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Robstown, Texas
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Robstown is a city in Nueces County, Texas, of the United States of America, and is a western suburb of Corpus Christi. It was founded in 1907 by a land speculator from Keota, Iowa by the name of George H. Paul. Paul purchased 10,410.43 acres of the Driscoll Ranch located north of the Texas-Mexican Railroad built in 1875. The population was 10,143 as of the 2020 census.[2]
Key Information
The Texas State Legislature recognizes Robstown as the birthplace of Texas hold 'em poker.[5] Texas Hold'em was birthed in the early 1900s, but did not become widely known until 1967 when it was launched in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Geography
[edit]Robstown is located at 27°47′33″N 97°40′10″W / 27.79250°N 97.66944°W (27.792615, –97.669386).[6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31 km2), all land.
Climate
[edit]The climate in Robstown is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Robstown has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[7] Robstown enjoys a great amount of sunshine all year round and will mildly see precipitation depending on the climate and influence of the Gulf of Mexico.
| Climate data for Robstown, Texas (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1953–2012) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 92 (33) |
95 (35) |
104 (40) |
106 (41) |
104 (40) |
108 (42) |
107 (42) |
113 (45) |
109 (43) |
101 (38) |
98 (37) |
90 (32) |
113 (45) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 67.2 (19.6) |
70.8 (21.6) |
76.9 (24.9) |
82.9 (28.3) |
87.8 (31.0) |
92.7 (33.7) |
94.8 (34.9) |
96.0 (35.6) |
91.7 (33.2) |
85.4 (29.7) |
77.0 (25.0) |
68.9 (20.5) |
82.7 (28.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 56.6 (13.7) |
60.1 (15.6) |
66.3 (19.1) |
72.8 (22.7) |
78.8 (26.0) |
83.3 (28.5) |
85.0 (29.4) |
85.8 (29.9) |
81.7 (27.6) |
74.8 (23.8) |
66.5 (19.2) |
58.1 (14.5) |
72.5 (22.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 46.0 (7.8) |
49.4 (9.7) |
55.7 (13.2) |
62.7 (17.1) |
69.8 (21.0) |
73.9 (23.3) |
75.2 (24.0) |
75.6 (24.2) |
71.8 (22.1) |
64.2 (17.9) |
55.9 (13.3) |
47.2 (8.4) |
62.3 (16.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 16 (−9) |
20 (−7) |
23 (−5) |
37 (3) |
43 (6) |
58 (14) |
63 (17) |
64 (18) |
50 (10) |
32 (0) |
25 (−4) |
12 (−11) |
12 (−11) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.79 (45) |
2.05 (52) |
1.86 (47) |
1.64 (42) |
3.06 (78) |
2.92 (74) |
3.31 (84) |
3.05 (77) |
4.81 (122) |
3.62 (92) |
2.41 (61) |
1.62 (41) |
32.14 (816) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 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) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.2 (0.51) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 5.7 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 5.4 | 8.6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 72.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 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 |
| Source: NOAA[8][9] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 948 | — | |
| 1930 | 4,183 | 341.2% | |
| 1940 | 6,780 | 62.1% | |
| 1950 | 7,278 | 7.3% | |
| 1960 | 10,266 | 41.1% | |
| 1970 | 11,217 | 9.3% | |
| 1980 | 12,100 | 7.9% | |
| 1990 | 12,849 | 6.2% | |
| 2000 | 12,727 | −0.9% | |
| 2010 | 11,487 | −9.7% | |
| 2020 | 10,143 | −11.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
2020 census
[edit]| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 562 | 5.54% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 114 | 1.12% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 8 | 0.08% |
| Asian (NH) | 17 | 0.17% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 5 | 0.05% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 25 | 0.25% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 39 | 0.38% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 9,373 | 92.41% |
| Total | 10,143 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,143 people, 4,137 households, and 2,731 families residing in the city.
2019
[edit]As of 2019, the Census Bureau estimates[13] the population to be 11,261 people and consisting of 3,728 households. Owner-occupied housing is 58.1%. The average household has 3.06 persons. The racial makeup of the city was 5.6% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 93.8% of the population. Non-Hispanic Whites were 5.8% of the population. Median value of housing was $52,900. Median gross rent was $688 per month.
In the city, the age distribution of the population was 9.2% under the age of 5, 31.0% under the age of 18, and 17.1% who were 65 or older. Females were 51.1% of the population. Foreign-born persons were 5.3% of the population.
Population density was 741.0 persons/sq mi. Land area is 15.50 sq mi. The FIPS code is 4862600
The median income for a household in the city was $29,218. Per capita income was $14,178. The poverty rate was 41.1%.
