Mingus, Texas

Mingus is a city in Palo Pinto County, Texas, United States. The population was 235 at the 2010 census.HistoryIn the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s Mingus, known as a "wet" town, had a thriving set of liquor stores and bars patronized by those in "dry" areas in Palo Pinto County and other area counties. This era in Mingus history was memorialized in a comedic country song by John Clay and the Lost Austin Band called "Road to Mingus." The lyrics tell of the deaths of three young men from Strawn, Texas who travel to Mingus for beer, and, coming home in their '39 Ford, try to beat the Katy at a crossing and die when they are struck by the "reckless railroad train."Area residents blamed aggressive law enforcement for the demise of the stores and bars. By the 2000s the Cossacks Motorcycle Club patronized the remaining commercial establishments in the town.GeographyMingus is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5sqmi, all of it land.DemographicsAs of the census of 2000, there were 246 people, 110 households, and 59 families residing in the city. The population density was 158.3 people per square mile (61.3/km²). There were 136 housing units at an average density of 87.5/sq mi (33.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.84% White, 0.41% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 8.54% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.57% of the population.