New London (Texas)

New London is a city in Rusk County, Texas, United States. The population was 998 at the 2010 census.New London was originally known as just "London". However, as the US Post Office had already established a station at London, Texas in Kimble County, the town changed its name to "New London" in 1931.HistoryOn March 18, 1937, the London School Explosion killed 294 people (most were children). As a result of the disaster, Texas passed laws requiring natural gas to be mixed with a malodorant to provide early warning of any leak. Other states quickly followed. Eventually, the legal requirement for malodorant in natural gas became a legal requirement in the United States.GeographyNew London is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.6sqmi, of which, 8.6sqmi of it is land and 0.12% is water.DemographicsAs of the census of 2000, there were 987 people, 352 households, and 268 families residing in the city. The population density was 114.3 people per square mile (44.1/km²). There were 388 housing units at an average density of 44.9/sq mi (17.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.59% White, 4.86% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 2.33% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.86% of the population.