Longview, Texas

Longview, Texas
City
Nickname(s): Balloon Capital of Texas
Motto: Real East Texas

Location of Longview, Texas
Coordinates: 32°30′33″N 94°45′14″W / 32.50917°N 94.75389°W / 32.50917; -94.75389Coordinates: 32°30′33″N 94°45′14″W / 32.50917°N 94.75389°W / 32.50917; -94.75389
Country  United States
State  Texas
Counties Gregg, Harrison
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
 • City Council Mayor Andy Mack
Ed Moore
Nona Snoddy
Kasha Williams
Kristen Ishihara
David Wright
Sidney Allen
 • City Manager David Willard
Area
 • City 54.8 sq mi (141.8 km2)
 • Land 54.7 sq mi (141.6 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation 371 ft (113 m)
Population (2010)
 • City 80,455
 • Estimate (2015 [1]) 82,287
 • Density 1,468.2/sq mi (567.38/km2)
 • Metro 204,746
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 75601–75606
Area code(s) 903
FIPS code 48-43888[2]
GNIS feature ID 1374716[3]
Website longviewtexas.gov

Longview is a city in Gregg and Harrison counties in the U.S. state of Texas. In the 2010 Census, the population was 80,455. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat;[4] a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is located in East Texas, where Interstate 20 and U.S. Highways 80 and 259 converge just north of the Sabine River.

Longview is the principal city of the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area, comprising Gregg, Upshur, and Rusk counties (population 217,481).[5] Longview is considered a major hub city for East Texas, as is the nearby city of Tyler. In 2014, Forbes magazine ranked Longview as the sixth fastest-growing small city in the United States.[6]

History

Longview sign on Interstate 20

The city of Longview was founded in the 1870s by Ossamus Hitch Methvin, Sr.[7] In 1870, Methvin sold 100 acres (40 ha) to the Southern Pacific Railroad for one dollar to persuade them to build their line in the direction of land he owned. Later that year, he sold another 100 acres (40 ha) for $500 in gold. He hoped the coming of the railroad would increase the value of the rest of his land.

Methvin also coined the name of the town when he stated, "What a long view!" from his home. In June 1871, Longview was incorporated as the first town in Gregg County.[8][7]

In July 1919, a reporter for the Chicago Defender was in Longview looking into the mysterious death of a black man named Lemuel Walters. An armed white mob attacked a home where the reporter, S.L. Jones, was staying and attempted to batter their way in. A gunfight began between the attackers and the men in the house began. Eventually, Jones made a getaway. The white men then began to burn buildings in the black section of the town.[9]

In 1942, construction began on the Big Inch pipeline in Longview. From 1943 to 1945, the pipeline transported over 261,000,000 barrels of crude oil to the East Coast.[7] At the time of construction, Big Inch and its smaller twin, Little Inch, comprised the longest petroleum pipeline ever built in the world. Both were integral in supplying the United States war effort in World War II.

Geography

Longview from above

Longview is located at 32°30′33″N 94°45′14″W / 32.50917°N 94.75389°W / 32.50917; -94.75389 (32.509147, -94.753909).[10] Longview is surrounded by many smaller cities and towns including: Kilgore, Gladewater, Gilmer, Ore City, Hallsville, Harleton, Diana, White Oak, and Lakeport. It is about 40 mi (64 km) east of the similarly sized city of Tyler.

Incorporated areas include Spring Hill, Greggton, Pine Tree, Judson, and Longview Heights.

Climate

Winter: Winters are mild. Average snowfall is less than 2 inches (5 cm), with usually one or two ice storms each winter. Normal highs are from the 50s–60s. Lows range from the 30s to the 40s. Temperature rarely dips below 20 °F and occasionally can get as warm as 80 °F during the winter months.

Spring: The season brings storms as a transition from winter to summer. Temperatures range from the 60s to 80s for the high, and the 40s to the 60s for the low. The average date of the last frost is April 4. Severe thunderstorms are common during this season as cold fronts pass though the area. This is the wettest time of year.

Summer: The summer is hot and humid. Temperatures slowly climb from the 90s to the 100s going into the dog days of summer. Lows are in the 70s. This is the driest and sunniest time of year. The heat index can climb to around 110 °F.

