
Abilene
Established by cattlemen as a stock shipping point on the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1881, Abilene was named after Abilene, Kansas, the original endpoint for the Chisholm Trail. With a population of 125,182 as of the 2020 census, Abilene is home to three Christian universities: Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and, of course, McMurry University. It is the county seat of Taylor County, and Dyess Air Force Base is located on the west side of the city.













