Gilmer is a city in and the county seat of Upshur County, Texas, United States. Its population was 4,843 at the 2020 census.

The East Texas Yamboree is an annual event held in Gilmer.

History

Founded in 1846, the city's namesake is former Secretary of the Navy Thomas Walker Gilmer. Gilmer is located on the Old Cherokee Trace, a trail used by the Cherokee Indians in their travels. To this day, arrowheads and other Native American artifacts can be found with little to no digging. Sam Houston, when he lived with the Cherokee, traveled the trace through here. The location of Gilmer was determined by a flood on Little Cypress Creek. First located near the creek, residents decided to change locations because of frequent floods.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.6&nbsp;mi<sup>2</sup> (12.0&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all land.

Gilmer is part of a larger area known as the East Texas Piney Woods. <!-- of what? The city and the surrounding area boast a number of impressive specimens. -->

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Gilmer has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, 4,843 people and 987 families resided in the city. The median age was 38.6 years, 24.7% were under the age of 18, 19.7% were 65 years of age or older, and for every 100 females there were 86.9 males; for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 80.9 males age 18 and over.

There were 1,900 households, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.0% were married-couple households, 17.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 39.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,125 housing units, of which 10.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.5%.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 3,369 || 69.6%

|-

| Black or African American || 766 || 15.8%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 27 || 0.6%

|-

| Asian || 38 || 0.8%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 6 || 0.1%

|-

| Some other race || 239 || 4.9%

|-

| Two or more races || 398 || 8.2%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 514 || 10.6%

|}

2000 census

As of the census Events include a pageant, carnival, parades, a dance, livestock shows, a car show, and contests.

The Upshur County Juneteenth celebration has featured a parade, live music, a car and tractor show, soul food contests, children's activities, vendor booths, and community unity programming.

Education

Gilmer is served by the Gilmer Independent School District.

Notable people

Music

  • Don Henley, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and founding member of the Eagles
  • Freddie King, guitarist and singer in Blues Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Johnny Mathis, multiple platinum-selling popular music and standards singer; Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Jason Sellers, country music singer-songwriter
  • Michelle Shocked, folk singer-songwriter

Sports

  • Kris Boyd, football corner back for the New York Jets
  • Curtis Brown, former defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Gus Johnson, former NFL running back
  • Manuel Johnson, former wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
  • G. J. Kinne, head football coach of Texas State, NFL and Canadian Football League quarterback
  • Kenny Pettway, linebacker for the Edmonton Eskimos
  • David Snow, offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Jeff Traylor, head football coach of UTSA
  • Louis Wright, former four-time first-team All-Pro cornerback for the Denver Broncos

Other

  • David Abner, an African-American Republican state representative from 1874 to 1875, he was brought to Upshur County as a slave from Selma, Alabama.
  • Charles F. Baird, a former justice of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and former judge, Travis County District Court, he is the only judge in Texas history to preside over the exoneration of a deceased individual; he was longtime criminal-justice reform advocate.
  • Robert N. McClelland was a surgeon for John F. Kennedy at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on the day of his assassination.
  • Harold Moss, the first African-American mayor of Tacoma, Washington
  • Thomas F. Proctor, a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses, he won the 1994 edition of the Breeders' Cup Distaff
  • Robert L. Stephens, record-setting test pilot
  • The Michelle Shocked song "Memories of East Texas" recalls her experiences growing up in Gilmer.

Notes

References

  • City of Gilmer official website.