# Slaton, Texas

Slaton is a city in Lubbock County, Texas, United States. Founded by German immigrants, Slaton was the westernmost German settlement in Texas. The population was 5,858 at the 2020 census. Slaton is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## History

Slaton was named for Lubbock rancher and banker O.L. Slaton, Sr. (1867–1946), who promoted railroad construction in Slaton.

## Geography

Slaton is on the level plains of the Llano Estacado. The nearest significant geographical feature is Yellow House Canyon, which is 3 miles (5 km) to the northeast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 5.5 square miles (14.3 km$^2$), of which 5.5 square miles (14.2 km$^2$) are land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km$^2$), or 0.56%, is covered by water.

### Climate

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

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Slaton racial composition (NH = Non-Hispanic) :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (NH) | 2,196 | 37.49% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 301 | 5.14% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 4 | 0.07% |
| Asian (NH) | 10 | 0.17% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 4 | 0.07% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 21 | 0.36% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 148 | 2.53% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,174 | 54.18% |
| Total | 5,858 | |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,858 people, 2,090 households, and 1,472 families residing in the city.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 6,109 people, 2,253 households, and 1,610 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,127 inhabitants per square mile (435/km$^2$). The 2,565 housing units averaged 473.1 per square mile (182.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 72.35% White, 7.76% African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 17.07% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 42.27% of the population.
Of the 2,253 households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were not families. About 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% 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 3.22.
In the city, the population was distributed as 29.0% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 83.7 men.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,915, and for a family was $31,224. Males had a median income of $26,696 versus $20,601 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,087. About 21.6% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

The City of Slaton is served by the Slaton Independent School District.

## Infrastructure
### Major roads and highways

* U.S. Highway 84
* Farm to Market Road 400
* Farm to Market Road 41

### Railroads

A major yard of the BNSF Railway is located in Slaton. The South Plains Lamesa Railroad's railpark offers car storage and transloading for, among other commodities, wind turbine components.

## Special events

The Caprock Classic Car Club Show and Cruise takes place every third Saturday in July. The annual event showcases classic and refurbished cars and trucks. Set up around the town square, the event includes music, arts and crafts, food, and more www.slatonchamberofcommerce.org. The July 4th Festival takes place at the Slaton Park, where area musicians perform on an outdoor stage. The park is filled with games, rides, food, and more. The South Plains Air Show is a biannual event taking place the first weekend of June in odd-number years. Hosted by the Texas Air Museum Caprock Chapter, the show takes place at the City of Slaton/Larry T. Neal Memorial Airport. Re-enactments and aerobatic performances are scheduled www.thetexasairmuseum.org. The St. Joseph Sausage Fest is put on every October by St. Joseph's Catholic School. The event has been held annually since 1969 and is the school's primary fundraiser. Volunteers make 8,000–9,500 pounds of sausage to sell at the weekend-long event.

## Notable people

People born in Slaton:
* Jeremy Boreing (born 1979), producer
* Harry Burrus (1921–2004), footballer
* Dee Fondy (1924–1999), baseballer
* Bobby Keys (1943–2014), saxophonist
* Bill Lienhard (1930–2022), basketballer
* Buddy Parker (1913–1982), baseballer
* Simon Salinas (born 1955), politician