The recession of 1921 exacerbated racial tensions between Anglos and Mexicans. Naturally, unemployment increased in town and whites attempted to oust Mexicans who were hired during the World War I boom. Masked men ravaged shacks used by Mexicans as living quarters. Whites threatened Mexicans' lives, and fearful, they fled to nearby Fort Worth to seek help from the Mexican Consulate, since local authorities took the side of the Anglo locals.[7]
In 1928, the current courthouse was erected, the prior cornerstone was opened, and "Old Rip" was allegedly found alive. The animal, a kind of lizard, received national publicity. It died in 1929 of pneumonia, and was placed in a glass-front casket on view in the present courthouse.[8]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,609 people, 1,535 households, and 950 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census[3] of 2000, 3,769 people, 1,475 households, and 998 families were living in the city. The population density was 1,333.1 people/ sq mi (514.2/km2). The 1,737 housing units averaged 614.4/sq mi (237.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.64% White, 1.80% African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 4.72% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 12.89% of the population.
Of the 1,475 households, 33.8% had children under 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were not families. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45, and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city, theage distribution was 25.7% under 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,277, and for a family was $34,333. Males had a median income of $27,072 versus $16,574 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,339. About 14.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.
^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.[12]
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