Kerrville, Texas | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Kerrville City Hall (2015) | |
 Location withinKerr County andTexas | |
  Kerrville Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:30°02′51″N99°08′26″W / 30.04750°N 99.14056°W /30.04750; -99.14056[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Kerr |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| Area | |
• Total | 22.35 sq mi (57.88 km2) |
| • Land | 21.93 sq mi (56.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.42 sq mi (1.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,608 ft (490 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 24,278 |
| • Density | 1,107/sq mi (427.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code | 78028–78029 |
| Area code | 830 |
| FIPS code | 48-39040[1] |
| GNIS ID | 2411538[1] |
| Website | kerrvilletx.gov |
.jpg)
Kerrville is a city in and thecounty seat ofKerr County, Texas, United States.[1] The population of Kerrville was 24,278 at the2020 census.[3] Kerrville is named afterJames Kerr, amajor in theTexas Revolution, and friend of settler-founderJoshua Brown, who settled in the area to start a shingle-making camp.[4]
Being nestled in the hills of theTexas Hill Country, Kerrville is best known for its parks that line theGuadalupe River, which runs directly through the city; other features include its nearby youth summer camps, hunting ranches, and RV parks. It is home to the Texas' Official State Arts & Crafts Fair, theKerrville Folk Festival, the Kerrville Triathlon (since 2011), and the Kerrville Renaissance Festival (since 2017), as well asMooney Aviation Company,[5]James Avery Jewelry, andSchreiner University. TheMuseum of Western Art (founded 1983) features the work of living artists specializing in the themes of theAmerican West.
Archeological evidence (including burned rock middens,lithic artifacts, andCaddoan pottery pieces) suggests that humans lived in the area known as Kerrville as early as 10,000 years ago.[6]Native American tribes in the area have included theLipan Apache,Kiowa andComanche.[7]
Early white settlers included successful shinglemakers whose mercantile business became a hub that served the middle and upper Hill Country area in the late 1840s. One of the earliest shinglemakers was Joshua D. Brown. With his family, Joshua Brown had led several other families on an exploration of the Guadalupe Valley. These early pioneers organized their settlements near a bluff just north of the Guadalupe River in the eastern half of today's county. The settlement was referred to as "Brownsborough", but after the area was formally platted in 1856 byJames Kerr, a major in the Texas Revolution, the settlement was formally known as "Kerrville" and maintained a county seat with Texas.
Starting in 1857, aGerman master-miller named Christian Dietert and millwright Balthasar Lich started a large grist and saw mill on the bluff. This mill established a permanent source of power and protection from floods, and became the most extensive operation of its kind in the Hill Country area west ofNew Braunfels andSan Antonio. Soon afterwards,Charles A. Schreiner rode Kerrville's newly found popularity by serving Kerrville's mercantile needs. Schreiner established a family-run empire that helped build Kerrville's early prosperity by owning almost all of Kerrville's business sectors, including freighting enterprises, retail, wholesale, banking, ranching, marketing, and brokering operations. Schreiner's elegant downtown home, aRomanesque stone structure at 226 Earl Garrett Street, is the site of the Hill Country Museum in downtown Kerrville.
TheCivil War slowed Kerrville's development, but with the start of theReconstruction era, Kerrville's economic boom and ethnic diversification continued anew as demand grew in San Antonio for lumber, produce, and craftsmen. Kerrville's boom was also catalyzed by the combination of the cessation of Indian raids and the expansion into the business of cattle, sheep, and goat ranching.Cattle drives punctuated the boom-years of the late 1880s and the 1890s. In 1887, theSan Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway reached Kerrville, and in 1889 the town incorporated, with analdermanic form of city government.
