Overview
Benbrook is a city located in the southwestern corner of Tarrant County,
Texas, in Texas's 12th congressional district. In 2004, the population was
21,646 according to the United States Census Bureau, up from 20,208 in 2000
and 19,564 in 1990.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
31.2 km² (12.1 mi²); 29.7 km² (11.4 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²)
of it is water. The total area is 4.98 percent water, and the primary body
of water is Benbrook Lake, formed in 1952 after the construction of Benbrook
Dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which began in May 1947.
Demographics and Population Growth
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 20,208 people, 8,599 households, and
5,778 families residing in the city. The population density was 681.4/km²
(1,764.5/mi²). There were 8,914 housing units at an average density of
300.6/km² (778.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.30 percent
White, 4.42 percent African American, 0.50 percent Native American, 2.14
percent Asian, 0.04 percent Pacific Islander, 2.71 percent from other races,
and 1.87 percent from two or more races. 6.96 percent of the population were
Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of 8,599 households, 28.5 percent had children under the age of 18 living in
them, 56.0 percent were married couples living together, 8.7 percent had a
female householder with no husband present, and 32.8 percent were classified
as non-families by the U.S. Census Bureau. Individual households made up
28.1 percent of the population, and 7.8 percent of all households had
someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. Of the 8,599
households, 315 consisted of unmarried partners: 251 unmarried heterosexual,
50 same-sex male, and 14 same-sex female households. The average household
size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out: 22.3 percent under the age of 18,
7.6 percent ranging from 18 to 24, 29.8 percent ranging from 25 to 44, 25.7
percent from 45 to 64, and 14.7 percent who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $50,978, and the median
income for a family was $63,529. Males had a median income of $42,270 versus
$30,030 for females, demonstrating a significant amount of income inequality
based on gender. The per capita income for the city was $26,781. According
to the American Community Survey, carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau, the
median income for Texas in 2004 was $41,759. The national median income was
$44,684. Benbrook’s median income also ranked below that of West Virginia
(the state with the lowest median income), which was $31,504 in 2004.
As of the 2000 census, 4.4 percent of Benbrook residents fall below the
poverty line, while 2.5 percent of families fall below this line, while 12
percent of families headed by females fall below this line. Out of the total
population, 4.3 percent of those under the age of 18 and 2.9 percent of
those 65 and older are currently living below the poverty line.
In 1960, the population of Benbrook was 3,254; by 1970, it was 8,169; and by
1980, it was 13,579.
Prohibition and Alcohol Sales
In 1949, two years after Benbrook was incorporated as a village, the sale of
liquor and beer was made illegal. In 1951, the citizens voted to make
taverns illegal. A few years later, in 1954, an election was held to
determine the legality of selling alcohol for “off-premise consumption,” but
there were not enough votes to allow its sale. In 1971, the residents of
Benbrook chose to prohibit all alcohol sales, except for beer to be imbibed
off-premises.
Education
The Fort Worth Independent School District oversees Benbrook's public
schools.
Two elementary schools, Benbrook Elementary and Westpark Elementary, are
located in Benbrook. Waverly Park Elementary in Fort Worth also serves
portions of Benbrook. After completion of their elementary education,
Benbrook children proceed to Leonard Sixth Grade Center and then Leonard
Middle School. Both schools are in Fort Worth. Finally Benbrook children go
to Western Hills High School in Benbrook.
According to data gathered by the U.S. Census in 2000, a high school diploma
was the highest level of educational attainment for 23.7 percent of the
population aged 25 or older; the national average was 28.6 percent for this
category. Approximately 22.6 percent of residents aged 25 and over had a
Bachelor's degree, compared to the national average of 15.5 percent, while
7.6 percent had a Master's degree and 0.7 percent had earned a Doctoral
degree, compared with the national average of 5.9 and 1 percent,
respectively.