Turkey is a city in Hall County, Texas, United States. The population was 317 at the 2020 census, down from 421 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Turkey is located in southwestern Hall County. Texas State Highway 70 runs through the east side of the city as 9th Street, leading north to Clarendon and south to Matador. Texas State Highway 86 runs through the center of Turkey as Main Street, leading east to Estelline and west to Tulia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Turkey has a total area of , all land.

Several of the state's largest ranches are near the town.

History

Turkey was platted (formal surveyed property lots, streets, etc. defined and mapped) in 1907.

The Bob Wills Festival, named in honor of western swing legend Bob Wills (who grew up in Turkey) has been held annually since 1972, featuring western swing and country music performances ranging from notable bands at the dance hall to impromptu jam sessions around town. The festival drew 10,000 people in 2022.

In November 2011, animal rights organization PETA petitioned the town to temporarily change its name to "Tofurky".

Notable buildings

thumb|Restored 1928 Phillips 66 service station, the first Phillips 66 service station built in Texas

The first Phillips 66 service station built in Texas opened on July 27, 1928, on the corner of 5th Street and Main in Turkey, Texas. In January 2019, this service station was recognized by the Texas Historical Commission as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and a marker dedication ceremony to unveil the state historical marker was planned to take place at the service station in April 2020.

The Hotel Turkey opened in 1927. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 24, 1991. The hotel traditionally hosts the musicians who come to Turkey for the annual Bob Wills Festival held over several days centered on the last Saturday in April.

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Turkey had a population of 317 and a median age of 49.2 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.4 males.

There were 144 households in Turkey, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.0% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 247 || 77.9%

|-

| Black or African American || 6 || 1.9%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 0 || 0.0%

|-

| Asian || 0 || 0.0%

|-

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

|-

| Some other race || 40 || 12.6%

|-

| Two or more races || 24 || 7.6%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 85 || 26.8%

|}

2000 census

As of the census

Education

The city is served by the Turkey-Quitaque Independent School District.

Hall County is in the service area of Clarendon College.

References

  • Hall County TXGenWeb
  • Bob Wills Day website