Greater San Antonio
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
Greater San Antonio, officially called San Antonio–New Braunfels, is a big area in the state of Texas in the United States. It includes eight counties and is located in both South Texas and Central Texas. According to the 2020 U.S. census, about 2,558,143 people live there, making it the 24th largest metropolitan area in the country.
This area is the third-largest metropolitan region in Texas, after Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington and Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land. Downtown Austin and Downtown San Antonio are about 80 miles apart and both are along the Interstate 35 corridor. Together, the San Antonio–Austin region has around 5.1 million people.
Counties
Greater San Antonio is made up of eight counties. The main county in this area is Bexar.
The total area covered by Greater San Antonio is 7,387 square miles (19,130 km2), with most of it being land and a small part being water.
| Census area | Estimated population as of 1 July 2025 | 2020 census | 2010 census | 2000 census | 1990 census |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio–New Braunfels MSA | 2,813,140 | 2,558,143 | 2,142,508 | 1,711,703 | 1,407,745 |
| Atascosa | 53,590 | 48,981 | 44,911 | 38,628 | 30,533 |
| Bandera | 22,876 | 20,851 | 20,485 | 17,645 | 10,562 |
| Bexar | 2,160,088 | 2,009,324 | 1,714,773 | 1,392,931 | 1,185,394 |
| Comal | 209,166 | 161,501 | 108,472 | 78,021 | 51,832 |
| Guadalupe | 201,111 | 172,706 | 131,533 | 89,023 | 64,873 |
| Kendall | 53,289 | 44,279 | 33,410 | 23,743 | 14,589 |
| Medina | 56,881 | 50,748 | 46,006 | 39,204 | 27,312 |
| Wilson | 56,139 | 49,753 | 42,918 | 32,408 | 22,650 |
Communities
Greater San Antonio has many communities spread across several counties and regions. It is centered on the city of San Antonio, which is the second largest city in Texas and the seventh largest city in the USA, with about 1.5 million people living in it. Other areas include the Randolph Metrocom and the surrounding counties. These places are grouped based on how many people live there, according to the United States Census Bureau.
Places with more than 1,000,000 people
- San Antonio (Principal city) (1,526,656)
Places with 100,000 to 1,000,000 people
- New Braunfels (Principal city) (116,477)
Places with 25,000 to 100,000 people
- Canyon Lake* (31,124)
- Cibolo (37,816)
- Converse (31,400)
- Schertz (44,428)
- Seguin (38,789)
- Timberwood Park* (35,217)
Places with 10,000 to 25,000 people
- Boerne (22,712)
- Fair Oaks Ranch (11,744)
- Helotes (10,223)
- Leon Valley (11,424)
- Live Oak (16,218)
- Pleasanton (11,409)
- Scenic Oaks* (10,458)
- Selma (11,900)
- Universal City (20,267)
- Uvalde (15,589)
Places with 5,000 to 10,000 people
- Alamo Heights (7,557)
- Bulverde (7,198)
- Floresville (8,738)
- Hondo (8,969)
- Kirby (8,140)
- Lackland AFB* (9,467)
- Lakehills* (5,295)
- Luling (partial) (5,752)
- Sandy Oaks (5,698)
- Terrell Hills (5,142)
- Windcrest (5,782)
Places with 1,000 to 5,000 people
- Balcones Heights (2,707)
- Castle Hills (3,931)
- Castroville (3,201)
- Charlotte (1,620)
- China Grove (1,138)
- Comfort* (2,211)
- Cross Mountain* (3,944)
- Devine (4,622)
- Elmendorf (2,683)
- Garden Ridge (4,378)
- Geronimo* (1,097)
- Hollywood Park (3,128)
- Jourdanton (4,569)
- LaCoste (1,222)
- La Vernia (1,483)
- Lake Dunlap* (1,981)
- Lytle (3,325)
- Marion (1,098)
- McQueeney* (2,397)
- Natalia (1,356)
- Nixon (partial) (2,389)
- Olmos Park (2,155)
- Poteet (3,005)
- Poth (1,992)
- Randolph AFB* (1,280)
- Redwood* (4,003)
- Shavano Park (3,807)
- Somerset (1,843)
- St. Hedwig (2,377)
- Stockdale (1,488)
- Von Ormy (1,215)
Places with fewer than 1,000 people
- Bandera (891)
- Christine (365)
- Grey Forest (517)
- Hill Country Village (949)
- Kingsbury (143)
- New Berlin (711)
- Santa Clara (753)
- Spring Branch (254)
- Staples (190)
- Zuehl* (399)
Unincorporated places
- Adkins
- Amphion
- Atascosa
- Bandera Falls
- Bergheim
- Campbellton
- Carpenter
- D'Hanis
- Dunlay
- Fischer
- Kicaster
- Leesville (partial)
- Leming
- Leon Springs
- Losoya
- Macdona
- Medina
- Mico
- Pearson
- Pandora
- Pipe Creek
- Rio Medina
- Saspamco
- Sayers
- Sutherland Springs
- Tarpley
- Vanderpool
- Waring
- Welfare
- Yancey
Demographics
Further information: Demographics of San Antonio
Bexar County is part of the San Antonio–New Braunfels, TX metropolitan area. It is the 16th-most populous county in the nation and the fourth-most populated in Texas. Bexar County has a large Hispanic population and a growing African American population. African Americans make up a part of Bexar County's residents, and the Hispanic population is very significant.
