Silsbee, Texas

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

imagesize =
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image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Silsbee, Texas

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mapsize1 = 250px
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Hardin

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 19.5
area_land_km2 = 19.5
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 7.5
area_land_sq_mi = 7.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 6393
population_density_km2 = 327.8
population_density_sq_mi = 849.0

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 25
elevation_ft = 82
latd = 30 |latm = 20 |lats = 53 |latNS = N
longd = 94 |longm = 10 |longs = 49 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 77656
area_code = 409
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-67832GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1347123GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Silsbee is a city in Hardin County, Texas, United States. It is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 96 and State Highway 327. The population was 6,393 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Silsbee is located at coor dms|30|20|53|N|94|10|49|W|city (30.348095, -94.180220)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19.5 km²), all of it land.

Historical Development

Silsbee was first referred to as "Mill Town" when the site was first reached by the Gulf, Beaumont, and Kansas City Railway in 1894. The town was renamed in recognition of Nathaniel D. Silsbee, an investor from Boston, Massachusetts who helped provide funds for the railway. [Handbook of Texas Online, [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/SS/hfs7.html Handbook of Texas Online] , accessed May 5, 2007] The railroad was a project of John Henry Kirby who would soon establish the Kirby Lumber Company in the city. This business would be the main employer and strength of the Silsbee economy from the city’s beginning. [ [http://www.bigthicketdirectory.com/bee/bee29.html Houstonian founds Silsbee because of natural resources] , access May 5, 2007]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,393 people, 2,385 households, and 1,714 families residing in the city. The population density was 849.0 people per square mile (327.8/km²). There were 2,662 housing units at an average density of 353.5/sq mi (136.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.85% White, 32.04% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.39% of the population.

There were 2,385 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,549, and the median income for a family was $40,784. Males had a median income of $35,351 versus $23,558 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,111. About 15.9% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

Travel Information

The City of Silsbee has at least 11 gasoline stations, 9 restaurants and takeout food stores, 2 motels, 2 RV parks and several stores. It is located near the intersection of Highway 327 and Business 96.

Education

The City of Silsbee is served by the Silsbee Independent School District, with a total of 5 schools — The John Henry Kirby Elementary School (K-1), The Read-Turrentine Elementary School (2-3), The Laura Reeves Elementary (4-5), The Edwards-Johnson Memorial Silsbee Middle School (6-8), and the High School [Name is not available here.] .

Famous people

Silsbee is the hometown of Olympic weightlifter and World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Mark Henry and pornographic actress Chloe Jones (born Melinda Dee Taylor).

The Scraps are a local band from Silsbee.

SCRUBS is a SHS fan club.

References

External links

*Gnis|1347123|Silsbee, Texas
* [http://www.cityofsilsbee.com City of Silsbee]
* [http://www.silsbeechamber.com Chamber of Commerce]
*Mapit-US-cityscale|30.348095|-94.18022
* [http://www.fun365days.com/ Fun365Days.com -- regional tourism web site]
* [http://setx.org/ Partnership of Southeast Texas -- regional economic development site]