Kilgore, Texas | |
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.jpg) World's Richest Acre Park in downtown Kilgore, where the greatest concentration of oil wells in the world once stood  Old Main atKilgore College  St. LukesUnited Methodist Church in downtown Kilgore | |
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| Nicknames: | |
| Motto: | |
 Interactive map of Kilgore | |
  Kilgore  Kilgore | |
| Coordinates:32°23′08″N94°52′07″W / 32.38556°N 94.86861°W /32.38556; -94.86861[13] | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Region | East Texas |
| Counties | Gregg,Rusk |
| Founded | 1872; 153 years ago (1872) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | R.E. Spradlin III[14] |
| • City Manager | Rachel Rowe[15] |
| Area | |
• Total | 18.64 sq mi (48.29 km2) |
| • Land | 18.61 sq mi (48.20 km2) |
| • Water | 0.035 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 351 ft (107 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 13,376 |
| • Density | 718.7/sq mi (277.5/km2) |
| Demonym | Kilgoreites[18] |
| GDP (ofMSA) | |
| • Metro | $20.259 billion (2022) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 75662-3 |
| Area code | 903, 430 |
| FIPS code | 48-39124[13] |
| GNIS ID | 2411541[13] |
| Website | cityofkilgore.com |
Kilgore (/ˈkɪlɡɔːr/ ⓘ) is a city in theGregg andRusk counties inTexas, United States.[13] As of the2020 census, its population was 13,376.[17] It is located whereInterstate 20 andUS 259 converge south of theSabine River.
Kilgore was founded in 1872 when theInternational–Great Northern Railroad completed the initial phase of rail line betweenPalestine andLongview. The rail company chose to bypass New Danville, a small community about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Longview, in lieu of a new townsite platted on 174 acres (0.70 km2) sold to the railroad byConstantine Buckley Kilgore, the town's namesake. That way the railroad gained the profits from sale and development of the lands.[20]
A post office was built in Kilgore in 1873 and with a station and transportation for gettingcommodity crops to market, the city soon began drawing residents and businesses away from New Danville. By 1885, the population had reached 250, and the community had twocotton gins, a church, and a school (for white children only). Theracially segregated Kilgore Independent School District was organized in 1910. By 1914 the town had two banks, several businesses, and a reported population of 700. The 1920s showed continued steady growth, and by 1929 Kilgore was home to an estimated 1,000 residents.
Prosperity came to a halt, however, when Kilgore was dealt severe blows by a steep decline in cotton prices (on which most of the town's economy was still based), and the effects of theGreat Depression. Businesses began to close and, by the middle of 1930, the population had fallen to 500; the community appeared destined to become aghost town. Many Blacks joined theGreat Migration out of the South to northern, midwestern, and western cities for work.
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Kilgore's fortunes changed dramatically on October 3, 1930, whenwildcatterColumbus M. "Dad" Joiner struckoil near the neighboring town ofHenderson. The well known as the Daisy Bradford #3, marked the discovery of the vastEast Texas Oil Field. Seemingly overnight Kilgore was transformed from a small farming town on the decline into a bustlingboomtown. The Daisy Bradford #3 was subsequently followed by the Lou Della Crim No. 1 and many others.[21][22] By 1936, the population had increased to more than 12,000, and Kilgore's skyline was crowded withoil derricks.
Oil production continued at a breakneck pace throughout the early 1930s, with more than 1,100 producing oil wells within city limits at the height of the boom. The explosive growth left most civic services overwhelmed, and as a result Kilgore was forced toincorporate in 1931. With the city flooded with male workers androustabouts, law enforcement struggled to keep order among theshanties, tents, and ramshacklehonky-tonks that crowded Kilgore's main streets. On one occasion, they had to summon help from theTexas Rangers to keep the peace. By the mid-1930s theoil boom was almost over and most of the small oil companies and wildcatters had sold out to major corporations. The boom was essentially over by 1940. But oil production has remained central to the city's economy. The population, which fluctuated wildly throughout the 1930s, stabilized at around 10,000 in the 1950s. A 2015 estimate placed it at just under 15,000 residents.