As of the census of 2020, there were 2,558,143 people living in the area. Many different groups make up the population, including white, African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people from other races or multiple races. Hispanic or Latino residents make up a large portion of the population. The median income for households and families varies, with males generally earning more than females.
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 119,676 | — | |
| 1920 | 202,096 | 68.9% | |
| 1930 | 292,533 | 44.7% | |
| 1940 | 338,176 | 15.6% | |
| 1950 | 500,460 | 48.0% | |
| 1960 | 687,151 | 37.3% | |
| 1970 | 864,014 | 25.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,071,954 | 24.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,302,099 | 21.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,592,383 | 22.3% | |
| 2010 | 2,142,508 | 34.5% | |
| 2020 | 2,558,143 | 19.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 2,763,006 | 8.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 | |||
| Year | Not Hispanic or Latino | Hispanic or Latino | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | Black or African American | American Indian or Alaska Native | Asian | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | Other Race | Two or More Races | Total | White | Black or African American | American Indian or Alaska Native | Asian | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | Other Race | Two or More Races | Total | ||
| 2014 | 793,403 | 137,401 | 4,603 | 47,580 | 1,890 | 2,734 | 34,259 | 1,021,870 | 976,671 | 7,883 | 9,937 | 1,702 | 724 | 187,587 | 32,848 | 1,217,352 | 2,239,222 |
| 35.4% | 6.1% | 0.2% | 2.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1.5% | 45.6% | 43.6% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 8.4% | 1.5% | 54.4% | 100% | |
| 2013 | 783,712 | 133,710 | 4,391 | 45,049 | 1,947 | 3,246 | 31,742 | 1,003,797 | 930,034 | 7,827 | 11,054 | 1,915 | 742 | 205,365 | 31,990 | 1,188,927 | 2,192,724 |
| 35.7% | 6.1% | 0.2% | 2.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1.4% | 45.8% | 42.4% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 9.4% | 1.5% | 54.2% | 100% | |
| 2012 | 774,827 | 130,096 | 4,521 | 42,647 | 1,824 | 3,176 | 29,516 | 986,607 | 895,545 | 7,312 | 10,498 | 1,891 | 668 | 214,555 | 32,077 | 1,162,546 | 2,149,153 |
| 36.1% | 6.1% | 0.2% | 2.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1.4% | 45.9% | 41.7% | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 10.0% | 1.5% | 54.1% | 100% | |
| 2011 | 767,349 | 128,069 | 4,666 | 40,356 | 1,860 | 3,178 | 27,143 | 972,621 | 834,874 | 7,095 | 10,069 | 1,832 | 403 | 248,054 | 30,514 | 1,132,841 | 2,105,462 |
| 36.4% | 6.1% | 0.2% | 2.0% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 1.3% | 46.2% | 39.7% | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 11.8% | 1.5% | 53.8% | 100% | |
| 2010 | 758,379 | 125,270 | 4,828 | 39,358 | 1,750 | 3,430 | 23,711 | 956,726 | 778,780 | 6,984 | 8,721 | 1,659 | 383 | 276,645 | 27,884 | 1,101,056 | 2,057,782 |
| 36.9% | 6.1% | 0.2% | 2.0% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 1.2% | 46.5% | 37.8% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 13.4% | 1.4% | 53.5% | 100% | |
Economy
San Antonio–New Braunfels has five big companies that are on the Fortune 1000 list. These companies include Valero Energy Corp, iHeartMedia, USAA, and NuStar Energy, all located in San Antonio. Another company, Rush Enterprises, is based in New Braunfels.
San Antonio is known as "Military City, USA" because it has many military bases. Some of the important bases in the area are Lackland Air Force Base, Brooke Army Medical Center, Randolph Air Force Base, and Fort Sam Houston.
Culture
Further information: Culture of San Antonio
San Antonio is a city with a lively culture and is a favorite place for visitors to explore. It is often called the "Alamo City" because of the famous Alamo site near downtown. The city has many fun places to visit, such as the River Walk, SeaWorld, San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio Aquarium, and Six Flags. In nearby New Braunfels, there is a well-loved water park called Schlitterbahn. San Antonio has a rich history with Spanish influences, seen in places like the Alamo Mission, Mission Concepción, San Antonio River Walk, Mission San Francisco de la Espada, and Cathedral of San Fernando (San Antonio). Just a short drive away in Bandera, a lively event called Cowboy Mardi Gras draws thousands of people each year.
