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Common name: B/CS |
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| Largest city | College Station |
| Other cities | Bryan Hearne Caldwell |
| Population | Ranked 192nd in the U.S. |
| - Total | 228,660 |
| - Density | 1,597.5/sq. mi. 616.3/km² |
| Area | 83.6 sq. mi. 216.7 km² |
| State(s) | Texas |
| Elevation | |
| - Highest point | N/A feet (N/A m) |
| - Lowest point | N/A feet (N/A m) |
The Bryan–College Station Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in the Brazos Valley region of Texas that covers three counties: Brazos, Burleson, and Robertson. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 184,885 (The 2010 Census placed the population at 228,660).[1]
The area's economic and social life is centered around Texas A&M University (located in College Station); thus, the area is popularly known as "Aggieland" (for the university's mascot).
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The twin cities of Bryan and College Station are also known as B/CS. The cities have gained recognition as one of the top 10 best small metro areas for relocating families in the United States and one of the top places to live.[2][3] With a combined population of over 170,000, B/CS has many of the amenities of a large city while maintaining a small town atmosphere. Local unemployment hovers around three to four percent as of May 2008[update], among the lowest in the state of Texas, and cost of living is very affordable.[4]
B/CS is located in east central Texas, approximately equidistant from three of the 10 largest cities in the United States. It is 95 miles (153 km) north of Houston, 166 miles (267 km) northeast of San Antonio and 169 miles (272 km) south of Dallas. It is 104 miles (167 km) east of Austin, the state capital of Texas. 75% of the Texas and Louisiana populations (13.1 million people) live within 3.5 driving hours. Area lakes cover 180,000 acres (730 km2) and include Lake Somerville, Lake Conroe, Gibbon's Creek Reservoir, Lake Limestone and many others. The main campus of Texas A&M University is located here, a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant institution. The university's enrollment includes over 50,000 students on the 5,200 acre (21 km2) campus. Blinn College is also located here and has an enrollment of over 5,000 students. The local climate is subtropical and temperate and winters are mild with periods of low temperature usually lasting less than two months. Snow and ice are rare. Summers are warm, humid, and hot with occasional showers.
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 184,885 people, 67,744 households, and 39,346 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 73.71% White, 12.27% African American, 0.38% Native American, 3.33% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 8.30% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.32% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $30,339 and the median income for a family was $40,442. Males had a median income of $30,818 versus $21,951 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $15,847.