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Moving to Abilene, Texas

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The current estimated population of Abilene is 125,000, with 48% male and 52% female. Abilene’s population has steadily increased over the past decade, driven by its growing healthcare, education, and military sectors, as well as a rising demand for housing.

City Facts

  • Founded: 1881
  • County: Taylor and Jones Counties
  • Land Area: 112.2 square miles
  • Population Density: 1,114 people per square mile
  • Area Code: 325
  • Zip Codes: 79601-79608

Geography and Location

Abilene is located in west-central Texas, approximately 150 miles west of Fort Worth, and serves as the seat of Taylor County. The city sits at the junction of several major highways, including Interstate 20, making it a key transportation hub for the region. Abilene has a diverse economy that includes education (with several universities), healthcare, manufacturing, and Dyess Air Force Base, which plays a significant role in the local economy. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rolling plains and ranchlands, typical of West Texas, with a semi-arid climate. Abilene’s cultural offerings include numerous museums, theaters, and art galleries, making it a regional center for the arts. Its blend of historical charm and modern development continues to attract families and businesses alike.

Demographics

Median resident age: 31.1 years
Median household income: $33,007
Median house value: $61,100

Population by Race

Races in Abilene:

  • White Non-Hispanic (68.8%)
  • Hispanic (19.4%)
  • Black (8.8%)
  • Other race (8.7%)
  • Two or more races (2.4%)
  • American Indian (1.1%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: United States (12.0%), German (10.2%), English (8.7%), Irish (8.1%), Scottish (2.0%), Scotch-Irish (2.0%).

Elevation: 1718 feet

Land area: 105.1 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Abilene

  • High school or higher: 79.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.6%
  • Unemployed: 8.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 15.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Abilene city

  • Never married: 26.3%
  • Now married: 54.0%
  • Separated: 1.9%
  • Widowed: 6.0%
  • Divorced: 11.8%

4.1% Foreign born (2.1% Latin America, 1.1% Asia, 0.5% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +9,114 (+8.5%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers in Abilene:

  • ABILENE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL (4225 WOODS PLACE)
  • ABILENE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (6250 HWY 83-84 AT ANTILLEY ROAD)
  • HENDRICK CENTER FOR EXTENDED CARE (1242 N 19TH ST)
  • HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER (1242 NORTH 19TH STREET)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Abilene:

  • ABILENE REGIONAL (about 7 miles; ABILENE, TX; Abbreviation: ABI)
  • DYESS AFB (about 8 miles; ABILENE, TX; Abbreviation: DYS)
  • SAN ANGELO REGIONAL/MATHIS FIELD (about 91 miles; SAN ANGELO, TX; Abbreviation: SJT)

Other public-use airports nearest to Abilene:

  • ELMDALE AIRPARK (about 7 miles; ABILENE, TX; Abbreviation: 6F4)
  • ARLEDGE FIELD (about 32 miles; STAMFORD, TX; Abbreviation: F56)
  • TAYLOR (about 38 miles; ALBANY, TX; Abbreviation: 6F5)

Amtrak station:
ABILENE (GREYHOUND STA., 535 CEDAR ST.) – Bus Station

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Abilene:

  • ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 4,380; Location: 1600 Campus Court; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.acu.edu; Offers Doctor’s degree)
  • HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 2,026; Location: 2200 Hickory; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.hsutx.edu; Offers Master’s degree)
  • MCMURRY UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 1,206; Location: S 14TH AND SAYLES BLVD; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.mcm.edu)
  • STENOGRAPH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS (Full-time enrollment: 85; Location: 202 PINE ST; Private, for-profit)
  • TEXAS COLLEGE OF COSMETOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 51; Location: 117 SAYLES ST; Private, for-profit)
  • AMERICAN COMMERCIAL COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 40; Location: 402 BUTTERNUT ST; Private, for-profit; Website: accedu.com)
  • HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER SCHOOL OF RADIOGRAPHY (Full-time enrollment: 21; Location: 1242 N 19TH; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.ehendrick.org/radiography)
  • ALADDIN BEAUTY COLLEGE 8 (Location: 2940 N FIRST; Private, for-profit)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Abilene:

  • ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY (about 98 miles; SAN ANGELO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,477)
  • TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY (about 108 miles; STEPHENVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 6,068)
  • MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 128 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,619)
  • TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY (about 165 miles; LUBBOCK, TX; Full-time enrollment: 22,439)
  • CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE (about 165 miles; KILLEEN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 6,777)
  • MIDLAND COLLEGE (about 165 miles; MIDLAND, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,800)
  • TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE (about 169 miles; FT WORTH, TX; Full-time enrollment: 15,454)

Schools

Public high schools in Abilene:

  • ABILENE H S (Students: 2,299; Location: 2800 N 6TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • COOPER H S (Students: 2,105; Location: 3639 SAYLES BLVD; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • WYLIE H S (Students: 854; Location: 4502 ANTILLEY RD; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • EXCEL ALTER H S (Students: 158; Location: 342 COCKERELL; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high schools in Abilene:

  • ABILENE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 318; Location: 2550 N JUDGE ELY BLVD; Grades: PK – 12)
  • CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 75; Location: 301 PALM ST; Grades: PK – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Abilene:

  • LINCOLN MIDDLE (Students: 767; Location: 1699 S 1ST ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • MADISON MIDDLE (Students: 759; Location: 3145 BARROW ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • CLACK MIDDLE (Students: 699; Location: 1610 CORSICANA AVE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • BOWIE EL (Students: 621; Location: 1733 S 20TH ST; Grades: PK – 05)
  • DYESS EL (Students: 614; Location: 402 DELAWARE RD; Grades: PK – 05)
  • FRANKLIN MIDDLE (Students: 612; Location: 1200 MERCHANT ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • MANN MIDDLE (Students: 589; Location: 2545 MIMOSA DR; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • BASSETTI EL (Students: 579; Location: 5749 HWY 277 S; Grades: PK – 05)
  • BONHAM EL (Students: 535; Location: 4250 POTOMAC AVE; Grades: PK – 05)
  • THOMAS EL (Students: 530; Location: 1240 LAKESIDE DR; Grades: PK – 05)

Private primary/middle schools in Abilene:

  • ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (Students: 194; Location: 1600 SHERMAN STREET; Grades: PK – 5)
  • HAPPY DAYS SCHOOL (Students: 74; Location: 1957 SAYLES; Grades: PK – 1)
  • CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 58; Location: 2933 S 7TH ST; Grades: PK – 6)

Libraries

Library in Abilene:

  • ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $1,937,306; Location: 202 CEDAR ST; 181,221 books; 7,661 audio materials; 6,770 video materials; 420 serial subscriptions)

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