Ponder, Texas is located in the heart of Denton County, about 30 miles north of Dallas. The city is situated on a flat plain, surrounded by rolling hills. It has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.
The history of Ponder dates back to the mid-1800s when settlers first began to move into the area. In 1887, the town was platted and named after its original settler, W. A. Ponder. As the town grew, it became an important center for farming and ranching in North Texas.
Politically, Ponder is a conservative-leaning city with a strong commitment to small government and individual liberty. It has been represented in the Texas Legislature by Republican Senator Jane Nelson since 2007 and Republican Representative Lynn Stucky since 2017. The city also leans heavily toward Republican candidates for President; every election since 2000 has seen a majority vote for GOP candidates in Ponder.
The economy of Ponder is largely based on agriculture, as well as small businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, and shops that cater to local residents and tourists alike. The city is also home to several large manufacturing companies such as Interceramic Tile Corporation and Cemex USA Concrete Products Division which employ many local citizens.
The schools in Ponder are served by Denton Independent School District which includes two elementary schools (Lone Star Elementary School & Savannah Elementary School), one middle school (Navo Middle School), one high school (Ponder High School), one alternative high school (Possibilities High School) as well as two private schools (Providence Classical Academy & Cornerstone Christian Academy).
As far as landmarks are concerned, some of the most popular attractions include the historic downtown square which features several restaurants & shops; Lake Kiowa which offers swimming & fishing opportunities; Lake Ray Roberts State Park with its hiking trails & camping sites; and several nearby wineries such as Red Caboose Winery & Vineyard which offer tours & tastings for visitors from all over Texas!
Population: 507. Estimated population in July 2020: 846 (+66.9% change)
Males: 242 (47.7%), Females: 265 (52.3%)
Denton County
Zip code: 76259
Median resident age: 36.8 years
Median household income: $54,107
Median house value: $92,100
Races in Ponder:
- White Non-Hispanic (92.7%)
- Hispanic (5.5%)
- Other race (2.4%)
- Two or more races (2.0%)
- Black (1.0%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: United States (13.2%), English (9.3%), German (6.7%), French (3.4%), Irish (2.8%), Italian (2.4%).
Elevation: 733 feet
Land area: 3.2 square miles
Population
Ponder, Texas is a small town located in Denton County, approximately 30 miles northwest of Dallas. The population of Ponder is estimated to be around 2,000 people, with a median age of 33. The town has a diverse population with individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life. The majority of the population is Caucasian, although there is a growing Hispanic and Latino presence in the area. There are also a number of other ethnic groups represented in the community such as African American, Asian, and Native American. The town has an active faith community with churches representing various denominations including Baptist, Methodist and Catholic as well as several non-denominational churches. Education is important to the residents of Ponder with two elementary schools and one high school serving the community’s educational needs. The local economy consists primarily of small businesses such as restaurants and retail stores as well as some larger employers such as manufacturing plants and distribution centers. Ponder also has a vibrant arts scene with numerous galleries and performance venues showcasing local talent throughout the year. With its friendly people, diverse culture and strong sense of community spirit, it’s easy to see why so many choose to call Ponder home.
For population 25 years and over in Ponder
- High school or higher: 85.3%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.8%
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2%
- Unemployed: 4.2%
- Mean travel time to work: 29.4 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Ponder town
- Never married: 10.6%
- Now married: 72.6%
- Separated: 0.8%
- Widowed: 6.5%
- Divorced: 9.5%
5.3% Foreign born (2.8% Asia, 2.6% Latin America).
Population change in the 1990s: +91 (+21.9%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Ponder:
- DENTON HOSPITAL (about 12 miles; DENTON, TX)
- DENTON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 13 miles; DENTON, TX)
- WISE REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM (about 20 miles; DECATUR, TX)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Ponder:
- FORT WORTH ALLIANCE (about 14 miles; FORT WORTH, TX; Abbreviation: AFW)
- FORT WORTH MEACHAM INTL (about 26 miles; FORT WORTH, TX; Abbreviation: FTW)
- DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTERNATIONAL (about 27 miles; DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TX; Abbreviation: DFW)
Other public-use airports nearest to Ponder:
- PALMER FIELD (about 3 miles; PONDER, TX; Abbreviation: 42F)
- DENTON MUNI (about 8 miles; DENTON, TX; Abbreviation: DTO)
- IRONHEAD (about 11 miles; SANGER, TX; Abbreviation: T58)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ponder:
- TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY (about 12 miles; DENTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,746)
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (about 12 miles; DENTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 21,673)
- TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (about 29 miles; FT WORTH, TX; Full-time enrollment: 7,032)
- SOUTHWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (about 29 miles; FT WORTH, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,253)
- DEVRY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (about 29 miles; IRVING, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,651)
- TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE (about 30 miles; FT WORTH, TX; Full-time enrollment: 15,454)
- NORTH LAKE COLLEGE (about 30 miles; IRVING, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,554)
Schools
Public high school in Ponder:
- PONDER H S (Students: 372; Location: 501 SHAFFNER; Grades: 07 – 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Ponder:
- PONDER EL (Students: 459; Location: 501 SHAFFNER; Grades: PK – 06)
- DENTON CO J J A E P (Location: 501 SHAFFNER; Grades: N – N )
Libraries
Library in Ponder:
- BETTY FOSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $26,087; Location: 405 SHAFFNER ST; 12,375 books; 450 audio materials; 900 video materials; 5 serial subscriptions)