Yoakum, Texas

Not to be confused with Yoakum County, Texas.

Yoakum, Texas
City
City center City center
Seal
Nickname(s): Leather Capital of Texas, Hub City of South Texas
Location of Yoakum, Texas Location of Yoakum, Texas
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Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Texas
Counties	Lavaca, DeWitt
Incorporated	May 13, 1889
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
• City council	Mayor Anita R. Rodriguez Elorine Sitka Tim McCoy Rodney Jahn Tim Faulkner
• City manager	Kevin Coleman
Area
• Total	4.59 sq mi (11.88 km2)
• Land	4.58 sq mi (11.86 km2)
• Water	0.008 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	365 ft (111.3 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	5,815
• Density	1,270/sq mi (490.3/km2)
• Demonym	Yoakumite
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	77995
Area code(s)	361
FIPS code	48-80560
GNIS feature ID	1377671
Website	www.cityofyoakum.org

Yoakum is a city in Lavaca and DeWitt counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 5,815 at the 2010 census.

Geography

Yoakum is located on the border of Lavaca and DeWitt counties at (29.291052, -97.147315). U.S. Route 77 Alternate forms the northwest boundary of the city and leads northeast 17 miles (27 km) to Hallettsville and southwest 16 miles (26 km) to Cuero. Texas State Highway 111 passes through the center of Yoakum, leading southeast 39 miles (63 km) to Edna and west 9 miles (14 km) to Hochheim. Texas State Highway 95 leaves US 77A at the north end of Yoakum and leads north 8 miles (13 km) to Shiner.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Yoakum has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), of which 0.01 square miles (0.02 km²), or 0.20%, is covered by water.

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, Yoakum has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	1,745		—
1900	3,499		100.5%
1910	4,657		33.1%
1920	6,184		32.8%
1930	5,656		−8.5%
1940	4,733		−16.3%
1950	5,231		10.5%
1960	5,761		10.1%
1970	5,755		−0.1%
1980	6,148		6.8%
1990	5,611		−8.7%
2000	5,731		2.1%
2010	5,815		1.5%
Est. 2014	5,988		3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, 5,731 people, 2,156 households, and 1,515 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,256.2 people per square mile (485.3/km²). There were 2,529 housing units at an average density of 554.3 per square mile (214.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.29% White, 11.88% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 12.41% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 33.89% of the population.

Of the 2,156 households, 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were not families. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city, the population was distributed as 29.1% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,680, and for a family was $30,556. Males had a median income of $23,226 versus $15,594 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,835. About 16.0% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• Pappy Daily, country music producer
• Wayne Graham, Major League Baseball player and baseball coach at Rice University
• Charlie Hall, linebacker for Cleveland Browns and University of Houston
• Hubert Renfro Knickerbocker, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author
• Obert Logan, former NFL safety for the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints
• Carl St.Clair, music director of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra
• Ryan Wagner, relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals

Media and journalism

• Yoakum-Herald Times, area newspaper

External links

• City of Yoakum official website
• Yoakum Chamber of Commerce
• Yoakum, from the Handbook of Texas