The Alvin area was settled in the mid-19th century when bull ranches were established in the area. The Santa Fe Railroad eventually expanded into the area, and a settlement was established along the railroad. Alvin was originally named "Morgan" by the town's residents in honor of the settlement's original resident, Santa Fe employee Alvin Morgan; upon discovery that the name Morgan had been taken, the town named itself after Morgan's first name. The town was officially incorporated in 1893, making it the oldest incorporated settlement in Brazoria County.[6] Alvin Morgan received a land grant from the state of Texas prior to 1891.
Alvin was a sundown town in the 1930s, where practically no African Americans were allowed to live.[7]
In 1960, the city annexed a 100-foot-wide (30 m) 137-mile-long (220 km) stretch of land to protect Alvin from being annexed by other cities. The city's unusual borders were the subject of a lawsuit against Missouri City when it attempted an annexation into Brazoria County and across Alvin's city limits in 2002.[8][9]
On July 25, 1979, Tropical Storm Claudette stalled over Alvin and inundated the region with 45 inches (1,140 mm) of rain in 42 hours. The total included 43 inches (1,090 mm) in 24 hours, at the time the highest amount of rainfall in 24 hours in American history.[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, Alvin has a total area of 25.6 square miles (66.4 km2), of which 24.3 square miles (62.9 km2) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.5 km2), or 5.26%, is water.[5]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 27,098 people, 9,710 households, and 6,895 families residing in the city.
As of the 2010 Census, the population was 24,236 people, with a population density of 1,475 people per square mile. As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 21,413 people, 7,826 households, and 5,603 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,302.9 inhabitants per square mile (503.1/km2). There were 8,442 housing units at an average density of 513.7 per square mile (198.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.28% White, 2.11% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 10.88% from other races, and 3.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.09% of the population.
There were 7,826 households, out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,576, and the median income for a family was $43,987. Males had a median income of $36,216 versus $22,580 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,016. About 10.8% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
Alvin Community College provides basic undergraduate courses and adult education. Alvin is in the ACC taxation zone.[17]
Public libraries
The Alvin Library is a part of the Brazoria County Library System. The library closed in 2010 to repair damages done by Hurricane Ike, and during that renovation, a fire broke out causing major smoke damage. The library reopened in June 2011.
Thelma Ley Anderson Family YMCA is located in Alvin.
The Alvin Rotary Club sponsors a yearly Frontier Day celebration, which includes a parade and 5k Fun Run.
Popular culture connections
Alvin was featured in the CMT series Trick my What?, featuring the Froberg family, who have been members of the Alvin community for more than 70 years.[18]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Alvin has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[20]
^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.[14][15]
