Kyle is a city in Hays County, Texas, United States. The population was 28,016 in the 2010 census and estimated to be 48,393 in 2019. Kyle is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas.
is northeast of Kyle, San Marcos Regional Airport is to the south, and San Antonio International Airport is to the southwest. Residents have access to I-35, SH 45 toll road, FM 150, FM 1626, SH 21, and SH 123. The MoPac rail line runs through downtown Kyle. The Amtrak passenger train has a stop south of Kyle in San Marcos.
Government and infrastructure
The city of Kyle is governed by a council/managerform of government. The city council consists of three members representing geographical districts, three at-large council members, and the mayor, who is also elected at-large. Each council member is elected to three-year terms.
State and federal representation
The Management and Training Corporation operates the Kyle Unit, a prison for men in Kyle, on behalf of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. In 1988, the construction of Kyle Unit, the first private prison for the TDCJ, sparked controversy. The Kyle Unit became the second-largest employer in Kyle, after the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. In 1989, the prison had a $50,000 weekly payroll, with much of it going to the city's residents. The United States Postal Service operates the Kyle Post Office.
History
The town was established on July 24, 1880, when David E. Moore and Fergus Kyle deeded 200 acres for a townsite to the International-Great Northern Railroad. The new town drew residents and businesses from Mountain City, three miles west, and Blanco, four miles west. Tom Martin operated the first business in Kyle. The community's population exceeded 500 by 1882 but later declined. Kyle was incorporated in 1928 as a general-law city with a mayor and five council members. In 1937 Mary Kyle Hartson, daughter of Fergus Kyle, was elected mayor by a write-in vote. In the early 1940s Kyle was noted as the only Texas town with an all-woman government. From 1892 to 1901, Kyle was the childhood home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Katherine Anne Porter. Many of her most famous short stories, such as "Noon Wine", are set in locations in and around Kyle. Her former home is now a writer's residence open to the public by appointment. The Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center hosts readings by visiting writers.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 28,016 people, 8,759 households, and 6,905 families residing in the city. There were 9,226 housing units, of which 467, or 5.1%, were vacant. The racial makeup of the city was 74.5% white, 5.6% African American, 0.8% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.04% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 14.3% some other race, and 3.6% from two or more races. 46.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 8,759 households, 54.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were headed by married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 14.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.6% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15, and the average family size was 3.51. 391 persons in the city lived in group quarters rather than households. In the city, 33.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% were from 18 to 24, 37.1% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males. For the period 2012–2016, the estimated median annual income for a household was $72,191, and the median income for a family was $76,992. Male full-time workers had a median income of $50,235 versus $39,474 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,348. 6.8% of the population and 5.4% of families were below the poverty line. 7.3% of the population under the age of 18 and 7.7% of those 65 or older were living in poverty.
