Pittsburg, Texas

Pittsburg is a city in, and the county seat of, Camp County,^[4] Texas, United States. Best known as the former home of the giant poultry producer Pilgrim's and of racing legend Carroll Shelby, as well as the popular local sausage, Pittsburg Hotlinks. In 1902, it was the site of an early flight attempt by the Ezekiel Air Ship Mfg Co.^[5] With a 2020 census-tabulated population of 4,335, it is the most populous city in Camp County.^[6]

Pittsburg, Texas
City
Location of Pittsburg, Texas
Coordinates: 32°59′59″N 94°58′03″W
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Camp
Area [1]
• Total	3.61 sq mi (9.35 km2)
• Land	3.60 sq mi (9.33 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation [2]	367 ft (112 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,335
• Density	1,200/sq mi (460/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code	75686
Area code	903, 430
FIPS code	48-57908[3]
GNIS feature ID	2411431[2]
Website	www.pittsburgtexas.com

Etymology

The city is named after the family of William Harrison Pitts.^[7] In 1996, the town changed its name to "Cowboys" for a few weeks in support of the Dallas Cowboys, who faced the Pittsburgh Steelers that year in Super Bowl XXX.^[8]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), all land.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Pittsburg has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.^[9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	745		—
1890	1,203		61.5%
1900	1,783		48.2%
1910	1,916		7.5%
1920	2,540		32.6%
1930	2,640		3.9%
1940	2,916		10.5%
1950	3,142		7.8%
1960	3,796		20.8%
1970	3,844		1.3%
1980	4,245		10.4%
1990	4,007		−5.6%
2000	4,347		8.5%
2010	4,497		3.5%
2020	4,335		−3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

Pittsburg racial composition as of 2020^[11]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)^[a]

Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	1,542	35.57%
Black or African American (NH)	1,080	24.91%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	6	0.14%
Asian (NH)	34	0.78%
Pacific Islander (NH)	5	0.12%
Some other race (NH)	9	0.21%
Mixed/multiracial (NH)	135	3.11%
Hispanic or Latino	1,524	35.16%
Total	4,335

As of the census of 2000, 4,347 people, 1,593 households, and 1,056 families ved inin the city.^[3] The population density was 1,301.9 inhabitants per square mile (502.7/km²). The 1,779 housing units had an average density of 532.8 per square mile (205.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 54.50% White, 27.97% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 15.76% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. About 23.86% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. As of the 2020 United States census,^[6] its population was 4,335; according to the American Community Survey in 2020, 34.3% of the population was non-Hispanic White, 30.9% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% multiracial, and 32.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[14] These statistics reflected nationwide demographic trends of diversification.^[15][16][17]

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $24,789, and for a family was $28,398. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $20,042 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,882. 27.7% of the population and 23.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 38.8% of those under the age of 18 and 14.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. In 2020, the median household income grew to $48,340.^[18]

Education

The city of Pittsburg is served by the Pittsburg Independent School District and home to the Pittsburg High School Pirates.

Notable people

"Our Famous People" display at Pittsburg's Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Center and Museum

• Barbara Smith Conrad, opera singer (Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera Company)^[19]
• Howard Garrett, author and radio talk show host, artist, leader in the organic gardening field^[20]
• Louie Gohmert, politician, Republican U.S. Representative from Texas's 1st congressional district
• Mildred Fay Jefferson, first Black woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School and national pro-life leader^[21]
• Homer Jones, former professional American football player
• Frank P. Lockhart served as US Consul General in China.
• Jeremy Loyd, former professional American football player
• Ernie McAnally, professional baseball player, Montreal Expos 1971–1974
• Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim, founder of Pilgrim's Pride
• Ken Reeves (American football), former professional American football player
• Carroll Shelby, racing and automotive designer and former driver
• Koe Wetzel, country/southern rock singer
• Kendall Wright, professional American football player

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.^[12][13]