Point of interest
[edit]The Robstown post office contains a mural, Founding and Subsequent Development of Robstown, Texas, painted in 1941 by Alice Reynolds.[14] Federally commissioned murals were produced from 1934 to 1943 in the United States through the Section of Painting and Sculpture, later called the Section of Fine Arts, of the Treasury Department.[15]
Neighborhoods
[edit]Robstown is divided into several distinct neighborhoods. The Ashburn, Kissling area is located just east of Bluebonnet, next to the Robstown Early College High School. The area locally known as Bluebonnet is located in the northwest area of town, right next to Robstown Early College High School. The area locally known as Casa Blanca is considered to be south of the city and south of the Kansas City Railroad. San Pedro is on the westside, next to San Pedro Elementary School.
Education
[edit]Robstown is served by the Robstown Independent School District.[16]
Del Mar College is the designated community college for all of Nueces County.[17]
Industry
[edit]Robstown is the site of a 1,200 acre lithium refinement plant owned and operated by Tesla. Ground was broken on the $375 million facility in 2023 and the plant began operation in December 2024.[18][19] The plant is expected to employ 160 people and produce battery grade lithium hydroxide.[18] Environmental concerns as to the expected water usage by the plant have been raised.[20]
Media
[edit]- Robstown Record (1926-1977)[21]
- Nueces County Record Star,[22] weekly, owned by GateHouse Media
Notable people
[edit]- Damian Chapa, starred in the famous Mexican American film Blood In, Blood Out
- Eddie Jackson, is the bassist for Seattle progressive metal band Queensrÿche
- Brooks Kieschnick, a former MLB player for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, and Milwaukee Brewers, was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame[23]
- Solomon P. Ortiz, former U.S. Representative for Texas's 27th congressional district[24]
- Gene Upshaw, a former NFL player for the Oakland Raiders and executive director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame[25]
- Marvin Upshaw, was a player for the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Cardinals[26]
References
[edit]- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Recognizing Robstown, Texas, as the birthplace of the poker game Texas Hold'em (House Concurrent Resolution 109). Texas House of Representatives. June 15, 2007.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ Climate Summary for Robstown, Texas
- ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1981–2010". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Census.gov". Census.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Robstown city, Texas". Census.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "Robstown, Texas Post Office Mural". Texasescapes.com. June 24, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ Arnesen, Eric (2007). Encyclopedia of U.S. Labor and Working-Class History. Vol. 1. New York: Routledge. p. 1540. ISBN 9780415968263.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Nueces County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Texas Education Code Sec. 130.177. DEL MAR COLLEGE-CORPUS CHRISTI JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
- ^ a b Rogers, Chase. "Abbott, Musk share stage for Tesla lithium refinery groundbreaking in South Texas". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Lingle, Brandon (December 16, 2024). "Tesla begins operation at its South Texas lithium refinery, firing up its kiln for first time". San Antonio Express-News.
- ^ Carlson, Kara (January 7, 2025). "Musk's Massive Tesla Lithium Plant Hunts for Water in Drought-Hit Texas". Financial Post. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ "Robstown Record". NewspaperArchive. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ "Nueces County Record Star". Nueces County Record Star. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- ^ "Brooks Kieschnick Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ^ "ORTIZ, Solomon P., (1937–)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Gene Upshaw". daabaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Marv Upshaw". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
External links
[edit]- Robstown, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
Robstown, Texas
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and early settlement
The site of Robstown was initially part of expansive ranchlands in Nueces County, including the Rabb Ranch acquired by the Driscoll family in the late 19th century.[4][3] The area's development accelerated with the intersection of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railroad—chartered on January 12, 1903—and the earlier Texas-Mexican Railway, established in 1875, creating a transportation crossroads that facilitated future settlement.[3] Robstown was founded in 1907 by George H. Paul, a land speculator from Keota, Iowa, who purchased 10,410.43 acres from the Driscoll Ranch north of the Texas-Mexican Railroad tracks and established the George H. Paul Land Company to promote sales.[3][6] Paul imported contractors and carpenters from his Iowa hometown to construct initial buildings, including the George H. Paul Building in 1908, which housed a general store on its first floor.[6][7] The town derived its name from Robert Driscoll Jr., son of rancher Robert Driscoll Sr., whose "Rob's Store" at the site evolved into local parlance as "Rob's town."[4][3] Early settlement included diverse arrivals such as Anastacio Zamora, a Hispanic labor organizer, in 1907; W.D. Doughty, depot agent for the Missouri Pacific and Texas-Mexican rail lines, in 1908; and innovations like the Mrazek Plow invented by Czech settler Tom Mrazek that same year to aid truck farming.[3] The community incorporated as a city on April 9, 1912, with John L. Jacoby elected as first mayor, and its population reached 948 by 1920, driven by land promotion and agricultural prospects in the Winter Garden region.[3][4]Economic development and booms
