Dickinson is a city located in Galveston County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 17,093. Dickinson is part of the Houston Metropolitan Area.
Dickinson is located at 29°27'38" North, 95°3'14" West (29.460467, -95.053856).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.4 km2 (9.8 mi2). 25.0 km2 (9.6 mi2) of it is land and 0.4 km2 (0.2 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.53% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 17,093 people, 6,162 households, and 4,522 families residing in the city. The population density is 683.9/km2 (1,770.7/mi2). There are 6,556 housing units at an average density of 262.3/km2 (679.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 72.35% White, 10.52% African American, 0.64% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 12.82% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. 24.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,162 households out of which 36.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% are married couples living together, 13.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% are non-families. 21.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.76 and the average family size is 3.22.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $41,984, and the median income for a family is $46,585. Males have a median income of $36,391 versus $26,943 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,785. 13.1% of the population and 9.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Dickinson is located on a tract of land granted to John Dickinson in 1824, and named after him. A settlement had been established in this area on Dickinson Bayou before 1850. The Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad was built directly through Dickinson. This line was used in the American Civil War to successfully retake Galveston.
The Dickinson Land and Improvement Association was organised in the 1890s by Fred M. Nichols and eight other businessmen. It marketed to potential farmers with claims of the soil's suitability for food crops, and socialites with the creation of the Dickinson Picnic Grounds and other attractions. By 1911, the Galveston and Houston Electric Railway had three stops in Dickinson, and the Oleander Country Club was a popular destination for prominent Galvestonians.
In 1905, Italian ambassador Baron Mayor des Planches convinced about a hundred fifty Italians from crowded eastern cities to move to Dickinson. They joined the dozens relocated there after flooding in Bryan forced them to seek new homes.
Dickinson continued to grow due to its proximity to Texas City, with its shipyards and wartime industries, and later its proximity to the Johnson Space Center in Webster.
Source:
DickinsonTexas.com
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