Bryan is a city in and the county seat of Brazos County,[6] Texas, United States. It is located in the heart of the Brazos Valley (East and Central Texas). As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 83,980. Bryan borders the city of College Station, which lies to its south. Together they make up the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area, the 15th-largest metropolitan area in Texas with 268,248 people as of 2020.[7]

Bryan, Texas
Downtown Bryan, 2009
Downtown Bryan, 2009
Nicknames: 
The Good Life, Texas Style
Map
Map
Map
Map
Bryan is located in Texas
Bryan
Bryan
Location within Texas
Bryan is located in the United States
Bryan
Bryan
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 30°40′28″N 96°22′12″W / 30.67444°N 96.37000°W / 30.67444; -96.37000[1]
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyBrazos
Incorporated1871
Government
 • TypeCouncil–Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Bobby Gutierrez[2]
 • City ManagerKean Register[3]
Area
 • Total
54.26 sq mi (140.53 km2)
 • Land54.16 sq mi (140.28 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2)
Elevation361 ft (110 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
83,980
 • Density1,592.87/sq mi (615.01/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
77801-03, 77807-08
Area code979
FIPS code48-10912[5]
GNIS feature ID2409927[1]
Websitewww.bryantx.gov

History

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The area around Bryan was part of a land grant to Moses Austin by Spain. Austin's son, Stephen F. Austin, helped bring settlers to the area. Among the settlers was William Joel Bryan, the nephew of Stephen Austin. In 1866 the county seat of Brazos County was changed from Boonville to Bryan, and a post office was opened. In 1867, after many delays caused by the Civil War, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, which had only previously gotten as far as Millican, finally reached Bryan. A short time later, in 1871, the city of Bryan became incorporated. Just south of Bryan, Texas A&M College opened in 1876 in what later would be known as College Station. The following year, 1877 saw the establishment of the Bryan Independent School District. Keeping up with progress in the rest of the country, Bryan added electric lighting and a waterworks to its community in 1889. The fifth Brazos County courthouse was built in 1892, and by the turn of the century, in 1900, the International-Great Northern Railroad stopped in Bryan.

Using a generous grant of $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Library of Bryan opened its doors in 1902. A bell, made in 1905 and rung in 1918 to signal the end of World War I is still located out front today.[8] In 1910 the town built an interurban railroad to College Station. By 1923 the line was abandoned. The first Jewish place of worship, the Temple Freda synagogue, was opened in 1913.[9] During the 1930s the town of North Oakwood merged with Bryan. Now Bryan and College Station are "twin" cities. In 1936 State Highway 6 was built, running right through town.

In 2006, the Texas A&M University System announced that the new Texas A&M Health Science Center campus would be built in Bryan near the new Traditions Golf Course development.[10]

A fire at the El Dorado Chemical Co. in 2009 caused the evacuation of 70,000 residents due to the burning of ammonium nitrate, possibly causing minor respiratory problems.[11] However, the city requested that only "anyone who can smell smoke or see smoke to evacuate their homes and businesses" and did not enforce an evacuation except for 500 homes in the nearby vicinity of the fire.[12][13] Less than 1,000 residents chose to evacuate, taking shelter at Texas A&M University, which closed its campus for the day to ease traffic problems. City fire officials chose to let the fire burn down before tackling it, since the chemicals were water reactive.[12][14][15] The evacuation, which started at 2:30 pm CST ended at 7 pm, except for a small, defined area immediately around the fire, where approximately 100 Bryan residents lived.[14] In the end, only 500 residents were under a mandatory evacuation, and 35 people were treated for respiratory problems from the smoke. Officials from El Dorado said there was never any danger from the smoke or fire. The warehouse, valued at just under $1 million, was destroyed.[13]

In 2010, the Brazos County District Attorney's Office started the enforcement of a "Gang Safety Zone" in response to an escalation in violence within Bryan. Major US papers and ABC News covered this move. Cities like Houston and Los Angeles looked to the Bryan model of safety enforcement surrounding gang violence. The injunction declared a 3.2-mile (5.1 km) area in Bryan as the Gang Safety Zone. This placed about half of downtown in the area.[16]

