Lorena is a small city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,785 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Lorena, Texas
Downtown Lorena
Downtown Lorena
Location within McLennan County
Location within McLennan County
Lorena is located in Texas
Lorena
Lorena
Location within Texas
Lorena is located in the United States
Lorena
Lorena
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 31°22′27″N 97°12′43″W / 31.37417°N 97.21194°W / 31.37417; -97.21194
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyMcLennan
Settled1854
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager government
Area
 • Total
3.40 sq mi (8.80 km2)
 • Land3.40 sq mi (8.80 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation604 ft (184 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,785
 • Density516.63/sq mi (199.46/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
76655
Area code254
FIPS code48-44020[4]
GNIS feature ID2410873[3]
Websitewww.ci.lorena.tx.us

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2), all land. Lorena is off Interstate 35 and where Highway 81 originally was located.

Demographics

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Lorena racial composition as of 2020[5]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 1,428 80.0%
Black or African American (NH) 18 1.01%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 10 0.56%
Asian (NH) 14 0.78%
Some Other Race (NH) 16 0.9%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 63 3.53%
Hispanic or Latino 236 13.22%
Total 1,785

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,785 people, 644 households, and 514 families residing in the city.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1970406
198061952.5%
19901,15887.1%
20001,43323.7%
20101,69118.0%
20201,7855.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census[4] of 2000, 1,433 people, 537 households, and 417 families resided in the city. The population density was 444.8 inhabitants per square mile (171.7/km2). There were 551 housing units at an average density of 171.0 per square mile (66.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.21% White, 0.98% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 3.07% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.86% of the population.

Of the 537 households, 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were not families. About 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was distributed as 28.5% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,891, and for a family was $54,083. Males had a median income of $37,560 versus $27,647 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,315. About 3.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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The City of Lorena is served by the Lorena Independent School District.It is home to the Lorena Leopards.

History

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Lorena is named after one of the town's first settlers' oldest daughter, Lorena Westbrook, although its original name was "Aerl Station" after the town's founder, Daniel Aerl.[9]

Notable person

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References

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  1. ^ "City Council | Lorena, TX - Official Website". Lorena, TX. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lorena, Texas
  4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  6. ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
  7. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "Ann Richards, 1988 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address, Atlanta, Georgia, July 19, 1988". americanrhetoric.com. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  10. ^ "Holly Tucker: Star still rising for Lorena girl after 'Voice' spotlight". wacotrib.com. July 25, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[6][7]
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