Talco, Texas

Talco, Texas
Talco City Hall, December 2019
Location of Talco, Texas
Coordinates: 33°21′46″N 95°06′12″W / 33.36278°N 95.10333°W / 33.36278; -95.10333
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyTitus
Area
 • Total
0.77 sq mi (1.99 km2)
 • Land0.76 sq mi (1.98 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation361 ft (110 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
494
 • Density646/sq mi (249/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Zip Code
75487
Area codes903, 430
FIPS code48-71732[3]
GNIS feature ID2412030[2]
Websitecityoftalco.com

Talco is a city in Titus County, Texas, United States. The population was 494 at the 2020 census. The name is derived either from that of a local candy bar or from the local people's saying it was "Texas-Arkansas-Louisiana country", hence Talco.[4] Other reports say that it may have been from a local company name, Texas-Arkansas-Louisiana Company.

History

Two post offices were established near the current site of Talco: Gouldsboro in 1856, and Goolesboro in 1878. Due to name conflict, the community changed its name to "Talco" based on the Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana Candy Company initials on a candy wrapper. In 1912, Talco relocated to be closer to a railroad line.

Oil was discovered in 1936, leading to a big boom in the economy. Talco called itself the "asphalt capital of the world." [5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square mile (2.0 km2), all land.

US Route 271 is the major north–south highway passing through Talco. The community is one mile east of the Franklin County line.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1940912
19509170.5%
19601,02411.7%
1970837−18.3%
1980751−10.3%
1990592−21.2%
2000570−3.7%
2010516−9.5%
2020494−4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Talco had a population of 494 people and 206 families residing in the city. The median age was 34.1 years; 28.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.0 males age 18 and over.[7]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[8]

There were 197 households in Talco, of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 34.0% were married-couple households, 25.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[7]

There were 247 housing units, of which 20.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.6%.[7]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[9]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percent
White 255 51.6%
Black or African American 84 17.0%
American Indian and Alaska Native 11 2.2%
Asian 0 0.0%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0%
Some other race 81 16.4%
Two or more races 63 12.8%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 156 31.6%

Education

The City of Talco is served by the Rivercrest Independent School District (Talco-Bogata Consolidated Independent School District prior to July 1999).[12]

It previously maintained Talco Elementary.[13] The previous Talco school opened in 1939.[14] The district began construction of the consolidated elementary on May 1, 2000 and the scheduled completion was in June 2001.[12]

See also

Notes

  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.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "City of Talco". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ Association, Texas State Historical. "History of Talco, Texas: From Post Office to Oil Boomtown". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  5. ^ Association (TSHA), Texas State Historical. "Talco". Texas Almanac. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  8. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  9. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  10. ^ https://www.census.gov/
  11. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Home". Rivercrest Independent School District. May 15, 2001. Archived from the original on May 15, 2001. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  13. ^ "Talco-Bogata Cons ISD Data". Texas Education Agency. May 4, 2001. Archived from the original on May 4, 2001. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  14. ^ "Home". Talco Elementary and Junior High. April 8, 2001. Archived from the original on April 8, 2001. Retrieved October 30, 2019.