Burton is a city in Washington County, Texas, United States. The population was 359 at the 2000 census. Prior to the 2010 census, Burton changed its status from a town to a city. The population was 300 at the 2010 census.
History
Burton was established in 1862 by John M. Burton when land was sold to trustees of the H.T & C Railroad and then sold to citizens. The arrival of the railroad after the Civil War benefited the community. By 1910 its population was 600. The community was incorporated in 1972.
Geography
Burton is located at 30°10′54″N 96°35′46″W (30.181668,-96.596178).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all of it land.
Burton lies on Highway 290 between Austin and Houston.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 359 people, 153 households, and 93 families residing in the town. The population density was 301.7 people per square mile (116.5/km²). There were 194 housing units at an average density of 163.1 per square mile (62.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 67.13% White, 25.35% African American, 0.56% Native American, 1.95% Asian, 3.34% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.34% of the population.
There were 153 households out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the town, the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,875, and the median income for a family was $47,321. Males had a median income of $26,406 versus $16,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,496. 7.8% of the population and 3.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 9.7% are under the age of 18 and 12.3% are 65 or older.
Education
The Town of Burton is served by the Burton Independent School District.
Texas Cotton Gin Museum and Festival
Burton is home to the Texas Cotton Gin Museum, which is located at the Burton Farmers Gin. The gin was built in 1914 and is considered to be the oldest working cotton gin in the country. Every year in the Spring, the Texas Cotton Gin Museum hosts the Burton Cotton Gin Festival. During the annual festival, the cotton gin runs, powered by a 16-ton, 125-horsepower 1925 Bessemer engine called "Lady B."
Dance Hall
La Bahia Turn Verein hall is located about 5 miles southwest of the town of Burton. This hall hosts a regular antique fair, as well as traditional dances. The older part of the building is not air conditioned.
Resident Peacock
Local lore holds that the resident peacock that now roams freely through Burton was once an inhabitant of a petting zoo at the Burton Cotton Gin Festival.