Overview
Ennis is a city in Ellis County, Texas (USA). The population was 18,551
at the 2005 census according to the city's official website.
In 1871, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad (H&TC) (Click to View
Article in The Handbook of Texas Online) purchased 647 acres of land in
Ellis County at a price of $5.00 per acre, establishing the line's northern
terminus. On May 8, 1872 this site was established as the City of Ennis. The
namesake of the town was Cornelius Ennis, an early official of the Houston
and Texas Central Railroad. Ennis served as Mayor of Houston (1856-1857),
was an incorporator and director of the Great Northern Railroad, and served
as a director of the H&TC Railroad.
Some persons attempt to pronounce Ennis like "Enos"; the proper
pronunciation is that it rhymes with "tennis," at least for the local
residents.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
47.7 km² (18.4 mi²). 46.6 km² (18.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²)
of it (2.17%) is water. Ennis is the highest point of land between the
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and Galveston, Texas when considering a strict
North to South line of travel.[citation needed] Ennis and its surroundings
have the highest concentration of Bluebonnets in the state of
Texas.[citation needed] Ennis is also the epicenter of Fire Ant activity in
the state.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2005, there were 18,551 people, 5,708 households, and
3,947 families residing in the city. The population density was 344.4/km²
(891.7/mi²). There were 5,618 housing units at an average density of
120.6/km² (312.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 66.57% White,
14.71% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific
Islander, 15.93% from other races, and 2.03% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 33.19% of the population.
There were 5,335 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of
18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a
female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families.
22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone
living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.45.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18,
10.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100
females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,923, and the median
income for a family was $44,608. Males had a median income of $28,585 versus
$22,855 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,677. About
10.4% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line,
including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Ennis is served by the Ennis Independent School District. A local parochial
school, St. John's, also serves the city.
Events
The city holds the annual National Polka Festival which features food,
music, dancing, and a parade through downtown.
Ennis has an annual Bluebonnet festival during the month of April.
Ennis is the only incorporated city in the United States that still elects
its City Marshal. The election is held every two years with the winner being
named Chief of Police by the City Council and City Manager. Currently the
post is held by no one