In 2013 the Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan closed as a result of state budget cuts which impacted family-planning facilities. The facility began offering abortions in 1998; it was one of three in the state which ceased operations on August 31, 2013.[17]

On April 8, 2021, a workplace shooting occurred in Bryan. An employee of Kent Moore Cabinets, a local cabinet-making company, killed one person and injured five others, four of them critically. He then fled but was later taken into police custody, shooting and injuring a state trooper in the process. In June, 27-year-old suspect Larry Bollin was indicted by a grand jury on charges of murder and aggravated assault.[18][19][20]

Geography

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Bryan is located northwest of the center of Brazos County. It is bordered to the southeast by the city of College Station and to the northwest by the unincorporated community of Lake Bryan. The Brazos River flows past approximately nine miles to the southwest.[21][22] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.5 square miles (115.3 km2), of which 44.4 square miles (115.0 km2) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km2), or 0.20%, is water.[23]

Climate

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The local climate is humid subtropical and temperate, and winters are mild with periods of low temperatures usually lasting less than two months. Snow and ice are extremely rare. Summers are warm and hot with occasional showers being the only real variation in weather.

Climate data for Bryan, Texas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 86
(30)
99
(37)
96
(36)
96
(36)
100
(38)
107
(42)
110
(43)
109
(43)
112
(44)
102
(39)
94
(34)
89
(32)
112
(44)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 61.0
(16.1)
64.8
(18.2)
71.7
(22.1)
78.9
(26.1)
85.8
(29.9)
91.7
(33.2)
94.8
(34.9)
96.2
(35.7)
90.5
(32.5)
81.4
(27.4)
71.0
(21.7)
62.3
(16.8)
79.2
(26.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 41.2
(5.1)
44.4
(6.9)
51.0
(10.6)
58.1
(14.5)
66.6
(19.2)
72.7
(22.6)
74.6
(23.7)
74.5
(23.6)
69.4
(20.8)
60.3
(15.7)
50.5
(10.3)
42.2
(5.7)
58.8
(14.9)
Record low °F (°C) −3
(−19)
5
(−15)
17
(−8)
28
(−2)
42
(6)
53
(12)
58
(14)
58
(14)
42
(6)
29
(−2)
19
(−7)
2
(−17)
−3
(−19)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.24
(82)
2.85
(72)
3.17
(81)
2.66
(68)
4.33
(110)
4.45
(113)
2.14
(54)
2.68
(68)
3.18
(81)
4.91
(125)
3.22
(82)
3.23
(82)
40.06
(1,018)
Source: weather.gov[24]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18902,979
19003,58920.5%
19104,13215.1%
19206,30752.6%
19307,81423.9%
194011,84251.5%
195018,07252.6%
196027,54252.4%
197033,71922.4%
198044,33731.5%
199055,00224.1%
200065,66019.4%
201076,20116.1%
202083,98010.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

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Bryan city, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[25] Pop 2010[26] Pop 2020[27] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 33,943 32,772 33,220 51.70% 43.01% 39.56%
Black or African American alone (NH) 11,520 13,406 12,876 17.54% 17.59% 15.33%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 152 175 117 0.23% 0.23% 0.14%
Asian alone (NH) 1,063 1,278 2,028 1.62% 1.68% 2.41%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 25 40 83 0.04% 0.05% 0.10%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 53 78 379 0.08% 0.10% 0.45%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 633 835 2,453 0.96% 1.10% 2.92%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18,271 27,617 32,824 27.83% 36.24% 39.09%
Total 65,660 76,201 83,980 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 83,980 people, 30,647 households, and 18,659 families residing in the city.

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 65,660 people, 23,759 households, and 14,873 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,515.2 inhabitants per square mile (585.0/km2). There were 25,703 housing units at an average density of 593.1 per square mile (229.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.65% White, 17% African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 13.32% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnicity/nationality were 17.83% of the population.

