Cibolo

Cibolo is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, United States. It is part of the San Antonio–New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. Cibolo voted to become an independent township on October 9, 1965. As of the 2010 census, Cibolo had a population of 15,349,[5] up from 3,035 at the 2000 census.[6] In 2019, the estimated population was 31,281.[7]

Cibolo voted to become an independent township on October 9, 1965; the "City Fathers" were Mayor M.O. Grooms, Councilman Carl Biser, Councilman Ted Dykes, Councilman Alwin Lieck, Councilman Fred Niemietz and Councilman D.O. Trotti.[citation needed ]

Before the first European settlers arrived, the Comanche as well as several other Native American tribes lived in Cibolo. The name Cibolo means "buffalo".[8] The community first established when the Southern Pacific Railroad cut through the area en route to major cities like Houston and San Antonio. Over time, Cibolo developed into the suburb it is today.[9][10]

In 1867, George Schlather built a store on land purchased by his father Jacob. In 1882, the Schlathers sold the store to Charles Fromme, who renamed it Fromme's Store. The community also became known by this name. In 1877, the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway station serving the area was called Cibolo Valley. In 1883, the US Post Office opened a branch in the town and called it Cibolo. By 1890, the population was 100 people.[11]

Beginning in the 21st century, Cibolo has experienced high levels of growth, increasing 733 percent since 2000, when the population was 3,035 people. Between 2000 and 2010, the population increased 545 percent to 19,580 people. As Cibolo has grown, its share of the county population has also increased. In 2000, Cibolo accounted for only 3.4 percent of Guadalupe County's population. However, between 2000 and 2010 Cibolo captured 38.9 percent of the county's growth, and its share of the population increased to 14.9 percent. Between 2010 and 2013, Cibolo acquired 22.3 percent of the growth in Guadalupe County, and today Cibolo accounts for 17 percent of the county's population.[12]

Cibolo is in western Guadalupe County, on the north side of Cibolo Creek. A small portion of the city, south of West Schaefer Road, crosses a bend of Cibolo Creek to enter Bexar County.[13] Santa Clara and Marion border Cibolo to the east. New Berlin, Zuehl, and St. Hedwig border Cibolo to the south. Schertz borders Cibolo to the north and west. The city of New Braunfels is 14 miles (23 km) to the northeast, and downtown San Antonio is 21 miles (34 km) to the southwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cibolo has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.0 km2), of which 0.004 square miles (0.01 km2), or 0.07%, is water.[5]

In 2006, the City of Cibolo incorporated mobility needs into the Cibolo Future Land Use Map, Future Thoroughfare Plan, and Capital Improvement Plan.[15]

In 2007, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) completed a study for a possible FM 1103 extension in Cibolo south to I-10. However, TxDOT determined that right-of-way acquisition issues and funding precluded such an extension for the foreseeable future.[15][16] The biggest hurdles included crossing floodplains and an overpass over both FM78 and the Union Pacific Railroad.

In 2015, with explosive development in the FM 1103 area continuing, the Cibolo City Council stated they wanted to investigate options to build the extension and it formed a blue-ribbon committee of citizens to study the matter. In 2016, the committee recommended a private-public partnership to develop the road as a tollway.

In 2017, the Cibolo City Council approved an agreement with the Texas Turnpike Corporation (TTC) to move forward with the project. As of early 2018, the TTC is still conducting its feasibility study for the road to see if it is a viable project for them. In the agreement, the City of Cibolo would own the road, while TTC would fiancé the design, construction, maintenance and operation of the estimated $125 million and roughly 11 mile roadway. In exchange, TTC would collect tolls from roadway users for 50 years.[17] At one point TTC projected the toll rate to be $0.20 a mile, with exemption for city owned vehicles.

On January 14, 2020, the Cibolo City Council voted unanimously to terminate the agreement between the City and Texas Turnpike Corporation (TTC) and Cibolo Turnpike, LP (CTLP),[18] drawing demands for mediation from CTLP.[19]

In 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup of Cibolo was 43.5% non-Hispanic white, 30.7% Hispanic or Latin American of any race, 15.5% Black and African American, 3.2% Asian.[21]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 3,035 people, 1,092 households, and 848 families residing in the city. The population density was 569.5 people per square mile (219.9/km2). There were 1,176 housing units at an average density of 220.7/sq mi (85.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.09% White, 6.16% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.35% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 8.11% from other races, and 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.01% of the population.

There were 1,092 households, out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,780, and the median income for a family was $65,545. Males had a median income of $42,557 versus $26,333 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,988. About 4.8% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.

By the mid-2010s, Cibolo was one of the fastest growing small cities in the United States,[22] experiencing a nearly 900% increase in population since 2000 and growing from 3,000 to the current estimate of about 30,000 residents. Actual figures are disputed, however, due to such a huge explosion of population in such a short period of time. This has caused problems in the city, due to such unanticipated growth making developments difficult to keep up with the rapidly increasing population, and a limited amount of land.

The City of Cibolo is a "home rule" city. Cibolo voters adopted its initial "home rule" charter in 2005. Cibolo residents have voted to amend the Charter two times since 2005:

The City of Cibolo is a council-manager type government. The city has a mayor and seven council members elected for three year terms, with a two term maximum. The seven council members currently are elected by and represent individual districts. Council members' duties include enacting local legislation (ordinances), adopting budgets, determining policies, and appointing the city manager, secretary and attorney.

The City of Cibolo is also a member of the Alamo Area Council of Governments.

Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD) serves Cibolo students and families.

The high schools cover grades 9–12.

The junior high schools cover grades 7–8.

The intermediate schools cover grades 5–6.

The elementary schools cover grades K–4, as well as preschool.