Abernathy, Texas

Abernathy is a city in Hale and Lubbock Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, Abernathy had a population of 2,865.

The Hale County portion of Abernathy is part of the Plainview micropolitan statistical area, while the Lubbock County portion is part of the Lubbock metropolitan area.

Geography

Abernathy (elevation 3,360 feet) is located at (33.8323038, –101.8429491). Most of the city is located in Hale County; roughly 25% of the city extends southward into Lubbock County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Climate

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Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Abernathy had a population of 2,865. The median age was 37.1 years. 28.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.4 males age 18 and over. There were 865 families residing in the city.

0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,050 households in Abernathy, of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.7% were married-couple households, 16.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Percent

| White || 61.9%

| Black or African American || 2.4%

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 0.7%

| Asian || 0.2%

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0%

| Some other race || 15.7%

| Two or more races || 19.0%

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 49.2%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 2,839 people, 996 households, and 800 families resided in the city. The population density was . The 1,081 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 76.15% White, 2.47% African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 18.63% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 43.15% of the population.

Of the 996 households, 38.8% had children under 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were not families. About 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was distributed as 30.1% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,377, and for a family was $35,399. Males had a median income of $25,635 versus $21,198 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,919. About 9.6% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

thumb|right|Abernathy from above

The Santa Fe Railroad wanted to follow a straight line from Plainview to Lubbock. A straight-line survey was run, and it went east of the present site of Abernathy. This route did not please the residents of Hale Center, which had been established since the 1890s. They influenced the Santa Fe to come southwest out of Plainview to serve them, and from there the Santa Fe followed an approximate straight line into Lubbock.

The developers of the town sites along the new railroad wanted to organize a town on a section north of the present town of Abernathy. The owners, who lived in Wisconsin, were contacted. They thought gold might be on the land and refused to sell. Therefore, the last section south in Hale County was chosen as the town site.

Originally owned by John Y. Ligon, the section that was to become the Abernathy town site was purchased by J.C. Roberds from E.S. and W.L. Stanfield. When the South Plains Investment Company was formed by Roberds, Dr. M.C. Overton, and Monroe Abernathy, Mr. Roberds deeded the section to the firm and became the president of the firm.

In popular culture

Abernathy is featured in the Branson musical Three Redneck Tenors as the home of Billy Ray, the "Dead Tenor". A funeral is held for Billy Ray in Abernathy, the "Gateway to Lubbock".

References

External links

Abernathy Independent School District
Photos of West Texas and the Llano Estacado