Burnet, Texas

Burnet, Texas
City Hall in Burnet
City Hall in Burnet
Nickname: 
Bluebonnet Capital of Texas
Motto(s): 
"Lakes, Hills, History"
Map
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 30°44′32″N 98°14′18″W / 30.74222°N 98.23833°W / 30.74222; -98.23833
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyBurnet
Area
 • Total10.40 sq mi (26.94 km2)
 • Land10.37 sq mi (26.85 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation1,339 ft (408 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,436
 • Density620/sq mi (240/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
78611
Area codes512 and 737
FIPS code48-11464[3]
GNIS feature ID2409948[2]
Websitewww.cityofburnet.com

Burnet (/ˈbɜːrnɪt/ BUR-nit) is a city in and the county seat of Burnet County, Texas, United States.[4] Its population was 6,436 at the 2020 census.[5]

Both the city and the county were named for David Gouverneur Burnet, the first (provisional) president of the Republic of Texas. He also served as vice president during the administration of Mirabeau B. Lamar.

Geography

[edit]

Burnet is located one mile west of the divide between the Brazos and Colorado River watersheds near the center of Burnet County. It is 54 miles (87 km) northwest of the state capital, Austin—roughly a 60- to 90-minute drive via U.S. Highway 183 and State Highway 29. It is 36 miles (58 km) west of Georgetown and Interstate Highway 35 via State Highway 29, and 100 miles (160 km) north of San Antonio on U.S. Highway 281.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Burnet has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.3 km2), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.32%, is covered by water.[6]

Climate

[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Burnet has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[7] [8] Some temperatures at 90 °F (32 °C) or above have been observed in every month of the year.

Climate data for Burnet, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 95
(35)
100
(38)
100
(38)
102
(39)
104
(40)
110
(43)
114
(46)
114
(46)
108
(42)
105
(41)
92
(33)
92
(33)
114
(46)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 58.6
(14.8)
62.6
(17.0)
69.9
(21.1)
77.2
(25.1)
83.8
(28.8)
90.4
(32.4)
93.9
(34.4)
94.5
(34.7)
87.6
(30.9)
78.5
(25.8)
67.5
(19.7)
59.8
(15.4)
77.0
(25.0)
Daily mean °F (°C) 46.5
(8.1)
50.5
(10.3)
57.7
(14.3)
65.0
(18.3)
73.0
(22.8)
79.5
(26.4)
82.6
(28.1)
82.7
(28.2)
76.1
(24.5)
66.3
(19.1)
55.8
(13.2)
48.0
(8.9)
65.3
(18.5)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 34.4
(1.3)
38.4
(3.6)
45.5
(7.5)
52.8
(11.6)
62.2
(16.8)
68.7
(20.4)
71.4
(21.9)
70.8
(21.6)
64.6
(18.1)
54.1
(12.3)
44.2
(6.8)
36.1
(2.3)
53.6
(12.0)
Record low °F (°C) −4
(−20)
−1
(−18)
12
(−11)
27
(−3)
34
(1)
46
(8)
54
(12)
50
(10)
38
(3)
22
(−6)
15
(−9)
−4
(−20)
−4
(−20)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.94
(49)
1.95
(50)
2.86
(73)
2.32
(59)
4.07
(103)
3.17
(81)
2.09
(53)
2.42
(61)
3.39
(86)
3.57
(91)
2.64
(67)
1.92
(49)
32.34
(821)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.25)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.25)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 5.9 6.4 7.1 5.4 7.6 6.0 4.1 4.5 5.7 5.7 5.9 5.9 70.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2
Source: NOAA[9][10]

History

[edit]

In December 1847, a company of the Texas Ranger Division commanded by Henry E. McCulloch established a station at the site of present-day Burnet for the protection of frontier settlers from Indian raids. In March 1849, the station was chosen as a federal fort and named Fort Croghan.[11]

A town was founded next to Fort Croghan in 1852, when Burnet County was established. The town was originally named Hamilton after John Hamilton, who owned a league and labor of land nearby. In August 1852, a post office was established in Hamilton and named Burnet Courthouse. In 1857, 35 residents of the town petitioned the state legislature to change the name of the town to Burnet since another town in Texas was named Hamilton; the name was changed in 1858. Major growth occurred with the arrival of the Austin and Northwestern Railroad in April 1882, when Burnet became the railhead for the area to the west. After the railroad was extended to Llano in 1892, Burnet declined as a supply point and became a farming and livestock center. The City of Burnet was incorporated in 1933.[12]

