Kemp, Texas
Kemp, Texas | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 48-38788[2] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 1339022[3] | |
Website | www |
Kemp is a city in Kaufman County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,129 in 2020.[4]
History
The community was named for Sara Kemp, mother of Levi Noble, the first postmaster, and was officially established when the post office opened in 1851. The original townsite was located on present-day County Road 4023, 2 miles (3 km) south of present-day Texas State Highway 274. It grew slowly during its first thirty years. A
The railroad attracted settlers to Kemp. Prospering with the surrounding cattle ranches and cotton farms, the community developed as a trade center for the lower part of the county. By the early twentieth century, the population had reached 513, and the
During the summer of 2011, the city received national attention due to its aging water utility system and complications resulting from the severe Texas drought of 2011.[5]
Geography
Kemp is located in southeastern Kaufman County.[6] U.S. Route 175 runs along the northeast side of the city, leading northwest 11 miles (18 km) to Kaufman, the county seat, and southeast 28 miles (45 km) to Athens.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Kemp has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.8 km2), of which 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), or 4.18%, are water.[7] It is at the northern end of Cedar Creek Lake.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1890 | 335 | — | |
1930 | 990 | — | |
1940 | 1,000 | 1.0% | |
1950 | 881 | −11.9% | |
1960 | 816 | −7.4% | |
1970 | 999 | 22.4% | |
1980 | 1,035 | 3.6% | |
1990 | 1,184 | 14.4% | |
2000 | 1,133 | −4.3% | |
2010 | 1,154 | 1.9% | |
2020 | 1,129 | −2.2% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[8] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (NH)
|
820 | 72.63% |
Black or African American (NH)
|
55 | 4.87% |
Alaska Native (NH)
|
10 | 0.89% |
Asian (NH) | 1 | 0.09% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 18 | 1.59% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 61 | 5.4% |
Hispanic or Latino | 164 | 14.53% |
Total | 1,129 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,129 people, 368 households, and 232 families residing in the city.
Government
The city of Kemp is a Type A general law municipality with a
The city operates a public works department including water and wastewater utilities, and the Kemp Municipal Court. The city employs a city secretary, a small administrative staff, a municipal judge/court clerk, a public works director, a small public works staff, a chief of police, a police sergeant/K9 unit, and several full-time and reserve officers. On May 9, 2012, the city council voted to disband the Kemp Police Department in favor of outsourcing to the Kaufman County Sheriff due to budget constraints.[11] It was subsequently restored.[12] The chief is being sued for civil rights violations. The lawsuit is on hold, while minor criminal charges against the plaintiff remain pending.[13]
The city has chartered the Kemp Housing Authority, which operates two public housing apartment campuses, and is governed by a board of commissioners appointed by the mayor. It employs an executive director, a clerical assistant and a small maintenance staff.
The city has chartered the Kemp Economic Development Corporation, a type 4B EDC. It is funded by a $.005 sales tax for economic development purposes. The Kemp EDC has a board of directors appointed by the Kemp City Council.
The city is served by the Kemp Municipal Development District, which includes the city of Kemp and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. The Kemp MDD was created by election in May 2010 and began operations October 1, 2010. The district levies a $.0025 sales tax for economic and municipal development purposes. The Kemp City Council serves as the Kemp Municipal Development District board of directors.
Education
The city is served by the Kemp Independent School District and the Trinity Valley Community College District.
Notes
References
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
- ^ Staff, the CNN Wire. "Heat wave: Oklahoma, Texas endure warmest months on record". CNN. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
{{cite web}}
:|first=
has generic name (help) - ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Kemp city, Texas". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
- ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ Lillich, Cody (May 9, 2012). "ETX police department disbanded". Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ "Jimmy Council named new Kemp police chief". January 16, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ "McCollom v. City of Kemp et al, No. 3:2014cv01488 - Document 28 (N.D. Tex. 2014)". Retrieved November 23, 2016.
Bibliography
- Robert Richard Butler, History of Kaufman County, Texas (M.A. thesis, University of Texas, 1940).
- Kaufman County Historical Commission, History of Kaufman County (Dallas: Taylor, 1978).
External links
- Official website
- Kemp, TX from the Handbook of Texas Online