Kirby is a city in Bexar County, Texas, United States. According to the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,142 people in the city. It is an enclave of San Antonio and is part of the San Antonio metropolitan statistical area. Founded as an agricultural settlement along the Southern Pacific railroad, the city was transformed into a suburban community upon its incorporation in 1955. It is known as the "Hobo Capital of Texas."
Geography
Kirby is located at (29.461032, –98.388763).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which (1.58%) is covered by water.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Kirby had a population of 8,142 and a median age of 36.8 years; 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.0% were 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.9 males.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 2,958 households, including 1,950 families, in Kirby, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.8% were married-couple households, 20.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 3,262 || 40.1%
|-
| Black or African American || 1,179 || 14.5%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 82 || 1.0%
|-
| Asian || 141 || 1.7%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 17 || 0.2%
|-
| Some other race || 1,388 || 17.0%
|-
| Two or more races || 2,073 || 25.5%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 4,760 || 58.5%
|}
2000 census
As of the census
Hobo festival
Because of the presence of the railroad and the influx of drifters, Kirby received the nickname the "Hobo Capital of Texas." Officials discovered this fact in 2007 and planned for a "Hobo festival."
The city held its first annual "hobo festival" during the first weekend of May 2008, including a "hobo parade" through the streets and the crowning of a hobo King and Queen. Through the years, musical acts such as Wade Hayes and Darrell McCall performed at the event. It continued annually until 2019, when officials cancelled it due to some residents' dislike of the term "hobo". Other residents have vowed to bring back the festival in the future. The state of the festival has become a political issue in the city.
Government
Kirby is characterized as a "home rule" city as permitted under Texas law. The city can govern itself, and mandate ordinances and actions as long as they do not infringe on state or federal law. The government is set up by the 1988 City Charter that calls for a legislative body of six members (city council) and a mayor that heads the legislative body and represents the city. The current mayor is Janeshia Grider. The charter also identifies a city manager to be directed by the council, and accountable for the operation of the city.
Education
Residents of Kirby are zoned to Judson Independent School District.
They are zoned to [https://web.archive.org/web/20061210224713/http://kirbytx.org/docs/newsinfo/profile.pdf]:
- Hopkins Elementary School
- Kirby Middle School
- Karen Wagner High School
<!-- weasel, uncited ==Description==
Kirby is located in eastern Bexar County. The northern and southern sections of the city differ both in culture and appearance. The city has a large community sector and much support for the city comes from the public. Kirby takes full advantage of its natural resources found both in the neighborhoods and the agricultural sector alike. -->
Northern Kirby
The northern section of the city contains the Kirby Manor and Old Town neighborhoods. It includes Kirby Middle School, Old Seguin Road, FM 78, Gibbs Sprawl Road, and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks. <!-- repeat Because of the railroad tracks, Kirby has been dubbed "The hobo capital of Texas."