Elmo is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Kaufman County, Texas, United States. It is located on U.S. Highway 80, east of Terrell and northeast of Kaufman, the county seat. As of the 2020 census, Elmo had a population of 803.
History Elmo's history began in 1870 when the Texas and Pacific Railway laid track through the area. A community subsequently emerged at the railhead, and it was decided that the new town be named in honor of Elmo Scott, a T&P Railroad surveyor. Elmo received a post office in 1873, and by the mid-1880s, it possessed several mills, five churches, schools, and approximately 900 residents. Throughout the remainder of the 19th century, however, the population declined, and by 1945 only 150 people resided in Elmo. By 1990, this figure had fallen to 90 and remained at this level through to the 2000 Census.Robert Richard Butler, History of Kaufman County, Texas (M.A. thesis, University of Texas, 1940). Mabel Covington Keller, History of Kaufman County, Texas (M.A. thesis, North Texas State College, 1950).
In 1892, Elmo residents adopted a resolution declaring it a sundown town, prohibiting African Americans from living there and forcing existing black residents to leave. Reprinted in
Demographics
Elmo first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. census.
+Elmo CDP, Texas – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2010% 2010White alone (NH)64453783.85%66.87%Black or African American alone (NH)23242.99%2.99%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)460.52%0.75%Asian alone (NH)100.13%0.00%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)000.00%0.00%Other race alone (NH)010.00%0.12%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)16382.08%4.73%Hispanic or Latino (any race)8019710.42%24.53%Total768803100.00%100.00%
Education It is within the Wills Point Independent School District. - Text list
Notable person Henry Qualls (July 8, 1934 – December 7, 2003) — American texas blues and country blues guitarist and singer
See also List of sundown towns in the United States
References
External links ELMO, TX at Handbook of Texas Online