BlockBefore

Brownwood, Texas

20 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1889 and the latest in 1996. It stands in the Brownwood census division. It lies in ZIP code area 76801. It lies near Round Mountain. The Survey maps it on the Brownwood quadrangle. 18,862 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,365 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Brownwood within Brown County

On record in Brownwood

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 7 records

Surveyed buildings and structures 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Brownwood fell from 19,288 to 18,862 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201019,288
202018,862-426 (-2%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

9 surveys from 20 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

8 of 38 photographs shown, 1939

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Picking turkeys at cooperative poultry house. Brownwood, Texas
Picking turkeys at cooperative poultry house. Brownwood, Texas
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Feeding poultry in pens at cooperative poultry house. Brownwood, Texas
Feeding poultry in pens at cooperative poultry house. Brownwood, Texas
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Turkey pickers waiting for work to start. Cooperative poutry plant, Brownwood, Texas
Turkey pickers waiting for work to start. Cooperative poutry plant, Brownwood, Texas
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Sponging of the necks of freshly-picked turkeys. Cooperative poultry house, Brownwood, Texas
Sponging of the necks of freshly-picked turkeys. Cooperative poultry house, Brownwood, Texas
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Grading turkeys at cold storage plant. Brownwood, Texas
Grading turkeys at cold storage plant. Brownwood, Texas
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Weighing turkeys at unloading platform of cooperative poultry house. Brownwood, Texas
Weighing turkeys at unloading platform of cooperative poultry house. Brownwood, Texas
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Handing scalded turkey to picker. Cooperative poultry house, Brownwood, Texas
Handing scalded turkey to picker. Cooperative poultry house, Brownwood, Texas
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Farmer removing turkey from his car which he has brought to the cooperative poultry house. Brownwood, Texas
Farmer removing turkey from his car which he has brought to the cooperative poultry house. Brownwood, Texas
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress

Every photograph of Brown County

Fires near this place

137 since 2005

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 137 fires within 5 miles of Brownwood between 2005 and 2020, burning about 1,519 acres in total. 2 started naturally. 7 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined61
Debris and open burning30
Equipment and vehicle use21
Smoking7
Arson/incendiarism7
Railroad operations and maintenance6
Power generation/transmission/distribution3
Natural2

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
7 September 2011Arson/incendiarism35 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceCR 134 / CR 135
5 September 2012Railroad operations and maintenance1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
3 September 2011Debris and open burningunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceHUDSON
25 September 2019Missing data/not specified/undetermined4.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE279
25 September 2015Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHWY 279 (7415)
25 September 2012Arson/incendiarism4.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceALDERSGATE ENRICHMENT CENTER
14 September 2017Railroad operations and maintenance5.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceUS 377 5005
10 September 2015Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service4851 CR234

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Brown County

Mines and quarries near this place

3 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 3 workings within 5 miles of Brownwood: 3 producers. All of them still produce. What was taken out: Limestone, General, Stone, Crushed/Broken, Clay. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Brownwood Pit Plant Texas Brick CoClayProducer
Brownwood QuarryLimestone, GeneralProducerSedimentary
White's Mines Brownwood QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer

