Brady is a city in McCulloch County, Texas, United States. Brady refers to itself as the "Heart of Texas", as it is the city closest to the geographical center of the state, which is about 15 miles northeast of Brady. Its population was 5,118 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of McCulloch County.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Brady has a total area of , of which are land and (20.16%) are covered by water.
Major highways
- 20px U.S. Highway 87
- 23px U.S. Highway 190
- 23px U.S. Highway 283
- 23px U.S. Highway 377
- 20px State Highway 71
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Brady has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Brady had a population of 5,118, 2,125 households, and 1,225 families residing in the city.
The median age was 43.5 years; 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older, with 92.9 males per 100 females overall and 89.2 males per 100 females age 18 and over.
There were 2,125 households in Brady, of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them. Of all households, 42.1% were married couples living together, 20.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Percent
|-
| White || 72.3%
|-
| Black or African American || 1.7%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 0.4%
|-
| Asian || 0.7%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || <0.1%
|-
| Some other race || 9.5%
|-
| Two or more races || 15.3%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 37.7%
|}
2000 census
As of the census
Education
Around 1,200 students in Brady and Melvin attend Brady Independent School District schools. Brady Elementary consists of kindergarten-grade 5 and the principal is Christy Finn. Brady Middle School consists of grades 6–8 and the principal is Shona Moore. Brady High School consists of grades 9–12 with Russell Baldwin as principal. Hector Martinez serves as superintendent.
Brady High School is a Texas Education Agency "Recognized" campus.
thumb|upright=1.4|Heart of Texas Healthcare System is the primary hospital serving Brady.
Government and infrastructure
thumb|The Brady National Bank is located about the courthouse square.
In 1947, the state of Texas opened the Brady State School for Negro Girls on a former prisoner-of-war camp in McCulloch County, near Brady, leased from the federal government of the United States. In 1950, the state replaced the Brady facility with the Crockett State School.
Regarding drinking water for the community of Brady, changes are being made to reduce radionuclides.
Notable people
- Scott Appleton, 1963 Outland Trophy winner, was an AFL and NFL player
- Rita Crocker Clements, was a Republican Party organizer and a First Lady of the U.S. state of Texas.
- Norma Jean, country music singer, was on The Porter Wagoner Show and the Grand Ole Opry in the 1960s
- Terry Manning, music producer, lived in Brady as a child
- James Earl Rudder teacher Brady High School and later president of Texas A&M University
Gallery
<gallery class="center" widths="150px">
Image:Trucountry Inn Brady Texas.jpg|Trucountry Inn
Image:Brady City Hall.jpg|Fire Station
Image:Downtown Brady 1.jpg|Downtown
Image:Downtown Brady 3.jpg|Downtown
Image:McCulloch County Courthouse Brady.jpg|Courthouse
Image:Palace Theater Brady.jpg|Palace Theater
Image:United States Post Office Brady.jpg|United States Post Office
Image:1911 Brady Train Depot.jpg|Train Depot
</gallery>
See also
- McCulloch County Courthouse
- Old McCulloch County Jail