There were 23,759 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 18.1% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,672, and the median income for a family was $41,433. Males had a median income of $29,780 versus $22,428 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,770. About 15.5% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.0% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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Largest employers[28]
Employer Number of employees
Texas A&M University 17,000
Bryan Independent School District 3,000
Texas A&M Health Science Center 2,000
College Station Independent School District 2,000
Blinn College 2,000
Reynolds and Reynolds 1,500
CHI St. Joseph Health 1,000
Sanderson Farms 1,000
Walmart 1,000
H-E-B 1,000

Parks and recreation

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Sports complexes and recreation centers include: Kyle Field, Merrill Green Stadium, Reed Arena, Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, American Momentum Bank Ballpark, G. Rollie White Coliseum, Anderson Track and Field Complex, Aggie Soccer Complex, Bryan Regional Athletic Complex, Aggie Softball Complex, George P. Mitchell Tennis Center, Spirit Ice Arena, The City Course at Phillips Event Center,[29] and Bryan Aquatic Center.[30]

Government

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State

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The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Hamilton Unit, a pre-release facility in Bryan.[31] Hamilton opened as an adult prison facility. It was renovated for juveniles and, in mid-1997,[32] re-opened as the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) J.W. Hamilton Jr. State School. On June 15, 2003, the facility was transferred back to the TDCJ.[33] The TDCJ also operates the Bryan District Parole Office in nearby College Station.[34]

Federal

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The United States Postal Service operates the Bryan and Downtown Bryan post offices.[35][36] The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates the Federal Prison Camp, Bryan, a women's prison located in Bryan.[37]

Education

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Colleges

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Public schools

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Independent schools

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  • Allen Academy: PK–12 College Preparatory
  • St. Joseph Catholic School: PK–12 College Preparatory
  • St. Michaels Academy: PK–12 College Preparatory
  • Brazos Christian School: PK–12 College Preparatory
  • Still Creek Ranch: Private K-12 Boarding and Day School
  • Arrow Academy: K-6

Media

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Publications

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  • The Bryan-College Station Eagle (main newspaper)
  • La Voz Hispana (Spanish language weekly)
  • The Battalion (Texas A&M)
  • The Press
  • Insite Magazine (local magazine – monthly publication)
  • Bryan Broadcasting Publications[38]
  • The Jail Times (Locally owned and operated independent newspaper, Bryan/College Station)

Radio

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  • KAMU-FM NPR 90.9 (National Public Radio)
  • KBXT 101.9 THE BEAT
  • KVLX 103.9 K-LOVE (Contemporary Christian)
  • KKYS Mix 104.7 (Hot A/C)
  • KNDE 95.1 Candy 95 (Top 40)
  • KNFX-FM 99.5 The Fox (Classic Rock)
  • KVJM 103.1 La Preciosa (Regional Mexican)(Formerly V103.1 Hip Hop/Power 94)
  • KZNE 1150 The Zone (ESPN Sports Radio)
  • WTAW 1620 (Talk Radio)
  • KEOS 89.1 Community Radio For The Brazos Valley
  • KORA-FM 98.3 The Texas Country Original
  • KPWJ 107.7 Peace

Television

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Infrastructure

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Transportation

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The Brazos Transit District began offering bus service in the Bryan-College Station in 1974. It offers fixed bus routes throughout Bryan-College Station. Operating on weekdays on an hourly basis, the seven routes converge at a central location for transferring between routes.[39][40] It also offers paratransit services for disabled riders and an on-demand shared ride service.[41] Texas A&M University, headquartered in sister city College Station, operates student-driven free buses on weekdays for use by the general public that includes coverage around several apartment complexes in Bryan near campus and along a route that culminates at the campus of Blinn College.[42][43][44]

Airports

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Bryan is served commercially by Easterwood Airport, a regional airport operated by Texas A&M University in College Station.[45] American Eagle offers flights to and from their larger hub airport at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.[46][47][48]

The city of Bryan owns and operates Coulter Field and provides fixed-base operator services, hangar space, and runways for private flights.[49][50]

