Abilene Texas is a well-established city in Taylor and Jones Counties in Texas. It has a central position and is home to around 125,000 people. It is known for oil, livestock, agriculture, services and healthcare.

The city has a relaxed vibe with Texas charm where people work hard and like to relax afterwards. It is also home to Dyess Air Force Base which means some of the population is always changing.

History of Abilene

Abilene was originally settled by cattlemen as a stockyard to allow loading onto the Texas and Pacific Railway. It was named after Abilene, Kansas.

As soon as the area was settled, some 800 people arrived almost immediately, from 1881 onwards. Lots were sold and all went immediately, raising a lot of cash for some.

The town of Abilene was incorporated in the same year and a committee was soon formed to attract more business and more investment.

The arrival of Simmons College, Childers Classical Institute and McMurry College brought jobs and students from across the region to study. Each of these colleges eventually turned into universities. The success of which brought Texas State Technical College and Cisco Junior College soon after.

The arrival of Camp Barkeley brought similar opportunities but the base closed just after World War 2. Dyess Air Force Base arrived in the 1950s and is still the town’s largest employer.

Since then, the city has diversified its economy to include a range of industries including oil, education and services.

Transport in Abilene

Abilene was originally founded as a transport hub so has plenty of options for getting around.

Arrive into Abilene by air and you’ll likely use Abilene Regional Airport just southwest of town.

There is no rail or bus service to speak of in the city except for local bus services.

Roads include I-20, US 80, US 83, US 84, US 277, SH 36, Loop 322, SH 351, FM 89, FM 600 and local routes throughout the city.

Major employers in Abilene

A few major employers call Abilene home including Dyess Air Force Base, Hendrick Health System, Abilene ISD, Abilene Christian University, City of Abilene, Abilene State Supported Living Center, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Claims Center, Abilene Regional Medical Center, AbiMar Foods, First Financial Bank, Taylor County, Wylie ISD, Eagle Aviation Services, Hardin-Simmons University, Lauren Engineers & Constructors and First Financial Bank.

Neighborhoods of Abilene

Abilene, like most American cities is made up of a collection of neighborhoods, including Abilene Heights Area, Ambler Ave, Arnold Blvd, Ballinger St, Baylor, Beechwood/Mockingbird, Bel Air NW Abilene, Bella Vista Estates, Beltway, Bent Tree, Bishop Rd, Blackhawk, Buck Creek, Buffalo Gap Road, Buffalo Ridge, Canterbury, Lexington, Caprock Ridge, Carriage Hills, Castlewood, Cedar Hills, Champions / Far Southside, Chaucer/Friars, Chimney Rock West, Clark Rd – Foothill Rd, Clinton St, Cobb Park, College Drive, College Heights, Coronado East, Coronado Estates, Corsicana, Dakota Springs, Deerwood, Elm Creek, Elmdale, Fairway Oaks, FM 1750 East, Gilmer Ave, Hamby, Hampton Hills, Hayter Rd, Heritage Parks, Hollywood, Idle Creek – Clark Rd, Jameson, Jefferson, Lakes at Saddle Creek, Lariat, Leggett, Long-Mann, Lunatic Asylum Lands and  Lytle Lake.

Popular attractions in Abilene

Abilene has a lot going on including 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum, Abilene Zoo, Buffalo Gap Historic Village, Fort Phantom Hill, Frontier Texas, Morgan Jones Planetarium, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, The Grace Museum, Pappy Slokum Brewery, Paramount Theatre, The Mill, Winery at Willow Creek, McKay’s Bakery, Monks Coffee Shop and Abilene State Park.