The Kerrville Water Works Company began to provide water for town dwellers in 1894. Telephone service was introduced in 1896, and the city began to pave streets in 1912. Kerrville adopted a "commission" form of city government in 1917, then changed to the "city-manager" form in 1928. In 1942, the town adopted a home-rule charter, while continuing with a city manager. Kerrville has displayed steady population growth throughout the 20th century, increasing from 1,423 residents in 1900 to 2,353 in 1920, 5,572 in 1940, 8,901 in 1960, and 15,276 in 1980. Its economic base has diversified and broadened through business, agriculture, light manufacturing, health care, transportation, services, education, the arts, and tourism. By the mid-1990s theWall Street Journal described Kerrville as one of the wealthiest small towns in America. By 1995, the city's official population was still under 18,000, with another 20,000 people in relatively affluent residential areas south of the river and in the rest of the county. In 2000, the population reached 20,425. Much of the growth in population included retirees and young professionals and semiprofessionals; for many years Kerrville also experienced significant out-migration of young adults raised in the area.
Kerrville is located in eastern Kerr County. ViaI-10, it is 65 miles (105 km) northwest ofSan Antonio and 52 miles (84 km) southeast ofJunction.SH 16 (Sidney Baker Street) is the main road through the center of Kerrville. SH 16 leads northeast 24 miles (39 km) toFredericksburg and southwest the same distance toMedina.SH 173 leads south 25 miles (40 km) toBandera, whileSH 27 leads west 6 miles (10 km) toIngram and east 18 miles (29 km) toComfort.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Kerrville has a total area of 20.7 square miles (53.7 km2), of which 20.3 square miles (52.6 km2) are land and 0.42 square miles (1.1 km2) (2.00%) are covered by water.[8] TheGuadalupe River runs through the city, with the downtown area sitting on the northeastern side.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Kerrville has ahumid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[9]
| Climate data for Kerrville, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 91 (33) | 97 (36) | 100 (38) | 103 (39) | 105 (41) | 107 (42) | 110 (43) | 108 (42) | 109 (43) | 99 (37) | 93 (34) | 89 (32) | 110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 78.9 (26.1) | 82.7 (28.2) | 86.6 (30.3) | 90.7 (32.6) | 94.5 (34.7) | 97.5 (36.4) | 99.2 (37.3) | 100.5 (38.1) | 97.1 (36.2) | 91.4 (33.0) | 83.2 (28.4) | 79.0 (26.1) | 102.2 (39.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 59.1 (15.1) | 63.0 (17.2) | 69.5 (20.8) | 76.4 (24.7) | 82.4 (28.0) | 88.7 (31.5) | 91.6 (33.1) | 92.8 (33.8) | 86.5 (30.3) | 78.2 (25.7) | 67.4 (19.7) | 60.4 (15.8) | 76.3 (24.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 46.4 (8.0) | 50.5 (10.3) | 57.5 (14.2) | 64.4 (18.0) | 72.0 (22.2) | 78.3 (25.7) | 80.7 (27.1) | 81.1 (27.3) | 75.0 (23.9) | 65.9 (18.8) | 55.6 (13.1) | 48.0 (8.9) | 64.6 (18.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 33.8 (1.0) | 38.0 (3.3) | 45.4 (7.4) | 52.4 (11.3) | 61.6 (16.4) | 67.9 (19.9) | 69.8 (21.0) | 69.3 (20.7) | 63.4 (17.4) | 53.7 (12.1) | 43.8 (6.6) | 35.7 (2.1) | 52.9 (11.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 19.3 (−7.1) | 21.7 (−5.7) | 25.9 (−3.4) | 33.7 (0.9) | 45.3 (7.4) | 58.4 (14.7) | 64.0 (17.8) | 62.1 (16.7) | 48.9 (9.4) | 34.1 (1.2) | 25.2 (−3.8) | 20.7 (−6.3) | 16.5 (−8.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −7 (−22) | −5 (−21) | 9 (−13) | 22 (−6) | 31 (−1) | 40 (4) | 51 (11) | 46 (8) | 35 (2) | 21 (−6) | 11 (−12) | −4 (−20) | −7 (−22) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.66 (42) | 1.63 (41) | 2.35 (60) | 2.27 (58) | 4.29 (109) | 3.31 (84) | 2.09 (53) | 1.93 (49) | 3.73 (95) | 3.20 (81) | 2.16 (55) | 1.94 (49) | 30.56 (776) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.5 (1.3) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 7.1 | 7.2 | 8.1 | 6.5 | 9.0 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 82.7 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 |
| Source:NOAA[10][11] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 156 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,044 | 569.2% | |
| 1900 | 1,423 | 36.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,843 | 29.5% | |
| 1920 | 2,353 | 27.7% | |
| 1930 | 4,546 | 93.2% | |
| 1940 | 5,572 | 22.6% | |
| 1950 | 7,691 | 38.0% | |
| 1960 | 8,901 | 15.7% | |
| 1970 | 12,672 | 42.4% | |
| 1980 | 15,276 | 20.5% | |
| 1990 | 17,384 | 13.8% | |
| 2000 | 20,425 | 17.5% | |
| 2010 | 22,347 | 9.4% | |
| 2020 | 24,278 | 8.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 15,734 | 64.81% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6,762 | 27.85% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 520 | 2.14% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 58 | 0.24% |
| Asian (NH) | 378 | 1.56% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 21 | 0.09% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 87 | 0.36% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 718 | 2.96% |
| Total | 24,278 |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 24,278 people, 9,627 households, and 6,059 families residing in the city.
