Pilot Point, Texas

Pilot Point is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States. Its population was 3,856 at the 2010 census,^[4] increasing to 4,381 at the 2020 census.

Pilot Point, Texas
City
Pilot Point Commercial Historic District (2023)
Motto:  Pointing the way since 1845
Location of Pilot Point in Denton County, Texas
Coordinates: 33°23′47″N 96°57′31″W
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Denton
Area [1]
• Total	4.35 sq mi (11.27 km2)
• Land	4.35 sq mi (11.26 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation [2]	696 ft (212 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,381
• Density	1,040.71/sq mi (401.78/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	76258
Area code	940
FIPS code	48-57476[3]
GNIS feature ID	2411421[2]
Website	www.cityofpilotpoint.org

History

Further information: Tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–26, 2024 § Forestburg–Era–Valley View–Pilot Point, Texas

On May 25, 2024, a tornado struck both Pilot Point and nearby Valley View resulting extensive damage (notably including a severely damaged truck stop in Valley View), several injuries and at least 7 fatalities. The tornado has been assigned a preliminary rating of EF3 by the National Weather Service.^[5][6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.7 km²), all land.^[7]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Pilot Point has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.^[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	790		—
1890	1,090		38.0%
1910	1,371		—
1920	1,499		9.3%
1930	1,108		−26.1%
1940	1,122		1.3%
1950	1,176		4.8%
1960	1,254		6.6%
1970	1,663		32.6%
1980	2,211		33.0%
1990	2,538		14.8%
2000	3,538		39.4%
2010	3,856		9.0%
2020	4,381		13.6%
2025 (est.)	6,184		41.2%

^[9]

Pilot Point racial composition as of 2020^[10]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)^[a]

Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	2,396	54.69%
Black or African American (NH)	134	3.06%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	40	0.91%
Asian (NH)	17	0.39%
Pacific Islander (NH)	7	0.16%
Some Other Race (NH)	7	0.16%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	283	6.46%
Hispanic or Latino	1,497	34.17%
Total	6,151

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,381 people, 1,591 households, and 901 families residing in the city.^[10]

Government

The city is governed by an elected council. A separately elected mayor presides over the governing body and also may cast a vote on matters before the council. The city does not currently have a mayor, following Mayor McIlravy's arrest on June 21, 2022, although the Mayor Pro Tempore will be sworn in as mayor soon.^[13] Council members and the mayor serve without any compensation pursuant to a Home Rule Charter that was approved by voters in 2009. An appointed city manager oversees daily operations of various city services and functions. Elections each May determine occupants of alternating seats on the council and the mayor is elected biannually.

Education

The city is served by the Pilot Point Independent School District.

Notable people

• Frederick Edgar Ferguson, Medal of Honor recipient, born in Pilot Point
• Colt Knost, PGA golfer, grew up in Pilot Point, state champion in 2003
• G.A. Moore, Texas High School Football coach, member of the University of North Texas
• Thomas Ambrose Tschoepe, Roman Catholic bishop, born in
• James Latane Noel Jr. Former Texas Attorney General and United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Notes

1. 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.^[11][12]