Kilgore () is a city in the Gregg and Rusk counties in Texas, United States. It is located where Interstate 20 and US 259 converge south of the Sabine River.
History
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Kilgore was founded in 1872 when the International–Great Northern Railroad completed the initial phase of rail line between Palestine and Longview. The rail company chose to bypass New Danville, a small community about southeast of Longview, in lieu of a new townsite platted on sold to the railroad by Constantine Buckley Kilgore, the town's namesake. That way the railroad gained the profits from sale and development of the lands.
thumb|left|Kilgore's downtown in 1930
Kilgore grew significantly after October 3, 1930, when wildcatter Columbus M. "Dad" Joiner struck oil near the neighboring town of Henderson. The well known as the Daisy Bradford #3, marked the discovery of the vast East Texas Oil Field. Kilgore rapidly transformed from a small farming town on the decline into a bustling boomtown. The Daisy Bradford #3 was subsequently followed by the Lou Della Crim No. 1 and many others. By 1936, the population had increased to more than 12,000, and Kilgore's skyline was crowded with oil derricks.
In the 1940s Kilgore had over 1,000 wooden oil derricks. One acre was known by the nickname "The world's richest acre." Now there are 60 steel replicas of the derricks in the city topped with stars. The city is nicknamed the City of Stars.
Geography
Kilgore is located in southern Gregg County and extends south into Rusk County,
Kilgore is located in the Piney Woods region south of the Sabine River.
Demographics
As of the 2020 census, there were 13,376 people, 4,923 households, and 3,476 families residing in the city.
2020 census
The median age was 35.4 years. 26.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.4 males age 18 and over.
Of the 4,923 households in Kilgore, 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.5% were married-couple households, 18.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 8,358 || 62.5%
|-
| Black or African American || 1,881 || 14.1%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 98 || 0.7%
|-
| Asian || 111 || 0.8%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 7 || 0.1%
|-
| Some other race || 1,409 || 10.5%
|-
| Two or more races || 1,512 || 11.3%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 2,998 || 22.4%
|}
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, 11,301 people, 4,403 households, and 2,963 families resided in the city. The population density was . The 4,766 housing units averaged . The racial makeup of the city was 78.22% White, 12.34% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.95% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 11.11% of the population.
Of the 4,403 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were not families. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city, the population was distributed as 24.6% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,129, and for a family was $61,765. Males had a median income of $45,995 versus $30,124 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,297. About 9.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
In 2023, Kilgore had 309 locally owned businesses, and attracted $117 million of new industrial investment.
Arts and culture
Performing arts
<!--thumb|A performance of Rangerette Revels, the Rangerettes' annual spring show.-->
thumb|Kilgore College Rangerettes. Photo by [[Carol M. Highsmith.]]
The Kilgore College Rangerettes, the world's first precision dance drill team, were founded in Kilgore in 1940 by Gussie Nell Davis. The Rangerettes provide college football halftime entertainment, and appear annually in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Museums and historical institutions
thumb|Kilgore Public Library, built during the New Deal era.
- The East Texas Oil Museum features a recreation of the 1930s oil boom.
- The Rangerette Showcase and Museum is dedicated to the Rangerettes, and features memorabilia.
- Kilgore Public Library was completed in 1939, and was a project of the New Deal-era Public Works Administration and Works Progress Administration.
Festivals and events
Festivals and events include:
- Kilgore Oktoberfest, which blends German and Texan traditions, and features beer gardens, music, and dancing.
- The Reel East Texas Film Festival, which features independent films.
- The Texas Shakespeare Festival, a professional summer repertory theatre company founded in 1986, which performs in the Van Cliburn Auditorium at Kilgore College.
- The East Texas Pipe Organ Festival, which celebrates Kilgore organ builder Roy Perry, and features concerts and tours of organs in the region.
Sports
R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium primarily serving Kilgore College and the Kilgore Independent School District for football games and other events.
Driller Park was the homefield for the Kilgore Drillers,
Baseball teams
- Kilgore Drillers (1947 to 1950) in the East Texas League and the Lone Star League. They played home games at Driller Park, a venue originally built for them.
Park and recreation
The Kilgore Trails System is and was designed for walkers, runners, and cyclists. The trail system has access points throughout the city, and passes through wooded areas.