Robstown's economic foundations were laid in the early 1900s through railroad development and agriculture. The intersection of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railroad in 1903 and the Texas-Mexican Railway facilitated settlement and trade, prompting George H. Paul to purchase over 10,000 acres in 1907 for subdivision and sale, which spurred land speculation and farming expansion.[3] The introduction of the Mrazek Plow in 1908 enhanced soil cultivation in the Winter Garden Region, boosting truck farming of vegetables and cotton production; by 1948, the city hosted seven cotton gins and five vegetable packing sheds, establishing it as a key agricultural hub in Nueces County.[4][3] A significant economic boom occurred with the discovery of oil in Nueces County in 1930, shifting Robstown toward petroleum extraction alongside agriculture. This development attracted industry and labor, driving population growth from 948 in 1920 to 4,183 by 1931 and 6,100 by 1940, as oil operations expanded employment and infrastructure.[4][8] Petroleum-related firms became integral to the local economy, complementing farming revenues from cotton and vegetables, though the dual reliance exposed the city to commodity price fluctuations.[4] Post-boom diversification in the mid-20th century included manufacturing, with ready-mix concrete production and portable building facilities emerging by the 1960s, supported by oil and agricultural stability.[4] These sectors sustained growth amid broader regional trends, though economic vitality remained tied to extractive industries and crop yields rather than heavy industrialization.[8]Modern era and transitions
Following the discovery of oil in 1930, Robstown's economy diversified beyond vegetable farming and cotton processing, incorporating petroleum interests alongside agriculture, though the latter remained dominant through the mid-20th century. By 1948, the city supported seven cotton gins, five vegetable packing sheds, and 220 businesses, reflecting sustained agricultural activity. Population growth accelerated post-World War II, reaching 7,278 in 1950 and 10,266 by 1960, driven by these sectors and proximity to Corpus Christi. In 1948, Robstown adopted a mayor-council form of government under a new city charter, and by 1963, it completed a 10-acre park and swimming-pool complex to enhance community recreation.[4][3] From the 1940s to 1980, demographic transitions reshaped the community, with the Anglo population declining from approximately 60% in 1946 to 5% by 1980, while the Hispanic share rose to 95%, coinciding with economic challenges including low per capita income—where Social Security became the largest payroll source—and deterioration of Main Street commerce due to competition from outlying shopping centers, discounters like Wal-Mart, and a broader energy industry slowdown. Population peaked near 12,000 in the 1980s before stabilizing around 12,700 by 2000, with skilled professionals and middle-class residents increasingly relocating, contributing to a blue-collar, entry-level workforce often lacking high school education and declining public school quality. These shifts marked a transition from mid-century expansion to stagnation in traditional agriculture and oil-dependent activities.[9][4] In recent decades, efforts to revitalize the economy have included formation of the Robstown Area Development Commission and Robstown Improvement Development Corporation to attract industry, leveraging the city's rail (Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern) and highway (I-69 and State Highway 44) access to the Port of Corpus Christi. A significant potential transition emerged with Tesla's groundbreaking on May 8, 2023, for a lithium refinery in the Robstown area of Nueces County, aimed at domestic production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide to support electric vehicle manufacturing, with operations slated to begin in early 2024. In January 2025, Robstown approved a reinvestment zone for the project, enabling tax revenue retention for local schools and infrastructure to foster job creation amid South Texas's energy sector evolution, though it has raised concerns over high water demands—potentially 8 million gallons daily—in a drought-affected region. Population has since hovered around 10,200 as of 2023, reflecting modest contraction from earlier peaks.[4][3][10][11]Geography
Location and physical features
Robstown is located in north-central Nueces County, Texas, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 77 and State Highway 44.[12] Its geographic coordinates are approximately 27.7903° N latitude and 97.6689° W longitude, positioning it about 18 miles (29 km) west of Corpus Christi and 130 miles (210 km) southeast of San Antonio.[13][14] The city lies within the broader South Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, an area historically associated with the Winter Garden Region known for truck farming.[12] The terrain surrounding Robstown is generally flat, with average elevations around 75 feet (23 meters) above sea level, ranging from sea level to about 180 feet in Nueces County.[15][16] Soils in the central county area, including Robstown, consist of dark sandy loams transitioning to tighter black clays, supporting agricultural activities on the low-lying prairie landscape.[16] This physiography reflects the broader characteristics of the Texas Coastal Plain, featuring minimal topographic variation and gradual inland rise from the Gulf of Mexico.[17]Climate and environmental factors
