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Hico is a small city in Hamilton County, Texas, set in the rolling countryside where Central Texas transitions toward the Hill Country. With a 2020 census population of about 1,300 residents, it is a close-knit town with deep agricultural roots and a distinctive local identity built around history, legend, and community pride. The town developed as a cattle and cotton market serving the surrounding ranching country, and that heritage still shapes its character. Hico's downtown preserves a collection of historic buildings, including Hico City Hall, constructed in 1903 and believed to be among the oldest continually functioning city halls in Texas. The downtown's vintage facades and small businesses give the town a walkable, character-rich center. Hico is perhaps best known for its connection to the Billy the Kid legend. A longtime local resident, Brushy Bill Roberts, claimed in his later years to be the famed outlaw, and the town responded by opening a Billy the Kid Museum that remains a point of local pride and a draw for visitors. The annual Billy the Kid Rides Again Open Car Show keeps that story woven into community life. Education is provided by Hico Independent School District, and the town has a strong six-man football tradition that reflects the small schools of rural Texas. U.S. Highways 281 and 84 intersect at Hico, placing it within reach of Waco, the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, and the Hill Country's recreational areas. Hico appeals to those seeking small-town Texas living with genuine character, from its historic downtown and annual events to its ranchland setting. Its location between the Hill Country and larger metro areas offers a balance of rural pace and regional access.

Population 1,335

County Hamilton

Active Listings 111

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Hico, Texas located?

Hico is in Hamilton County in Central Texas, at the junction of U.S. Highways 281 and 84. It sits in the rolling countryside between Waco to the east and the western Hill Country, roughly 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth.

What is Hico, Texas known for?

Hico is known for its preserved historic downtown, its Billy the Kid Museum, and its cattle-and-cotton history. The town's connection to the Billy the Kid legend comes from a local man, Brushy Bill Roberts, who claimed to be the famous outlaw.

What is Hico's connection to Billy the Kid?

Hico is associated with the Billy the Kid legend through Brushy Bill Roberts, a longtime resident who claimed to be the outlaw. The town opened the Billy the Kid Museum in response to the story, and it remains a local attraction and point of pride.

What school district serves Hico?

Students in Hico attend Hico Independent School District, which serves the town and surrounding area. The community has a strong tradition of six-man football, reflecting the small schools of the rural Texas region.

What is Hico's population?

Hico has a population of roughly 1,300 residents, according to the 2020 census. It is a small Central Texas city with a close-knit, historic character and a downtown built around vintage buildings and local businesses.

How far is Hico from Fort Worth or Waco?

Hico sits on U.S. Highways 281 and 84, roughly 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth and within reach of Waco and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex by highway, making regional travel straightforward for residents and visitors alike.

City Guide

About Hico

Real Estate & Housing

Hico's housing stock reflects its age and agricultural setting. The town offers a mix of historic and older single-family homes near the downtown, along with more recent construction on town lots and larger ranch-style properties on acreage in the surrounding countryside. Buyers are often drawn to the character of the historic homes, the small-town Texas setting, and the availability of land for those wanting a rural lifestyle. The market serves a blend of long-term residents, families tied to area ranching, and newcomers seeking a slower pace within reach of larger cities.

Neighborhoods

Hico is centered on its historic downtown, where older homes and commercial buildings cluster around the central streets and vintage storefronts. Residential neighborhoods radiate outward from this core, transitioning from in-town homes on modest lots to larger acreage and ranch properties in the surrounding countryside. The town's compact scale keeps most residents close to schools, churches, and downtown businesses, while the open landscape beyond provides room for those seeking land and privacy. This blend of historic in-town living and rural acreage defines Hico's residential character.

Lifestyle in Hico

Hico's lifestyle is rooted in small-town tradition and a lively sense of local identity. The historic downtown draws visitors to its shops, eateries, and vintage building facades, while community events keep the calendar full. The annual Billy the Kid Rides Again Open Car Show celebrates the town's outlaw legend, and six-man football is a point of local pride, with a Super Saturday event that showcases the region's small-school teams. Combined with its ranching heritage and a location between the Hill Country and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Hico offers a warm, character-rich daily life.

Schools & Education

Hico is served by Hico Independent School District, which operates the town's public schools and draws students from the surrounding rural area. The community has a strong tradition of six-man football, a hallmark of small schools across rural Texas, and school athletics and events play a central role in local life. The district's small scale means close relationships among students, families, and staff, which many residents value. Families relocating to Hico typically consider the district alongside the town's historic charm and rural setting.

Getting Around

Hico sits at the junction of U.S. Highways 281 and 84, giving it direct road connections north and south and east and west across Central Texas. The town is roughly 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth and within reach of Waco and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex by highway. State highways and county roads link Hico to surrounding communities and the Hill Country. As in most rural Texas towns, daily life is car-dependent, but the highway junction makes regional travel straightforward for commuters and visitors alike.

Parks & Recreation

Recreation in Hico revolves around its historic downtown and community traditions. The Billy the Kid Museum and the annual Billy the Kid Rides Again Open Car Show draw visitors, while six-man football events celebrate the region's small-school athletic culture. Local parks and the surrounding countryside support outdoor activities, and Hico's position between the Hill Country and the Dallas–Fort Worth area puts hiking, fishing, and larger regional attractions within a reasonable drive. The town's recreation is modest but woven tightly into its community calendar and local identity.

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