Pecos, Texas

{{Distinguish|Pecos County, Texas}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Pecos, Texas |settlement_type = City |nickname = Tarilas |motto =

|unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 57.56 |area_land_km2 = 57.56 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |area_total_sq_mi = 22.22 |area_land_sq_mi = 22.22 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00

|population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_total = 12916 |population_density_km2 = 224

|timezone = Central (CST) |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = -5 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GR3"/> |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = 2582 |coordinates = {{coord|31|24|56|N|103|30|0|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 79772 |area_code = 432 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 48-56516<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 1364996<ref name="GR3">{{GNIS|1364996}}</ref> |website = http://www.pecostx.gov/ |footnotes = |pop_est_as_of = |pop_est_footnotes = |population_est = |population_density_sq_mi = }} '''Pecos''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|eɪ|k|ə|s}} {{respell|PAY|kəs}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texastripper.com/pronounce/locations-p.html|title=How to Pronounce: P Cities|date=23 September 2014|work=texastripper.com|access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref>) is the largest city in and the county seat of Reeves County, Texas, United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> It is in the valley on the west bank of the Pecos River at the eastern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas and just south of New Mexico's border. Its population was 12,916 at the 2020 census.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile/Pecos_city,_Texas?g=1600000US4856516|title=Census - Geography Profile: Pecos city, Texas|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> On January 24, 2012, Pecos City appeared on the ''Forbes'' 400 as the second-fastest growing small town in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Pecos-Texas.html|title=Pecos, Texas (TX 79772) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders|work=city-data.com|access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref> The city is a regional commercial center for ranching, oil and gas production, and agriculture. The city is most recognized for its association with the local cultivation of cantaloupes.<ref>[http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5389005397&site_name=Pecos+Cantaloupe,+The&class=5000 View Atlas Data]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.raymack.com/familystories/mrcantaloupe.html |title=Pecos Cantaloupe Industry |access-date=2010-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511190758/http://www.raymack.com/familystories/mrcantaloupe.html |archive-date=2010-05-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Pecos claims to be the site of the world's first rodeo on July 4, 1883.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5389005909&site_name=World%27s+First+Rodeo&class=5000 |title=View Atlas Data |access-date=2011-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904022847/http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5389005909&site_name=World%27s+First+Rodeo&class=5000 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History== thumb|left|Signpost in Pecos thumb|left|upright|Water tower and the Santa Rosa church in Pecos, Texas Pecos is one of the numerous towns in West Texas organized around a train depot during the construction of the Texas and Pacific Railway. These towns were subsequently linked by the construction of U.S. Highway 80 and Interstate 20. Prior to the arrival of the railroad, a permanent camp existed nearby where cattle drives crossed the Pecos River. With the introduction of irrigation from underground aquifers, the city became a center of commerce for extensive local agricultural production of cotton, onions, and cantaloupes. The introduction of large-scale sulfur mining in adjacent Culberson County during the 1960s led to significant economic and population growth.<ref>{{Handbook of Texas|id=dks04|name=SULFUR INDUSTRY}}</ref> The growth was reversed after mining operations ceased in the 1990s.

In 1962, Pecos resident and tycoon Billie Sol Estes was indicted for fraud by a federal grand jury. Estes' extensive machinations caused a national-level scandal, resulting in a shakeup at the Department of Agriculture. Oscar Griffin, Jr., of the'' Pecos Independent and Enterprise'' newspaper won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking the story.

Pecos is the site of the largest private prison in the world, the Reeves County Detention Complex, operated by the GEO Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fwweekly.com/2010/03/10/private-prisons-public-pain/|title=Private Prisons, Public Pain|date=10 March 2010|work=fwweekly.com|access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref>

On December 18, 2024, a Union Pacific Railroad freight train hit a semi-trailer truck that was hauling an oversized load, with all locomotives and eleven cars derailing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/union-pacific-train-derails-after-hitting-tractor-trailer-on-texas-railroad-tracks-killing-two-video|title=Texas train derails after hitting tractor-trailer, barreling into city building: video|website=Fox News |date=December 19, 2024|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref> Both crew members onboard the leading locomotive were killed and three people on the ground were injured. The former Texas & Pacific train depot, occupied by the town's Chamber of Commerce, was damaged during the derailment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/freight-train-west-texas-derailment-6fa91d994c56c4245ae73c90ef49950c|title=2 killed, 3 injured when freight train derails in small West Texas city after collision|website=Associated Press News |date=December 19, 2024|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/as-seen-on-tv/two-men-dead-pecos-train-derailment-union-pacific/513-70e485b6-af46-4b0d-a683-3c59c54242b0|title=2 Union Pacific workers confirmed dead in train derailment in Pecos, Texas|date=December 19, 2024|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|7.3|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1890= 393 |1900= 639 |1910= 1856 |1920= 1445 |1930= 3304 |1940= 4855 |1950= 8054 |1960= 12728 |1970= 12682 |1980= 12855 |1990= 12069 |2000= 9501 |2010= 8780 |2020= 12916 |footnote=1890-2000,<ref>[http://www.texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/CityPopHist%20web.pdf Texasalmanac] (PDF-Datei; 1,13 MB)</ref> 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4856516.html|title=Population estimates, July 1, 2015, (V2015)|work=census.gov|access-date=4 September 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608075625/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4856516.html|archive-date=8 June 2013}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, Pecos had a population of 12,916. The median age was 36.9 years. 20.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 166.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 188.1 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A56516&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

