Center is a city located in Shelby County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,678. It is the county seat of Shelby County⁶.

Geography

Center is located at 31°47'37" North, 94°10'42" West (31.793705, _94.178463)¹. Center is seventeen miles from the Louisiana border and 118 miles north of Beaumont at the center of Shelby County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.2 km² (6.2 mi²). 16.1 km² (6.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.16% is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 5,678 people, 2,034 households, and 1,334 families residing in the city. The population density is 351.9/km² (911.0/mi²). There are 2,290 housing units at an average density of 141.9/km² (367.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 51.14% White, 34.22% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 10.95% from other races, and 2.99% from two or more races. 18.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,034 households out of which 32.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% are married couples living together, 20.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% are non-families. 30.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average family size is 3.23.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $26,061, and the median income for a family is $31,699. Males have a median income of $23,468 versus $19,441 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,233. 23.7% of the population and 19.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.5% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

• The Official Website of Shelby County, Texas (http://www.co.shelby.tx.us/)
• The Official Website of Center Independent School District (http://www.centerisd.org/)
• 'Center, Texas' Entry at The Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/CC/hfc5.html)

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=31.793705&longitude=-94.178463&zoom=6)
  • Topographic map from Topozone (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=31.793705&lon=-94.178463&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100)
  • Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver (http://terraserver.microsoft.com/map.aspx?t=1&s=14&lon=-94.178463&lat=31.793705&w=750&h=500)