Every working recorded in Brown County

Storms near this place

60 of 160 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Brownwood in 160 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 61 hail, 60 thunderstorm wind, 34 flash flood, 2 tornado. The reports record 2 deaths and 4 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
June 1997Flash FloodBrownwood1 killed, $250,000Streams and creeks rose rapidly and overflowed in heavy rains. A motorist drowned when he attemped to cross a rapidly overflowing low water crossing on County Road 411 near Hogg Creek. His suburban was washed off the road by swift water. The passenger escaped and was rescued unharmed. The attempted crossing occurred around 2340 CST the night of the 22nd.Lake Brownwood rose nearly three feet above its spillway. At least 90 residents near the lake were stranded due to four-foot high waters at a low water crossing. In and around the city of Brownwood, streets and roads were closed due to the flooding.
February 2001Thunderstorm WindBrownwood1 killed, $10,000One man was fatally injured when an apparent downburst flipped his mobile home.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindBrownwood2 hurt, $50,000Two people were injured when a travel-trailer was blown over by thunderstorms winds at the Lake Brownwood State Park. Numerous trees were also blown over. Total damage across Brown county was over $1 million.
October 2013Thunderstorm WindBrownwood2 hurtTwo old rotten trees fell onto a vehicle that had two passengers. Both passengers who were in the vehicle were injured.
June 2000Flash FloodBrownwood$7,500,000Rainfall of up to 10 inches inundated the city of Brownwood during the early morning hours of the 15th. All of the creeks and streams in the city overflowed, with the water flowing into several housing areas. At least 125 people were forced to evacuate their homes, with the Brownwood EMC estimating that 160 homes and businesses suffered some degree of water damage.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$500,000Considerable amount of wind damage to homes and businesses was reported in Brownwood.
October 1993Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$500,000A strong downburst with F1 wind damage had a path three miles long and quarter mile wide through Brownwood. The worst damage included a roof blown off two rooms at the Holiday Inn, a cinder block wall blown down, a freight trailer blown over, and a roofing company was "unroofed".
December 2004Tornado (F1)Brownwood$500,000no account filed
May 2009Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$250,000The town of Brownwood experienced widespread wind damage across the central part of town. The Walmart, Krogers, Dollar General Store and a few other businesses experienced roof damage. The roofs were peeled off in a northeast to southwest direction. Some large oak trees were also blown over. This is consistent with straight line winds of 80 to 85 mph.
May 1997Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$150,000Downburst winds occurred over an area from Lake Brownwood State Park to the towns of Early and north Brownwood. A wind gust to 67 mph was recorded at the Brownwood airport. Most of the damage was concentrated in Early and northeast Brownwood. Numerous trees were blown down and many fell on power lines. A warehouse was blown from its foundation near Lake Brownwood State Park.
January 1995Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$150,000A radio tower was toppled by high winds along with several billboards. A Wal-Mart sustained major damage.
October 1997Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$100,000Strong winds and heavy rains caused major damage in some parts of Brownwood. Three trees and a power line were blown down, and an empty metal warehouse was overturned.
May 1997HailBrownwood$50,000Hail up to golfball-size fell over most of the city of Brownwood.
June 1997Flash FloodBrownwood$50,000Heavy rains caused some flooding of country roads. One carry-all was washed of the road and submerged in the floodwaters. The passengers escaped uninjured.
May 1994Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$50,000A mobile home was destroyed by thunderstorm winds.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$50,000Thunderstorm winds damaged hangars at the Brownwood Airport.
June 1996Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$50,000no account filed
May 1996Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$50,000no account filed
May 2007Flash FloodBrownwood$35,000Very heavy rains produced flash flooding throughout Brownwood. Severe street flooding occurred and rescues of people from homes was also reported.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$30,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down by high winds. A tree was blown onto a car causing extensive damage, and at least one business lost its roof.
June 2000Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$25,000An apparent microburst tore through a small part of Brownwood. Several buildings suffered extensive roof and tree damage, including a grocery store that lost all of its large glass windows.
June 1997Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$25,000Large tree branches were blown down in Brownwood.
September 1996Flash FloodBrownwood$25,000no account filed
June 2004Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$20,000Numerous power lines and trees were downed when 80 MPH winds roared through the city of Brownwood.
March 2004Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$15,000Trees downed and buildings damaged.
June 2002Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$12,000Several power lines and trees were downed in the city of Brownwood due to strong thunderstorm winds.
March 2021Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$10,000A roof to an agricultural barn was damaged on the southwest side of Brownwood. And a chain link fence was blown down at Gordon Wood Stadium.
April 2008Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$10,000Power lines were blown down. A mobile home was damaged and a large old outdoor movie screen was destroyed.
June 2007Flash FloodBrownwood$10,000Significant street flooding occurred in Brownwood with cars stalled in the high water. Other roads in the county around Brownwood were closed due to flooding including Farm to Market Road 2525 and County Roads 257 and 234.
September 2003Flash FloodBrownwood$10,000Rainfall of up to 5 inches fell on the city of Brownwood causing significant flooding of streets. Some homes also had some minor flooding for a short time.
June 2003Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$10,000Trees and powerlines downed all over Brownwood.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$10,000Several trees and power lines were downed in Brownwood due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$10,000Two roofs were blown off and several trees blown over. A tractor trailer was also overturned.
October 1997HailBrownwood$10,000no account filed
May 2007HailBrownwood$9,000Golfball size hail was reported with minor damage to vehicles and roofs.
August 1999Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$7,000The press box at the Brownwood High School football field suffered damage when high winds from a thunderstorm tore through the city. Trees and power poles were also snapped by the winds.
October 2004Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$6,000no account filed
March 2004Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$5,000High winds damaged a lumber yard and blew trees down.
June 2004HailBrownwood$5,000Damage to car windows reported as a result of golf ball size hail.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$5,000Several power poles were downed and outbuildings damaged as high winds roared through the city of Brownwood.
October 2000Flash FloodBrownwood$5,000Heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches caused significant flooding in Brownwood. One apartment complex had a small amount of water enter the ground floor residences, while many city streets were impassable.
July 1998Flash FloodBrownwood$5,000Vehicles stranded in high water...with floodwaters also entering a few homes
June 1998Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$5,000Powerpoles blown down
November 1994Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$5,000Tree limbs and power lines were blown down by high winds.
May 1994Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$5,000Power line poles were blown down by thunderstorm winds.
May 1994Tornado (F0)Brownwood$5,000Many trees, signs, and power line poles were blown down by a tornado.
October 1993Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$5,000Wind damage was reported to railroad crossing guardrails.
October 1993Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$5,000This thunderstorm developed over eastern Colemean county and moved east, becoming severe over Brown county. Car windshields were knocked out at four miles SE of Bangs. Large tree limbs were reported downed in Brownwood. Extensive roof damage was reported in May from large hail.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$4,000A mobile home was overturned and damged.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$4,000Powerlines blown down
March 1995Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$3,000Trees and power lines were blown down by high winds.
February 2001Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$2,000Several homes in Brownwood suffered roof damage when high winds blew through the town. Large tree limbs and power lines were also knocked down.
July 1998Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$2,000Six trees uprooted
March 1998Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$2,000A roof was blown off a trailer.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindBrownwood$1,000Telephone pole blown over
May 2025Thunderstorm WindBrownwood-Public reported strong winds blew down a full size hackberry tree.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindBrownwood-An emergency manager reported there were numerous large trees blown down across Brownwood.
May 2024HailBrownwood-Public reported half dollar size hail.
May 2024HailBrownwood-Public reported quarter size hail.
May 2024HailBrownwood-Public reported quarter size hail.

Every storm recorded in Brown County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Bluff View1.2 miles14
Woodland Heights2.6 miles20
Early3.3 miles20
Ricker (historical)3.8 miles20
Dalzell6.0 miles14
Bangs7.5 miles14
Tenmile Crossing7.6 miles20
Delaware Junction8.4 miles14

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on BrownwoodAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q981222The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1372753. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.