In the 1940s Kilgore had over 1,000 wooden oil derricks. One acre was known by the nickname "The world's richest acre." Now there are 60 steel replicas of the derricks in the city topped with stars. The city is nicknamed the City of Stars.[23]
Kilgore is located in southern Gregg County and extends south into Rusk County,[13] where over three-fourths of the city are located in Gregg County, the remainder in Rusk County.U.S. Route 259 passes through the east side of the city as a limited-access bypass, leading northeast 11 miles (18 km) toLongview and south 17 miles (27 km) toHenderson. Kilgore's city limits extend 3 miles (5 km) north from the city center as far asInterstate 20, with access from Exits 583, 587, and 589. I-20 leads east 69 miles (111 km) toShreveport, Louisiana and west 119 miles (192 km) toDallas.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Kilgore has a total area of 15.7 square miles (40.7 km2), of which 15.7 square miles (40.6 km2) are land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.22%, are covered by water.[24]
Kilgore is located in thePiney Woods region south of theSabine River.
As of the2020 United States census, there were 13,376 people, 5,060 households, and 3,476 families residing in the city.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 248 | — | |
| 1940 | 6,708 | — | |
| 1950 | 9,638 | 43.7% | |
| 1960 | 10,092 | 4.7% | |
| 1970 | 9,495 | −5.9% | |
| 1980 | 11,331 | 19.3% | |
| 1990 | 11,066 | −2.3% | |
| 2000 | 11,301 | 2.1% | |
| 2010 | 12,975 | 14.8% | |
| 2020 | 13,376 | 3.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[25] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 7,762 | 58.03% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,857 | 13.88% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 34 | 0.25% |
| Asian (NH) | 111 | 0.83% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 5 | 0.04% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 32 | 0.24% |
| Mixed/multi-racial (NH) | 577 | 4.31% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2,998 | 22.41% |
| Total | 13,376 |
As of thecensus[29] of 2000, 11,301 people, 4,403 households, and 2,963 families resided in the city. The population density was 734.3 inhabitants per square mile (283.5/km2). The 4,766 housing units averaged 309.7 units per square mile (119.6 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 78.22% White, 12.34% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.95% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 11.11% of the population.
Of the 4,403 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% weremarried couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were not families. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city, the population was distributed as 24.6% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,129, and for a family was $61,765. Males had a median income of $45,995 versus $30,124 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $21,297. About 9.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.[30]
In 2023, Kilgore had 309 locally owned businesses, and attracted $117 million of new industrial investment.[31]
TheKilgore College Rangerettes, the world's first precision dance drill team, were founded in Kilgore in 1940 byGussie Nell Davis. The Rangerettes provide college football halftime entertainment,[32] and appear annually in theMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[33]
Festivals and events include:
Mount Tabor Indian Community is a state-recognized cultural heritage organization representing descendants ofCherokee and other southeastern tribes. The community is a non-profit organization focused on preserving its cultural history.[41][42]
R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium primarily serving Kilgore College and the Kilgore Independent School District for football games and other events.[43]
Driller Park was the homefield for the Kilgore Drillers,[44]
The Kilgore Trails System is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) and was designed for walkers, runners, and cyclists. The trail system has access points throughout the city, and passes through wooded areas.[47]
According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fund Financial Statements, the city's various funds had $17.4 million in revenues, $19.4 million in expenditures, $19.5 million in total assets, $0.8 million in total liabilities, and $17.5 million in investments.[61]
Kilgore is represented in theTexas Senate by Republican Bryan Hughes, District 1, and in theTexas House of Representatives by RepublicanDavid Simpson, District 7 and Travis Clardy, District 11.
