Wilmer, Texas

Wilmer is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,682 at the 2010 census.[5] It is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area.

City of Wilmer, Texas
City
City Hall
City Hall
Location of Wilmer in Dallas County, Texas
Location of Wilmer in Dallas County, Texas
Coordinates: 32°35′27″N 96°40′57″W
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyDallas City Type: Rural
Government
 • MayorSheila Petta
Area
[1]
 • Total6.40 sq mi (16.57 km2)
 • Land6.34 sq mi (16.43 km2)
 • Water0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Elevation
466 ft (142 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,682
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
4,772
 • Density752.09/sq mi (290.37/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
75172
Area code(s)214, 469, 945, 972
FIPS code48-79576[3]
GNIS feature ID1350245[4]
Websitehttp://www.cityofwilmer.net/

Geography

Wilmer is located at 32°35′27″N 96°40′57″W (32.590743, –96.682619).[6] It is situated along Interstate 45 in southeastern Dallas County, approximately 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown Dallas.[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.7 km2), of which 6.4 square miles (16.5 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.82%, is water.[8]

History

The area was initially settled by Andrew K. Gray before 1850. The settlement was originally known as Prairie Valley when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad arrived in 1872.[9] In 1884, the post office in Prairie Valley was renamed Wilmer, after A.J. Wilmer, a conductor on the Houston and Texas Central line. The population was estimated at 100 in 1890, with several stores and businesses operation in the community. That figure had risen to over 200 by the start of World War I. A fire destroyed most of Wilmer's business district on July 4, 1929. The community's shallow wells were unable to pump the adequate amount of water needed to extinguish the blaze.

Wilmer incorporated in 1945, and its first mayor, J.H. May, was elected on a platform of installing a water system. At the time of incorporation, Wilmer had 136 homes and a population of approximately 450. In 1949, a volunteer fire department was established and a fire truck was purchased. Around the same time, Wilmer and the neighboring city of Hutchins consolidated their schools.[7] By 1960, Wilmer was home to 1,785 residents. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, Wilmer continued to grow, but at a much slower rate than other communities in Dallas County.[9] With 3,393 residents as of the 2000 census, Wilmer is currently one of the smallest incorporated cities in Dallas County.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1950465—
19601,785283.9%
19701,9227.7%
19802,36723.2%
19902,4794.7%
20003,39336.9%
20103,6828.5%
2019 (est.)4,772[2]29.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
Wilmer racial composition as of 2020[11]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 765 15.38%
Black or African American (NH) 1,367 27.48%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 15 0.3%
Asian (NH) 11 0.22%
Pacific Islander (NH) 7 0.14%
Some Other Race (NH) 9 0.18%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 109 2.19%
Hispanic or Latino 2,691 54.1%
Total 4,974

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,974 people, 1,576 households, and 1,095 families residing in the city.

Economy

Union Pacific's Dallas Intermodal Terminal is located partly in the city of Wilmer and partly in the city of Hutchins.[14] The shipping facility, built by AUI Contractors, Prime Rail Interests and Halff Associates, was a 70 million U.S. dollar project. After Union Pacific (UP) chose Wilmer for its global intermodal facility, the City attracted Fortune 500 companies like Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Whirlpool, Ace Hardware and Medline. Wilmer offers easy access to all regional Interstates (I-45, I-20, I-30), U.S. Highways, and both international and general aviation airports (Lancaster, DFW International, Love Field).

Wilmer offers a low tax rate along with incentives that include City Tax Abatements, Economic Development Sales Tax Funds, City of Wilmer Sales Tax – 380 agreements, Triple Freeport Exemptions, State of Texas Programs, Dallas County Tax Abatements, Federal Programs including New Market Tax Credits, and a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ).[15]

Education

Wilmer is served by the Dallas Independent School District. The area is within the Board of Trustees District 5; as of 2008 Lew Blackburn represents the district.[16] As of fall 2011 the area is zoned to Eddie Bernice Johnson Elementary School,[17] Kennedy-Curry Middle School,[18] and Wilmer-Hutchins High School.[19]

In 2015 the Wilmer Early Childhood Center,[20] located on the site of the former Wlmer Elementary School, opened.[21][22]

Dallas County residents are zoned to Dallas College (formerly Dallas County Community College or DCCCD).[23]

School histories

Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District used to serve Wilmer. Until the end of the school district, Wilmer Elementary School was located in Wilmer.[24][25] In addition, Kennedy-Curry Middle School and Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas, then under WHISD control, served Wilmer.[24] WHISD was closed after spring 2005 with official termination in June 2006. After the closure of WHISD property values in the district increased.[26]

From 2005 to 2009 Wilmer was served by various DISD schools. From 2005 to 2006[27] to 2008–2009 W. W. Bushman,[28][29] B. F. Darrell,[30][31] J. N. Ervin,[32][33] and Whitney M. Young elementary schools served sections of Wilmer.[34][35] From 2009–2010 to 2010–2011 only Bushman,[36][37] Ervin,[38][39] and Young served sections of Wilmer.[40][41]

In the 2005–2006[42] and the 2006–2007 school years Sarah Zumwalt Middle School served as Wilmer's middle school.[43] From 2006–2007 to 2010–2011 Zumwalt (Darrell, Young, and Ervin zones) and Maynard H. Jackson Middle School (Bushman zone) served portions of Wilmer.[44][45][46][47]

From 2005–2006 to 2010–2011 A. Maceo Smith High School served as Wilmer's high school.[48][49][50]

