Azle(/ˈeɪzəl/AY-zəl) is a city west ofFort WorthinParkerandTarrantCounties in theU.S. stateofTexas.As of the2020 census,the city population was 13,369.
City of Azle, Texas | |
|---|---|
     | |
| Coordinates:32°53′05″N97°32′02″W/ 32.88472°N 97.53389°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Counties | Parker,Tarrant[1] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
• Total | 8.81 sq mi (22.82 km2) |
| • Land | 8.79 sq mi (22.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2) 0.20% |
| Elevation | 725 ft (221 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 13,369 |
• Estimate (2021) | 13,518 |
| • Density | 1,500/sq mi (590/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6(CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5(CDT) |
| ZIP code | 76020 |
| Area codes | 682,817 |
| FIPS code | 48-05168[4] |
| GNISfeature ID | 2409766[3] |
| Website | www.cityofazle.org |
Azle is the home of the Azle Marching Green Pride marching band and the Fighting Azle Hornets.
History
editThe first recorded settlement at the site occurred in 1846, when James Azle Steward, a young doctor, moved into a log cabin built by aDutchmannamed Rumsfeldt. Other settlers came and established themselves near the local streams, Ash Creek, Silver Creek, and Walnut Creek. Steward helped establish the first cemetery, Ash Creek. The oldest graves there are those of Dave Morrison (1849–1874) and W. P. Gregg (1833–1874).[5]The first post office opened in 1881, and the town took the name of O'Bar, in honor of the man who obtained the postal service. A short time later in 1883, the name was changed to Azle at the request of Steward, who donated the land for a townsite.[6]The community's economy was based onagriculture.Several crops were grown, includingwheat,corn,peanuts,sorghum,andcotton.Watermelons,cantaloupes,peaches,plums,andpearswere also produced.Dairy farmingbecame important in the early decades of the 20th century, when local milk products were sold tocreameriesin Fort Worth. Azle's population grew steadily, and by 1920, the census recorded 150 residents. By 1933, State Highway 34 (later State Highway 199) had reached Azle from Fort Worth, greatly improving transportation between the town and the city. Also,Eagle Mountain Lakewas formed by a dam on theTrinity River,east of Azle.
In the late 1930s, electricity was supplied to Azle and the surrounding countryside. The population grew between 1940 and 1960 from 800 to 2,696. It was 5,822 by 1980. After the 1930s, agriculture gradually declined; fields were converted from wheat and corn production tohousing developments.Manufacturingincreased, and in 1984, Azle had 26 businesses. In 1985, the population was estimated at more than 7,000. In 1990, the population was 8,868. It grew to 9,600 by 2000.[7]
Geography
editAzle is onState Highway 199,17 miles (27 km) northwest of downtownFort Worth,in the northwest corner of Tarrant County; the town extends partly into Parker County.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 8.8 square miles (22.9 km2), of which 8.8 square miles (22.8 km2) is land and 0.015 square miles (0.04 km2), or 0.20%, is covered by water.[8]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2,969 | — | |
| 1970 | 4,493 | 51.3% | |
| 1980 | 5,822 | 29.6% | |
| 1990 | 8,868 | 52.3% | |
| 2000 | 9,600 | 8.3% | |
| 2010 | 10,947 | 14.0% | |
| 2020 | 13,369 | 22.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 14,562 | [9] | 8.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White(NH) | 10,660 | 79.74% |
| Black or African American(NH) | 214 | 1.6% |
| Native AmericanorAlaska Native(NH) | 71 | 0.53% |
| Asian(NH) | 111 | 0.83% |
| Pacific Islander(NH) | 6 | 0.04% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 18 | 0.13% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial(NH) | 660 | 4.94% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,629 | 12.18% |
| Total | 13,369 |
As of the2020 United States census,there were 13,369 people, 4,705 households, and 3,499 families residing in the city.
Economy
editTop employers
editAccording to Azle's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[15]the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azle ISD | 992 |
| 2 | Walmart | 426 |
| 3 | Texas Health/Harris Methodist Hospital | 240 |
| 4 | Tri-County Electric Coop | 142 |
| 5 | City of Azle | 139 |
| 6 | Azle Manor Nursing Home | 125 |
| 7 | Integrated Machine Solutions | 117 |
| 8 | Rockwell American (Quality Trailer) | 105 |
| 9 | Albertson's Grocery | 100 |
| 10 | Brookshire's Grocery | 90 |
Education
editThe City of Azle is served by theAzle Independent School District.The Azle High SchoolMath/ScienceandJournalismteams combined won the 2005 UIL State Academic Meet championship with a total of 110 points. In 2003, 2007, and 2009, the Marching Green Pride band of Azle directed by Dr. Ross Grant advanced to the State Marching competition inSan Antonio.In November 2011, the Marching Green Pride, under the direction of Shawn Murphy, placed 18th out of 244 4A marching bands in the state of Texas. In 2013, the Marching Green Pride placed 13th out of the same category.
Notable people
edit- John Atwell,NASCAR driver
- James Caseyprofessional football coach
- Andrew Greer,musician
- Stephanie Klick,member of theTexas House of Representativesfrom District 91
- Robert Landers,Senior PGA golfer
- Ken Maddox,California politician, Azle High School alumnus
- Les Peden,American baseball player
- James Reasoner,author of over 150 Westerns
- Jon Shirley,president of Microsoft Corporation
- Chas Skelly,UFC Fighter
- Red Steagall,American actor, musician, poet, and stage performer
- Shelbi Vaughan,Olympic discus thrower
- John T. Walker,USMC Lieutenant General
References
edit- ^"Azle, Texas".citytowninfo.com.QuinStreet, Inc.
- ^"2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedAugust 7,2020.
- ^abU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Azle, Texas
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
- ^"Historical Markers in Tarrant County - pg. 13".Tarrant County TXGenWeb.
- ^Texas State Historical Commission."James Azle Steward Historical Marker".
- ^Ruby Schmidt, ed., Fort Worth and Tarrant County (Fort Worth: Texas Christian University Press, 1984). Kathleen E. and Clifton R. St. Clair, eds., Little Towns of Texas (Jacksonville, Texas: Jayroe Graphic Arts, 1982).
- ^"Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Azle city, Texas".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 29,2011.
- ^"Population and Housing Unit Estimates".United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020.RetrievedMay 27,2020.
- ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
- ^Bureau, US Census."City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023".Census.gov.RetrievedNovember 15,2024.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^"Explore Census Data".data.census.gov.RetrievedMay 21,2022.
- ^"Census.gov".Census.gov.
- ^"About the Hispanic Population and its Origin".www.census.gov.RetrievedMay 18,2022.
- ^City of Azle ACFRRetrieved 2023-08-24