Hico, Texas Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Hico, Texas
City
Hico (2014)
Location within Hamilton County and Texas
Country	United States
State	Texas
Counties	Hamilton
Incorporated	1883
Area
• Total	1.82 sq mi (4.73 km²)
• Land	1.82 sq mi (4.72 km²)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km²)
Elevation	1,027 ft (313 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	1,335
• Density	733.5/sq mi (282.2/km²)
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	76457
Area code	254
FIPS code	48-33548
GNIS ID	1374058

Hico (/ˈhaɪkoʊ/, HY-koh) is a small city located in Hamilton County in central Texas, United States. The population was 1,335 at the time of the 2020 census, down from 1,341 in the 2010 census. Over the years, it became a cattle and cotton market. Today, ranching and tourism dominate the local economy.

History
Geography
- Climate
Demographics
- 2020 census
Education
Notable people
Gallery
See also

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 2.5 miles (4.0 km) 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.

Geography

Hico is located in the northern corner of Hamilton County at 31°59′4″N 98°1′50″W / 31.98444°N 98.03056°W / 31.98444; -98.03056 (31.984410, –98.030508). 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 19 miles (31 km) to Stephenville and south 20 miles (32 km) 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 23 miles (37 km) to Meridian and west-northwest 21 miles (34 km) to Dublin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hico has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all land.

Approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) north of Hico are what appear to be the remains of an impact crater that was formed some time after the Cretaceous Period.

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.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1890	649	—
1900	1,480	128.0%
1910	1,427	−3.6%
1920	1,635	14.6%
1930	1,463	−10.5%
1940	1,242	−15.1%
1950	1,212	−2.4%
1960	1,020	−15.8%
1970	925	−9.3%
1980	1,375	48.6%
1990	1,342	−2.4%
2000	1,341	−0.1%
2010	1,379	2.8%
2020	1,335	−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

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**
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
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

Downtown Hico, Texas Wagon Team. c. 1910

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. She resided here for many years and died in 1904
William Garrison, Major General was best known for being the commander of Task Force Ranger during Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993, resides at his ranch near Hico with his family
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