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San Saba, Texas
San Saba City Hall
San Saba City Hall
Motto(s): 
"The Pecan Capital of the World"
Location of San Saba, Texas
Location of San Saba, Texas
SanSaba County SanSaba.svg
Country United States
State Texas
County San Saba
Area
 • Total 2.71 sq mi (7.02 km2)
 • Land 2.71 sq mi (7.02 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,204 ft (367 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 3,099
 • Estimate 
(2019)
3,168
 • Density 1,169.44/sq mi (451.47/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
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, and the county seat of, San Saba County, Texas, United States. It was settled in 1854 and named for its location on the San Saba River. Its population was 3,099 at the 2010 census.

History

The city was named for the San Saba River.

Geography

San Saba is located at 31°11′43″N 98°43′30″W / 31.19528°N 98.72500°W / 31.19528; -98.72500 (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, 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%
2019 (est.) 3,168 2.2%
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/sq mi (565.6/km2). The 1,177 housing units averaged 655.5/sq mi (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. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 31.51% of the population.

Of the 1,008 households, 30.9% had children under 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 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 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 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 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.

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.

In the 2010 remake of "True Grit," Rooster Cogburn (played by Jeff Bridges) tells Mattie that they will take the criminal to the magistrate in San Saba, Texas.

The popular computer game Governor of Poker is set in San Saba.



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, Risien's customer base included Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and the Post Cereals Co. 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 are 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 kindergarten-grade 4; San Saba Middle School, serving grades 5–8; and San Saba High School, grades 9–12. The school district opened two new facilities in October 2013: an elementary building meant to host all elementary grades under one roof, and a set of science labs in a building immediately across from the main entrance to the high school; the science labs are named for science teacher George Dennis, who was a school district faculty member for over 50 years until retiring in December 2012. The current superintendent of schools is Michael Bohensky, and the individual campuses are headed by Kay Shackelford (elementary), Dustin Anders (middle school), and Scott Snyder (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.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: San Saba (Texas) para niños

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