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Abilene is a city in Taylor County, Texas, United States, in the central portion of the state. The population was 115,930 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County. Dyess Air Force Base is located to the west of the city.
Abilene is located off Interstate 20, between exits 279 on its western edge and 292 on the east. Abilene is 150 miles west of Fort Worth, Texas The city is looped by I-20 to the north, US 277/83 on the west, and FM 322 to the east. A railroad divides the city down the center into north and south. The downtown area is on the north side of the railroad.
The newest parts of the city seem to be growing to the southwest and south following US 83/84 and in the northeast at I-20 and SH 351. There are two lakes in the city, one on the western edge of Abilene Regional Airport, and the other on the southeast corner of US-83/84 & FM 322 interchange.
History
Established by cattlemen as a stock shipping point on the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1881, the city was named after Abilene, Kansas; the original endpoint for the Chisholm Trail. The city later became a major cattle-producing area with diversified farming. In recent years, petroleum has added great impetus to the city's economy. By 1900, 3,411 people lived in Abilene. When the city celebrated its centennial in 1981, the city set up a demonstration oil-drilling rig on the county fairgrounds just to illustrate the techniques of "making hole". By pure accident, it struck oil, not much - but enough for modest profitable production.
Abilene is the commercial, retail, medical, and transportation hub of a 19-county area known both as "The Big Country" and the "Texas Midwest". By the end of 2005, commercial and residential development had reached record levels in and around the city.
Geography and Climate
Abilene is located at (32.446425, -99.745482), 160 miles (257 km) west by south of Fort Worth.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 286.5 km² (110.6 mi²). 272.3 km² (105.1 mi²) of it is land and 14.2 km² (5.5 mi²) of it (4.95%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 115,930 people, 2005 estimate placed the city's population at 120,021), 41,570 households, and 28,101 families residing in the city. The population density was 425.8/km² (1,102.7/mi²). There were 45,618 housing units at an average density of 167.5/km² (433.9/mi²). The ethnic makeup of the city was 78.07% White, 8.81% African American, 0.55% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 8.73% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.45% of the population.
There were 41,570 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau. Of 41,570 households, 1,709 are unmarried partner households: 1,577 heterosexual, 62 same-sex male, and 70 same-sex female households. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 15.3% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,007, and the median income for a family was $40,028. Males had a median income of $28,078 versus $20,918 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,577. About 10.9% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. Abilene also ranked as the 17th city in the nation for high education in September/October of 2006. Abilene has two school districts within the city limits, the Abilene ISD, and Wylie ISD (WISD). They are referred to as the WAISD.
Culture
The cultural aspects of Abilene center around a mix of the three religiously affiliated private universities: Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University, as well as the Abilene Campus of Cisco Junior College, a West Texas campus of Texas State Technical College, American Commercial College, the agriculture community of the surrounding area, and the numerous affluent evangelical churches present.
Abilene is also home to the restored Paramount Theater, The Abilene Philharmonic Association, The Grace Museum, the Center for Contemporary Arts, The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, The Abilene Zoo, Frontier Texas, the 87th Armored Division Museum, Taylor County Coliseum, five libraries, twenty-six public parks, six television stations and an ever variable number of radio stations, including one National Public Radio Station (89.7 KACU).
Abilene has one of the only competing and performing jump rope teams in the area, known as the "Jammin' Jumpers". They formed in 1996 and have been to the National Jump Rope Championships in Walt Disney World 3 times: in 2001, 2003, and 2005.
The city's main newspaper is the Abilene Reporter-News. George Hamilton IV had a country and pop hit in 1963 with a song about the city, simply entitled "Abilene."
Events
The West Texas Fair & Rodeo, ten days in mid-Sept., features exhibits and amusements reflecting early days of Abilene, plus modern attractions of West Texas.
The Western heritage classic in early May features ranch rodeo, campfire cook-off, sheep dog trails, farrier competition, Cowboy Poets Society, Western art show and many other activities.
The first weekend in April features Celebrate Abilene, an outdoor festival held in the historic downtown area bringing the arts, history, railroad and family entertainment.
On every second Thursday evening of the month, Artwalk is held in downtown Abilene. During Artwalk all the local museums are free, the Paramount theater shows an "Art Film", local musicians and performers busk, and several crafters and artists set up booths and sell their wares.
There are also several special interest conventions, festivals, and shows scattered throughout the year including: The Abilene Gem and Mineral Show, the West Texas Book and Music Festival, The Abilene Gun and Knife Show, The Friends of the Abilene Public Library Book Sale, and The Erinshire Folk Festival.
The Erinshire Folk Festival is an annual event started in 2003 and is held at Erinshire Gardens. The purpose of the festival is to spotlight Abilene area musicians and original music.
Considerably more popular than the Erinshire folk festival is the annual "Cruise Night" parade of classic and modern sports cars held each September.
Also of note is the annual Abilene High vs. Abilene Cooper football game, usually held near Halloween. The two high schools often play each other to a close and exciting game, usually decided by two touchdowns or less. Two of these, the 2001 and 2002 games, were for the district championship and were known as the "Showdown at Shotwell" games, because the game is played at Shotwell Stadium.
Major Highways
Interstates
US Highways
Texas State Routes
Farm to Market Roads
Famous People from Abilene
Newspapers & Media
Colleges & Universities
External links