The Burnet Bulletin newspaper has served the community since 1873 and is the official paper of record for the city and Burnet County.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870280
188049075.0%
18901,454196.7%
19001,003−31.0%
1910981−2.2%
1920966−1.5%
19301,0559.2%
19401,94584.4%
19502,39423.1%
19602,214−7.5%
19702,86429.4%
19803,41019.1%
19903,4230.4%
20004,73538.3%
20105,98726.4%
20206,4367.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

2020 census

[edit]
Burnet racial composition[15]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 4,415 68.6%
Black or African American (NH) 152 2.36%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 21 0.33%
Asian (NH) 82 1.27%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 0.03%
Some other race (NH) 27 0.42%
Mixed/multiracial (NH) 229 3.56%
Hispanic or Latino 1,508 23.43%
Total 6,436

As of the 2020 United States census, 6,436 people, 2,142 households, and 1,363 families resided in the city. The population density was 693.1 inhabitants per square mile (267.6/km2). The 1,813 housing units had an average density of 265.4/sq mi (102.5/km2). Of the 1,661 households, 31.7% had children under 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were not families. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46, and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the age distribution of the population was 23.9% under 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,093, and for a family was $37,604. Males had a median income of $25,663 versus $17,163 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,749. About 11.8% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under 18 and 15.2% of those 65 or over.

Economy

[edit]

Major employers in Burnet include the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District (285 employees), Entegris [manufacturer of materials for semiconductor and flat panel industry] (180), Burnet County government (140), Seton Highland Lakes Hospital (120), Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice substance abuse facility (120), City of Burnet government (120), H.E.B. grocery store (100), Sure Cast (92), Hoover Companies (90), Southwestern Graphite Co. (45), Whataburger (40), Bilbrough Marble Co. (25), Lone Star Industries (25), and Dash Covers, Inc. (25).[17]

Education

[edit]

Burnet is served by Burnet Consolidated Independent School District and home to the Burnet High School Bulldogs.

Located outside of Burnet is a summer camp called Camp Longhorn that has three branches (Inks Lake, Indian Springs, and C3).

Transportation

[edit]

Burnet is served by two primary highways:

Rail service is provided by the Hill Country Flyer steam train from Cedar Park. The Hill Country Flyer is operated every Saturday in January and February, most Saturdays and Sundays March–May, and most Saturdays in October and November.

Burnet Municipal Airport, also known as Kate Craddock Field (ICAO Code KBMQ), is a general-aviation airport located about a mile south of State Highway 29 on U.S. Highway 281. It has a 5,000-foot (1,500 m) lighted runway with a full-length taxiway, which can accommodate aircraft with up to 34,000 pounds (15,000 kg) per wheel. The airport is home to the Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force.[18][19]

Tourist attractions

[edit]

Attractions in the Burnet area include the Highland Lakes, Longhorn Cavern, Inks Lake State Park, the Historic Burnet Square, the Highland Lakes Air Museum, Hill Country Motorheads Vintage Motorcycle Museum Fort Croghan Museum and Grounds, the Vanishing Texas River Cruise, Hamilton Creek Park, Spider Mountain Bike Park, Galloway Hammond Recreation Center, Delaware Springs Golf Course, and the Austin Steam Train Association's Hill Country Flyer.

The Historic Square features buildings from as early as the 1880s, which offer a variety of unique shops and eateries.

Notable people

[edit]
[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Burnet, Texas
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Burnet city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  6. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Burnet city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  7. ^ "Burnet, Texas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)".
  8. ^ "Climate Map Texas". Wikipedia. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  9. ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  10. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  11. ^ "History of the Fort", "History of the Fort". Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved April 12, 2008.. Retrieved on 2008-04-11
  12. ^ "The Handbook of Texas Online – BURNET, Texas", https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hgb13. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  17. ^ Burnet Chamber of Commerce, http://www.burnetchamber.org/6667907_65735.htm. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
  18. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 27, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ^ "AirNav: KBMQ - Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field".
  20. ^ "Doak Field Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011.
  21. ^ Branham, Charles N., ed. (January 1948). "Be Thou At Peace: Andrew Moses". Assembly. West Point, NY. p. 6 – via West Point Digital Library.
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[16]
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