West Columbia, Texas
City in the United States in Brazoria County
About West Columbia
West Columbia is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The city is centered on the intersection of Texas Highways 35 & 36, 55 miles (89 km) southwest of downtown Houston. The population was 3,644 at the 2020 census.
The 1st Congress of the Republic of Texas was convened in West Columbia on October 3, 1836. (It was then named simply Columbia.)
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How West Columbia is governed
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of West Columbia
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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Population over time
From 3,905 in 2010 to 3,644 in 2020 (−6.7%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3,644 |
| 2010 | 3,905 |
History
Columbia was established in 1826 by Josiah Hughes Bell when the town was laid out two miles west of Marion, later known as East Columbia. Columbia served as the capital of the Republic of Texas from September 1836 until the government relocated to Houston in April 1837. The town hosted the First Congress of the Republic of Texas, which convened on October 3, 1836; Sam Houston was inaugurated as president on October 22. The House of Representatives convened in a two-story frame house, while the Senate met in a smaller house. On November 30, 1836, Congress convened in joint session and chose to relocate the seat of government to Houston, citing Columbia’s inadequate accommodations for government personnel. President Houston ordered the move on December 15. On December 27, 1836, Secretary of State Stephen F. Austin died at the home of George B. McKinstry in Columbia.
After the Republic’s government left, commercial activity in the community (thereafter called West Columbia) fell sharply. A post office opened in 1905. Growth resumed after the large West Columbia oil field was discovered in 1918; the town then developed as a local center for rice and cotton farming, petroleum, and sulfur production. Population climbed to 2,500 by 1928 before dropping to roughly 1,000 during the Great Depression; by 1932 only forty businesses remained. By 1940 the town reported 1,573 residents and fifty businesses; numbers rose further to about 2,100 over the next ten years. During the 1960s major oil companies maintained producing wells nearby, and the surrounding area was said to hold the largest cattle herd in Texas. Census counts stood at 2,947 in 1960, 3,335 in 1970, and 4,372 in 1990. A replica of the first capitol was built in 1977, and the Varner-Hogg Plantation was later restored and operates today as a state historic site just outside the town.
In recent decades, the population has seen a modest decline to 4,255 in 2000, 3,905 in 2010, and 3,644 in 2020.
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