At the federal level, the two U.S. senators from Texas are RepublicansJohn Cornyn andTed Cruz. Kilgore is part ofTexas's 1st congressional district, which is currently represented by RepublicanNathaniel Moran.
Kilgore College is home to the Rangers and theKilgore College Rangerettes.
The boundary of Kilgore College includes the independent school districts of Kilgore and Sabine (the ones covering sections of Kilgore).[64]
TheKilgore News Herald is a twice-weekly newspaper published in the city.[65]
| Frequency (MHz) | Call letters | Licensed location | Type | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88.7 | KZLO | Kilgore | Broadcast stationKZLO | Contemporary Christian |
| 96.1 | KKTX-FM | Kilgore | Broadcast stationKKTX | Classic Rock |
| 105.3 | K287AJ | Kilgore | Translator ofKDOK | Classic Hits |
A proposal is in the works for a over 200 mphhigh-speed rail system fromDallas/Fort Worth toAtlanta, Georgia along theI-20 corridor, currently named the I-20X, that will pass directly through Kilgore, bringingpassenger rail service to that corridor for the first time since the Texas and Pacific's unnamed successor to theLouisiana Eagle in the late 1960s.[67][68] This initiative promises to support regional development, reducecar dependency, and create jobs in areas like Tyler, Kilgore, and East Texas. Early phases of planning are in motion, with design on the Atlanta-Birmingham segment expected to start by 2025.[69]
GoBus is a regional transit system serving Kilgore and nearby cities.[70]
Kilgore's cycling infrastructure includes the 3.5-mile Creekside Trail, part of the Kilgore Trails System, and the Big Head Mountain Bike Trail. Opened in phases from 2018 to 2020, the Creekside Trail follows Bighead Creek with multiple access points. The city continues to promote outdoor recreation through events and activities.[47]
A significant part of Kilgore’s modern healthcare landscape stems from the legacy of longtime mayorRoy H. Laird.
In 1950, Kilgore’s first full‑service community hospital was renamed theRoy H. Laird Memorial Hospital in honor of the city’s long‑time mayor; For more than four decades, the hospital provided acute-care beds and outpatient services for Kilgore and the surrounding area, with a particular focus on serving indigent patients.[71]
Following Laird’s death, theRoy H. Laird Memorial Hospital Trust was established in 1957 to oversee charitable healthcare outreach to indigent patients in Gregg County.[72] In 1994, theRoy H. Laird Memorial Hospital Foundation, Inc. was chartered to secure philanthropic support for local medical programs and capital improvements.[73]
On July 11, 2024, a new, 74,800 sq ftRoy H. Laird Health Science Center & Torrence Health Science Education Center officially opened on the former hospital site. This joint project ofCHRISTUS Good Shepherd, Kilgore College, the City of Kilgore, and the Laird Foundation houses Kilgore College’s nursing, physical‑therapy‑assistant, and radiologic‑technology programs alongside modern clinical training labs, marking a major expansion of hands‑on healthcare education in East Texas. Providing advanced medical spaces to train the region’s healthcare workforce[74][75][76]
At the 2025 State of the Community address, Mayor Ronnie Spradlin highlighted the project as a major achievement, continuing the lasting legacy of Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital.[77]
UT Health East Texas, a clinical extension of TheUniversity of Texas System and theUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, anchors the Kilgore region’s access to UT‑affiliated medical access. As part of one of Texas’s academic health networks, the Kilgore urgent care clinic serves as a critical point for acute evaluation, diagnostics, and seamless referral into the broader UT Health East Texas specialty and inpatient services.[78]
Geographic data related toKilgore, Texas atOpenStreetMap| Neighborhoods | Downtown Kilgore,Fredonia,Danville, Richards Estates, Country Club Estates, Chandler, Spring Tree, Timberdale, Lakewood Manors, Meadowbrook, Crimwood, Clara Estates, Pineview, Windsor Park, Rolling Meadows, Mercerview,Kinsloe, Eastridge Park, Pinewood, Midtown (retail center) | | |||
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