Mingus is a city in Palo Pinto County, Texas, United States. The population was 223 at the 2020 census.
History
In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Mingus, known as a "wet" town, had a thriving set of liquor stores and bars patronized by those in "dry" areas in Palo Pinto County and other area counties. This era in Mingus history was memorialized in a comedic country song by John Clay and the Lost Austin Band called "Road to Mingus." The lyrics tell of the deaths of three young men from Strawn, Texas, who travel to Mingus for beer, and, coming home in their '39 Ford, try to beat the Katy at a crossing and die when they are struck by the "reckless railroad train."
Area residents blamed aggressive law enforcement for the demise of the stores and bars. By the 2000s, the Cossacks Motorcycle Club patronized the remaining commercial establishments in the town.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
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, Mingus has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Mingus had a population of 223. The median age was 46.2 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.3 males age 18 and over.
There were 100 households in Mingus, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 33.0% were married-couple households, 30.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 199 || 89.2%
|-
| Black or African American || 1 || 0.4%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Asian || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 6 || 2.7%
|-
| Two or more races || 17 || 7.6%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 22 || 9.9%
|}
2000 census
As of the 2000 census