Alvarado is the oldest city in Johnson County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,739 in 2020. The community's first sheriff, A. H. Onstoott, is credited with naming Alvarado for Alvarado, Veracruz, Mexico, where he fought in a battle during the Mexican–American War.

Geography

Alvarado is located in eastern Johnson County at the intersection of US Highway 67 and Interstate 35W. The city is 26 mi south of the center of Fort Worth and 39 mi southwest of Dallas. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alvarado has a total area of 12.5 km2, of which 10.6 km2 are land and 1.9 sqkm, or 15.35%, are water. The water area comprises Alvarado Park Lake, a reservoir on Turkey Creek 3 mi southwest of the city. Alvarado is drained by the North Fork of Chambers Creek, a southeast-flowing stream that is part of the Trinity River watershed. Alvarado's nearest neighboring communities are Venus to the east, Keene to the west, Burleson to the north, and Grandview to the south.

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, Alvarado has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,739 people, 1,388 households, and 1,184 families residing in the city.

Economy

Alvarado is a rural community with an economy that has been primarily agricultural with only a modest retail and industrial base. In recent years the trend has been away from agriculture and toward more urban development. In 2007 Sabre Tubular Structures built a new 200000 sqft facility located on 147 acre on the eastern side of town. Sabre has over 200 employees at this facility. The city received a 2008 grant of $750,000 from the Texas Department of Agriculture for infrastructure improvements related to Sabre.

Barnett Shale

In the latter part of the 2000s, development of natural gas wells in the Barnett Shale were a source of prosperity for the city and many property owners benefited from drilling activity, pipeline construction and royalty payments. As natural gas prices fell in 2009, drilling activity and royalty payments declined rapidly.

Recreation

Government

The city uses a council-manager government, with a mayor and six city council members representing three wards, one being the mayor pro tempore. The city's 2009–10 general fund budget was $3.9 million.

Education

The city is served by the Alvarado Independent School District. There are no colleges or universities in Alvarado, although residents pay a Hill College maintenance tax and residents receive in-district student rates.

Notable people