Graham is the county seat of and the largest city in Young County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, Graham had a population of 8,732.

History

The site was first settled in 1871 by brothers Gustavus A. and Edwin S. Graham, primary shareholders in the Texas Emigration and Land Company of Louisville, Kentucky. The brothers moved to Texas after the Civil War, and after buying in then-vast Young County, helped to revitalize the area, the population of which had become badly depleted during the war. During that same year as when Graham was settled, the Warren Wagon Train raid occurred about 12 miles north of the city. In 1872, the Graham brothers purchased a local saltworks, established the town of Graham, and set up the Graham Land Office. The saltworks were not a profitable venture, as the salt was too expensive to ship, and were closed in a few years.

New families started to arrive, and the brothers began promoting the sale of homesites and doing civic improvements.

On February 15, 1877, the city was the site of the organizational meeting of the group that became the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, created to police ranching and put a stop to cattle rustling. Founding officers included pioneer ranchers James C. Loving (son of Oliver Loving), Col. C. L. (Kit) Carter, and C.C. Slaughter. A three-story limestone courthouse was built in 1884, and it was replaced by a new courthouse in the early 1930s. The 1884 structure's east door still stands on the courthouse square. From 1879 to 1896, Graham was the seat of a federal district court overseen by Judge A.P. McCormick; his jurisdiction extended over all of Texas north and west to New Mexico. she was responsible for the establishment of the Eden Home for the aged. but was up to 8,732 by the 2020 census.

Geography

Graham, the county seat of Young County, is located in the southeast portion of the county, and has an area of 5.592&nbsp;sq mi (14.48&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>). Geographically, Graham is located in the western Cross Timbers area of North Texas. Locally, this is known as the western portion of the Palo Pinto Mountains.

Creeks drain the area generally into the Brazos River; Dry Creek on the eastern side of town flows into Salt Creek towards the south and into the Brazos. Flatrock Creek drains the rural areas to the southeast and also flows into the Brazos just below where Salt Creek enters. Small impoundments located along Flatrock Creek are used for stock tanks and fish ponds.

Climate

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Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, 8,732 people, 3,431 households, and 2,357 families were residing in Graham.

The median age was 38.2 years. 25.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.5% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.2 males.

There were 3,431 households in Graham, of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.4% were married-couple households, 15.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 6,716 || 76.9%

|-

| Black or African American || 70 || 0.8%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 102 || 1.2%

|-

| Asian || 46 || 0.5%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%

|-

| Some other race || 1,023 || 11.7%

|-

| Two or more races || 775 || 8.9%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 2,159 || 24.7%

|}

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,

As of 2025, the town still has an operational drive-in theater.

Graham Municipal Airport (ICAO code KRPH), located within city limits, has two paved runways: 3/21 is 5,000 feet long and 18/36 is 3,317 feet long.

Education

Public schools in the City of Graham are provided by the Graham Independent School District, the home of the Graham High School Steers.

In 2010, North Central Texas College established a learning base in Graham. The campus offers a wide range of academic-transfer courses, vocational nursing (LVN), oil and gas production technology, allied health certificate programs, and continuing education programs. Graham ISD and NCTC also have a partnership offering dual-credit courses to high school juniors and seniors.

Notable people

  • Owen J. Baggett, WWII B-24 Liberator crew member
  • Rex Brown, bassist for the heavy metal band Pantera
  • Bob Estes, golfer, four-time winner on the PGA Tour
  • Sonny Gibbs, former NFL quarterback
  • Frank Shelby Groner (1877–1943), president of College of Marshall
  • Bob Lilly, NFL Hall of Fame football player, lived in Graham after he retired.
  • William D. McFarlane, U.S. Congressman from 1933 to 1939
  • Robert McFarlane, national security advisor to President Ronald Reagan
  • Dean Smith, 1952 Olympic gold medalist sprinter

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Image:Graham Coca Cola Building (1 of 1).jpg|Coca-Cola bottling plant

Image:Graham Drive In Wiki (1 of 1).jpg|Graham Drive-In

Image:Graham Memorial Auditorium Wiki (1 of 1).jpg|Graham Memorial

</gallery>

References

  • Graham, Texas Community Website
  • City of Graham, Texas Official Website
  • City-Data.com Graham, Texas