Pleasanton was established in 1858 when conflicts with the Native Americans caused the settlers to move the location of the county seat from Amphion. The settlers chose the current townsite because of its location at the mouth of Bonita Creek. John Bowen (died 1867), San Antonio's first Anglo-American postmaster, founded and named the town of Pleasanton after his good friend and fellow early Texas Settler John Pleasants.
At one time Pleasanton had two newspapers, the Pleasanton Picayune, which became the Pleasanton Express in 1909, and the Pleasanton Reporter. The county seat was relocated from Pleasanton to Jourdanton in 1910. Pleasanton was incorporated in 1917.[6][7]
The average annual temperature of Pleasanton is 70 °F (21 °C). The mean temperature on January 1 is 50 °F (10 °C) and on June 1 is 78 °F (26 °C). Average annual precipitation is 26.1 inches (660 mm).
Most soils of Pleasanton are quite sandy at the surface but have a clay-rich subsoil that holds moisture. They belong to the Alfisol soil order. Common soil series in town are Nusil, Poth and Rhymes.[11]
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Pleasanton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Pleasanton was 113 °F (45.0 °C) on June 15, 1998, and September 5, 2000, while the coldest temperature recorded was 9 °F (−12.8 °C) on January 10–11, 2010.[12]
Climate data for Pleasanton, Texas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,648 people, 3,462 households, and 2,558 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 8,266 people, 2,941 households, and 2,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,293.5 inhabitants per square mile (499.4/km2). There were 3,212 housing units at an average density of 502.6 per square mile (194.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 79.13% White, 0.98% African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 15.34% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.15% of the population.
There were 2,941 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,644, and the median income for a family was $34,718. Males had a median income of $28,849 versus $20,144 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,878. About 16.8% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.9% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those aged 65 or over.
Culture
Pleasanton in steeped in Texas cattle and ranch culture, with numerous working ranches nearby.
Part of the filmThe Sugarland Express was filmed around the intersection of 2nd Street and Commerce Street. Every year, Pleasanton hosts the "Cowboy Homecoming Festival", which commemorates the time when the cowboys driving cattle from South Texas to the railheads up north would return home. This event takes place each October.
Almost all of Pleasanton is located within the Pleasanton Independent School District and home to the Pleasanton High School Eagles. In the school year 2010–2011, Pleasanton I.S.D. received Academically Unacceptable ratings from the Texas Education Agency for their high school campus and their school of choice. The school district received an Acceptable rating for their junior high and Exceptional for the elementary and primary campuses. Under the current Texas accountability system, on a A-F rating scale, Pleasanton I.S.D. is rated "B".
A small portion of the town is in the Jourdanton Independent School District.
A view of downtown Pleasanton near the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 south and Farm to Market Road 3350 west
Pleasanton City Hall is located across from the great oak tree downtown.
The Pleasanton Express office is located next to City Hall.
Deputy Sheriffs Thomas Monse, Jr., and Mark Stephenson and state police trooper Terry Wayne Miller are commemorated in a marker in Pleasanton. The three were killed in the line of duty on October 12, 1999.
First Baptist Church of Pleasanton was founded by seven charter members in 1866. The congregation originally met in the courthouse when it was located in Pleasanton.
The Old Rock Schoolhouse, built of locally procured red sandstone, housed the First Baptist Church (located next door) from 1875 to 1883.
^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.[17][18]
United States
Texas
