Longview, Texas

Longview is the 47th largest city in the state of Texas. The city is mostly located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; a small part of Longview extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. Longview is located in East Texas, where Interstate 20 and U.S. Highways 80 and 259 converge just north of the Sabine River. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the city had a population of 81,638. Longview is the principal city of the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area, comprising Gregg, Upshur, and Rusk Counties. The population of the metropolitan area as of 2017 census estimates is 217,481.[3]

Longview, Texas
City
City of Longview
Downtown Longview
Nickname(s): 
Balloon Race Capital of Texas
Motto(s): 
Real East Texas
Location of Longview in Gregg and Harrison counties in the U.S. state of Texas
Longview, Texas
Location of Longview in the contiguous United States
Longview, Texas
Longview, Texas (the United States)
Coordinates: 32°30′33″N 94°45′14″W
Country United States
State Texas
CountiesGregg, Harrison
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Andy Mack
Temple Carpenter, III
Nona Snoddy
Wray Wade
Kristen Ishihara
David Wright
Steve Pirtle
 • City ManagerRolin McPhee
 • Assistant City ManagerMaryAnn Hagenbucher
Area
[1]
 • City55.93 sq mi (144.85 km2)
 • Land55.83 sq mi (144.59 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation
371 ft (113 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • City81,683
 • Density1,500/sq mi (560/km2)
 • Metro
217,481[3]
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
75601–75606
Area code(s)903 and 430
FIPS code48-43888[4]
GNIS feature ID1374716[5]
Websitewww.longviewtexas.gov

Longview was established in 1870 in what was at the time southern Upshur County. The town incorporated in 1871. After Gregg County was created in 1873, Longview was voted the county seat. Today, Longview is considered a major hub city for the region, as is the nearby city of Tyler. Companies with significant presence in Longview are Eastman Chemical, Trinity Rail Group, AAON Coil Products and Komatsu Mining. Colleges and universities in the area include LeTourneau University, Kilgore College and the University of Texas at Tyler's Longview University Center.

History

Longview was founded in 1869 by , Sr.[6] 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 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.[7][6]

In 1884 the Mobberly Hotel opened for business servicing railroad travelers and served as the center of social gatherings for Longview. The hotel featured cherry wood furniture with carved bed posts, marble top washstand, linen table cloths, electric crystal chandeliers and a fireplace in every room. Mobberly was located in the junction part of town near the train depot. The hotel was destroyed by fire on June 13, 1965.

In the Longview race riot 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. Eventually, Jones made a getaway. The white men then began to burn buildings in the black section of the town.[8]

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.[6] 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.

After World War II Longview's population grew from 24,502 to 40,050 in 1960, its growth fueled by migration from rural Gregg County and the annexation of Greggton and Spring Hill.[9]

Geography

Longview is bordered to the west by the city of White Oak.

Climate
Climate data for Longview, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1902–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 86
(30)		 90
(32)		 97
(36)		 95
(35)		 103
(39)		 110
(43)		 108
(42)		 113
(45)		 109
(43)		 101
(38)		 93
(34)		 93
(34)		 113
(45)
Average high °F (°C) 57.6
(14.2)		 62.0
(16.7)		 69.5
(20.8)		 76.7
(24.8)		 83.9
(28.8)		 90.2
(32.3)		 93.6
(34.2)		 94.2
(34.6)		 88.8
(31.6)		 79.0
(26.1)		 67.9
(19.9)		 59.5
(15.3)		 76.9
(24.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 46.0
(7.8)		 49.8
(9.9)		 57.2
(14.0)		 64.2
(17.9)		 72.8
(22.7)		 79.8
(26.6)		 83.0
(28.3)		 83.0
(28.3)		 76.9
(24.9)		 66.2
(19.0)		 55.4
(13.0)		 47.8
(8.8)		 65.2
(18.4)
Average low °F (°C) 34.3
(1.3)		 37.7
(3.2)		 44.9
(7.2)		 51.8
(11.0)		 61.7
(16.5)		 69.5
(20.8)		 72.5
(22.5)		 71.7
(22.1)		 64.9
(18.3)		 53.3
(11.8)		 43.0
(6.1)		 36.2
(2.3)		 53.5
(11.9)
Record low °F (°C) −4
(−20)		 −5
(−21)		 17
(−8)		 20
(−7)		 37
(3)		 52
(11)		 56
(13)		 53
(12)		 38
(3)		 25
(−4)		 18
(−8)		 2
(−17)		 −5
(−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.27
(108)		 4.07
(103)		 4.68
(119)		 4.34
(110)		 4.92
(125)		 4.33
(110)		 2.50
(64)		 2.84
(72)		 3.48
(88)		 4.33
(110)		 3.78
(96)		 4.64
(118)		 48.18
(1,224)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.4
(1.0)		 0.3
(0.76)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.7
(1.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 8.5 8.8 8.8 7.3 8.0 7.3 5.5 5.8 5.7 6.7 7.4 9.0 88.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4
Source: NOAA[10][11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
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%
202081,6381.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
[12] 2020[2]

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.[13]

In the census[4] 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, the 10-story VeraBank
CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center
Looking west on Tyler Street in downtown Longview

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.[14]

Largest employers

According to the municipal Fiscal Year 2018–2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[15] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees Type of Business
1 CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center 2,532 Medical/Hospital Services
2 Eastman Chemical 1,447 Chemical
3 Longview Independent School District 1,400 Public Schools
4 Longview Regional Medical Center 1,125 Medical/Hospital Services
5 Walmart 1,057 Retail
6 Trinity Rail, LLC 960 Railway Cars
7 City of Longview 912 Government
8 Pine Tree Independent School District 680 Public Schools
9 Komatsu 604 Manufacturing
10 Gregg County 575 Government

Arts and culture

Longview Public Library operates a main branch, and the Broughton Branch.

