Bowie, Texas

Bowie is a city in Montague County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,218 at the 2010 census.

History
On July 22, 1881, Bowie was incorporated as a city in Montague County, Texas. It is named for the 19th century adventurer and defender of the Alamo, James Bowie. (There is also a Bowie County, which includes Texarkana in northeastern Texas.) The city began to expand with the arrival of the Fort Worth and Denver Railway in 1882. In 1884, four men robbed the First National Bank of Bowie and allegedly left with over $10,000 in gold coins. Townspeople gave chase and eventually captured the robbers, who were hanged for their crimes. By 1913, the town had a population of more than five thousand and included the Bowie Commercial College.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the city on his train on July 11, 1938. He ceremonially purchased biscuits from businessman Amon G. Carter of Fort Worth, who had grown up in Bowie. On August 19, 1941, Rex Beard, Jr., robbed the First National Bank of Bowie and was captured in December of that same year.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Bowie has a total area of 5.52 sqmi.

Roads

 * U.S. Route 81
 * U.S. Route 287
 * Texas State Highway 59

Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,218 people and 2,489 housing units in the city. The population density was 945.6 people per square mile. There were 2,090	 households in the city. The average household size was 2.32 persons and the average family size was 2.99. The racial makeup of the city was 91.9% White, 0.2% African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.6% of the population. The median income for a household in the city was $33,846. The per capita income for the city was $19,063.

Education
The city is served by the Bowie Independent School District as well as a branch campus of North Central Texas College.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bowie has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.