 2,474 housing units at an average density of 258.1 per square mile (99.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 73.33% White (includes Hispanic or Latino of any race were 59.92% of the population), 8.33% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 15.23% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races.

There were 2,207 households, of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were not families. About 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city, the population was distributed as 26.0% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 132.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 145.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,917, and the median income for a family was $34,856. Males had a median income of $21,639 versus $17,868 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,635. About 18.9% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The City of Hondo is served by the Hondo Independent School District and home to the Hondo High School Owls.

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, Hondo has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]

Government

Hondo is the home of the 38th Judicial District of Texas.

Notable people
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References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. Climate Summary for Hondo, Texas
  9. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1956,' Biographical Sketch of George C. Windrow, pg. 58
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