Fall: Fall is marked by the first cold front that knocks the 100-degree temperatures down into the 90s. Foliage begins to change in late October. Temperatures cool down and dew points drop.

Climate data for Longview, Texas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 86
(30)		 90
(32)		 97
(36)		 98
(37)		 103
(39)		 110
(43)		 108
(42)		 113
(45)		 109
(43)		 101
(38)		 93
(34)		 93
(34)		 113
(45)
Average high °F (°C) 57
(14)		 63
(17)		 70
(21)		 77
(25)		 84
(29)		 91
(33)		 94
(34)		 94
(34)		 89
(32)		 80
(27)		 63
(17)		 59
(15)		 76.8
(24.8)
Average low °F (°C) 34
(1)		 37
(3)		 44
(7)		 51
(11)		 61
(16)		 69
(21)		 72
(22)		 71
(22)		 65
(18)		 53
(12)		 43
(6)		 36
(2)		 53
(11.8)
Record low °F (°C) −4
(−20)		 3
(−16)		 17
(−8)		 20
(−7)		 37
(3)		 52
(11)		 56
(13)		 46
(8)		 38
(3)		 25
(−4)		 20
(−7)		 2
(−17)		 −4
(−20)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.79
(96.3)		 3.93
(99.8)		 4.11
(104.4)		 4.19
(106.4)		 4.79
(121.7)		 5.03
(127.8)		 2.83
(71.9)		 2.71
(68.8)		 3.81
(96.8)		 4.34
(110.2)		 4.75
(120.7)		 4.78
(121.4)		 49.06
(1,246.2)
Source: [11]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18801,525—
18902,03433.4%
19003,59176.5%
19105,15543.6%
19205,71310.8%
19305,036−11.9%
194013,758173.2%
195024,50278.1%
196040,05063.5%
197045,54713.7%
198062,76237.8%
199070,31112.0%
200073,3444.3%
201080,4559.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

In the 2010 census, Longview had a population of 80,455. The median age was 34. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 56.2% non-Hispanic white, 22.6% non-Hispanic black, 0.5% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 9.5% from some other race, 2.3% from two or more races and 18.0% Hispanic or Latino.[12]

In the census[2] of 2000, 73,344 people, 28,363 households, and 19,116 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,341.8 people per square mile (518.1/km²). The 30,727 housing units averaged a density of 562.1 per square mile (217.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.10% White, 22.11% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.92% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 10.31% of the population.

Of the 28,363 households, 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were not families. About 27.9% of all households were individuals who lived alone, and 10.7% of all households were 65 years of age or more and living alone. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.06.

The city's population had 26.7% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or more. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,858, and for a family was $42,378. Males had a median income of $33,078 versus $21,400 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,676. About 13.0% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Longview's tallest building is 10 stories and houses the Citizens National Bank. When it was built in 1956, it was built to be able to be expanded to 17 stories.
Good Shepherd Medical Center is located on U.S. Highway 80 in north Longview.
Looking west on Tyler Street in downtown Longview
LeTourneau Technologies in Longview

The economy in Longview is healthy. Despite a national downturn in the housing market, Longview has been growing, and home prices continue to rise. Some major sectors of the Longview economy include the East Texas Oil Field, services, technology, such as Exponential Networks, and manufacturing. In 2007, Longview added some major chain stores to its north side. The addition of Kohl's, two Starbucks, a new Target, a third Walmart supercenter on the south side, and a handful of hotels means Longview is becoming a regional hub for shopping. Keeping shoppers in Longview and away from Tyler, Dallas, and Shreveport has been an important strategy for the city. Most new construction has been located on the north side around Hawkins Pkwy. and US 259, with lesser development on the south side near Estes Pkwy.

In October 2007, Longview was recertified as a Texas Urban Main Street City. There are 89 cities in the Texas Main Street Program, 10 of them are Urban Main Street Cities. In December 2007, Longview was awarded the "Certified Retirement Community" designation by the Texas Department of Agriculture through its "Go Texan" initiative. Longview was also included in 2007 in the "Top 100 Best Cities for Young People."

