Fritch, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Fritch, Texas
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Fritch, Texas

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mapsize1 = 250px
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = Counties
subdivision_name2 = Hutchinson, Moore

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
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established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 3.1
area_land_km2 = 3.1
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.2
area_land_sq_mi = 1.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2235
population_density_km2 = 710.8
population_density_sq_mi = 1840.9

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 974
elevation_ft = 3196
latd = 35 |latm = 38 |lats = 23 |latNS = N
longd = 101 |longm = 36 |longs = 3 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 79036
area_code = 806
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-27696GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1357770GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Fritch is a city in Hutchinson and Moore counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population within the city limits was 2,235 at the 2000 census. The total population including unincorporated residential areas surrounding the city, particularly along Lake Meredith is closer to 5,000. Fritch and the surrounding area is served by ZIP code 79036. The town is colloquially known as "Fritch, America."

Geography

Fritch is located at coor dms|35|38|23|N|101|36|3|W|city (35.639639, -101.600921)GR|1 in the geographic center of the Texas Panhandle region. It is 30 miles north-northeast of Amarillo and 15 miles west of Borger in an area of where the typically flat High Plains are broken up into canyons and draws by the Canadian River. The city itself sits on a flat piece of land surrounded by undulating terrain due to this phenomenon.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all of it land. Lake Meredith lies just outside the city of Fritch and is a main source of water for surrounding communities, though the city actually uses well water drawn from the Ogallala Aquifer for its' municipal water supply.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,235 people, 886 households, and 679 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,840.9 people per square mile (713.2/km²). There were 961 housing units at an average density of 791.5/sq mi (306.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.53% White, 0.09% African American, 1.66% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 1.30% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.30% of the population.

There were 886 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,098, and the median income for a family was $46,600. Males had a median income of $41,134 versus $21,860 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,745. None of the population were below the poverty line.

The city of Fritch is primarily a bedroom community with the majority of citizens commuting to nearby Borger and Amarillo for work. Major employers in the area include Pantex, ConocoPhillips, and Agrium all located with a short distance of Fritch. Due to its nature as a commuting town, Fritch differs from most small towns in the region which rely more on agriculture as their economic base. Though there are several large ranches adjacent to the town. There is little to no farming due to the uneven topography and the town has no agriculture related services to speak of.

Recreation

Fritch is located adjacent to the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offering residents and visitors ample opportunities for outdoor activities including boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and seasonal hunting. Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, the only U.S. National Monument in Texas, is also located near the city.

Notable natives

*Ron White, comedian

Education

The City of Fritch is served by the Sanford-Fritch Independent School District.

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References

External links

* [http://www.cityoffritch.com/ City of Fritch] - Official site.
* [http://www.nps.gov/lamr Lake Meredith National Recreation Area]