SMALL-TOWN FEEL, BIG-CITY FEATURES
A finalist for
America’s friendliest small town in 2012, College Station has also been recognized as one of the nation’s best places for business, jobs, family and retirement. With a population of about 97,000 in 2012, it is the largest city in the metropolitan area and boasts the third lowest property tax rate in the state among similar-sized communities.
College Station is home to Texas A&M University, one of the country’s largest public universities and a member of the powerful Southeastern Conference, which makes big-time college sports a major local attraction. A&M’s international influence supplies a healthy diversity of race, culture and nationality that reflects much of the vibrancy, tradition and spirit that make the community a special place.
College Station is located in the heart of central Texas within a three-hour drive of five of the nation’s 20 largest cities. A network of well-maintained highways and a regional airport served by major airlines provides convenient access to College Station from just about anywhere.
College Station is one of only two cities in the country with nationally accredited parks, public works, water and police departments, and is ranked as the No. 4 best-performing small metro in the United States by the Milken Institute.
QUALITY RESOURCES FOR QUALITY LIVING
Education is a major focus of the College Station community. The College Station Independent School District has received many state and national awards. In 2010-2011, it was honored with 11 National Merit Finalists, 24 students recognized as commended, two national team winners of SkillsUSA, and Superior Award in Newspaper Coverage.
The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is one of the region's most popular tourist attractions with approximately 700,000 visitors annually. Former President George H. W. Bush and Barbara make College Station their second home and are often seen around town.
College Station’s 52 public parks cover more than 1,400 acres, with many providing tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools, hiking trails, dog parks and more than 60 miles of bike trails. The city offers adult recreational sports leagues in softball, basketball, volleyball and kickball, along with a competition-quality skate park.
In addition, it is among the safest and most family-friendly places in Texas, consistently maintaining one of the lowest crime rates in the state. Kiplingers magazine ranked College Station as one of the nation’s top 10 places to raise a family The Wisdom of Simple Pleasures.
BRIGHT BUSINESS FUTURE
College Station is ranked No. 6 nationally and No. 1 in Texas on Forbes magazine’s 2012 list of the Best Small Places for Business and Careers. The city has worked closely with Texas A&M and the City of Bryan to develop the Research Valley Biocorridor, a high-tech research area that is expected to spark the area’s economic growth for years to come.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The College Station-Bryan area has received national recognition in a variety of economic and social categories since 2010: