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Vidor, Texas

Coordinates: 30°07′40″N 93°59′47″W / 30.12778°N 93.99639°W / 30.12778; -93.99639
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For the Italian commune, see Vidor.

Vidor, Texas
City
Vidor City Hall
Vidor City Hall
Location of Vidor within Orange County, Texas
Location of Vidor
within Orange County, Texas
Coordinates: 30°07′40″N 93°59′47″W / 30.12778°N 93.99639°W / 30.12778; -93.99639
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyOrange
Founded1898
Incorporated1960
Government
[1]
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorMisty Songe
 • City CouncilMercedes Lee
Nicole McGowan
Michael Thompson
Jessica Barker
MiKayla Borque
Kathryn Weldon
Area
[2]
 • Total12.118 sq mi (31.385 km2)
 • Land12.015 sq mi (31.119 km2)
 • Water0.103 sq mi (0.268 km2)
Elevation
[3]
20 ft (6 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total9,789
 • Estimate 
(2023)[5]
9,738
 • Density810.41/sq mi (312.91/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
77662, 77670
Area code409
FIPS code48-75476
GNIS feature ID2412157[3]
Sales tax8.25%[6]
Websitecityofvidor.com

Vidor (/ˈvaɪdər/ VY-dər) is a city in western Orange County, Texas, United States. A city of Southeast Texas, it lies at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Farm to Market Road 105, 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Beaumont. The town is mainly a bedroom community for the nearby refining complexes in Beaumont and Port Arthur and is part of the Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan statistical area. The population was 9,789 at the 2020 census.[4]

Historically, Vidor has been described as a sundown town, a term used to describe racially homogeneous communities, specifically all-white towns, that have shown hostility to people of other races after sunset. Vidor's segregated public housing practices were formally abolished in 1993 after U.S. District Judge William Wayne Justice issued an order to desegregate 36 counties in Texas, which included public housing in Vidor. The Ku Klux Klan responded by hosting rallies in support of an all-white Vidor, though some citizens protested the anti-Black coalition.[7]

History

[edit]

The area was heavily logged after the construction of the Texarkana and Fort Smith Railway that was later part of a line that ran from Kansas City to Port Arthur, Texas. The city was named after lumberman Charles Shelton Vidor, owner of the Miller-Vidor Lumber Company and father of director King Vidor. By 1909, the Vidor community had a post office and four years later a company tram road was built. Almost all Vidor residents worked for the company. In 1924, the Miller-Vidor Lumber Company moved to Lakeview, just north of Vidor, in search of virgin timber. A small settlement remained and the Miller-Vidor subdivision was laid out in 1929. Vidor was incorporated in 1960.[8]

Vidor had a reputation as a "sundown town", where African Americans are not allowed after sunset.[9][10] In 1993, after district court judge William Wayne Justice ordered that 36 counties in East Texas, including Vidor, desegregate public housing by making some units available for minorities, the Ku Klux Klan held a march in the community after a long legal battle was lost by Vidor's leaders. Church leaders held a well-attended prayer rally in opposition to the KKK hatred.[11][7][12] After four Black families moved into the complex, the residents suffered racial threats, including a bomb threat to the complex. All nine Black residents eventually moved out under this pressure.[13] One of the residents, Bill Simpson, was interviewed about his negative experiences while living there. "I've had people who drive by and tell me they're going home to get a rope and come back and hang me. . . ."[13] During the George Floyd protests of 2020, Black Lives Matter held a rally in Vidor that was attended by a diverse crowd of 150–200 people.[9][14]

In 2005, 2008, and 2017, Vidor and surrounding areas suffered extensive damage from, respectively, Hurricanes Rita, Ike and Harvey. A mandatory evacuation was imposed upon its residents for about two weeks.

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 12.118 square miles (31.39 km2), of which 12.015 square miles (31.12 km2) is land and 0.103 square miles (0.27 km2) is water.[2]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19502,136—
19604,938131.2%
19709,73897.2%
198011,83421.5%
199010,935−7.6%
200011,4404.6%
201010,579−7.5%
20209,789−7.5%
2023 (est.)9,738[5]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
Texas Almanac: 1850-2000[16][17]
2020 Census[4]

2020 census

[edit]
Vidor city, Texas – racial and ethnic composition
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 may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 2000[18] Pop. 2010[19] Pop. 2020[20] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 10,844 9,796 8,671 94.79% 92.60% 88.58%
Black or African American alone (NH) 8 13 39 0.07% 0.12% 0.40%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 52 43 47 0.45% 0.41% 0.48%
Asian alone (NH) 22 51 50 0.19% 0.48% 0.51%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 19 0 0.03% 0.18% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 2 9 11 0.02% 0.09% 0.11%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 110 108 294 0.96% 1.02% 3.00%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 399 540 677 3.49% 5.10% 6.92%
Total 11,440 10,579 9,789 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 9,789 people, 3,727 households, and 2,531 families residing in the city.[21] The population density was 814.7 inhabitants per square mile (314.6/km2). There were 4,405 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 91.7% White, 0.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from some other races and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.92% of the population.[22]