Longview is one of several cities in East Texas that serves as a center for the "patent troll" industry, due to a perception that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas is a favorable venue for patent infringement plaintiffs.[13]

Largest employers

According to the municipal 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[14] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees Type of Business
1 Good Shepherd Medical Center 3,200 Medical/Hospital Services
2 Eastman Chemical 1,492 Chemical
3 Longview Independent School District 1,205 Public Schools
4 Walmart 1,150 Retail
5 Joy Global (formerly LeTourneau Inc.) 1,100 Heavy Equipment
6 Trinity Rail, LLC 1,100 Railway Cars
7 City of Longview 848 Government
8 Gregg Industrial Insulators 747 Contractor
9 Longview Regional Hospital 730 Medical/Hospital Services
10 Diagnostic Clinic of Longview 706 Medical/Hospital Services

Government

Local government

Longview Municipal Building
Downtown Longview in the historic district

According to the its most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $75.9 million in revenues, $87.7 million in expenditures, $47.6 million in total assets, $9.0 million in total liabilities, and $12.2 million in cash in investments.[15]

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[16]

Department Director
City Manager David Willard
Assistant City Manager Keith Bonds
Director of Finance Angela Coen
Director of Public Works Rolin McPhee
Director of Administration Mary Ann Miller
Director of Development Services Michael Shirley
Director of Community Services Laura Hill
Director of Parks and Recreation Scott Caron

State government

Longview is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Kevin Eltife, District 1, and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican David Simpson, District 7.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Longview District Parole Office in Longview.[17]

Federal government

Longview is part of Texas's 1st congressional district, which is currently represented by Republican Louie Gohmert.

The United States Postal Service operates the Longview,[18] Downtown Longview,[19] and Northwest Longview post offices.[20]

Education

S.E. Belcher, Jr. Chapel and Performance Center at LeTourneau University

Colleges and universities

The city of Longview is home to three institutions of higher learning and two trade (cosmetology) schools:

Public school districts

Longview is served by four school districts.

Public Libraries

Longview is home to the Longview Public Library. This library currently operates two branches:

Transportation

Airport

East Texas Regional Airport offers service to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport via Envoy Air. The airport continues to grow. In 2007, it was designated a foreign trade zone.

The airport is known by pilots around the region for its large, 10,000-foot (3 km) runway. It serves as a backup landing site for U.S. space shuttles. I

The Longview airport is home to the flight training program of LeTourneau University. The aeronautical students do classwork at the airport, as well as all their flight training.

Public transportation

The city's public transit system, Longview Transit, runs daily routes, excluding Sundays and holidays. Its fixed routes provide transportation to key districts throughout the city.[21]

City of Longview also operates City of Longview Transit (COLT) which provides transportation to eligible passengers as a demand response transportation service. This service is provided for those who are unable to use the regular Longview Transit fixed route service.[22]

Rail service

Amtrak passenger rail service is available on the Texas Eagle through a downtown terminal. Longview's Amtrak station is the second-busiest in Texas and the fourth-busiest station along the Texas Eagle route. The Longview Amtrak station is a connection stop where passengers can connect to Nacogdoches, Houston, and Galveston, as well as Shreveport, Louisiana, by motorcoach. Daily trains between Chicago and San Antonio stop each morning (Chicago–San Antonio) and each evening (San Antonio–Chicago). Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the Longview station serves the Chicago to Los Angeles trains. The return train, Los Angeles to Chicago, stops in Longview on Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday. It serves about 20–50 passengers per day. A proposal is in the works for a high-speed rail system from Dallas/Fort Worth to Shreveport along the I-20 corridor.

Longview is served by two freight railroad lines. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad operates two trains daily through Longview. The Union Pacific Railroad has 25 daily trains through Longview's facilities.

The Longview Economic Development Corporation website provides more details about the transportation infrastructure, including air, rail, trucking, waterways, and highway information. Many maps are also available.[23]

Roads

One Interstate freeway and two U.S. highways run through the City of Longview. Four Texas State highways also run into Longview. Two Texas State highway spurs serve to connect highways in Longview.

Longview is accessed easily by I-20. New construction has prompted some major upgrades to the city's system of roads. Medians have been added to Loop 281 as Phase I of the project is nearing completion. Phase II of the project will upgrade the road to a six-lane parkway. Slated to start in 2009, TxDOT has informed Longview officials that the funds have been withdrawn, placing Phase II on indefinite hold. TxDOT is researching an outer loop around the north side of Longview to complete the East Texas Hourglass. The road will loop around Longview and Tyler and is slated to start in 2012.