Longview’s cultural district—a 320-acre (130 ha) area in downtown Longview which includes museums, restaurants, parks, live music, theater, and historic buildings—was designated by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2019.[16]

The 29-acre (12 ha) Longview Arboretum and Nature Center opened in 2019.[17][18]

Parks and recreation

Longview is home to more than 30 public parks that include 6 Athletic Complexes, 5 Splash Pads, 3 DiscGolf Courses, 2 Public Swimming Pools, and 1 Action Sports Complex.

Longview also houses 3 city recreation centers.

The city has a vast trail system that is being connected to create 10 consecutive miles of connected walking/biking trails.[19]

Government

Local government
Longview Municipal Building

According to the 2007 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.[20]

The current city manager is Rolin McPhee.[21] Bonds retired January 31, 2022 and Rolin McPhee became the City Manager on February 1.[22]

With the addition of McPhee as City Manager, the City of Longview will underwent some restructuring namely adding an Assistant City Manager, MaryAnn Hagenbucher.[22]

State government

Longview is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Bryan Hughes, District 1, and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican Jay Dean, District 7.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Longview District Parole Office in Longview.[23]

Federal government

Longview is part of Texas's 1st congressional district, which is currently represented by Republican Louie Gohmert. Gohmert announced he is not seeking reelection in 2022. Gohmert has represented Longview since 2004.

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.

Media

TV stations

The Gregg County portion of Longview is part of the Tyler-Longview-Lufkin-Nacogdoches Designated Market Area, and the Harrison County portion of Longview is within the Shreveport-Texarkana market.[24]

KLGV-LD broadcasts from Longview.

Newspaper

FM stations
101.9K270AWLongviewTranslator of KDOKClassic Hits
105.7KYKXLongviewPrimaryCountry

AM station
Frequency (kHz)Call lettersLicensed locationTypeFormat
1370KFROLongviewPrimaryFox Sports Radio

Infrastructure

Airport

East Texas Regional Airport is located south of Longview.

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.[25]

City of Longview Transit (COLT) provides transportation demand-response transportation services for those who are unable to use the regular Longview Transit fixed-route service.[26]

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. 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. From the station, passengers can connect to Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Houston, and Galveston, as well as Shreveport, Louisiana, by motorcoach. A proposal is in the works for a high-speed rail system from Dallas/Fort Worth to Shreveport along the I-20 corridor, bringing passenger rail service to that corridor for the first time since the Texas and Pacific's unnamed successor to the Louisiana Eagle in the late 1960s.[27][28][29]

Longview is served by Amtrak, the BNSF Railway, and the Union Pacific Railroad.[30]

Roads
See also: List of highways in Gregg County, Texas
  • Interstate 20, an east–west freeway, connects Longview to Dallas, about 125 mi (201 km) to the west and to Shreveport, Louisiana, around 60 mi (97 km) to the east.
  • U.S. Highway 80 runs through the central district of Longview. U.S. Hwy 80 was once a coast-to-coast highway from Tybee Beach near Savannah, Georgia, and ran continuously across the southern part of the United States to San Diego, California. Today, its western terminus is in Dallas, making the length only 1,032 mi (1,661 km).
  • U.S. Highway 259 is a 250-mile-long (400 km) north/south highway providing an alternate route to U.S. 59 between Nacogdoches, Texas, and the Oklahoma/Arkansas border just south of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Before Interstate 20, US 259 went through the center of Longview on a route now designated Texas State Highway 31 and Spur 502.
  • Texas Highway 31 runs 143.3 miles (230.6 km) east/west between Longview and Waco, Texas.
  • Texas Highway 149, 33.9 mi (54.6 km) long, connects Longview with Carthage.
  • Texas Highway 300 is a short (18.62-mile (29.97 km)) highway connecting Longview to U.S. 271 in Gilmer.
  • Texas Highway 281 is a 19.3-mile (31.1 km) loop highway that circumnavigates much of Longview from its east connection at I-20 east of the Gregg/Harrison county line to I-20 in Longview. It runs northward, westward, southward and eastward around the city.
  • Spur 502 connects north/south traffic between U.S. Hwy 80 in central Longview and U.S. Hwy 259 north of Longview.
  • Spur 63 runs north/south through Longview connecting TX Hwy 31 at its Longview terminus with Spur 502 north of TX Loop 281.

Notable people

See also

References
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  2. "QuickFacts: Longview city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  3. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 – United States – Metropolitan Statistical Area (GCT-PEPANNRES)". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
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  13. 2010 general profile of population and housing characteristics of Longview from the U.S. census
  14. Roberts, Jeff (October 14, 2011). "How A Texas Dog Park Became A New Front In America's Patent Wars". Gigaom. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  15. CAFR FY 18-19, retrieved January 29, 2021 Archived October 16, 2020(Date mismatch), at the Wayback Machine
  16. "About Arts!Longview | Visit Longview TX". www.visitlongviewtexas.com. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  17. "About | Longview Arboretum". www.longviewarboretum.org. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  18. Reports, From Staff. "Phase 1 of Longview Arboretum and Nature Center to open Nov. 2". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  19. "Facilities | Longview, TX". www.longviewtexas.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  20. City of Longview 2007–08 CAFR Retrieved June 7, 2009 Archived October 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  21. City of Longview, retrieved December 2, 2021 Archived November 28, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
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  26. Source: City of Longview website Archived October 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
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