Politics
The San Antonio metro area has tended to support right-leaning views in recent decades.
| Year | DEM | GOP | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46.8% 493,030 | 52.2% 550,283 | 1.1% 11,241 |
| 2020 | 50.8% 529,607 | 47.5% 495,195 | 1.7% 17,424 |
| 2016 | 46.7% 317,623 | 47.8% 380,665 | 5.5% 43,402 |
| 2012 | 45.2% 311,695 | 53.2% 366,744 | 1.5% 10,632 |
| 2008 | 47.0% 324,480 | 52.0% 359,129 | 1.07% 7428 |
| 2004 | 39.7% 245,309 | 59.5% 367,271 | 0.75% 4637 |
| 2000 | 40.9% 216,271 | 56.3% 298,442 | 2.8% 14,991 |
| 1996 | 46.2% 210,846 | 47.5% 216,618 | 6.3% 28,637 |
| 1992 | 41.8% 211,605 | 39.3% 198,952 | 18.9% 95,524 |
| 1988 | 44.7% 202,397 | 53.8% 243,696 | 0.74% 3,362 |
| 1984 | 31.8% 118,843 | 68.0% 254,477 | 0.20% 738 |
| 1980 | 42.9% 158,412 | 53.7% 198,049 | 3.4% 12,575 |
| 1976 | 53.3% 171,295 | 45.4% 146,009 | 1.3% 4,136 |
| 1972 | 38.0% 103,190 | 61.6% 167,509 | 0.42% 1151 |
| 1968 | 49.8% 109,324 | 40.4% 88,524 | 9.8% 21,387 |
| 1964 | 66.7% 128,820 | 33.1% 63,969 | 0.22% 429 |
| 1960 | 52.9% 89,169 | 46.5% 78,247 | 0.59% 1000 |
Sports
Main article: Sports in San Antonio
San Antonio has one major league sports team, the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. The city's football team is the UTSA Roadrunners, who play at the NCAA FBS level. There are also several minor league teams in San Antonio, such as the San Antonio Missions and San Antonio FC.
| Club | Sport | League | Founded | Venue (capacity) | Attendance | Titles | Championship years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UTSA Roadrunners | American football | NCAA Division I | 2011 | Alamodome (65,000) | 27,576 | 0 | |
San Antonio Spurs | Basketball | NBA | 1967 | Frost Bank Center (18,580) | 18,418 | 5 | |
San Antonio Missions | Baseball | Texas League | 1888 | Wolff Stadium (9,200) | 8,500 | 13 | |
San Antonio FC | Soccer | USL Championship | 2016 | Toyota Field (8,300) | 6,765 | 1 | 2022 |
| Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps | Drum Corps | Drum Corps International | 1975 | Varies | 0 | ||
Education
Further information: Education in San Antonio
San Antonio has many places for students to learn. The biggest university is the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Other public schools include the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas A&M University–San Antonio, and the five colleges of the Alamo Community College District.
There are also private schools such as Our Lady of the Lake University and St. Mary's University. Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word are located in Midtown. The Culinary Institute of America has a campus in downtown.
Outside of San Antonio, Texas Lutheran University in Seguin and Howard Payne University at New Braunfels offer classes.
The area has many public elementary and secondary schools in different school districts.
| County | Independent School Districts (ISDs) |
|---|---|
| Atascosa | Charlotte, Jourdanton, Karnes City, Lytle, Pleasanton, Poteet, Somerset |
| Bandera | Bandera, Medina, Northside, Utopia |
| Bexar County/City of San Antonio | Alamo Heights, Boerne, Comal, East Central, Edgewood, Fort Sam Houston, Harlandale, Judson, Lackland, Medina Valley, North East, Northside, Randolph Field, San Antonio, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City, South San Antonio, Southside, Southwest, Somerset |
| Comal | New Braunfels, Comal, Boerne |
| Guadalupe | Seguin, Navarro, Comal, New Braunfels, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City, Marion, San Marcos Consolidated, Nixon-Smiley Consolidated, Prairie Lea, Luling, La Vernia |
| Kendall | Boerne, Comfort, Blanco, Comal |
| Medina | Devine, Hondo, Medina Valley, Natalia, Lytle |
| Wilson | Floresville, La Vernia, Stockdale, Nixon-Smiley Consolidated, Poth, East Central |
Transportation
Further information: List of highways in Greater San Antonio
The San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is located in uptown San Antonio, about eight miles north of downtown. It has two terminals and is served by 21 airlines, connecting to 44 places, including six in Mexico and one in Canada.
VIA Metropolitan Transit is the public transportation service for the city of San Antonio and many of its nearby areas in Bexar County.
San Antonio Station is where Amtrak trains stop for the area.
Interstate highways
- I-10- West to El Paso, east to Houston
- I-35- North to Austin and the Dallas/Fort Worth area, south to Laredo
- I-37- South to Corpus Christi
- I-410- Inner loop around San Antonio, also passes through Castle Hills, Balcones Heights, and Leon Valley
Other major highways
Images
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