2022 American Community Survey (ACS)

[edit]

There are 3,851 households accounted for in the 2022 ACS, with an average of 2.50 persons per household. The city's a median gross rent is $791 in the 2022 ACS. The 2022 ACS reports a median household income of $56,866, with 73.8% of households are owner occupied. 7.9% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line (down from previous ACS surveys). The city boasts a 59.8% employment rate, with 9.9% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 87.1% holding a high school diploma.[23]

The top nine reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were German (18.1%), Irish (12.4%), French (except Basque) (11.3%), English (8.0%), Italian (2.1%), Scottish (0.9%), Norwegian (0.7%), Polish (0.5%), and Subsaharan African (0.0%).

The median age in the city was 40.7 years.

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 10,579 people, 3,969 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was 902.9 inhabitants per square mile (348.6/km2). There were 4,397 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other races and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.1% of the population.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 11,440 people, 4,222 households, and 3,158 families were residing in the city. The population density was 1,083.6 inhabitants per square mile (418.4/km2). There were 4,652 housing units averaged 440.6 per square mile (170.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.3% White, 0.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from some other races and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.49% of the population.

Of the 4,222 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were not families. About 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66, and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city, the population distribution was 26.7% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,982, and for a family was $37,572. Males had a median income of $35,781 versus $21,054 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,381. About 10.7% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[edit]

The City of Vidor is served by the Vidor Independent School District,[24] which is the largest[which?] of the six school districts in the county.

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The City Council of Vidor, Texas". City of Vidor, Texas. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Vidor, Texas
  4. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023". United States Census Bureau. October 18, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "Vidor (TX) sales tax rate". Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Black Flees Mean Town, Dies in Next Gentle Giant Victim of Robbers". The Baltimore Sun (dateline: Houston → article, by J. Michael Kennedy, is from the Los Angeles Times–Washington Post News Service). Vol. 313, no. 95 (Final ed.). September 3, 1993. p. 1 (section A). Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021. ProQuest 306458805 (US Newsstream database).
  8. ^ "About Us". CityOfVidor.com. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Hooks, Christopher (June 6, 2020). "Black Lives Matter Comes to Vidor – Yes, Vidor". Texas Monthly. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  10. ^ Loewen, James William (1942–2021) (2005). Sundown Towns – A Hidden Dimension of American Racism (hardcover ed.). New York: The New Press. pp. 7, 212, 276, 348, 444. ISBN 1-5658-4887-X. LCCN 2005043855. OCLC 61441130.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    1. Loewen, James (2005). Via Google Books (limited review). The New Press. ISBN 978-1-59558-674-2. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
    2. Loewen, James W. (2005). Via Google Books (limited review). The New Press. ISBN 978-1-62097-454-4. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
    3. Loewen, James W. (2005). Via Internet Archive (Marygrove College). New Press. ISBN 978-1-56584-887-0.
  11. ^ Oppenheim, Keith (December 13, 2006). "Texas City Haunted by 'No Blacks After Dark' Past". CNN. Vidor, Texas. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
    One of the first African-American residents, Bill Simpson, was murdered soon after he arrived.
  12. ^ Kennedy, J. Michael (September 3, 1993). "'Gentle Giant' Escapes Klan Fear in Vain, Dies at Hands of Gang". National Desk. Los Angeles Times (Dateline: Houston). Vol. 112, no. 274. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021. → ISSN 0458-3035 (publication) → (US Newsstream database) (article) → ProQuest 421150595 (US Newsstream database) (article) → Alternate link 1. p. 18 (section A). Alternate link 2 (Washington ed.). p. 5 (section A). Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021 – via Newspapers.com..
  13. ^ a b Pressley Montes, Sue Anne (September 3, 1993). "A New Residence and a Tradegy – Forced Out of One Texas Town, Black Man Is Killed on Street". The Washington Post. p. 4 (section A). Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020. ProQuest 307675622 (US Newsstream); ProQuest 408163601 (US Newsstream).
  14. ^ Hall, Richard (June 18, 2020). "Vidor Was Known for Its KKK Past – Then Black Lives Matter Came to Town". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  15. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. ^ Texas Almanac. "Texas Almanac: City Population History from 1850–2000" (PDF). Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  17. ^ Texas Almanac. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  18. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Vidor city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  19. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Vidor city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  20. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Vidor city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  21. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  22. ^ "How many people live in Vidor city, Texas". USA Today. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  23. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Vidor city, Texas". www.census.gov. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  24. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Orange County, TX" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2024. - Text list
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