San Antonio#Demographics

{{Short description|City in Texas, United States}}

{{About|the city in Texas|the metropolitan area|Greater San Antonio|other uses|San Antonio (disambiguation)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}

{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = San Antonio

| settlement_type = City

| nickname = San Antone{{cite web |url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth216948/ |title=Transcript of letter from E. Hall to James F. Perry |date=December 9, 1835 |access-date=June 16, 2021 |via=University of North Texas Libraries |last=Austin Papers: Series III, 1835 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709131911/https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth216948/ |url-status=live }}{{cite book |last=Olmsted |first=Frederick Law |url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2407/ |title=Journey through Texas, or, A saddle-trip on the southwestern frontier: with a statistical appendix |publisher=Dix, Edwards & Co. |location=New York |year=1857 |page=187 |access-date=June 16, 2021 |via=University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History |archive-date=August 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825013107/https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2407/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Marini |first=Richard A. |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/You-know-you-re-from-San-Antonio-if-3410823.php |title=You know you're from San Antonio if ... |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=March 21, 2012 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709132617/https://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/You-know-you-re-from-San-Antonio-if-3410823.php |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Ayala |first=Christine |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2016/05/06/no-obama-its-not-called-it-san-antone |title=No, Obama, it's not called 'San Antone' |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=May 6, 2016 |access-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709161909/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2016/05/06/no-obama-its-not-called-it-san-antone |url-status=live }} Alamo City, Military City USA, River City, The 210, S.A., Countdown City, Something to Remember

| image_skyline = {{multiple image

| border = infobox

| perrow = 1/2/2/1

| total_width = 300

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Downtown San Antonio view from The Tower of the Americas.jpg

| caption1 = Downtown San Antonio

| image2 = Alamo Mission San Antonio at Night.jpg

| caption2 = The Alamo

| image3 = San Antonio Riverwalk with boat tour view.jpg

| caption3 = San Antonio River Walk

| image4 = San Antonio, Texas (2018) - 057.jpg

| caption4 = Emily Morgan Hotel

| image5 = Tower of the Americas 041218.jpg

| caption5 = Tower of the Americas

| image7 = San Antonio Botanical Garden Overlook View.jpg

| caption7 = San Antonio Botanical Garden

}}

| image_flag = Flag of San Antonio, Texas.svg

| flag_link = Flag of San Antonio

| seal_size = 80px

| image_seal = Seal of San Antonio, Texas.png

| image_shield = Coat of arms of San Antonio de Bexar, Texas.svg

| motto = {{langx|la|Libertatis cunabula}} ("Cradle of Freedom")

| image_map = {{maplink

| frame = yes

| plain = yes

| frame-align = center

| frame-width = 270

| frame-height = 270

| frame-coord = {{coord|qid=Q975}}

| zoom = 9

| type = shape

| marker = city

| stroke-width = 2

| stroke-color = #0096FF

| fill = #0096FF

| id2 = Q975

| type2 = shape-inverse

| stroke-width2 = 2

| stroke-color2 = #5F5F5F

| stroke-opacity2 = 0

| fill2 = #000000

| fill-opacity2 = 0

}}

| mapsize = 220px

| map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio

| pushpin_map = Texas#USA

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Texas##Location in the United States

| pushpin_relief = 1

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flagu|United States}}

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Texas}}

| subdivision_type2 = Counties

| subdivision_name2 = Bexar, Comal, Medina

| established_title = Foundation

| established_date = {{Start date and age|1718|5|1}}

| established_title1 = Incorporated

| established_date1 = {{Start date and age|1837|6|5}}{{cite web |url=https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79054641.html |title=LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies (Library of Congress) |publisher=id.loc.gov}}

| named_for = Saint Anthony of Padua

| government_type = Council-Manager

| governing_body = San Antonio City Council

| leader_party = D

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = Gina Ortiz Jones

| leader_title2 = City Manager

| leader_name2 = Erik Walsh

| leader_title3 = City Council

| leader_name3 = {{Collapsible list

| title =

| frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;

| title_style =

| list_style = text-align:left;display:none;

