Hico, Texas

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement

Hico (Template:IPAc-en, Template:Respell) is a small city located in Hamilton County in central Texas, United States.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> The population was 1,335 at the time of the 2020 census, down from 1,341 in the 2010 census.<ref name=":0" /> Over the years, it became a cattle and cotton market. Today, ranching and tourism dominate the local economy.<ref name=tstg>Texas Department of Transportation, Texas State Travel Guide, 2008, pp. 200-201</ref>

History

Named for its founder's hometown of Hico in southwestern Kentucky, Hico's original location was on Honey Creek. When the Texas Central line (part of the historic Katy Railroad) was built nearby, the citizens moved Template:Convert to the rail line. Hico was incorporated in 1883 and became the Hamilton County shipping center.

In 1903, Kentucky-based evangelist Mordecai Ham held the first of his 75 Texas revival meetings in Hico.<ref>Jerry Hopkins of East Texas Baptist University, "Evangelist Mordecai F. Ham's West Texas Meetings, 1903-1940", paper at East Texas Historical Association and West Texas Historical Association joint meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, February 26, 2010</ref>

Geography

Hico is located in the northern corner of Hamilton County. A small portion of the city extends north into Erath County. U.S. Route 281 passes through the city as Walnut Street and North 2nd Street. Highway 281 leads northwest Template:Convert to Stephenville and south Template:Convert to Hamilton, the county seat. Texas State Highway 6 passes through the city as Second Street, joining US 281 as it exits the city to the northwest. Highway 6 leads east Template:Convert to Meridian and west-northwest Template:Convert to Dublin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hico has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

Approximately Template:Convert north of Hico are what appear to be the remains of an impact crater that was formed some time after the Cretaceous Period.<ref>Potential of Radar Imaging and Sounding Methods in Mapping Heavily Eroded Impact Craters: Mapping Some Structural Elements of the Hico Crater, TX (PDF), Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV (2004). Retrieved 2008-05-28</ref>

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hico has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

Template:US Census population

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,335 people, 619 households, and 269 families residing in the city.

**Hico racial composition**<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
(NH = Non-Hispanic)Template:Efn
Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	1,038	77.75%
Black or African American (NH)	5	0.37%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	8	0.6%
Asian (NH)	8	0.6%
Pacific Islander (NH)	1	0.07%
Some Other Race (NH)	1	0.07%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	55	4.12%
Hispanic or Latino	219	16.4%
Total	1,335

File:Downtown Hico, Texas Wagon Team. circa 1910.jpg

Downtown Hico, Texas Wagon Team. c. 1910

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,341 people, 556 households, and 363 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 640 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 90.23% White, 0.82% Native American, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 7.53% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.26% of the population.

There were 556 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,919, and the median income for a family was $34,688. Males had a median income of $27,404 versus $17,708 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,122. About 13.6% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over.Template:Cn

Education

The city is served by the Hico Independent School District, home of the Hico Tigers and Lady Tigers.

Notable people

Mary Billings, Texas' first woman Universalist minister.
William Garrison, Major General US Army, resides at his ranch near Hico
Mattie Parker, mayor of Fort Worth, Texas (2021–present) was born and raised in Hico
Brushy Bill Roberts (1879–1950), claimed to be Billy The Kid