97.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 2.2% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A56516&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=February 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 3,516 households in Pecos, of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.3% were married-couple households, 22.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 4,166 housing units, of which 15.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 17.9%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A56516&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 7,167 || 55.5% |- | Black or African American || 278 || 2.2% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 87 || 0.7% |- | Asian || 163 || 1.3% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 2 || 0.0% |- | Some other race || 2,097 || 16.2% |- | Two or more races || 3,122 || 24.2% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)''{{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>https://www.census.gov/ {{nonspecific|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}} || 11,129 || 86.2% |}

===2000 census=== As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, 9,501 people, 3,168 households, and 2,455 families were residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,300|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 3,681 housing units averaged 504 per mi<sup>2</sup> (194/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup of the city was 76.322% White, 2.45% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 18.07% from other races, and 22% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 79.57% of the population.

Of the 3,168 households, 39.9% had children under 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were not families. About 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.97, and the average family size was 3.47.

In the city, the age distribution was 32.5% under 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,943, and for a family was $26,376. Males had a median income of $25,867 versus $13,874 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,857. About 23% of families and 27% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36% of those under 18 and 16% of those 65 or over.

==Education==

The City of Pecos is served by the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District, which currently has four schools: Austin Elementary,(grades Pre K-1), Zavala Elementary, (grades 2-5), Crockett Middle School, (grades 6–8), and Pecos High School (grades 9–12).

==Climate== Pecos experiences a semiarid (''BSk'') to desert climate (''BWh'') with hot summers and mild winters. The city's aridity results in a substantial diurnal temperature variation, resulting in cool nights even after hot summer days.

{{Weather box|width=auto |location = Pecos, Texas |single line = Y |Jan record high F = 89 |Feb record high F = 94 |Mar record high F = 103 |Apr record high F = 106 |May record high F = 112 |Jun record high F = 118 |Jul record high F = 116 |Aug record high F = 113 |Sep record high F = 110 |Oct record high F = 106 |Nov record high F = 94 |Dec record high F = 89 |year record high F= 118 | Jan high F = 61 | Feb high F = 66 | Mar high F = 74 | Apr high F = 84 | May high F = 91 | Jun high F = 99 | Jul high F = 99 | Aug high F = 98 | Sep high F = 92 | Oct high F = 82 | Nov high F = 69 | Dec high F = 63 |year high F= 82 | Jan low F = 28 | Feb low F = 31 | Mar low F = 38 | Apr low F = 48 | May low F = 57 | Jun low F = 67 | Jul low F = 69 | Aug low F = 68 | Sep low F = 61 | Oct low F = 50 | Nov low F = 35 | Dec low F = 29 |year low F= 48 |Jan record low F = −9 |Feb record low F = −8 |Mar record low F = 12 |Apr record low F = 24 |May record low F = 30 |Jun record low F = 48 |Jul record low F = 55 |Aug record low F = 45 |Sep record low F = 37 |Oct record low F = 25 |Nov record low F = 8 |Dec record low F = 1 |year record low F= −9 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 0.42 |Feb precipitation inch = 0.38 |Mar precipitation inch = 0.33 |Apr precipitation inch = 0.57 |May precipitation inch = 1.14 |Jun precipitation inch = 1.11 |Jul precipitation inch = 1.33 |Aug precipitation inch = 1.24 |Sep precipitation inch = 1.85 |Oct precipitation inch = 1.16 |Nov precipitation inch = 0.47 |Dec precipitation inch = 0.49 |year precipitation inch= 10.48 |source 1 = Weatherbase <ref name=Weatherbase>{{cite web | url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=013492&refer=&units=us |title =Weatherbase: Weather for Pecos, Texas | publisher=Weatherbase | year=2011 }} Retrieved on November 22, 2011.</ref> |date=November 2011 }}

==Notable people==

* Billie Sol Estes, financier convicted of fraud<ref name = "bse">{{cite news |last=McFadden |first=Robert D. |title=Billie Sol Estes, Texas Con Man Whose Fall Shook Up Washington, Dies at 88 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/us/billie-sol-estes-texas-con-man-dies-at-88.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |access-date= 3 September 2016 |newspaper= The New York Times |date=May 14, 2013 |author-link=Robert D. McFadden |location=New York}}</ref> * Paul Gonzales, boxer, gold medalist at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games * Oscar Griffin, Jr., recipient of 1963 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting<ref>{{cite web|url=http://journalism100.utexas.edu/pulitzer/|title=Pulitzer Prize Awardees - The University of Texas at Austin|work=utexas.edu|access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> * Roger Mobley, later child actor, resided in Pecos in the 1950s * Abel Talamantez, singer of Menudo, MDO and the Kumbia Kings

==References== {{Reflist}} {{notelist}}

==External links== {{commons category|Pecos, Texas}} * [http://www.pecostx.gov Pecos, Texas – Official Site] * {{Handbook of Texas|id=hep04|name=Pecos, Texas}} * [http://visitpecos.com/pecos-chamber Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201702/http://visitpecos.com/pecos-chamber |date=October 18, 2018 }}

Category:Pecos, Texas Category:Cities in Reeves County, Texas Category:Cities in Texas Category:County seats in Texas Category:Micropolitan statistical areas of Texas