|1 = • Sukh Kaur

|2 = • Jalen McKee-Rodriguez

|3 = • Phyllis Viagran

|4 = • Edward Mungia

|5 = • Teri Castillo

|6 = • Ric Galvan

|7 = • Marina Alderete Gavito

|8 = • Ivalis Meza Gonzalez

|9 = • Misty Spears

|10 = • Marc Whyte

}}

| unit_pref = Imperial

| area_total_sq_mi = 504.64

| area_total_km2 = 1307.00

| area_land_sq_mi = 498.85

| area_land_km2 = 1292.02

| area_water_sq_mi = 5.79

| area_water_km2 = 14.98

| population_footnotes =

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_total = 1,434,625

| population_est = 1526656 {{gain}}

| pop_est_as_of = 2024

| population_rank = {{Plain list|

  • 17th in North America
  • 7th in the United States
  • 2nd in Texas

}}

| population_metro_footnotes = {{cite web |title=2020 Population and Housing State Data |url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 22, 2021 |archive-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824081449/https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |url-status=live }}

| population_metro = 2601788 (US: 24th)

| population_density_sq_mi = auto

| population_density_km2 = auto

| pop_est_footnotes = {{cite web | title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: San Antonio city, Texas | website=Census Bureau QuickFacts | date=2024-07-01 | url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sanantoniocitytexas/LFE041223 | access-date=2025-05-15}}

| population_urban = 1,992,689 (US: 24th)

| population_density_urban_sq_km2 = auto

| population_demonym = San Antonian

| demographics_type2 = GDP

| demographics2_footnotes = {{Cite web |title=Total Gross Domestic Product for San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX (MSA) |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP41700 |website=fred.stlouisfed.org |access-date=January 3, 2024 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110062455/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP41700 |url-status=live }}

| demographics2_title1 = Metro

| demographics2_info1 = $163.061 billion (2022)

| timezone = CST

| utc_offset = −6

| timezone_DST = CDT

| utc_offset_DST = −5

| postal_code_type = ZIP Codes

| postal_code = 78201–78266, 78268–78270, 78275, 78278–78280, 78283–78285, 78288–89, 78291–78299

| area_code = 210 (majority), 830 (portions), 726

| area_code_type = Area codes

| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q975|type:city_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}

| elevation_ft = 722

| elevation_footnotes =

| website = [https://www.sanantonio.gov/ sa.gov]

| footnotes =

| blank_name = FIPS code

| blank_info = 48-65000

| blank1_name = GNIS feature ID

| blank1_info = 2411774{{GNIS|2411774}}

| area_footnotes = {{cite web |title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017010302/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt |url-status=live }}

}}

San Antonio ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|s|æ|n|_|æ|n|ˈ|t|oʊ|n|i|oʊ}} {{respell|SAN|_|an|TOH|nee|oh}}; Spanish for "Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the seventh-most populous city in the United States, second-most populous city in Texas and second-most populous city in the Southern U.S., with a population of 1.43 million at the 2020 census. The San Antonio metropolitan area, with an estimated 2.76 million residents, ranks as the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest in the nation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.expressnews.com/150years/people/article/SA-first-southern-city-to-integrate-lunch-6347434.php |title=SA first southern city to integrate lunch counters. |first=Madalyn |last=Mendoza |date=June 24, 2015 |website=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824190127/https://www.expressnews.com/150years/people/article/SA-first-southern-city-to-integrate-lunch-6347434.php |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: San Antonio city, Texas |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sanantoniocitytexas/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 20, 2021}} It is the county seat of Bexar County.

Founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission and colonial outpost, San Antonio became the first chartered civil settlement in present-day Texas in 1731. The city was named in 1691 by a Spanish expedition in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua. It was part of the Spanish Empire, then the Mexican Republic from 1821 to 1836, before joining the United States.Chabot, Frederick Charles. [https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvs16 San Fernando de Bexar] ({{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904013503/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvs16 |date=September 4, 2019}}). Texas State Historical Association. Uploaded June 15, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2017.Guerra, Mary Ann Noonan. "[https://www.uiw.edu/sanantonio/FirstCivilSettlementinTexas.html The First Civil Settlement in Texas]" ({{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709161845/https://www.uiw.edu/sanantonio/FirstCivilSettlementinTexas.html |date=July 9, 2019}}). Excerpted from The San Antonio River (The Alamo Press, San Antonio: 1987). Retrieved September 17, 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sanantonio300.org/300-in-review/ |title=SA300 Tricentennial – Celebrating San Antonio for 300 Years |website=sanantonio300.org |language=en |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711053004/https://www.sanantonio300.org/300-in-review/ |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |url-status=dead}} Straddling the regional divide between South and Central Texas, San Antonio anchors the southwestern corner of an urban megaregion colloquially known as the Texas Triangle. It lies about {{convert|80|mi}} from Austin along the I-35 corridor, and together the San Antonio–Austin metroplex is home to approximately 5 million people.{{Cite news |last=Egan |first=John |date=September 6, 2022 |title=Booming Texas region could rival Dallas-Fort Worth as 'next great U.S. metroplex,' mayor says |work=CultureMap |url=https://fortworth.culturemap.com/news/city-life/09-06-22-austin-san-antonio-next-great-us-metroplex/ |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214003817/https://fortworth.culturemap.com/news/city-life/09-06-22-austin-san-antonio-next-great-us-metroplex/ |url-status=live }}