The new I-69, will be passing just east of the Longview area between Longview and Marshall, near or over the current US 59 highway.

Media

TV stations

Longview and Gregg County are part of the Tyler-Longview-Lufkin-Nacogdoches Designated Market Area, DMA #110. These in-market television stations are available over the air:

Call letters Channel number Studio location Name/Network Format
KLTV-DT 7.1 Tyler ABC-HD 720p DD5.1
7.2 Bounce TV 480i
7.3 Telemundo LaVida 480i
KYTX-DT 19.1 Tyler CBS-HD 1080i DD5.1
19.2 The CW Plus 480i
19.3 Me-TV 480i
KLGV-LD 36.1 Longview Trinity Broadcasting Network 480i
36.2 Hillsong Channel 480i
36.3 Smile of a Child TV 480i
36.4 Enlace 480i
KLPN-LD 47.1 Tyler myNetworkTV 480i
KFXK-TV 51.1 Tyler Fox-HD 720p DD5.1
KLPN-LD 51.2 myNetworkTV 480i
51.3 Escape 480i
51.4 Laff 480i
KCEB 54.1 Tyler Sonlife Broadcasting Network 480i
54.2 MundoMax 480i
54.3 Cozi TV 480i
KETK-DT 56.1 Tyler NBC-HD 1080i DD5.1
56.2 Grit 480i

The five major network stations in the market have local newscasts which all originate from Tyler. KYTX formerly presented a Longview-centered newscast, which ended in 2010. The station does still continue to broadcast Longview news from their Longview newsroom. The once-daily KFXK newscast is at 9:00 PM weekdays.

The market does not have a dedicated PBS affiliate. The acting PBS affiliate, KERA-TV Dallas, is available on cable and Dish Network. KLTS, the PBS affiliate from Shreveport, is available on digital cable and over the air in many parts of the city. DirecTV viewers in the market receive the PBS national feed.

In addition to the in-market stations, most areas can receive some or all of the following stations from the Shreveport, LA - Texarkana, TX DMA:

Call letters Channel number Studio location Name/Network Format
KTBS-HD 3.1 Shreveport ABC-HD 720p DD5.1
KTBS-WX 3.2 Mega3 Doppler Radar 480i
KTBS-DT 3.3 3 News 24/7 480i
KTAL-HD 6.1 Texarkana NBC-HD 1080i DD5.1
6.2 Laff 480i
KSLA 12.1 Shreveport CBS-HD 1080i DD5.1
12.2 Grit 480i
12.3 Bounce TV 480i
KPXJ-HD 21.1 Minden The CW HD 1080i DD5.1
21.2 Me-TV 480i
21.3 Movies! 480i
21.4 Antenna TV 480i
KLTS-DT 24.1 Shreveport LPB-HD (PBS-HD) 1080i
24.2 LPB2 (PBS-Kids 6–9 pm, PBS Encore 9 pm – 6 pm) 480i
24.3 LPB3 (PBS-Create) 480i
KMSS-DT 33.1 Shreveport Fox-HD 720p DD5.1
KSHV-TV 45.1 Shreveport myNetworkTV 480i
45.2 Escape 480i

Cable television/high-speed Internet

Newspaper

Radio

Longview and Gregg County are part of the Tyler-Longview Arbitron Radio Market, market #145. These radio stations can be reliably received in most parts of the city:

