Junction is a city in and the county seat of Kimble County, Texas, United States. Its population was 2,451 at the 2020 census.

History

left|thumb|A former general store, built in 1879, still stands on the square in Junction.

The community was founded in 1876 after the organization of Kimble County earlier that year. On August 27, 1927, H.O. Denman and 152 others presented an incorporation petition to Kimble County Judge J.B. Randolph. In the election, 390 votes were cast: 274 (70%) "For Incorporation" and 116 (30%) "Against Incorporation". A city officers' election took place on October 13, 1927, with Ernest Holekamp elected as Junction's first mayor. The city is named for its location at the confluence of the North and South Llano Rivers.

Climate

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

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Junction had a population of 2,451. The median age was 42.4 years, 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18, and 21.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.5 males.

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 1,878 || 76.6%

|-

| Black or African American || 5 || 0.2%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 22 || 0.9%

|-

| Asian || 33 || 1.3%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 1 || 0.0%

|-

| Some other race || 274 || 11.2%

|-

| Two or more races || 238 || 9.7%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 785 || 32.0%

|}

There were 1,048 households in Junction, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.2% were married-couple households, 20.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 2,618 people, 1,028 households, and 699 families resided in the city. The population density was . The 1,222 housing units averaged 534.5 per square mile (206.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 86.13% White, 0.04% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 11.12% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 28.99% of the population.

Of the 1,028 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were not families. About 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city, the population was distributed as 28.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,833, and for a family was $30,865. Males had a median income of $24,096 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,971. About 16.4% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.9% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

thumb|A view of downtown Junction, with the defunct Texan Theater at the left

Major celebrations in Junction include the Billie Sale and Parade held in August, and the annual Kimble Kow Kick, which takes place in September.

Education

Public education in the city of Junction is provided by the Junction Independent School District. The district supports an elementary, middle, and high school housed on a single campus at 1700 College Street.

Junction is home to the Texas Tech University Center at Junction, a satellite school of Texas Tech University in Lubbock. The center is situated on a campus, and offers a broad spectrum of programs in both the undergraduate and graduate disciplines.

Infrastructure

thumb|The [[Pedernales Electric Cooperative office in Junction]]

Notable highways serving the city include Interstate 10, U.S. Route 83, and U.S. Route 377.

  • Andrew Murr current Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives
  • Coke Stevenson, governor of Texas from 1941 to 1947, was a native of Junction.

References

  • Kimble County Chamber of Commerce