San Antonio is home to five 18th-century Spanish frontier missions, including The Alamo and those preserved in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which were collectively designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2015. Major attractions include the River Walk, Tower of the Americas, SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and the Alamo Bowl. The city also hosts the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and is home to the five-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio welcomes approximately 32 million visitors annually and is a key military hub, hosting several major U.S. Armed Forces facilities, including Fort Sam Houston and nearby bases such as Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases. The city is also home to four Fortune 500 companies, the South Texas Medical Center, and one of the largest majority-Hispanic populations in the U.S., with 64% of residents identifying as Hispanic.

History

{{Main|History of San Antonio}}

{{For timeline|Timeline of San Antonio}}

At the time of European encounter, the Payaya people lived near the San Antonio River Valley in the San Pedro Springs area. They called the vicinity Yanaguana, meaning "refreshing waters". In 1691, a group of Spanish explorers and missionaries came upon the river and Payaya settlement on June 13, the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua.{{Cite web |title=St. Anthony of Padua – Saints & Angels |url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24 |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=Catholic Online |language=en |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227231001/https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24 |url-status=live }} They named the place and river "San Antonio" in his honor.{{cite web |url=http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Jun2004/Feature2.asp#F1 |title=San Antonio: The City of St. Anthony |work=St. Anthony Messenger Magazine Online |publisher=Americancatholic.org |date=June 2004 |access-date=June 30, 2010 |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427084954/http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Jun2004/Feature2.asp#F1 |url-status=live }}

{{Historical affiliations

| float = left

| width = 21em

| {{flag|Spanish Empire|1718}} (1718–1821)

| {{flag|Mexico|1823}} (1821–1836)

| {{Flagicon image|Flag of Texas (1839–1879).svg|size=23px}} Republic of Texas (1836–1845)

| {{flag|United States}} (1846–1861)

| {{flag|Confederate States|1863}} (1861–1865)

| {{flag|United States}} (1865–present)

}}

It was years before any Spanish settlement took place. Father Antonio de Olivares visited the site in 1709, and he was determined to found a mission and civilian settlement there. The viceroy gave formal approval for a combined mission and presidio in late 1716, as he wanted to forestall any French expansion into the area from their colony of La Louisiane to the east, as well as prevent illegal trading with the Payaya. He directed Martín de Alarcón, the governor of Coahuila y Tejas, to establish the mission complex. Differences between Alarcón and Olivares resulted in delays, and construction did not start until 1718. Olivares built, with the help of the Payaya and the Pastia people, the Misión de San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo), the Presidio San Antonio de Bexar, the bridge that connected both, and the Acequia Madre de Valero.

The families who clustered around the presidio and mission were the start of Villa de Béjar, destined to become the most important town in Spanish Texas.{{cite web |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/alarcon-martin-de |title=Martin de Alarcon |publisher=Texas State Historical Society |work=Handbook of Texas |last=Chipman |first=Donald E. |access-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204726/https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/alarcon-martin-de |url-status=live }} On May 1, the governor transferred ownership of the Mission San Antonio de Valero (later famous as The Alamo) to Fray Antonio de Olivares. On May 5, 1718, he commissioned the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar ("Béjar" in modern Spanish orthography) on the west side of the San Antonio River, one-fourth league from the mission.

On February 14, 1719, the Marquis of San Miguel de Aguayo proposed to the king of Spain that 400 families be transported from the Canary Islands, Galicia, or Havana to populate the province of Texas. His plan was approved, and notice was given the Canary Islanders (isleños) to furnish 200 families; the Council of the Indies suggested that 400 families should be sent from the Canaries to Texas by way of Havana and Veracruz. By June 1730, 25 families had reached Cuba, and 10 families had been sent to Veracruz before orders from Spain came to stop the re-settlement.

