BRENHAM, TX

Brenham is a city in east-central Texas in Washington County, United States, with a population of 17,369 according to the 2020 U.S. census. It is the county seat of Washington County.

Washington County is known as the "Birthplace of Texas," as it contains the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836 in the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos. This is now a state historic site.

Brenham is also known for its annual German heritage festival that takes place each May called Maifest, similar to Volksfest. Numerous German immigrants settled here in the mid-nineteenth century, following the Revolutions in German states in 1848.

Brenham is also the Home of "The World's Largest BBQ Pit" on 290 West.

History

The area surrounding Brenham was occupied by various Native American tribes through the nineteenth century. The Brenham area was part of the Old Three Hundred, the first authorized colonization of Texas by Anglo-Americans led by Stephen F. Austin. In the 1820s and 1830s, several small communities developed in the area. In 1843, the Hickory Grove community was renamed Brenham in memory of a local physician, Richard Fox Brenham, who died while serving in the Texian militia during the Mier Expedition. On February 4, 1844, Washington County voters selected Brenham to become the county seat. German immigrants settled in Brenham as early as 1846. With the exception of the Civil War years, the German-born population of Brenham increased throughout the second half of the nineteenth century. The largest numbers of German immigrants arrived between 1880 and 1883. Jewish immigrants settled in Brenham beginning in the 1860s and established one of the first Orthodox congregations in Texas in 1885.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.8 square miles (22.7 km²), all of it land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate System describes the weather as humid subtropical, and uses the abbreviation Cfa.

Demographics

thumb|Map, 1873

thumb|Washington County Boys' Corn Club mounted and in parade, 1910

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,639 people, 6,197 households, and 3,606 families residing in the city.

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,507 people, 4,907 households, and 3,115 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,541.5 people per square mile (595.3/km²). There were 5,317 housing units at an average density of 606.8 per square mile (234.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.99% White, 21.91% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.86% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.75% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.25% of the population.

There were 4,907 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 15.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,198, and the median income for a family was $41,486. Males had a median income of $31,133 versus $22,152 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,351. About 12.8% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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Brenham is the home of and headquarters for Blue Bell Creameries. Blue Bell is the 4th best-selling ice cream brand in the United States, and is sold in 16 states.

Brenham is also home to a large Valmont Industries industrial plant, where metal poles are manufactured.

The city is the site of the Brenham State Supported Living Center, the largest facility in Texas for providing housing and care to intellectually disabled persons.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services operates the Brenham State Supported Living Center (formerly Brenham State School).

Government

The city operates as a council–manager government - as such it elects its mayor and city council, who then appoint a city manager. The mayor is elected by the city at large, while the city council is elected per-ward. There are four wards, and each ward elects a single city council member. Two additional council members are elected from the city at large. The mayor and city council members serve 4 year terms.

Education

The City of Brenham's primary education is provided by Brenham Independent School District (Brenham ISD) and various private schools. The public schools in Brenham ISD include Brenham Elementary School, Krause Elementary School, Alton Elementary School, Brenham Middle School, Brenham Junior High School, and Brenham High School. Brenham High School's mascot is the lion cub.

The traditional role of middle school is split in two in Brenham, with 5th through 6th graders attending Brenham Middle School and 7th through 8th graders attending Brenham Junior High School. In 2022, Brenham ISD proposed a project to tear down and rebuild Brenham Junior High School to be able to handle the 6th grade through 8th grade population, then convert Brenham Middle School into a third elementary school serving students up to 5th grade, however this proposal was rejected by voters.

Blinn College, the oldest county-owned junior college in Texas, is located in Brenham. Blinn has campuses also in Bryan, Schulenburg, and Sealy.

Infrastructure

The following highways pass through Brenham:

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Notable people