According to travelationary.com, Fort Davis is located in Jeff Davis County, Texas, and is a small town with an estimated population of just over 1,000 people. Geographically, Fort Davis lies in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas and is situated among the Davis Mountains. The climate in Fort Davis ranges from hot and dry summers to mild winters with occasional snowfall. The area experiences low humidity and cool nights year-round.
The history of Fort Davis dates back to 1854 when it was established as a military fort on orders from President Franklin Pierce. The fort was used to protect travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road from Native American attacks. After the Civil War, the fort was abandoned and eventually turned into a ghost town until settlers began arriving in the late 1800s. Today, Fort Davis remains small but has become known as an artist’s colony due to its beautiful landscapes and inspiring views.
Politically, Fort Davis is part of Jeff Davis County which leans heavily Republican in its voting record. The economy of Fort Davis is largely based on tourism as people come to visit the historical sites such as Indian Lodge State Historic Site which was once part of the original fort complex or take advantage of outdoor activities like camping, hiking, biking or horseback riding along trails that run through scenic canyons and mountainside forests.
The town also has several schools including two elementary schools (Rio Grande Elementary School & Jeff Davis Elementary School), one middle school (Fort Stockton Middle School), one high school (Fort Stockton High School) and two private schools (St Joseph’s Catholic School & Oasis Academy). In addition to these public and private schools, there are also several colleges located nearby such as Sul Ross State University and Odessa College for those looking for higher education opportunities nearby.
Finally, some of the notable landmarks in Fort Davis include historic sites like Indian Lodge State Historic Site which includes an old Spanish mission from 1759; Balmorhea State Park which offers swimming pools; Marfa Lights Viewing Center where visitors can observe mysterious lights that have been seen in the region since 1883; McDonald Observatory which offers various astronomy programs; Prude Ranch where visitors can enjoy horseback riding lessons; plus many more attractions that make Fort Davis a great destination for tourists looking for some interesting sights!
Population: 1,050
Males: 531 (50.6%), Females: 519 (49.4%)
Jeff Davis County
Zip code: 79734
Median resident age: 39.2 years
Median household income: $25,882
Median house value: $60,000
Races in Fort Davis:
- Hispanic (49.3%)
- White Non-Hispanic (48.9%)
- Other race (7.6%)
- Two or more races (3.4%)
- American Indian (0.9%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: English (9.8%), German (8.2%), United States (4.7%), Irish (4.4%), French (3.2%), Scottish (3.0%).
Elevation: 4900 feet
Land area: 5.6 square miles
Population
Fort Davis is a small town located in Jeff Davis County, Texas. It has a population of about 1,200 people, with a median age of 44. The majority of the population is made up of Caucasians, with Hispanics and African Americans making up the rest. The town is home to a diverse mix of people from all walks of life. The economy is mainly based on tourism and services, with the largest employers being the National Historic Site, the Fort Davis Drugstore & Museum and other local businesses. There are also several churches in the area, including Baptist and Catholic denominations. Education is provided by both public schools and private schools in the area, ensuring that children have access to quality education. The town has also become increasingly popular as an escape for those looking for a peaceful retreat away from larger cities. With its wide open spaces and rugged terrain, it’s no wonder that so many come here to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.
For population 25 years and over in Fort Davis
- High school or higher: 65.5%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.6%
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.7%
- Unemployed: 7.2%
- Mean travel time to work: 14.2 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Fort Davis CDP
- Never married: 18.6%
- Now married: 62.0%
- Separated: 1.9%
- Widowed: 7.0%
- Divorced: 10.4%
14.1% Foreign born (13.2% Latin America).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Fort Davis:
- BIG BEND REGIONAL MED CTR HOME HEALTH (about 46 miles; ALPINE, TX)
- REEVES COUNTY HOSPITAL (about 61 miles; PECOS, TX)
- CULBERSON COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT (about 66 miles; VAN HORN, TX)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Fort Davis:
- CAVERN CITY AIR TRML (about 123 miles; CARLSBAD, NM; Abbreviation: CNM)
- MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL (about 149 miles; MIDLAND, TX; Abbreviation: MAF)
- LEA COUNTY RGNL (about 152 miles; HOBBS, NM; Abbreviation: HOB)
Other public-use airports nearest to Fort Davis:
- MARFA MUNI (about 18 miles; MARFA, TX; Abbreviation: MRF)
- ALPINE-CASPARIS MUNICIPAL (about 21 miles; ALPINE, TX; Abbreviation: E38)
- PECOS MUNI (about 60 miles; PECOS, TX; Abbreviation: PEQ)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Fort Davis:
- SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 23 miles; ALPINE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,076)
- ODESSA COLLEGE (about 133 miles; ODESSA, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,555)
- MIDLAND COLLEGE (about 160 miles; MIDLAND, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,800)
- EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 189 miles; EL PASO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 11,127)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO (about 198 miles; EL PASO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 12,071)
- ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY (about 229 miles; SAN ANGELO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,477)
- NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 230 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 12,562)
Libraries
Library in Fort Davis:
- JEFF DAVIS COUNTY LIBRARY (Operating income: $48,118; Location: 100 MEMORIAL SQ; 22,256 books; 776 audio materials; 1,764 video materials; 76 serial subscriptions)