Under the leadership of Juan Leal Goraz, the group marched overland from Veracruz to the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar, where they arrived on March 9, 1731. Due to marriages along the way, the party now included 15 families, a total of 56 persons. They joined the military community established in 1718. The immigrants formed the nucleus of the villa of San Fernando de Béxar, the first regularly organized civil government in Texas. Several older families of San Antonio trace their descent from the Canary Island colonists. María Rosa Padrón was the first baby born of Canary Islander descent in San Antonio.

File:Viceroyalty of New Spain Location 1819 (without Philippines).png. ]]

During the Spanish–Mexican settlement of Southwestern lands, which took place over the following century, Juan Leal Goraz Jr. was a prominent figure. He claimed nearly 100,000 sq miles (153,766 acres) as Spanish territory and held some control for nearly three decades; this area stretched across six present-day states. San Antonio was designated as Leal Goraz's capital. It represented Mexican expansion into the area. With his robust military forces, he led exploration and establishing Spanish colonial bases as far as San Francisco, California. Widespread bankruptcy forced Leal Goraz Jr.'s army back into the current boundaries of Mexico; they fell into internal conflict and turmoil with neighboring entities.

San Antonio grew to become the largest Spanish settlement in Texas; it was designated as the capital of the Spanish, later Mexican, province of Tejas. From San Antonio, the Camino Real (today Nacogdoches Road), was built to the small frontier town of Nacogdoches. Mexico allowed European American settlers from the United States into the territory; they mostly occupied land in the eastern part. In 1835, when Antonio López de Santa Anna unilaterally abolished the Mexican Constitution of 1824, violence ensued in many states of Mexico. which led to many short-lived independent republics.John H. Jenkins, ed., Papers of the Texas Revolution (10 vols.; Austin: Presidial Press, 973), p.13 This, in addition to Mexico's abolition of slavery, and cultural differences between the Texians and the Mexicans, led to the Texas Revolution.{{cite web |url=https://digital.library.shsu.edu/digital/collection/p243coll3/id/2243/ |title=CONTENTdm |access-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205024738/https://digital.library.shsu.edu/digital/collection/p243coll3/id/2243/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2013/marchapril/statement/south-freedom |title=South to Freedom |access-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202141614/https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2013/marchapril/statement/south-freedom |url-status=live }}

In a series of battles, the Texian Army, which was made up primarily of American citizens, succeeded in forcing Mexican soldiers out of the settlement areas east of San Antonio. Under the leadership of Ben Milam, in the Battle of Bexar, December 1835, Texian forces captured San Antonio from forces commanded by General Martin Perfecto de Cos, Santa Anna's brother-in-law. In the spring of 1836, Santa Anna marched on San Antonio. A volunteer force under the command of James C. Neill occupied and fortified the deserted Alamo mission.

Upon his departure, the joint command of William Barrett Travis and James Bowie were left in charge of defending the old mission. The Battle of the Alamo took place from February 23 to March 6, 1836. The outnumbered Texian force was ultimately defeated, with all of the Alamo defenders killed. These men were seen as "martyrs" for the cause of Texas freedom and "Remember the Alamo" became a rallying cry in the Texian Army's eventual success at defeating Santa Anna's army.

Juan Seguín, who organized the company of Tejano patriots, who fought for Texas independence, fought at the Battle of Concepción, the Siege of Bexar, and the Battle of San Jacinto, and served as mayor of San Antonio. He was forced out of office due to threats on his life by sectarian newcomers and political opponents in 1842, becoming the last Tejano mayor for nearly 150 years.Gonzalez, Juan. Harvest of Empire. Penguin, 2000.

File:San Antonio, Texas in 1886.jpg

In 1845, the United States finally decided to annex Texas and include it as a state in the Union. This led to the Mexican–American War. Though the U.S. ultimately won, the war was devastating to San Antonio. By its end, the population of the city had been reduced by almost two-thirds, to 800 inhabitants.{{cite book |last=Fisher |first=Lewis F. |title=Saving San Antonio: the precarious preservation of a heritage |publisher=Texas Tech University Press |location=Lubbock |year=1996}} Bolstered by migrants and immigrants, by 1860 at the start of the American Civil War, San Antonio had grown to a city of 15,000 people.

