Happy, Texas

Toponymy

Happy derives its name from Happy Draw, a stream named in the 19th century by the team of cowboys who were happy to find water there. It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names. The town's motto is "The Town Without A Frown".

Geography

Happy is located at 34°44′38″N 101°51′25″W, primarily within Swisher County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, 678 people, 267 households, and 182 families resided in the town. The population density was 607.5 people per square mile (233.5/km²). The 295 housing units averaged 277.0 per square mile (106.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.05% White, 0.29% African American, 1.77% Native American, 8.11% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 17.31% of the population.

Of the 267 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were not families; 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was distributed as 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,393, and for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $26,964 versus $17,917 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,618. About 10.9% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

The population is decreasing by 10% annually because of water shortage.

Education

The City of Happy is served by the Happy Independent School District and home to the Happy High School Cowboys.

Notable citizens

Happy is the birthplace of Rockabilly musician Buddy Knox. Fictional 24 character George Avila was from Happy, Texas.

The Uncle Sam Band

Happy is the home of the Uncle Sam Band which was organized in the 1930s and directed by Happy High School Band Director James Douglass Forbus. The Uncle Sam Band led a parade in Amarillo, Texas, during a visit by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Happy is the home town of Joe Cephis Fortenberry. He was captain, high scorer and MVP of the first Olympic Basketball Team. They won the first gold medal. He also won two AAU national championships. One with the Globe Refiners of McPherson KS, and one with the Phillips 66ers. He was AAAU all America four times. He is credited with inventing the dunk shot, ending the jump ball after made goals, and causing the goaltending rule to be instituted.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Happy has a semiarid climate, BSk on climate maps.

In popular culture

The film Happy, Texas, for which it was named and where it takes place, was not filmed there.