Quitman, Texas

Quitman, Texas
City
Quitman Town Square Quitman Town Square
Location of Quitman, Texas Location of Quitman, Texas
250px
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Wood
Area
• Total	1.8 sq mi (4.8 km2)
• Land	1.8 sq mi (4.8 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	413 ft (126 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	2,030
• Density	1,103.5/sq mi (426.1/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	75783
Area code(s)	903
FIPS code	48-60188
GNIS feature ID	1375601

Quitman is a city in Wood County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,030 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wood County. It is most notable for being the birthplace of Academy Award winning actress Sissy Spacek. Established in 1850, the city's slogan is "Come Grow With Us."

Geography

Quitman is located at (32.796026, -95.444501).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.8 km²), all land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Quitman has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	151		—
1950	927		—
1960	1,237		33.4%
1970	1,494		20.8%
1980	1,893		26.7%
1990	1,684		−11.0%
2000	2,030		20.5%
2010	1,809		−10.9%
Est. 2014	1,815		0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,030 people, 775 households, and 509 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,103.5 people per square mile (426.0/km²). There were 874 housing units at an average density of 475.1 per square mile (183.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.05% White, 6.40% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 1.63% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.30% of the population.

There were 775 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 29.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,607, and the median income for a family was $39,643. Males had a median income of $28,929 versus $25,060 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,831. About 9.2% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education and Public Library

The City of Quitman is served by the Quitman Independent School District, a AA school district. Recently, the school has produced a state championship in golf, UIL News Writing, Powerlifting, and received First Runner-Up at the 2011 State UIL One Act Play contest.

The Quitman Public Library is located at 202 East Goode Street one block east of the Wood County Courthouse. The library was formed in 1975 when a group of caring citizens gathered to study the need for a public library that would serve the City of Quitman and surrounding community. The Quitman City Council chartered the library in 1975. The library’s first building was in a frame house offered by the Liles family located at the corner of Main and Lane Streets near the courthouse square.

In August 1980, a financial drive began to purchase a larger building to house the many books that had been collected from donations. The community supported the drive and the former facility of the First National Bank, at 202 East Goode Street, Quitman TX was purchased. In early 1987, a local fund raising effort was started for additional space in the library to accommodate a children’s department, staff book processing area, and community meeting room. The library received several grants, and in October 1988, the Thurman Shamburger Wing was dedicated.

Today, the Quitman Public Library is fully staffed and houses a collection of nearly 30,000 items in a variety of formats; the library also houses the collection of the Wood County Genealogical Society. The library has an Advisory Board and active Friends of the Library group.

The Mayor of Quitman and the Quitman City Council are the governing body of the Quitman Public Library as it is a department of the City of Quitman.

The Quitman Public Library is in the heart of Quitman and Wood County.

Business

Quitman serves as the home to many local businesses, most of which provide services to Wood County. BTH Bank, however, has spread its roots beyond county lines, and continues to grow throughout the East Texas area. Several locally-owned restaurants provide a "mom and pop" service to the town. Arguably, the most iconic Quitman restaurant is Peralta's Mexican Restaurant, which has become of beacon of Quitman food. Quitman is also the home to several cooperative businesses. Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Peoples Telephone Cooperative, Inc are both located in Quitman.

Community, arts and entertainment

The Quitman Community Theatre, awarded by County Line Magazine as the Best Small Town Community Theatre in the Upper Eastside of Texas for five consecutive years, has provided the town with live productions since 2001. Each production takes place at the Carroll Green Civic Center, and on average, the theatre produces around three productions per year, including a musical.

Notable people

• Thomas Morrow Reavley, senior judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Sissy Spacek, prolific actress who won an Academy Award for her role as country star Loretta Lynn in the 1980 film Coal Miner's Daughter.

External links

• KWJB RADIO the official website of the only broadcasting station in Van Zandt County
• Quitman Public Library