Luling, Texas

Luling is a city in Caldwell and Guadalupe counties, Texas, United States, along the San Marcos River. The population as of the 2026 census was 5,831.

History

The town was named after a New York banker, Charles Luling. He was a personal friend of Thomas Wentworth Pierce and provided the financing for the railroad as well the purchase of the land that became Luling. Prior to the founding of the town, a small farming community named Atlanta was established nearby, with residents associating themselves with the newly founded Luling, causing Atlanta to fade.

Luling was founded in 1874 as a railroad town and became a rowdy center for the cattle drivers on the Chisholm Trail. Contempt of the law by the cowboys helped Luling become known as the "toughest town in Texas". After the great cattle drives ended in the late 1880s, Luling quieted down to a town of about 500 and cotton ruled the local economy. Perhaps due to arrival of immigrants, including a sizeable Jewish population, in the late-19th century, Luling began a long, slow, period of growth, and by 1925 the population reached 1,500.

One of the most significant events in Luling's history was the discovery of oil by Edgar B. Davis.

Davis' discovery opened up an oilfield long and wide. The economy quickly moved from the railroad and agriculture to oil. The population of the town rapidly increased to over 5,000. By 1924, the Luling Oil Field was producing over of oil per year, and oil formed much of Luling's economy for the next 60 years.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Luling has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 5,599 people, 2,074 households, and 1,570 families residing in Luling. The median age was 37.6 years; 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.2 males age 18 and over.

Of those households, 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 40.7% were married-couple households, 19.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 34.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<br /> (NH = Non-Hispanic)

! Race !! Number !! Percent

| White || 2,771 || 49.5%

| Black or African American || 426 || 7.6%

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 36 || 0.6%

| Asian || 33 || 0.6%

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 4 || 0.1%

| Some other race || 943 || 16.8%

| Two or more races || 1,386 || 24.8%

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 2,992 || 53.4%

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 5,411 people, 1,907 households, and 1,315 families residing in Luling. The population density was . There were 2,115 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 70.8% White, 8.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 16.7% some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 52.6% of the population.

There were 1,907 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were headed by married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75, and the average family size was 3.36.

Culture

thumb|right|William Johnson [[Shotgun house|shotgun-style cabin in Blanche Square in Luling]]

thumb|right|Though it once aired regular films, the Stanley Theatre in Luling now houses collectibles.

thumb|right|One of Luling's many decorative [[pumpjacks]]

The Luling Watermelon Thump is held each year during the last full weekend in June. It is a big celebration for the locals and draws many people from out of town as well. A favorite activity associated with the 'Thump' is the watermelon seed spitting contest.

Luling is also home to Night in Old Luling, held in October. It features games, food, booths, and a scarecrow contest.

Some of the oil jacks along the main streets of Luling are decorated with whimsical characters, such as a girl eating a watermelon.

Education

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Luling Independent School District

! School name !! Grades taught !! Students enrolled

| Rosenwald Primary ||style="text-align:center;"| Head start ||style="text-align:center;"| 190

| Luling Primary ||style="text-align:center;"| Pre-K-K–1 ||style="text-align:center;"| 231

| Leonard Shanklin Elementary ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–5 ||style="text-align:center;"| 310

| Gilbert Gerdes Junior High ||style="text-align:center;"| 6–8 ||style="text-align:center;"| 302

| Luling High School ||style="text-align:center;"| 9–12 ||style="text-align:center;"| 432

Notable people

Emory Bellard, college football coach
Bo Burris, NFL player
Jennie Everton Clarke, founder of the Belle Haven Orphan home
Michael Dorn, actor
Tamron Hall, journalist and television talk show host
Obert Logan, NFL football player for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints
Craig Mager, NFL football player for the Denver Broncos
Marshall W. Mason, Broadway director
Riley Odoms, NFL football player for the Denver Broncos