Port Neches, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Port Neches, Texas
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Port Neches, 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 = Jefferson

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

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 23.8
area_land_km2 = 23.6
area_water_km2 = 0.2
area_total_sq_mi = 9.2
area_land_sq_mi = 9.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 13601
population_density_km2 = 575.4
population_density_sq_mi = 1490.4

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 5
elevation_ft = 16
latd = 29 |latm = 58 |lats = 51 |latNS = N
longd = 93 |longm = 57 |longs = 37 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 77651
area_code = 409
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-58940GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1375534GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Port Neches is a city in Jefferson County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,601 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The area known as Port Neches was inhabited by Atakapa Indians, a tribe of coastal dwelling Indians. Port Neches was also the site of Fort Grigsby, a set of American Civil War-era defenses intended to stop a Union advance up the Neches River. The fort was constructed in October 1862, and abandoned someftime after July 1863.

[http://www.wtblock.com/wtblockjr/indian.htm Native Americans; the Nechez.] SOUTHEAST TEXAS INDIAN HOMELAND: THE BURIAL MOUNDS OF OLD PORT NECHES

Early Pioneers

[http://www.wtblock.com/wtblockjr/will.htm William Theodore Joseph Block] (Will Block, Sr.) of Port Neches, Texas, was born on August 2, 1870.Over 130 years later, Her Majesty Beatrix, Queen of the Netherlands, appointed W. T. Block Jr. (his son) as "Knight of the Royal Order of Orange-Nassau" in a ceremony held at the Tex Ritter Park in Nederland, Texas. The award was presented by the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. W.T. Block, Jr. is known for his work in reconstructing the history of Dutch settlers in the Port Neches areas.

Geography

Port Neches is located on the Neches River in southeast Texas. The city is approximately five miles upstream from Sabine Lake, and 20 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

Port Neches is located at coor dms|29|58|51|N|93|57|37|W|city (29.980863, -93.960382).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.8 km²), of which, 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.76%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 13,601 people, 5,280 households, and 3,975 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,490.4 people per square mile (575.2/km²). There were 5,656 housing units at an average density of 619.8/sq mi (239.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.75% White, 0.93% African American, 0.47% Native American, 1.57% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.07% of the population.

There were 5,280 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.6% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,523, and the median income for a family was $53,729. Males had a median income of $43,089 versus $27,847 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,273. About 4.4% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Most of the City of Port Neches is served by the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District. Parts are within the Nederland Independent School District.

Natives From Port Neches

*Lew Ford - Right Fielder for the Minnesota Twins 2003-Current
*David Pierce - Representative, New Hampshire House of Representatives 2006-Current
*Wade Phillips - Coach of the Dallas Cowboys, 2007-current
*Todd Dodge - Coach of University of North Texas Screaming Eagles- current
*Mary Karr - Author of "Liars Club" and "Cherry"

Points of interest

Country/western singer, Tex Ritter, father of the late actor John Ritter, is buried in the cemetery Oak Bluff Memorial Park here.

References

External links