Overview
Princeton is a city in Collin County, Texas, United States. The
population was 3,477 at the 2000 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
11.2 km² (4.3 mi²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 3,477 people, 1,238 households, and
932 families residing in the city. The population density was 309.3/km²
(801.4/mi²). There were 1,377 housing units at an average density of
122.5/km² (317.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.94% White, 0.95%
African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 4.57% from other
races, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were
10.90% of the population.
There were 1,238 households out of which 40.5% had children under the age of
18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a
female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families.
21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone
living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18,
8.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100
females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,590, and the median
income for a family was $45,948. Males had a median income of $32,852 versus
$25,021 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,092. About
6.6% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line,
including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
In the late 1870s T. B. Wilson and his brother George began farming near the
site of future Princeton. In 1881 the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad
Company extended its line from Greenville to McKinney, passing through land
owned by the brothers. The name Wilson's Switch was commonly used to
designate the area. When residents applied for a post office branch,
however, they learned that the name Wilson was already being used. The
community then submitted the name Princeton in honor of Prince Dowlin, a
landowner and promoter of the town. This name was accepted, and a post
office was established in 1888.
Princeton is the site of a prisoner of war camp for German prisoners during
the Second World War. The local farmers paid the POWs to work on their
farms. Before and after the war the camp was used as a camp for migratory
farmers. Under a special bill, the German prisoners of war were contracted
to work on the City Park located across from the city hall. The park was
built in memory of the men who served in the armed forces during World War
II.
Recently, members of the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and the
Princeton Lions Club have teamed up to annually hold the Princeton Spring
Onion Festival. It is a major festival for the town that began in 2005 and
is expected to occur on the second weekend of April each year. Among the
various events at the festival are an onion cookoff, a children's beauty
pageant, a car show, and a community Bar-B-Q dinner. Individuals and groups
selling arts and crafts also attend the festival. For more information on
the festival, visit http://www.princetononionfestival.com/
Education
The City of Princeton is served by the Princeton Independent School
District.