Dallas ISD was considering opening a new Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School building, restoring the Wilmer-Hutchins High School building, and demolishing the Kennedy-Curry Middle School building as part of its 2008 bond campaign.[51] The district will open Wilmer Hutchins Elementary School in an area within the City of Dallas in 2011.[52][53] In November 2010 DISD announced that three schools (Wilmer Hutchins ES, Kennedy-Curry Middle School, and Wilmer-Hutchins HS) would open/re-open in the Wilmer-Hutchins area in 2011.[54]

The charter school group Honors Academy previously operated Wilmer Academy, a K–8 school, in Wilmer.[55]

A new DISD elementary school in Wilmer, named after Eddie Bernice Johnson, opened in 2020.[56]

Government

The Wilmer City Council is composed of a Mayor and five Council Members, which are elected at large on staggered two year terms. The City Council's policy-making duties include adoption of the annual tax rate, water and sewer rates, annual operating budget, and regulatory ordinances. The City Council appoints the City Administrator, City Secretary, City Attorney, Municipal Judge, and board and commission members. Meeting agendas, public hearings, legal notices, and city ordinances are published in the official newspaper, Ellis County Press.[57]

City Council Members
  • Sheila Petta, Mayor
  • Candy Madrigal, Mayor Pro-Tem
  • Jeff Steele, Council Member  
  • Phyllis Slough, Council Member
  • Sergio Campos, Council Member
  • Melissa Ramirez, Council Member  

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.[12][13]

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Wilmer city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. "Wilmer, Texas". Texas Escapes Online Magazine. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  8. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Wilmer city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  9. "Wilmer, Texas". The Handbook of Texas online. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  12. https://www.census.gov/
  13. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  14. UP: Dallas Intermodal Terminal
  15. "Wilmer Economic Development Corporation."
  16. "Board of Trustees." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on November 24, 2008.
  17. "Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy" (PDF). Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  18. ""Kennedy-Curry Middle School" (PDF). Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  19. "Wilmer-Hutchins High School" (PDF). Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  20. "DISD Opens New Early Childhood Centers To Delight Of Parents". KTVT. July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  21. "Home". Wilmer Early Childhood Center. Retrieved April 7, 2020. 211 Walnut St., Wilmer, TX 75172
  22. "Our Schools". Wilmer Hutchins Independent School District. October 8, 2003. Archived from the original on October 8, 2003. Retrieved April 7, 2020. Wilmer Elementary 211 Walnut Street Wilmer, Texas 75172
  23. Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.176. DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  24. "Campuses." Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District. April 5, 2002. Retrieved on September 3, 2011. "Wilmer Elementary 211 Walnut Street Wilmer, Texas 75172"
  25. "Our Schools." Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  26. "W-H property values increase: Schools' negative publicity had scared development, some say.." The Dallas Morning News. July 1, 2006.
  27. "Building Usage in Elementary Schools Fall 2005." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 6, 2011.
  28. "Fall 2006 W. W. Bushman Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5 with Wilmer-Hutchins." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  29. "Fall 2008 W. W. Bushman Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  30. "Fall 2006 B. F. Darrell Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5 with Wilmer-Hutchins." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  31. "Fall 2008 B. F. Darrell Elementary Attendance Zone (Grades PK-5)." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  32. "Fall 2006 J. N. Ervin Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5 with Wilmer-Hutchins." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  33. "Fall 2008 J. N. Ervin Elementary Attendance Zone (Grades PK-5)." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  34. "Fall 2006 Whitney M. Young Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5 with Wilmer-Hutchins." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  35. "Fall 2008 Whitney M. Young Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  36. "Fall 2009 W. W. Bushman Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  37. "Fall 2010 W. W. Bushman Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  38. "Fall 2009 J. N. Ervin Elementary Attendance Zone (Grades PK-5)." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  39. "Fall 2010 J. N. Ervin Elementary Attendance Zone (Grades PK-5)." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  40. "Fall 2009 Whitney M. Young Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  41. "Fall 2010 Whitney M. Young Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  42. "Building Usage in Middle Schools Fall 2005." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 6, 2011.
  43. "Fall 2006 Zumwalt Middle School (6-8) Attendance Zone with Wilmer-Hutchins." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  44. "Fall 2007 Maynard Jackson Middle School Attendance Zone Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  45. "Fall 2007 Sarah Zumwalt Middle School Attendance Zone Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  46. "Fall 2010 Sarah Zumwalt Middle School Attendance Zone Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  47. "Fall 2010 Maynard H. Jackson Middle School Attendance Zone — Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  48. "Building Usage in High Schools Fall 2005." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 6, 2011.
  49. "Fall 2006 A. Maceo Smith High School (9-12) Attendance Zone with Wilmer-Hutchins." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  50. "Fall 2010 A. Maceo Smith High School Attendance Zone with Wilmer-Hutchins — Grades 9-12." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on September 3, 2011.
  51. "Summary of Recommendations for 2008 Bond Program." Dallas Independent School District.
  52. "New Schools-2008 Bond Program." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on January 8, 2010.
  53. "2008 Bond Program Program Schedule for New Schools." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on April 27, 2009.
  54. Hobbs, Tawnell D. "Dallas school district to open 3 Wilmer-Hutchins campuses, close 2 others." The Dallas Morning News. November 24, 2010. Retrieved on July 15, 2011.
  55. "Contact Us." Wilmer Academy. Retrieved on September 6, 2011. "Address: 211 South Dallas Ave. Wilmer, Texas 75172"
  56. Belt, Mollie (September 10, 2020). "Eddie Bernice Johnson Elementary School opens in Wilmer". Dallas Examiner. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  57. "City of Wilmer website."
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