College Station

by The Linguist

College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in East-Central Texas in the heart of the Brazos Valley. With a population of 116,381 as of the 2020 census, it is the 16th-most populous city in Texas and the 4th fastest growing city in the nation from 2010-2020.

Population and Demographics

According to the 2020 census, College Station has a population of 116,381 residents, making it the 15th most populous city in Texas. This represents a 30.4% increase from the 2010 census population of 89,194. The racial makeup of College Station is 70.0% White, 9.5% Asian, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, 7.4% Black or African American, and 3.8% mixed race.

The median age in College Station is 25.4 years old due to the significant student population from Texas A&M University. Nearly 20% of residents are between the ages of 18-24. The gender split is 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

The average household size is 2.43 persons. 58.5% of households consist of families while 36.4% are non-family households. There is a large renter population, with 43.5% of households occupied by renters and 56.5% owner-occupied.

History and Education

College Station was founded in 1860 as the site for the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, which later became Texas A&M University. The city developed and grew around this institution over the following decades. Today, Texas A&M University remains an integral part of the city’s economy and culture.

College Station is home to several major educational institutions including:

  • Texas A&M University – founded 1876, enrollment over 60,000 students
  • Blinn College – two-year community college, enrollment 19,500+ students
  • College Station Independent School District – over 13,700 students

Education is a defining characteristic of College Station. Nearly 30% of residents hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The city’s identity and economy are closely tied to Texas A&M University.

Economy and Major Employers

The economy of College Station revolves around education, technology, retail, and manufacturing. Many residents work for Texas A&M University or related research/support industries. Major private employers in the city include:

Major industries that drive College Station’s economy include:

  • Higher education – Texas A&M University
  • Technology and research – Texas A&M Engineering programs
  • Healthcare – St. Joseph Hospital, Baylor Scott & White Hospital
  • Retail – Wolf Pen Creek district, Post Oak Mall, restaurants & shops
  • Manufacturing – corporations attracted by skilled workforce and central location

The city has experienced rapid growth in high-tech manufacturing and research over the past decade. Unemployment remains low at around 3%, and average household income is $55,020.

Landmarks and Attractions

As a college town, many of College Station’s landmarks and attractions are located on or near the Texas A&M University campus. Popular sites include:

Other popular attractions include the historic Amtrak Train Station, the Lick Creek Nature Center, and the Children’s Theatre and Workshop. College Station offers many parks, trails, recreation facilities, and cultural events for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Sports

As home to Texas A&M University, College Station is strongly associated with Aggies athletics. The Texas A&M Aggies compete in NCAA Division I sports in the Southeastern Conference. Major athletic facilities include:

  • Kyle Field – home stadium of Aggies football with seating capacity over 102,000, making it one of the largest stadiums in the country
  • Reed Arena – hosts Aggies basketball and volleyball games
  • Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park – home field for the Aggies baseball team

Many city events and businesses cater to Aggies sports fans year-round. The economy receives a significant boost during home football game weekends each fall when tens of thousands of fans converge on the city.

Local Government

College Station has a council-manager form of municipal government. The city council consists of six members plus the mayor, all elected at-large to staggered three year terms. The current mayor is Karl Mooney.

Day-to-day operations are handled by a city manager appointed by the city council. Municipal services provided by the city government include police, fire, emergency medical services, parks, libraries, water/sewer utilities, sanitation, planning and zoning, street maintenance, and general administration.

Residents can get involved with local government by contacting their city council members, attending council meetings, volunteering on boards and commissions, and voting in municipal elections.

Living in College Station

College Station offers a mix of small-town charm and vibrancy as a fast-growing college city. It provides an excellent quality of life with family-friendly neighborhoods, a diverse economy, a mild climate, and easy access to the amenities and resources of Texas A&M University.

The city has been ranked among the “Best Places to Live” and “Best Places to Retire” in Texas by U.S. News and World Report. It provides an affordable cost of living compared to other college towns. The city is expected to continue robust population and economic growth in the years ahead.