Historic Central Texas Town
About Hico, TX
Welcome to Hico, the historic Hamilton County town where Central Texas meets the Hill Country, known for its Billy the Kid legend and preserved downtown.
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.
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.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
The Market at a Glance
How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.
Price & Sales History
Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.
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Zip Codes
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Browse listings by postal code in this area.
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Owen Real Estate and Property Management, LLC
Lonestar Ranch and Home Sales, LLC
801 Point Run Dr Pflugerville, TX
Yellow House Realty, LLC
2207 E. Hwy 114, Suite A Levelland, TX
Emoni Legacy, LLC
326 Silent Spring Dr. Cedar Park, TX
Regal Crown Realty
238 Somerset St Borger, TX
Luxe Modern Realty
5502 Berget Dr Amarillo, TX
Dallas Hills Real Estate,LLC
405 Allerton Ln Lancaster, TX
Nowlin Realty Group, LLC
2925 Richmond Avenue, Ste. 1200 Houston, TX
Star Spangled Real Estate and Property Management, LLC
14150 Pebble Hills Blvd, Ste B El Paso, TX
Blue Wave Realty, LLC
2 Clam Dr Rockport, TX
YM Realty Group, LLC
2205 Lanshire Dr Mckinney, TX
East Plano Realty, LLC
3817 Cloudcrest Dr Plano, TX
21st Century Realty Group
2231 Laurel Forest Way Houston, TX
Our Texas Real Estate
9702 Oxford Avenue Lubbock, TX
Rafters R Realty, LLC
600 S. Tyler Street, Suite 2100 Amarillo, TX
Acre Investments
9702 Oxford Avenue Lubbock, TX
Vintage Street Real Estate
18449 Cr 2341 Arp, TX
Dietz Real Estate, LLC
4012 Woodrow Rd Lubbock, TX
USA Land and Ranch, LLC
2300 N Western Ste 117 Amarillo, TX
Dream Catchers Realty
2716 South Medford Drive, Suite A Lufkin, TX
RedZone Realty LLC
4819 Big Cedar Cir Missouri City, TX
Mission Valley Realty Group, LLC
1613 N Zaragoza Dr Ste 205 El Paso, TX
Total Property Care, LLC
Cap Rate Real Estate Group LLC
1035 Belvidere St Ste 290 El Paso, TX
Legacy Oak Realty, LLC
11782 Jollyville Rd Ste 209 Austin, TX
Our Texas Real Estate Austin
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Our Texas Real Estate Hill Country Area
Local Group, LLC
Homegirl Real Estate Consulting, LLC
3015 Wheeling Ave. El Paso, TX 79930
Our Texas Real Estate El Paso
Our Texas Real Estate Frisco/Southlake
Frisco Southlake, TX
Our Texas Real Estate Corpus Christi
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4B Real Estate, LLC
Prop, LLC
6510 70th Street Lubbock, TX 79424