As of the census of 2000,[16] 20,425 people, 8,563 households, and 5,411 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,222.5 inhabitants per square mile (472.0/km2). The 9,477 housing units averaged 567.2 per square mile (219.0/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 85.89% White, 2.99% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 8.20% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 22.73% of the population.
Of the 8,563 households, 8.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were not families. About 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the city, the population was distributed as 21.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 87 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.[17]
The median income for a household in the city was $32,085, and for a family was $38,979. Males had a median income of $27,555 versus $19,923 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $20,193. About 11.7% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.[17]
TheKerrville Folk Festival is an annual summer festival which featuresfolk musicians.[18]
Kerrville is home to the annual Texas State Arts and Crafts Fair, which features artisans and entertainers.[19] The Texas Lions Camp andEcho Hill Ranch Summer Camp are also located in Kerrville.
Kerrville hosted the Olympic trials for shooting sports for the2012 Summer Olympics at the Hill Country Shooting Center.[20]
On Saturday, October 15, 2023, Kerrville experienced a annular solar eclipse of the sun.[21]
Six months later, on Monday, April 8, 2024, the Kerrville Eclipse Festival celebrated the annular solar eclipse of the sun.[22]
Kerrville is served by theKerrville Independent School District, which maintains four elementary schools (Tally, Nimitz, Starkey, and Daniels), one middle school (Peterson), and two high schools (Hill Country High School andKerrville (TX) Tivy).[23]Our Lady of the Hills Catholic High School[24] and Notre Dame Catholic School[25] and Grace Academy of Kerrville[26] are also located in Kerrville, serving as the primary alternative to the public school system.
Kerrville is home toSchreiner University, a private four-year university which was established in 1923 by an ex-Texas Ranger, Captain Charles Schreiner.
Until 2020, Schreiner University was also home toGreystone Preparatory School. Greystone offered a one-year preparatory course to help individuals prepare for an appointment to one of the five federal service academies.[27] Since the departure of Greystone, Schreiner Institute was created to fill this role.[28] Directed by veteran Marine Shannon Deville, the program has since been designated as one of sixWest Point approved Associate of Graduates Scholarship Programs.[29]
The TaxExemptWorld.com website, which compilesInternal Revenue Service data, reported that in 2013, 465 distinct, active, tax exempt/nonprofit organizations in Kerrville, excluding credit unions, had a total income of $414 million and assets of $959 million.[30] One example of a performing arts nonprofit organization in Kerrville would beArt 2 Heart. There are seventy-three (73) churches in or near Kerrville, Texas.
SH 16 (Medina Highway, Sidney Baker Highway, Fredericksburg Road)
SH 27 (Junction Highway, Main Street, Broadway Avenue)
SH 173 (Bandera Highway)
Loop 534 (Veterans Highway)Adventure Cycling Association Southern Tier Bicycle Route[31]
Municipalities and communities ofKerr County, Texas,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| CDP | ||
| Other communities | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
