Van Vleck is a census-designated place (CDP) in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, Van Vleck had a population of 1,923. The population total represents one of the few areas with positive growth in Matagorda County. Although near Bay City, the site of Van Vleck falls outside the ETJ of Bay City and is regulated by county police and county ordinance.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
Van Vleck was first listed as an unincorporated community in the 1970 U.S. census;
!Pop 2010
!
!% 2000
!% 2010
!
|-
|White alone (NH)
|783
|1,029
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,000
|55.49%
|55.80%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |52.00%
|-
|Black or African American alone (NH)
|245
|233
|style='background: #ffffe6; |204
|17.36%
|12.64%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |10.61%
|-
|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)
|4
|5
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4
|0.28%
|0.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.21%
|-
|Asian alone (NH)
|1
|7
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1
|0.07%
|0.38%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05%
|-
|Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|Other race alone (NH)
|2
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5
|0.14%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.26%
|-
|Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)
|14
|16
|style='background: #ffffe6; |59
|0.99%
|0.87%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.07%
|-
|Hispanic or Latino (any race)
|362
|554
|style='background: #ffffe6; |650
|25.66%
|30.04%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |33.80%
|-
|Total
|1,411
|1,844
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,923
|100.00%
|100.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%
|}
2010 census
The 2010 census showed a 25% increase with 1,844 people (versus 1,411 at the 2000 census). Further census details are pending.
As of the census
The town site (town center) of Van Vleck has undergone slow but gradual improvements with a new post office, church, and a growingly popular restaurant that seats over 100 and is often full to capacity. Also found in Van Vleck are several authentic Mexican/Hispanic restaurants serving the local Hispanic population and non-Hispanics alike, a doughnut store, a fireworks stand, several gas stations, and equipment rental/sales shops.
Although it is of similar size to other nearby towns such as West Columbia, Van Vleck has benefited from high traffic counts equal to or more than most areas of the larger and nearby Bay City. Traffic counts are three times the average for a comparable small town as reported by TXDOT.
Over 10,000 cars pass through the town using the main arterial Texas Highway 35 that connects Bay City to Texas State Highway 288 and U.S. Route 59. The proximity to the growing potential of Bay City has been to Van Vleck's advantage.
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" class="center" >
File:Van Vleck TX Post Office.jpg|US Post Office on Highway 35
File:Bay City TX Airport.jpg|Bay City Regional Airport is on FM 2540 south of town
</gallery>
Popular culture
In popular culture, Van Vleck is often mentioned for its small but well known small town features. This is also the hometown of Charles Austin.
Healthcare
thumb|Sweeny Community Hospital
Van Vleck does not have any local hospitals. For regular and urgent care, residents rely on the nearby Sweeny Community Hospital and its multiple growing clinics. The strong demand has allowed Sweeney to add 1-2 new physicians a year despite the distance from other towns like Van Vleck. Also, a closer and more often used center is Matagorda Regional Medical Center in Bay City. This facility was built in July 2009. Multiple physicians and specialties are available in Bay City.
The regional demand for healthcare is very strong as most doctors/hospitals are not currently drawn to the area. The revamped Matagorda Regional Medical Center has made strides in attracting new physicians and fulfilling the medical needs of the county. The hospital is working on developing a regional cancer center, and regularly runs at capacity.
Education
Van Vleck is served by the Van Vleck Independent School District. Van Vleck ISD has Academically State Recognized District and Schools. They have one-to-one digital learning, K-12 STEM Courses, K-12 Fine Arts Programs, 6-12 Pre-Advanced & Advanced Placement Classes, 9-12 Career & Technical Education Courses, and Duel Credit Classes.
There is Van Vleck Elementary, E.Rudd Intermediate, O.H. Herman Middle School, and Van Vleck High School. The ISD has several recognitions that include a National Blue Ribbon Elementary School. The VVISD is the proud winner and record setter in numerous areas, including power lifting and jump sports, with first place in multiple years, including those set by Charles Austin. They have a state recognized FFA Chapter & Meat Processing Plant, State Recognized Fine Arts Programs and Outstanding UIL Sports Programs.
The local high school also is a recurring winner, and title holder, of multiple national sports competitions.
The designated community college for Van Vleck ISD is Wharton County Junior College.
<gallery widths="200px" heights="125px" class="center">
File:Van Vleck ISD High School.jpg|Van Vleck High School
File:Van Vleck ISD OH Herman MS.jpg|O.H. Herman Middle School
File:Van Vleck TX Rudd Intermediate School.jpg|E. Rudd Intermediate School
File:Van Vleck ISD Elementary.jpg|Van Vleck Elementary School
</gallery>
Time line of Van Vleck
1830s Bailey Hardeman moved to this location in Matagorda county in the early part of the decade.<br />
1836 Hardeman dies of fever just 1 mile south of Van Vleck in Caney Creek. Today this area is known as Caney but was called Caney Crossing during the days of the Republic of Texas. It is named for the Caney Creek<br />
1840s The area became known as Hardeman's Post Office, after Bailey Hardeman, one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence<br />
1900s The Texas and New Orleans railroad (T&NO rail road) brings rail lines to Matagorda County with a stop in Van Vleck. The T&NO was a subsidiary of Southern Pacific Railroad <br />
1901 Town officially named for W. G. Van Vleck, a railroad official who served as the company's southern pacific superintendent. Several Hardeman families still live in Matagorda county and Van Vleck has a road named Hardeman road This year, the railroad connected Van Vleck to Wharton Tx.<br />
1930 The town was originally northwest of its present location, but in 1930, when State Highway 35 was built, the town moved to the highway.<br />
1952 First Baptist Church was built <br />
1955 Methodist church built<br />
1996 Charles Austin, of Van Vleck Texas wins olympic gold medal<br />
2010 Population count expands by 25% from prior census of 2000<br />
2010 First Physician clinic to serve the area, a Dermatology clinic opens its doors.<br />
2010 First Baptist Church of Van Vleck builds new church on 4 acre lot on Highway 35 just east of the Van Vleck High School Football Burl McKinney Stadium<br />
2015 Van Vleck Lions Club is established.