Demographics
As of 2023, Taylor County, TX has an estimated population of about 143,000. The median age is 36.1 years, with 50.3% female and 49.7% male. Racially, the county is 70% White, 8% Black or African American, 2% Asian, and 2% multiracial. Hispanic or Latino residents make up approximately 28% of the population, reflecting the county’s diverse community.
Elections
Taylor County, TX had 80,252 registered voters for the 2022 general election, with voter turnout at 47.2%. Elections include national, state, county, and local levels, with recent results favoring Republican candidates—e.g., 73% for the GOP in the 2020 presidential race. Polling locations numbered 23 in the last general election. Key ballot issues include property taxes and education funding. The Taylor County Elections Office oversees administration, and major parties are Republican and Democratic. Registration deadlines, early voting options, and party primaries are typical, ensuring broad participation.
Education, Employment and Housing
Taylor County, TX is served by several school districts, notably Abilene ISD, with around 30 public schools, including 6 high schools. The high school graduation rate stands at about 90%, while roughly 23% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools in the area average a score of 6/10 on GreatSchools. Safety protocols are widely implemented. Educational programs feature AP, STEM, and vocational tracks. Abilene also hosts higher education institutions like Abilene Christian University and Hardin-Simmons University, supporting a robust adult education environment.
As of 2023, Taylor County, TX, has an employment rate of approximately 59%. Major employment sectors include healthcare and social assistance (18%), retail trade (13%), and educational services (12%). Occupations are led by office and administrative support (14%), sales (11%), and management (10%). About 87% of residents commute by car, with an average commute time of 16.5 minutes. Most employed individuals work within Taylor County, primarily in Abilene, which serves as the county’s economic hub.
Taylor County, TX, has a homeownership rate of about 61%, with a median home value near $180,000 in 2023. Median rent is around $1,050 per month. The housing market has seen moderate growth, with property values rising roughly 6% year-over-year. Common housing types include single-family homes and some multifamily units, especially in neighborhoods like Abilene’s Elmwood and Wylie. The property tax rate averages 2.05%, meaning taxes on a median home are about $3,690 annually. Both established and newer neighborhoods offer various options for buyers and renters alike.
County Crime & Safety
Taylor County, TX, reported a crime rate of approximately 33.4 per 1,000 residents in 2023. The violent crime rate stood at 4.7, while property crime was 28.7. Major cities like Abilene contributed the most to these figures. While the county’s crime rate is higher than the Texas average (27.1 per 1,000), local law enforcement encourages community reporting through programs like Crime Stoppers. The county has seen a slight decrease in overall incidents from the previous year, with more than 2,500 crimes reported to authorities in the most recent annual statistics.
Popular names
- Maria Lopez
- Maria Rodriguez
- Jose Hernandez
- Mary Smith
- Connie Lee
- Michael Davis
- James Williams
- Maria Martinez
- Michael Miller
- David Smith
- James Smith
- Michael Smith
- Robert Martinez
- Christopher Smith
- James Jones
- William Jones
- Jennifer Smith
- Michael Garcia
- Robert Williams
- Sarah Smith
- James Clark
- John Smith
- Juan Garcia
- Maria Hernandez
- Michael Johnson
- Robert Smith
- James Hall
- Jennifer Jones
- Brian Smith
- Carlos Martinez
- Charles Brown
- David Rodriguez
- David Williams
- James Johnson
- Charles Smith
- John Johnson
- Jose Martinez
- Mark Smith
- Rebecca Smith
- Amanda Williams
- David Jones
- Jennifer Rodriguez
- John Nichols
- Jose Flores
- Jose Rodriguez
- Kelly Smith
- Linda Williams
- Maria Garcia
- Michael Martinez
- Michael Rodriguez
- Robert Brown
- Robert Jones
- William Davis
- William Smith
- Amanda Rodriguez
- David Brown
- David Davis
- David Johnson
- Jason Jones
- Joe Garcia
Other Counties in Texas
- Anderson
- Andrews
- Angelina
- Aransas
- Archer
- Armstrong
- Atascosa
- Austin
- Bailey
- Bandera
- Bastrop
- Baylor
- Bee
- Bell
- Bexar
- Blanco
- Borden
- Bosque
- Bowie
- Brazoria
- Brazos
- Brewster
- Briscoe
- Brooks
- Brown
- Burleson
- Burnet
- Caldwell
- Calhoun
- Callahan
- Cameron
- Camp
- Carson
- Cass
- Castro
- Chambers
- Cherokee
- Childress
- Clay
- Cochran
- Coke
- Coleman
- Collin
- Collingsworth
- Colorado
- Comal
- Comanche
- Concho
- Cooke
- Coryell
- Cottle