Major roads

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Health care

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bryan". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ Mayor and City Council, bryantx.gov. Accessed February 7, 2024.
  3. ^ City Manager's Office, bryantx.gov. Accessed February 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. January 3, 2024. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "Bryan bell that helped mark end of World War I will ring again for centennial". The Eagle. November 11, 2018.
  9. ^ "Bryan, Texas" Archived April 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, found in the Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities,
  10. ^ "Bryan site chosen for Health Science Center facility". The Eagle. December 2, 2006.
  11. ^ Linthicum, Kate (July 31, 2009). "Thousands evacuated amid Texas factory fire". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 3, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  12. ^ a b "City of Bryan News". City of Bryan. July 30, 2009. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  13. ^ a b "Blaze prompts mass evacuation in Bryan". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. July 31, 2009. Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
  14. ^ a b "Evacuations Ordered Following Hazmat Fire in Bryan". KBTX. July 30, 2009. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  15. ^ KBTX 6pm broadcast
  16. ^ "Too Far? Cops to Gangs: No Cells, No Cars". ABC News. August 18, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  17. ^ "Brooke Conrad, "Some residents lament loss of Bryan Planned Parenthood services while others celebrate end of abortions"". theeagle.com. July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  18. ^ Levenson, Michael; Morales, Christina (April 8, 2021). "One Dead and Four Are Critically Injured in Shooting in Bryan, Texas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  19. ^ Andone, Dakin; Silverman, Hollie (April 8, 2021). "Suspected gunman in Texas shooting held on $2.2 million bond". CNN. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  20. ^ "Texas man indicted in deadly shooting at Bryan cabinet business". Associated Press. KTRK-TV. June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  21. ^ Bryan West, TX, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1962 (1980 rev.)
  22. ^ Texas Atlas & Gazetteer, Delorme, 4th Ed., 2001, p. 70, ISBN 0899333206
  23. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bryan city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  24. ^ "CLL Normals/Means/Extremes - Jan". Weather.gov. National Weather Service. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  25. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bryan city, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  26. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bryan city, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  27. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bryan city, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  28. ^ "Demographics". City of Bryan. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  29. ^ "Golf/Tennis". September 15, 2014.
  30. ^ "Pools and Aquatic Programs".
  31. ^ "Hamilton Unit Archived July 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 6, 2010.
  32. ^ "11 TEENS ESCAPE JUVENILE CENTER; 6 STILL MISSING Archived March 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine." Chicago Tribune. December 13, 1998. Retrieved on August 22, 2010. "Hamilton State School a former adult prison was renovated for juvenile offenders and reopened in mid1997."
  33. ^ "Secure TYC Facilities by Opening Date Archived June 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine." Texas Youth Commission. Retrieved on May 6, 2010.
  34. ^ "Parole Division Region I Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  35. ^ "Post Office Location – BRYAN Archived July 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  36. ^ "Post Office Location – DOWNTOWN BRYAN Archived January 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.
  37. ^ "FPC Bryan Contact Information Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on September 4, 2010.
  38. ^ "Bryan Broadcasting – The Flagship of Aggie Athletics". bryanbroadcasting.com. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  39. ^ "Bryan College Station". The District. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  40. ^ "Bryan Map for Web" (PDF). The District. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  41. ^ "Paratransit". The District. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  42. ^ "Off-Campus Transit Routes". Texas A&M University. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  43. ^ "Route 12" (PDF). Texas A&M University. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  44. ^ "Route 15" (PDF). Texas A&M University. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  45. ^ "What We Do". Easterwood Airport. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  46. ^ "FAQ". Easterwood Airport. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  47. ^ "Arrivals". Easterwood Airport. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  48. ^ "Departures". Easterwood Airport. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  49. ^ "About". Coulter Field. Archived from the original on April 12, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  50. ^ "Services". Coulter Field. Archived from the original on January 3, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  51. ^ "Regional Health Center (Bryan)". Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  52. ^ jordan.overturf@theeagle.com, JORDAN OVERTURF (May 30, 2013). "St. Joseph hospital earns status as Level II trauma center". Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  53. ^ Oder, Michael. "St. Joseph Hospital Gets Higher Trauma Rating from State". Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  54. ^ "Welcome to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station - Baylor Scott & White Health". www.sw.org. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  55. ^ Otis College of Art and Design/Ben Maltz Gallery.3 Solo Projects, Los Angeles: Otis College of Art and Design/Ben Maltz Gallery, 2009.
  56. ^ Robert C. Borden, "Bull of the Brazos dies: Moore was champion of Texas A&M," Bryan-College Station Eagle, May 28, 1999, pp. 1–3
  57. ^ "Meet John Raney". electjohnraney.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
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