Anson, TX Properties | Nikki Duncan

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Anson is a city in and the county seat of Jones County, in west-central Texas, situated at the junction of U.S. Highways 180 and 277 in the rolling ranchland of the Rolling Plains. At the 2020 census, the city recorded a population of 2,294, and it serves as the governmental and commercial hub of a county of about 19,600 residents. Abilene, the region's principal city, lies about 25 miles to the south, placing Anson within the Abilene metropolitan area and within easy commuting distance of its jobs, medical facilities, and universities. Anson's most distinctive tradition is the Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball, first held in December 1885. The dance has been staged nearly every year since, making it one of Texas's oldest continuous community celebrations, and it is held today at Pioneer Hall, a local landmark. The event has deep cultural roots in the region's ranching heritage and draws visitors from across the state each December, cementing Anson's reputation as a town that cherishes its western traditions. Anson's history as a county seat reaches back to the late nineteenth century, when Jones County was organized and Anson was selected as its governmental center. The Jones County Courthouse anchors the town square, and the city's older residential streets reflect its growth through the early twentieth century as a ranching and farming service center. Agriculture and ranching, and later oil production, have sustained the local economy, keeping Anson a working small town with deep roots rather than a suburban bedroom community. The local economy has long been tied to agriculture and ranching, with oil production also playing a role in the surrounding Jones County. Public education is provided by the Anson Independent School District. For residents, Anson offers an affordable, close-knit small-town way of life in the heart of the Rolling Plains, with a genuine sense of history, while Abilene supplies the larger shopping, cultural, and educational opportunities of a regional city just down the highway.

Population 2,294

County Jones County

Active Listings 77

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Anson, Texas located?

Anson is the county seat of Jones County, in west-central Texas. It sits at the junction of U.S. Highways 180 and 277, about 25 miles north of Abilene, and is part of the Abilene metropolitan area.

What is Anson known for?

Anson is famous for the Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball, a dance first held in 1885 that continues today each December at Pioneer Hall, celebrated in song and local tradition as one of Texas's oldest ongoing events.

What school district serves Anson?

How big is Anson?

Anson had a population of 2,294 at the 2020 census and serves as the seat of Jones County, which has about 19,600 residents. The city is the governmental and commercial hub of the surrounding rolling ranch and farmland.

City Guide

About Anson

Real Estate & Housing

Housing in Anson consists largely of established, modest single-family homes on conventional in-town lots, along with older homes near the courthouse square and ranch properties and acreage on the outskirts. The stock reflects the town's history as a county seat and agricultural center, with a mix of early- to mid-twentieth-century homes and some newer construction. The market is oriented toward affordability and owner-occupancy rather than large new subdivisions. Buyers are typically drawn by the low cost of living, the small-town pace, and the practical commute to Abilene, with rural acreage available for those wanting more space.

Neighborhoods

Anson is organized around its courthouse square and the junction of U.S. Highways 180 and 277. The historic downtown and the Jones County Courthouse anchor the center of town, with established residential streets extending outward in a traditional grid. Older neighborhoods near the square hold many of the city's early homes, while newer development and larger rural lots spread toward the city limits and the surrounding ranchland. Pioneer Hall, home of the Cowboys' Christmas Ball, is a local landmark. Rather than distinct planned subdivisions, Anson's character comes from its settled in-town blocks and the gradual transition into open country.

Lifestyle in Anson

Anson offers a classic small-town West Texas lifestyle with a deep sense of heritage. Community life centers on the courthouse square, schools, churches, and the ranching culture of the surrounding Rolling Plains. The town's signature tradition, the Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball, has been held since 1885 and remains a point of local pride, drawing visitors each December to Pioneer Hall. Daily life is unhurried and neighborly, with agriculture and oil shaping the local economy. Abilene, about 25 miles south, provides shopping, medical care, and universities, giving Anson residents small-town living with regional conveniences within an easy drive.

Schools & Education

Anson is served by the Anson Independent School District, a small public district based in the city that enrolls students from the town and the surrounding Jones County countryside. The district's campuses, home of the Anson Tigers, function as a focal point for community life, hosting athletics and events that draw families from across the area. For higher education and specialized programs, residents can reach Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, and other institutions in Abilene, all within about half an hour's drive.

Getting Around

Anson sits at the junction of U.S. Highway 180 and U.S. Highway 277, giving it direct connections across west-central Texas. U.S. 277 runs south about 25 miles to Abilene and Interstate 20, while U.S. 180 connects the city east toward Albany and west toward Snyder. Commuting to Abilene is a straightforward, uncongested drive on U.S. 277, making the city a practical home for those working in the region. Travel is by personal vehicle, and the nearest commercial air service is available at Abilene Regional Airport, roughly half an hour to the south.

Parks & Recreation

Recreation in Anson is anchored by its western heritage and the surrounding countryside. The Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball, held each December at Pioneer Hall, is the community's signature event, celebrating a tradition that dates to 1885. Hunting, fishing, and outdoor pursuits are common across the Rolling Plains, and the nearby lakes of the Abilene area provide boating and fishing within a short drive. School athletics and community gatherings round out the local calendar. Abilene adds parks, museums, and cultural events, while the region's ranches and open country offer horseback riding and rural recreation for residents.

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