Located approximately 180 miles west of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, near the geographic center of the state, Abilene is conveniently connected east-west by Interstate Highway 20, and north-south by U.S. highways 83, 84, and 277, Abilene is the center of a 22-county area commonly referred to as the Big Country.
Abilene serves as the county seat for Taylor County, one of 254 counties in Texas. Taylor County has a current population of about 136,000; 120,373 of which live within the Abilene city limits.
Abilene was established in March 1881, upon the completion of the Texas and Pacific Railroad. Abilene’s civic progressiveness and logistic function as a regional center for distribution, commerce, industry, transportation, and education provide an assortment of lodging, dining, cultural, and retail opportunities typically found only in much larger cities.
Home to three universities – Abilene Christian University, Howard Simmons University and McMurry University – and Dyess Air Force base, the Abilene Zoo, West Texas Fair and Rodeo and numerous events, activities and organizations, Abilene is a great place to plant roots and grow a family.