FM stations

Frequency (MHz) Call letters Licensed location Type Format Nickname
88.7 KZLO Kilgore Translator of K-LOVE Contemporary Christian K-LOVE
89.5 KVNE Tyler Primary Christian radio
89.9 KDAQ Shreveport Primary NPR, Classical, Jazz Red River Radio
90.3 KBJS Jacksonville Primary Christian talk
90.7 KTAA Big Sandy Translator of KCCV-FM Christian talk
91.3 KGLY Tyler Primary Traditional Christian
91.9 KHCJ Jefferson Translator of KHCB-FM Christian radio
92.1 KTBB-FM Tyler Primary ESPN Radio
92.3 KCUL-FM Marshall Translator of KOYE Regional Mexican La Invasora
93.1 KTYL-FM Tyler Primary Hot Adult Contemporary Mix 93-1
93.7 KXKS-FM Shreveport Primary Country Kiss Country
94.5 KRUF Shreveport Primary Top 40 K94-5
95.3 KFRO-FM Gilmer Translator of KLJT Top 40 The Breeze
96.1 KKTX-FM Kilgore Primary Classic Rock Classic Rock 96-1
96.5 KVKI-FM Shreveport Primary Adult Contemporary
98.1 KTAL-FM Texarkana/Shreveport Primary Classic rock 98Rocks
98.9 KTUX Carthage/Shreveport Primary Active Rock 99X
99.3 KAPW White Oak Primary (?) Top 40
100.3 KZQX-FM Tatum Primary Adult Standards, jazz QX-FM
100.7 KPXI Overton Primary Country
101.1 KRMD-FM Oil City Primary Country
101.5 KNUE Tyler Primary Country
101.9 K270AW Longview Translator of KDOK Classic Hits
102.3 KLJT Jacksonville Primary Top 40 The Breeze
102.7 KBLZ Winona Primary Rhythmic contemporary The Blaze
103.1 KMPA Pittsburg Primary Spanish Contemporary Kompa
103.9 KMHT-FM Marshall Primary Country/Sports
104.1 KKUS Tyler Primary Classic Country
104.3 KGAS-FM Carthage Primary Country
104.5 KJTX Jefferson Primary Gospel
104.7 KXAL-LP Chalk Hill Primary, Low Power Light Classical, Jazz
105.3 K287AJ Kilgore Translator of KDOK Classic Hits
105.7 KYKX Longview Primary Country
106.5 KOOI Jacksonville Primary Classic Hits Sunny 106.5
106.9 KAZE Ore City Translator of KBLZ Rhythmic contemporary The Blaze
107.3 KISX Whitehouse Primary Urban adult contemporary Hot 107-3 Jamz

AM stations

Frequency (kHz) Call letters Licensed location Type Format
600 KTBB Tyler Primary News/Talk/Sports
710 KEEL Shreveport Primary News/Talk/Sports
1130 KWKH Shreveport Primary Sports
1240 KDOK Kilgore Primary Classic Hits
1370 KFRO Longview Primary Fox Sports Radio
1430 KEES Gladewater Primary Black Gospel
1450 KMHT Marshall Primary ESPN Radio
1470 KWRD Henderson Primary Country

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Kotkin, Joel (2014-09-03). "America's Fastest-Growing Small Cities". Forbes. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
  7. 1 2 3 Eugene W. McWhorter, "LONGVIEW, TX (GREGG COUNTY)", Handbook of Texas Online , accessed April 12, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
  8. ↑ Beth Holloway Dodson, "METHVIN, OSSAMUS HITCH, SR.", Handbook of Texas Online <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fme57>, accessed April 12, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
  9. ↑ Onion, Rebecca. "Red Summer". Slate. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  10. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. ↑ "Average Weather for Longview, TX- Temperature and Precipitation". The Weather Channel. August 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
  12. ↑ 2010 general profile of population and housing characteristics of Longview from the U.S. census
  13. ↑ Roberts, Jeff (October 14, 2011). "How A Texas Dog Park Became A New Front In America's Patent Wars". Gigaom. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  14. ↑ City of Longview CAFR Retrieved 2012-08-04
  15. ↑ City of Longview 2007-08 CAFR Retrieved 2009-06-07 Archived October 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ City of Longview, retrieved 2009-06-03 Archived August 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ↑ "Parole Division Region I." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010. Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ "Post Office Location - Longview." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Post Office Location - Downtown Longview." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Post Office Location - Northwest Longview." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  21. ↑ Source: City of Longview website
  22. ↑ Source: City of Longview website
  23. ↑ Archived November 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  24. ↑ "Chris Davis Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  25. ↑ The official website of Kristy Hawkins
  26. ↑ Olano, Joseph A. (14 April 2010). "Retiree speaks of experiences as a Tuskegee Airman". Air Force Print News Today. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  27. ↑ "Membership in the Louisiana State Senate, 1880–2012" (PDF). legis.state.la.us. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Malcolm Kelly". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Lee Lacy Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Charlie Neal Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Robert Newhouse". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Diane Porter Patrick". intelius.com. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  33. ↑ "James Scott". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Sam West Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
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