Petrolia, Texas

According to All Public Libraries, Petrolia, Texas is a small town located in the northern part of the state. It is situated about an hour and a half away from Dallas and boasts a population of just over 1,000 people. The city itself has a total area of 2.3 square miles, making it ideal for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities.

The climate in Petrolia is hot and humid during the summer months with temperatures reaching up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Winters are mild with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. The city receives an average annual rainfall of 35 inches per year, making it an ideal location for growing crops and other agricultural activities.

Petrolia’s history dates back to 1857 when it was founded by settlers from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi who were looking for new land to settle on. Since then, Petrolia has grown steadily but remains small in comparison to other cities in Texas.

Politically, Petrolia is part of Clay County which is represented at the state level by Republican representatives from both parties. The economy of Petrolia is largely based on agriculture with several local farms producing soybeans, wheat, corn, cotton, and hay as well as cattle ranching operations that provide beef for local restaurants and markets.

The educational needs of Petrolia are met by two schools: Petrolia Elementary School which serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade and Petrolia High School which serves students in grades 9 through 12. Both schools have excellent academic programs that prepare students for college or career opportunities after graduation.

Some of the most notable landmarks in Petrolia include the historic Clay County Courthouse which was built in 1884 and stands as a testament to the city’s rich history; Old Town Square which features historical buildings dating back to 1857; Wildcat Creek Park which includes walking trails along its banks; and Lake Arrowhead State Park where visitors can enjoy fishing or boating on its waters

Population: 782. Estimated population in July 2020: 806 (+3.1% change)
Males: 342 (43.7%), Females: 440 (56.3%)

Clay County

Zip code: 76377

Median resident age: 36.4 years
Median household income: $27,386
Median house value: $34,200

Races in Petrolia:

  • White Non-Hispanic (93.0%)
  • Hispanic (4.0%)
  • American Indian (2.9%)
  • Two or more races (1.8%)
  • Other race (1.2%)
  • Black (0.8%)

Ancestries: United States (17.0%), English (9.7%), Irish (9.3%), German (8.7%), Scotch-Irish (3.2%), Dutch (2.4%).

Elevation: 993 feet

Land area: 0.7 square miles

Petrolia, Texas

Population

Petrolia, Texas is located in Clay County in the northern part of the state. As of the 2010 census, Petrolia had a population of 708. It is a small rural community that is home to many agricultural and ranching families. The town was founded in 1882, and has since grown to include a post office, two churches, a library, and several businesses. The majority of the population is Caucasian (86%), followed by Hispanic (7%), African American (4%), and Native American (2%). The median age of the population is 44 years old with an average household size of 2.3 persons per household. The median income for households in Petrolia is $37,813.

The economy in Petrolia is largely based on local businesses such as farming, ranching, and oil production. Agriculture plays an important role in providing jobs for residents and generating revenue for the town’s economy. Livestock production is also popular among local ranchers who raise cattle, sheep, goats and pigs for sale or consumption. Oil production has been important to Petrolia since its founding; however it has declined significantly over the years as new technologies have been developed elsewhere. Additionally, many residents are employed by other nearby towns such as Henrietta or Wichita Falls due to their larger populations and more diverse job markets.

For population 25 years and over in Petrolia

  • High school or higher: 72.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.9%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.2%
  • Unemployed: 7.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 27.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Petrolia city

  • Never married: 16.9%
  • Now married: 54.1%
  • Separated: 2.3%
  • Widowed: 9.2%
  • Divorced: 17.5%

0.4% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +18 (+2.4%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Petrolia:

  • CLAY COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; HENRIETTA, TX)
  • HEALTHSOUTH REHAB HOSPITAL OF WICHITA (about 18 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX)
  • IHS HOSPITAL AT WICHITA FALLS (about 18 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Petrolia:

  • SHEPPARD AFB/WICHITA FALLS MUNI (about 18 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Abbreviation: SPS)
  • LAWTON-FORT SILL REGIONAL (about 40 miles; LAWTON, OK; Abbreviation: LAW)
  • HENRY POST AAF (about 45 miles; FORT SILL, OK; Abbreviation: FSI)

Other public-use airports nearest to Petrolia:

  • KICKAPOO DOWNTOWN AIRPARK (about 21 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Abbreviation: T47)
  • WALTERS MUNI (about 27 miles; WALTERS, OK; Abbreviation: 3O5)
  • WICHITA VALLEY (about 28 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Abbreviation: F14)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Petrolia:

  • MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 24 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,619)
  • CAMERON UNIVERSITY (about 45 miles; LAWTON, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,529)
  • NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE (about 81 miles; GAINESVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 3,018)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (about 93 miles; DENTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 21,673)
  • TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY (about 95 miles; DENTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,746)
  • UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN CAMPUS (about 99 miles; NORMAN, OK; Full-time enrollment: 20,154)
  • OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 106 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 5,220)

Schools

Public high school in Petrolia:

  • PETROLIA H S (Students: 159; Location: 501 S PRAIRIE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Petrolia:

  • PETROLIA EL (Students: 244; Location: 501 S PRAIRIE; Grades: PK – 05)
  • PETROLIA JUNIOR HIGH (Students: 118; Location: P O BOX 176; Grades: 06 – 08)

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