Fort Towson

Snyder is a city in, and the county seat of Scurry County, Texas, United States.[5] The population was 11,438 at the 2020 census.[6] The city is located in the lower part of the Southwestern Tablelands ecological region. In 2023, Snyder was ranked as the 16th Worst place to live and 2nd Most dangerous according to KQVT and Norada Real Estate Investments.[7][8][9][10]

History

Snyder is named for merchant and buffalo hunter William Henry (Pete) Snyder, who built a trading post on Deep Creek in 1878. It soon drew fellow hunters, and a small settlement grew up around the post. The nature of those early dwellings, mostly constructed of buffalo hide and tree branches, led to the community's first, if unofficial, name of "Hide Town". Another early name, "Robber's Roost", is said to owe its beginnings to the sometimes nefarious nature of a few residents and a lack of law enforcement.[11] A statue of an albino buffalo on the grounds of the Scurry County Courthouse in Snyder pays homage to the town's beginnings as a buffalo-trading post.

Snyder antedates Scurry County by two years, with a town plan being drawn up in 1882, while the county was not organized until 1884. A population of 600 was reported in 1892, with a school, two churches, a grist mill, steam gin, two banks, and two weekly newspapers being part of the community. Significant change happened in 1907 when Snyder was granted a city charter, and construction began on the Roscoe, Snyder and Pacific Railway. The 1910 census indicated Snyder had grown to a population of 2,514. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway tracks reached Snyder in 1911, spurring further growth. Ranching and farming were the primary economic backbone of Snyder through the first half of the 20th century.

This changed in 1948, when oil was discovered in the Canyon Reef area north of town. Snyder became a boomtown, as the population jumped to about 12,000 in just a year's time. By the time the boom ended in 1951, an estimated peak population of 16,000 had been reached. This soon decreased to the 10,000 to 11,000 level and stabilized. Although the boom was over, oil still remained a vital part of the local economy, with the Snyder area being one of the leading oil-producing areas in Texas. In 1973, the one-billionth barrel of oil was pumped from the nearby oil fields.

An industrial base was established in the 1960s and early 1970s, diversifying the town's economy and making it less susceptible to cycles of boom and bust. Higher education came to Snyder in 1971 with the founding of Western Texas College.

The Scurry County Coliseum in Snyder, operated by Western Texas College since 2008, is a large arena which hosts area events. Outside the coliseum is a locomotive engine and a small restored historic village. Also located in Snyder is the Diamond M Museum. Established by local oilman and rancher Clarence T. McLaughlin, the museum houses over 80 bronze works and 200 paintings. Among the collection are works by Peter Hurd and Andrew Wyeth.

Geography

Snyder is located on Deep Creek, a minor tributary of the Colorado River of Texas.

Snyder is about 90 miles (140 km) southeast of Lubbock, 80 miles (130 km) northwest of Abilene, 90 miles (140 km) northeast of Midland, and 100 miles (160 km) north of San Angelo.

