San Saba, Texas

San Saba, Texas
City
San Saba City Hall
Motto: "The Pecan Capital of the World"
Location of San Saba, Texas
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	San Saba
Area
• Total	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)
• Land	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	1,204 ft (367 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	2,637
• Density	1,468.6/sq mi (567.0/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	76877
Area code(s)	325
FIPS code	48-65648
GNIS feature ID	1367538
Website	City of San Saba, Texas

San Saba is a city located in Central Texas. It was settled in 1854 and named for its location on the San Saba River. The population was 3,099 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of San Saba County.

History

The city was named for the San Saba River.

Geography

San Saba is located at (31.195298, -98.725003).

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

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, San Saba has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	111		—
1870	168		51.4%
1880	598		256.0%
1890	697		16.6%
1920	2,011		—
1930	2,240		11.4%
1940	2,927		30.7%
1950	3,400		16.2%
1960	2,728		−19.8%
1970	2,555		−6.3%
1980	2,850		11.5%
1990	2,626		−7.9%
2000	2,637		0.4%
2010	3,099		17.5%
Est. 2014	2,783		−10.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2010, 3,099 people, 1,008 households, and 680 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,468.6 people per square mile (565.6/km²). There were 1,177 housing units at an average density of 655.5 per square mile (252.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.54% White, 0.64% African American, 1.74% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 17.33% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.51% of the population.

Of 1,008 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were not families. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.12.

The population was distributed as 27.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,758, and the median income for a family was $31,582. Males had a median income of $24,207 versus $20,216 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,192. About 16.0% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.9% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Pecans emerged as an important crop, largely because of the work of Edmund E. Risien, an Englishman who moved to San Saba County in 1874 and made improvement of the native nuts his life's work. Risien founded the West Texas Pecan Nursery at the junction of the San Saba and Colorado Rivers. The "Mother Pecan Tree", located in the heart of this orchard, has been used to produce many great pecan varieties. Some of these include the: San Saba Improved, Texas Prolific,Onliwon, Squirrel Delight, No.60, and Western Schley and these are just a few of the varieties this tree has produced. During his era, his customer base included Queen Victoria of England, Lord Alfred Tennyson and the cereal company giant, C.W. Post. Today, Risien is credited for laying the groundwork for the pecan industry that led San Saba County to proclaim itself 'Pecan Capital of the World'. Today the land and orchard is owned by the Millican family and six generations have worked in the pecan business.

Education

The City of San Saba is served by the San Saba Independent School District. Its schools include San Saba Elementary, serving students in grades K-4; San Saba Middle School, serving grades 5-8; and San Saba High School, grades 9-12. The school district has opened two new facilities in October 2013, a new elementary building that will have all elementary grades under one roof for the first time in many years; and a new set of science labs in a building immediately across from the main entrance to the high school, named for science teacher George Dennis, who was on the faculty for over 50 years until his retirement in December 2012. The current superintendent of schools is Leigh Ann Glaze, and the individual campuses are headed by Kay Shackelford (elementary); Vicki Key (middle school) and Brian Williams (high school).

Notable people

San Saba is the birthplace of actor Tommy Lee Jones, geologist M. King Hubbert, opera singer Thomas Stewart, and Aaron Behrens, front man for Austin-based music group Ghostland Observatory. San Saba is also the home of county judge Les Dawson, who recently coined the phrase "Les Dawson and more judgin'", which is currently being reviewed by the city council in hopes that the saying will become the mantra of the San Saba Municipal Court.

The town is the former home of actor Christian Mixon. A memorial garden honoring the philanthropic work of his late wife Linda remains there.

In popular culture

In "The San Saba Incident" (October 18, 1957) of the CBS western television series Trackdown starring Robert Culp as Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman, the Ranger transports four prisoners to the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville. One of the convicts is a woman, Abby Lindon, played by Margaret Hayes.

External links

• San Saba Chamber of Commerce
• San Saba News & Star
• City of San Saba
• Millican Pecan Company