Community Description

Boerne, Texas

The City of Boerne (approximately 10 square miles) is the county seat of Kendall County (667 square miles) and is home to many of the government institutions and agencies typical of a county seat. The City of Boerne, Texas is located in south central Texas, approximately 30 miles northwest of San Antonio. Boerne is the only incorporated city in Kendall County and is located along Interstate 10, a direct connection to the San Antonio metropolitan area.

The terrain in and around Boerne is known as Texas Hill Country, which features rolling, somewhat rugged, hills that consist primarily of limestone. The terrain is accented by a large number of limestone rocks and boulders and a thin layer of topsoil. This combination of rock and thin topsoil makes the region prone to flash flooding. The scenic beauty of the hills has attracted many residents and visitors to the area, adding to the current developmental pressures. The Cibolo Creek runs through Boerne, meandering just west and south of downtown. Cibolo Creek runs through Kendall County from northwest to southeast. Boerne Lake, created by the damming of Cibolo Creek, is located in the very northwest corner of Boerne, just west of Interstate 10.

Total Population In 2006, the population of Boerne was estimated at roughly 8,900 residents. Based on these estimates, Boerne's population comprises roughly 34% of the county's total population. According to the Texas State Data Center, Kendall County's population was approximately 26,200 people during the same year. The City of Boerne has grown in population exponentially since the 1950s. Since 1950, Boerne's population has increased by roughly 420%, or an average decennial growth rate of 75%. Between 1890 and 1920 Boerne experienced gradual but steady growth. During the 1920s and 1930s, Boerne's population experienced a dramatic increase then decrease.

Kendall County's growth rate is almost identical to Boerne's timeline from 1890 until 1970. After 1970, however, Kendall County's population begins to exponentially increase at an even higher rate than Boerne's. This trend indicates that unincorporated Kendall County is also experiencing growth pressures resulting from the continued rapid influx of residents. Since 1980, Boerne has experienced the highest growth rate of 173% with Kendall County increasing at 146%. The growth rate of Boerne exceeds the Texas growth rate by over three times and the national rate by over five times.

Race and Ethnicity Contrary to the national and statewide trends, the racial and ethnic diversity in Boerne changed little between 1990 and 2000. In the last recorded U.S. Census in 2000, almost 95% of Boerne residents classified themselves as White. This was an increase of 1.5% since the 1990 U.S. Census. In that same time period, Boerne residents classifying themselves in a racial category other that White decreased in size. This includes the ethnic category of Hispanic, recording a 2.1% decrease.

Age Cohort The City of Boerne's age cohort is similar to both state and national trends, shaped in a general bell-curve. The older age groups in Boerne, however, comprise higher percentages than at State and national levels. The youngest age groups in Boerne comprise lower percentages than both State and national levels. Boerne's higher than average elderly population is consistent with other bedroom communities across the country.

Educational Attainment Less than 16% of Boerne's total population, over 24 years of age, has not earned a high school diploma. This is much lower than the state average of 24% and the national average of 20%. Similarly, over 28% of Boerne's total population, over 24 years of age, has earned a Bachelor's degree or higher. Twenty eight percent is again greater than the state average of 23% and the national average of 24%.

Household Income In Boerne, the greatest percentage of households earn between $50,000 and $74,999 annually (20%). In 2000, Boerne's median household income was $42,329. This is higher than the State and national medians of $39,927 and $41,994 respectively. Also compared to State and national averages, fewer Boerne households relied on public assistance, yet more relied on retirement income.

Households In 2000, 2,292 households were located within the Boerne city limits, while 6,321 households were located in unincorporated Kendall County, totaling 8,613 households for the entire county. Households occupied by families constituted 1,614 or roughly 70% of the total households. In contrast, 678 or 30% of the households were classified as nonfamily households. Non-family households are defined as a household maintained or occupied by a person living alone or with non-relatives only. The breakdown in Boerne between family and non-family households is similar to the 2000 state and national rates. Unincorporated Kendall County rates for family households, however, are much higher than the other three areas. The average household size in Kendall County is 2.70 people; the county's household size is larger than Boerne's household size of 2.56. This statistic can be partially attributed to Kendall County having a higher percentage of family households.

Housing Units According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Kendall County had 9,609 housing units, 2,466 of the units were located in Boerne. Kendall County's housing unit vacancy rate was at 10.4% in 2000, compared to Boerne's vacancy rate of 7.1%. The residential vacancy rate in Kendall County was higher than the State and national rates of 9.4% and 9.0% respectively while the rate in Boerne was lower than State and national rates. Figure 2-10 shows 2000 U.S. Census housing statistics. Since 2000, Boerne and portions of Kendall County have experienced substantial growth in the number of housing units. Favorable socioeconomic and market conditions have attracted both developers and home buyers to the area.

Future Trends The City of Boerne is currently expanding in all directions. Although major growth and expansion is occurring along I-10 in a southern direction, significant growth and expansion is occurring north, east, and west along the major roadway corridors.

The San Antonio metropolitan area has continued to experience sustained and rapid growth. Much of this growth has occurred in the outer rings of the metropolitan area and along the major transportation corridors, including the Interstate 10 Corridor. This northbound growth along I-10 has reached Boerne and Kendall County. As a result, the city and county are experiencing ever increasing development pressures. Based on current local and national macroeconomic trends, it is projected that Boerne and Kendall County will continue to experience exponential increases in total population levels.

The City of Boerne could potentially double its current population size by 2020 and even triple its size by 2030. Likewise, Kendall County could double its population size by 2040. This rapid increase in population could dramatically impact the area's scale, character, school district, service levels, tax base, and demographic composition.

(Taken from the Boerne Master Plan Update prepared by Gould Evans)

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