Bryan, Texas is a city located in Brazos County in southeastern Texas, adjacent to the larger city of College Station. As of the 2020 census, Bryan had a population of 89,030, making it the 16th largest city in Texas.
Demographics
The racial makeup of Bryan is 61.3% White, 18.9% African American, 0.5% Native American, 5.4% Asian, 11.3% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. 24.4% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The median age in Bryan is 28, lower than the national median age of 38. This is largely due to the presence of Texas A&M University in nearby College Station, which has over 60,000 students enrolled. Over 27% of Bryan’s population is aged 18-24.
The average household size in Bryan is 2.51 people, and the median household income is $54,012, slightly lower than the national median. About 16.5% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Major Employers and Economy
Some of the top employers in Bryan include:
- Bryan Independent School District
- Bryan Texas Utilities
- St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital
- Texas A&M University
- Sanderson Farms
Major industries in Bryan include education, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. The presence of Texas A&M makes education a significant employer. Bryan is also home to an emerging technology and research sector focused around biotech and life sciences companies.
The top industries by employment in Bryan are:
- Educational services, healthcare, and social assistance (30.4%)
- Retail trade (12.7%)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services (9.1%)
- Manufacturing (8.7%)
- Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (8.2%)
Landmarks
Some notable landmarks and points of interest in Bryan include:
- George Bush Presidential Library and Museum – Part of the National Archives presidential library system.
- Carnegie History Center – History museum located in the 1904 Carnegie Library building.
- Bonfire Memorial – Memorial for the 12 students killed in the 1999 Texas A&M bonfire collapse.
- Blue Bell Creameries Tour – Factory tour of the popular Texas ice cream company.
- The Antique Trail – Antique stores along Highway 21.
Tourism
In addition to the landmarks noted above, Bryan offers visitors a variety of museums, performing arts, attractions, events, and outdoor recreation.
Popular museums include the Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley and the American Museum of the Miniature Arts. The city has a symphony orchestra, ballet company, theater company, and several dance studios providing regular arts performances.
Annual events in Bryan include the Texas Reds Festival barbecue competition, the Bryan Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park, and the Bryan holiday Stroll and Lighted Parade.
Outdoor recreation options include hiking and biking trails, mountain biking, golfing, boating on Lake Bryan, fishing, and more. The city has over 56 parks and two recreation centers for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Facebook and Sports
The city of Bryan has an official Facebook page which provides updates, event info, and more to over 18,000 followers. Check out their page at City of Bryan, Texas Facebook.
For local sports teams, Bryan is home to the Sam Houston State Bearkats who compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The Bearkats football team plays at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, just outside of Bryan.
Bryan is part of the Brazos Valley Baseball Association and Brazos Valley Softball Association, with youth teams competing across the region.