Wharton, Texas

By | April 28, 2023

According to bridgat, Wharton, Texas is located in the southeastern part of the state and is situated on the Colorado River. It is a small city with a population of just over 10,000 people. The city has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.

The history of Wharton dates back to 1846 when it was established as a trading post for settlers traveling along the Colorado River. In the late 1800s, it became an important cotton-producing center, and many of its old cotton warehouses are still standing today. The city was officially incorporated in 1909.

Politically, Wharton is part of Fort Bend County and is represented by two State Representatives and one State Senator in the Texas Legislature. The city is also represented by two U.S. Congressmen in Washington D.C..

The economy of Wharton consists mainly of agriculture, manufacturing, education and health care services, retail businesses and tourism related activities. It has several large employers such as Wharton County Junior College, Texas A&M Health Science Center at Houston Methodist Hospital and HEB Grocery Company Ltd..

Wharton has many public schools including elementary schools, middle schools and high schools as well as several private schools such as St Joseph’s Catholic School and Westwood Christian Academy which offer religious-based education programs for students from kindergarten through 8th grade.

Some popular landmarks in Wharton include the historic courthouse built in 1895 which houses many artifacts from around the county; Fort Defiance which was built during the Civil War to protect citizens from attack; The Museum of Southern History which features exhibits about area history; The Confederate Memorial Park which honors veterans from all wars; The Painted Church which was built in 1859; and The Historic Depot Museum which offers visitors an insight into life during early railroad days in Texas.

Population: 9,237. Estimated population in July 2020: 9,374 (+1.5% change)
Males: 4,357 (47.2%), Females: 4,880 (52.8%)

Wharton County

Zip code: 77488

Median resident age: 34.5 years
Median household income: $26,704
Median house value: $53,900

Races in Wharton:

  • White Non-Hispanic (41.3%)
  • Hispanic (31.1%)
  • Black (26.4%)
  • Other race (14.2%)
  • Two or more races (1.8%)
  • American Indian (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (9.7%), United States (6.5%), Czech (6.2%), English (4.9%), Irish (3.8%), Polish (1.1%).

Land area: 7.2 square miles

Wharton, Texas

Population

Wharton is a small town located in the southeastern part of Texas. It has an estimated population of 8,700 people, according to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The town is located in Wharton County and is home to a variety of ethnicities and cultures, including African American, Hispanic, Native American and Caucasian. The median age of the population is 34 years old and the median household income is $36,959 per year. The largest employers in Wharton are education, health care, retail trade and manufacturing. The city has a strong sense of community with many local businesses that provide jobs for its citizens. Education is paramount to Wharton’s success with several public schools in the area as well as a local college that offers a variety of degrees and certifications for its students. The town also boasts numerous parks and recreational activities that bring locals together to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, camping and hiking. Additionally, Wharton has an active arts scene with galleries showcasing works from local artists and performing arts centers that host plays throughout the year. With its unique culture, vibrant economy and strong sense of community spirit, Wharton provides residents with an ideal place to live for those who seek small-town life in Texas.

For population 25 years and over in Wharton

  • High school or higher: 70.9%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.6%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.3%
  • Unemployed: 8.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Wharton city

  • Never married: 27.0%
  • Now married: 50.2%
  • Separated: 2.8%
  • Widowed: 10.0%
  • Divorced: 10.1%

5.7% Foreign born (4.4% Latin America, 0.9% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +67 (+0.7%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Wharton:

  • GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER (1400 U S 59 N BYPASS)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Wharton:

  • EL CAMPO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 15 miles; EL CAMPO, TX)
  • RICE MEDICAL CENTER (about 24 miles; EAGLE LAKE, TX)
  • MATAGORDA GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 28 miles; BAY CITY, TX)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Wharton:

  • BRAZORIA COUNTY (about 48 miles; ANGLETON/LAKE JACKSON, TX; Abbreviation: LBX)
  • WILLIAM P HOBBY (about 62 miles; HOUSTON, TX; Abbreviation: HOU)
  • VICTORIA REGIONAL (about 66 miles; VICTORIA, TX; Abbreviation: VCT)

Other public-use airports nearest to Wharton:

  • WHARTON RGNL (about 6 miles; WHARTON, TX; Abbreviation: 5R5)
  • LACKEY AVIATION (about 9 miles; WHARTON, TX; Abbreviation: 94R)
  • WARD AIRPARK (about 17 miles; BEASLEY, TX; Abbreviation: 5T0)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Wharton:

  • WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 3,124; Location: 911 BOLING HWY; Public; Website: www.wcjc.cc.tx.us)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Wharton:

  • HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (about 48 miles; HOUSTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,273)
  • PRAIRIE VIEW A & M UNIVERSITY (about 54 miles; PRAIRIE VIEW, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,823)
  • RICE UNIVERSITY (about 54 miles; HOUSTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,158)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS (about 57 miles; HOUSTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,541)
  • UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-UNIVERSITY PARK (about 58 miles; HOUSTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 25,479)
  • TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (about 58 miles; HOUSTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,808)
  • HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM (about 58 miles; HOUSTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 21,140)

Schools

Public high schools in Wharton:

  • WHARTON H S (Students: 687; Location: #1 TIGER AVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • WHARTON J H (Students: 391; Location: 1120 N RUSK ST; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Wharton:

  • C G SIVELLS EL (Students: 565; Location: 1605 ALABAMA RD; Grades: KG – 06)
  • C W DAWSON EL (Students: 550; Location: 1619 M L K BLVD; Grades: 04 – 08)
  • MINNIE MAE HOPPER EL (Students: 317; Location: 500 ABELL ST; Grades: PK – KG)

Private primary/middle school in Wharton:

  • ST THOMAS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (Students: 141; Location: 207 BOB-O-LINK LANE; Grades: PK – 8)

Libraries

Library in Wharton:

  • WHARTON COUNTY LIBRARY (Operating income: $628,100; Location: 1920 N FULTON ST; 85,119 books; 4,396 audio materials; 2,313 video materials; 190 serial subscriptions)