Climate

Climate data for Snyder, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1911–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 86
(30)
92
(33)
99
(37)
104
(40)
110
(43)
114
(46)
114
(46)
115
(46)
108
(42)
102
(39)
91
(33)
87
(31)
115
(46)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 77.2
(25.1)
81.3
(27.4)
88.1
(31.2)
93.6
(34.2)
99.7
(37.6)
101.8
(38.8)
102.7
(39.3)
101.6
(38.7)
97.7
(36.5)
92.5
(33.6)
82.9
(28.3)
76.7
(24.8)
105.0
(40.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 57.0
(13.9)
61.5
(16.4)
69.7
(20.9)
78.3
(25.7)
85.7
(29.8)
92.4
(33.6)
95.6
(35.3)
94.4
(34.7)
87.0
(30.6)
78.0
(25.6)
66.0
(18.9)
57.7
(14.3)
76.9
(24.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 43.0
(6.1)
46.8
(8.2)
55.0
(12.8)
63.2
(17.3)
72.1
(22.3)
79.7
(26.5)
82.9
(28.3)
82.0
(27.8)
74.5
(23.6)
64.4
(18.0)
52.2
(11.2)
44.1
(6.7)
63.3
(17.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 28.3
(−2.1)
31.9
(−0.1)
39.2
(4.0)
47.4
(8.6)
58.3
(14.6)
66.3
(19.1)
69.6
(20.9)
68.7
(20.4)
61.3
(16.3)
50.5
(10.3)
38.2
(3.4)
28.8
(−1.8)
49.0
(9.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 16.2
(−8.8)
19.3
(−7.1)
25.2
(−3.8)
34.0
(1.1)
44.9
(7.2)
58.9
(14.9)
64.7
(18.2)
63.2
(17.3)
49.0
(9.4)
35.5
(1.9)
23.9
(−4.5)
17.1
(−8.3)
12.4
(−10.9)
Record low °F (°C) −10
(−23)
−11
(−24)
5
(−15)
20
(−7)
29
(−2)
40
(4)
52
(11)
46
(8)
35
(2)
19
(−7)
4
(−16)
−3
(−19)
−11
(−24)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.77
(20)
1.05
(27)
1.56
(40)
1.40
(36)
2.68
(68)
3.14
(80)
1.91
(49)
2.09
(53)
2.75
(70)
2.17
(55)
1.19
(30)
1.06
(27)
21.77
(553)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.1
(0.25)
0.5
(1.3)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.4
(1.0)
0.8
(2.0)
1.8
(4.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 3.5 4.4 5.3 4.0 6.8 6.2 4.6 5.4 5.6 5.3 3.7 4.0 58.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.5
Source: NOAA[12][13]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890500
19102,514
19202,179−13.3%
19303,00838.0%
19403,81526.8%
195012,010214.8%
196013,85015.3%
197011,171−19.3%
198012,70513.7%
199012,195−4.0%
200010,783−11.6%
201011,2023.9%
202011,4382.1%
2022 (est.)11,230[2]−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Snyder racial composition[14]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 5,014 43.84%
Black or African American (NH) 375 3.28%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 45 0.39%
Asian (NH) 74 0.65%
Pacific Islander (NH) 4 0.03%
Some Other Race (NH) 24 0.21%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 257 2.25%
Hispanic or Latino 5,645 49.35%
Total 11,438

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 11,438 people, 4,360 households, and 2,843 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, 11,202 people, 4,128 households, and 2,880 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,256.8 people/sq mi (485.2/km2). The 5,013 housing units averaged 584.3/sq mi (225.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 79.00% White, 4.69% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 13.68% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 31.8% of the population.

Of the 4,068 households, 34.9% had children under 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were not families. About 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56, and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the age distribution was 27.8% under 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,077, and for a family was $55,567. Males had a median income of $30,033 versus $17,609 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,296. About 13.7% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Snyder's economy is based on oil, gas, and wind industries. In 2012, 994 jobs were created in Snyder, leading to 20% job growth in the community, according to the Development Corporation of Snyder.[17]

The nearby Scurry Area Canyon Reef Operators oilfield is among the largest and most productive in the United States.[citation needed] Snyder is also located within the footprint of the recently-discovered Cline Shale.[18] Two of the largest wind farms in the United States are located in Snyder area. Other industries in Snyder include manufacturing and cotton.[citation needed]

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Snyder Distribution Center.[19]

Education

The Snyder Independent School District serves Snyder. The schools are Snyder Primary, Snyder Intermediate, Snyder Junior High School, Snyder Academy, Snyder Christian School, and Snyder High School.

Western Texas College, a two-year community college, is located in Snyder. In addition to traditional academic courses, Western Texas College offers several career/technical programs, including communication design, early childhood education, electrical distribution systems, information technology, business management, petroleum technology, radio broadcasting, solar energy technology, turfgrass and landscape management, vocational nursing, and welding.[20]

Notable people

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  7. ^ pookspooks (January 5, 2022). "The Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities To Live in Texas". KQVT- Q92 The Beat. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  8. ^ Santarelli, Marco (December 20, 2023). "Worst Places to Live in Texas in 2023 & 2024". Norada Real Estate Investments. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "Snyder, TX Crime Rates: Stats & Map". www.areavibes.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  10. ^ "Snyder, TX | Crime Statistics | Neighborhoods | Gangs". www.insideprison.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Wiggins, Noel. "Snyder, Texas. Handbook of Texas Online". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  12. ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  13. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  15. ^ https://www.census.gov/[not specific enough to verify]
  16. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  17. ^ "$1 Billion Reasons to Look at Snyder, TX" (PDF). Development Corporation of Snyder. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  18. ^ Eady, Ashley. "Exploration continues to fuel expectations for Cline Shale oil boom". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  19. ^ "Snyder Distribution Center." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 22, 2010.
  20. ^ "Western Texas College - Degrees". www.wtc.edu. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[15][16]

12 and 14 have bad links

External links