Robstown lies within a humid subtropical climate zone classified as Köppen Cfa, featuring hot, humid summers and mild, occasionally chilly winters with minimal snowfall.[18] Annual temperatures typically range from average lows of 47°F in winter to highs of 97°F in summer, with July marking the hottest month at an average high of 95°F and relative humidity often exceeding 70% during peak heat.[19] Precipitation averages 32 inches annually, concentrated in the fall with September recording the highest monthly total of about 3.1 inches, contributing to a wet season prone to thunderstorms; snowfall is negligible, averaging 0 inches per year.[19][20] The region's environmental profile is shaped by its coastal plain location in Nueces County, approximately 15 miles north of Corpus Christi and 20 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, exposing it to tropical cyclone influences and periodic flooding from the Nueces River watershed.[21] Historical weather events underscore this vulnerability, including Hurricane Celia in 1970, which made landfall nearby as a Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds, causing widespread wind damage, power outages, and structural impacts across South Texas including Robstown.[22] Earlier floods, such as those from weak tropical systems in the early 20th century, have led to levee failures in Robstown, inundating up to 40 blocks of the town due to heavy rainfall overwhelming local drainage.[23] Air quality in the broader Nueces County area, monitored for criteria pollutants like ozone and nitrogen oxides, generally meets federal standards, though industrial emissions from nearby refineries in Corpus Christi can elevate particulate matter and volatile organic compounds during certain wind patterns.[24][25] Water resources face challenges from episodic drought and upstream agricultural runoff affecting the Nueces River, but local enforcement targets illegal dumping to mitigate groundwater contamination risks.[26] Overall, these factors influence land use, with resilient vegetation like native prairie grasses adapted to seasonal aridity and flood cycles.[27]Demographics
Population and growth trends
As of the 2020 decennial census, Robstown had a population of 10,143 residents. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population at 10,383 as of July 1, 2024, reflecting a modest increase of approximately 2.4% from the 2020 census base of 10,139. This recent uptick follows a period of stagnation, with annual growth rates projected at around 0.4% to 0.6% into 2025, potentially reaching 10,465 residents.[28][29] Historically, Robstown experienced rapid expansion in the early and mid-20th century, driven by agricultural booms and infrastructure development. The population grew from 7,278 in 1950 to 10,266 in 1960, a 41.1% increase, and continued rising to 11,217 by 1970 and a peak of 12,849 in 1990.[30][31] Since the 1990s, the city has faced population decline, dropping to 12,769 in 2000 (a slight decrease from 1990) and further to 11,487 in 2010, representing an 11.5% loss over that decade. From 2000 to 2020, the population fell by about 20.5%, attributed to economic shifts away from traditional agriculture and outmigration in Nueces County. Recent census estimates suggest a reversal of this long-term downward trend, with stabilization linked to proximity to Corpus Christi and minor industrial activity.[32][33]| Census Year | Population | Percent Change from Prior Decade |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 7,278 | — |
| 1960 | 10,266 | +41.1% |
| 1970 | 11,217 | +9.2% |
| 1980 | 12,100 | +7.9% |
| 1990 | 12,849 | +6.2% |
| 2000 | 12,769 | -0.6% |
| 2010 | 11,487 | -10.0% |
| 2020 | 10,143 | -11.7% |
Ethnic and socioeconomic composition
Robstown's population is overwhelmingly Hispanic or Latino, accounting for 97.2% of residents as of the latest American Community Survey estimates.[34] Among racial categories, the plurality identifies as White (Hispanic) at 42.9%, followed by two or more races (Hispanic) at 45.5% and other race (Hispanic) at 8.7%, reflecting the predominance of Mexican-American heritage in the region tied to historical settlement patterns in South Texas.[35] Non-Hispanic whites comprise 2.4%, Black or African Americans 0.3%, and other groups such as Asian or Native American less than 0.5% combined, indicating minimal diversity outside the Hispanic majority.[34][35] Socioeconomically, Robstown exhibits indicators of disadvantage relative to state and national averages. The median household income stands at $39,124, significantly below Texas's $72,284 and the U.S. $74,580 as reported in contemporaneous data.[35] The poverty rate affects 31% of the population, with higher incidences among Hispanic households at approximately 32%, driven by factors including limited high-wage employment in agriculture and energy sectors and lower educational capital.[35][36] Homeownership is relatively high at 69.6%, suggesting some stability amid economic pressures, though median property values remain modest at $89,500.[35] Educational attainment underscores socioeconomic challenges, with only 7.2% of adults aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 34% statewide; high school completion rates hover around 70%, correlating with intergenerational poverty cycles in rural Hispanic communities.[37]| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage of Population |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 97.2% |
| White (Non-Hispanic) | 2.4% |
| Black or African American | 0.3% |
| Other groups (Asian, Native American, etc.) | <0.5% |
