Cedar Park, Texas

History

Before the arrival of European settlers in the 19th century, the Cedar Park area was inhabited by Native American tribes including the Tonkawa, the Lipan Apache, and the Comanche. A Paleo-Indian archaeological site (named the Wilson-Leonard site) was discovered in Cedar Park in 1973 that showed evidence of continual habitation of the area since 5,000 BC.

In the mid-19th century the community was known as Running Brushy, named after a spring that formed the headwaters of a creek of the same name. In 1873 George and Harriet Cluck, after having run cattle up the Chisholm Trail for many years, bought 329 acre of land that included the Running Brushy spring. Their ranch formed the core of the community that would one day become Cedar Park.

Ten years later, the railroad came through. The Austin and Northwestern Railroad, which connected the state capitol with the cities of Burnet and Lampasas to the north, was finished in 1882 and passed through Running Brushy and the Cluck ranch. The community was at this point renamed Bruggerhoff, after a railroad company official. However, the name was generally disliked by locals, being both hard to spell and pronounce. In 1887, Emmett Cluck (son of George and Harriet) changed the community name to Cedar Park. In 1892, a "strolling park" of 0.5 acre was built near the train depot. Austinites would ride the train to Cedar Park for day trips to the park.

Cedar Park changed little until the 1950s and 1960s, when the growth of nearby Austin spilled over. On February 24, 1973, the citizens of Cedar Park voted to incorporate. The estimated population was 1,765. A library followed in 1978.

On May 27, 1997, a strong and destructive F3 tornado struck the town. The tornado was one of 20 confirmed tornadoes that occurred during the 1997 Central Texas Tornado outbreak. It devastated the downtown area of the city, killing one person and nearly destroying the Albertson's grocery store.

In December 2007, Cedar Park Regional Medical Center opened becoming the first major medical center in Cedar Park.

In 2013, the US Census Bureau named Cedar Park the 4th fastest growing city in the United States, with a population of 57,957.

On April 4, 2016, the city announced it was collecting submissions for designs for an official city flag. Residents had until April 30 to submit proposed designs. On December 9, 2016, Cedar Park unveiled the flag design that won. On August 8, 2019, the City Council voted to rescind that particular design after "pushback on social media" from residents. As of September 2021, the city has no formal flag.

Demographics

|align-fn=center 2018 Estimate

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Cedar Park had a population of 77,595, 27,902 households, 18,589 families, and a median age of 36.8 years.

27.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.0 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while

Of these households, 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 56.9% were married-couple households, 15.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 29,192 housing units, of which 4.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.2% were owner-occupied and 36.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%.

2010 census

According to the U.S. census, in 2010, there were 48,937 people living in the city, comprising 17,817 households and 12,926 families. The population density was 2,141.9 PD/sqmi. There were 8,914 housing units at an average density of 525.3 /sqmi.

The racial makeup of the city was 81.4% White, 4.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 5.1% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 5.10% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. 19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,817 total households including 12,926 family households. 45.7% of all households had children under the age of 18 living with them and 13.5% of all households had an individual aged 65 years or older living with them. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.22.

The age distribution included 32.8% aged 0 to 19; 38.8% aged 20 to 44, 21.8% aged 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.4 years.

The median income for a household in the city was $87,466.

Geography

Cedar Park lies mostly in Williamson County, although a small amount extends into Travis County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.6 sqmi, of which 25.3 sqmi is land and .3 sqmi (0.88%) is water.

Cedar Park is generally bisected north to south by U.S. Route 183. A bypass route, the 183A toll road, also runs through Cedar Park and opened to traffic on March 15, 2007. Major east–west routes include RM-1431/Whitestone Boulevard and Cypress Creek/Brushy Creek Road.

Government

Cedar Park was incorporated in 1973 with a council–manager system of local government. As of the election on May 6, 2017, Cedar Park City Council members are as follows:

The seven members serve two year terms. The mayor and council members place two, place four and place six are elected in even years. Council members place one, place three and place five are elected in odd years.

Cedar Park is represented in Texas House of Representatives by Democrat John Bucy III. In the Texas State Senate, Cedar Park is represented by Republican Charles Schwertner. In the United States House of Representatives, Cedar Park is represented by Republican John Carter.

Sports

Cedar Park is home to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League and the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. Both the Texas Stars and the Austin Spurs play their home games at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

A public skate park facility opened in Cedar Park in July 2010. The 15000 sqft facility features a large bowl, mini bowl, and modern street course.

Institutions and schools

Cedar Park is served primarily by the Leander Independent School District, and is home to the Cedar Park High School Timberwolves and the Vista Ridge High School Rangers. Cedar Park won its first football state championship on December 21, 2012. The Timberwolves defeated Lancaster 17–7 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, winning the Class 4A, Division II state title. In 2015, the Timberwolves won both state titles in Band and Football with the latter beating Frisco Lone Star for the Class 5a, Division II state championship. Cedar Park High school is the only Texas high school to win UIL state titles in both band and football in the same year.

Neighborhoods in the southern and easternmost areas of the city are wholly or partially served by the Round Rock Independent School District. Some of these neighborhoods or the Ranch at Brushy Creek, or Walsh Trails. Some elementary schools that serve these neighborhoods are Old Town, or Patsy Sommer. Walsh Middle School and Round Rock High School also serve these areas.

The city is home to the Cypress Creek campus of Austin Community College, which was significantly expanded in 2008 to accommodate the area's growing population.

The Texas Psychological Association is located in the city.

H-E-B Center at Cedar Park

The H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (formerly known as Cedar Park Center) is a multi-purpose indoor arena that was completed in 2009 and hosts a wide array of live entertainment events. George Strait opened the Cedar Park Center as the first event at the Center on September 25, 2009. The H-E-B Center is also home of the Texas Stars, the AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars, and the Austin Spurs, the G-league affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. The center is located at the corner of New Hope Drive and 183A Toll Road.

Notes

References

References

1. "Mayor and City Council Members".
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates".
4. {{GNIS. 2409418
5. "Distance between Cedar Park, TX and Austin, TX".
6. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts Cedar Park city, Texas".
7. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2022". [[United States Census Bureau]].
8. "Best Underground Scene: The Wilson-Leonard Archeological Site".
9. {{Handbook of Texas
10. "History of Cedar Park-Leander".
11. "Will Raising a New City Flag Raise Civic Pride? Cedar Park's Mayor Hopes So.". KUT.
12. (April 4, 2016). "Cedar Park Seeks Submissions For Official City Flag Design".
13. "Cedar Park Flag Design".
14. (2024). "Municipal Flag Design Preferences of United States Residents". Journal of Nonprofit Marketing.
15. [https://meetings.municode.com/d/f?u=https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cptx-pubu/MEET-Minutes-0deaa753edfa4f8184348a8598386c04.pdf&n=Minutes-08.08.19%20City%20Council%20Mtg.-August%208,%202019%206.00%20PM.pdf Regular Meeting - Minutes (item F3)] Cedar Park City Council, August 08, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2021
16. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing".
17. "Population Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
19. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
20. "Explore Census Data".
21. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin".
22. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
23. "U.S. Census website".
24. "City of Cedar Park - Council".
25. News 8 Austin. (October 10, 2008). "Stars will be shining soon in Cedar Park".
26. "Cypress Creek Campus Expansion".
27. "The official website of the Texas Psychological Association". The Texas Psychological Association.