In the 1850s, Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who designed Central Park in New York City, traveled throughout the Southern and Southwest U.S., and published accounts of his observations. In his 1859 book about Texas, Olmsted described San Antonio as having a "jumble of races, costumes, languages, and buildings", which gave it a quality that only New Orleans could rival in what he described as "odd and antiquated foreignness."A Journey Through Texas, by Frederick Olmsted {{ISBN|978-1-144-80380-1}}[https://archive.org/details/journeythroughte01olms Frederick Law Olmsted, A Journey through Texas; or, A Saddle-trip on the South-western Frontier: with a statistical appendix (1859)], on-line text at Internet Archive Following the Civil War, San Antonio prospered as a center of the cattle industry. During this period, it remained a frontier city, with a mixture of cultures that was different from other U.S. cities.

German immigrants founded smaller surrounding towns such as New Braunfels, Castroville, Boerne, Comfort, Fredericksburg, and Bulverde, all towns far out from San Antonio. However, the Germans were then drawn to San Antonio for work, and many buildings and streets still bear German names such as Wurzbach, Huebner, and Jones Maltsberger, and Wiederstein. The German impact on San Antonio was great, in the early 1900s it is estimated that at least 1/3 of San Antonio was ethnically German. Many descendants of German immigrants in San Antonio spoke Texas German up to the fifth or sixth generations. Texas German is a dialect of German that evolved when the German language was separated from Germany. Texas German is best described as an anglicized-German dialect with a Texas twang. Many older generations in New Braunfels and Fredericksburg still speak Texas German to this day.{{Cite web |url=https://www.visitsanantonio.com/german-heritage/ |title=German Heritage |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806225430/https://www.visitsanantonio.com/german-heritage/ |url-status=dead}}

In 1877, following the Reconstruction Era, the Galveston, Harrisburg, & San Antonio Railroad became the first railroad to reach San Antonio, connecting it to major markets and port cities.{{Handbook of Texas | id=EQG06 | name=Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway | author=George C. Werner|date=September 1, 1995||retrieved=January 14, 2025}} Texas was the first state to have major cities develop by railroads rather than waterways.{{Cite web |last=Saenz |first=Rebecca |date=June 15, 2021 |title=Texas Railroads: The Backbone of Towns and Commerce |url=https://www.thebanderareview.com/s/1474/Texas-Railroads:-The-Backbone-of-Towns-and-Commerce.php |website=The Bandera Review |access-date=December 15, 2024 |archive-date=December 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215025403/https://www.thebanderareview.com/s/1474/Texas-Railroads:-The-Backbone-of-Towns-and-Commerce.php |url-status=live }} In Texas, the railroads supported a markedly different pattern of development of major interior cities, such as San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth, compared to the historical development of coastal port cities in the established eastern states.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the streets of the city's downtown were widened to accommodate street cars and modern traffic. At that time, many of the older historic buildings were demolished in the process of this modernization.Saving San Antonio by Lewis F. Fisher {{ISBN|978-0-89672-372-6}}

Since the late twentieth century, San Antonio has had steady population growth. The city's population has nearly doubled in 35 years, from just over 650,000 in the 1970 census to an estimated 1.2 million in 2005, through both population growth and land annexation (the latter has considerably enlarged the physical area of the city).{{cite web |title=POPULATION DISTRIBUTION IN 2005 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/pop-profile/dynamic/PopDistribution.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 10, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116175247/https://www.census.gov/population/pop-profile/dynamic/PopDistribution.pdf |url-status=live }} In 1990, the United States Census Bureau reported San Antonio's population as 55.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Black or African American, and 36.2% non-Hispanic white.

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and The Alamo became UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2015 and the city was designated a UNESCO "City of Creativity for Gastronomy" in 2017, one of only 26 gastronomy creative cities in the world.

With the increase in professional jobs, San Antonio has become a destination for many college-educated persons, most recently including African Americans in a reverse Great Migration from northern and western areas.{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2015/01/15/the-cities-where-african-americans-are-doing-the-best-economically/?sh=37007f50164f |title=The cities where African Americans are doing the best economically |first=Joel |last=Kotkin |date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=January 16, 2015 |newspaper=Forbes |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430051921/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2015/01/15/the-cities-where-african-americans-are-doing-the-best-economically/?sh=37007f50164f |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2021 |title=Latinos, Blacks Show Strong Growth in San Antonio as White Population Declines |work=San Antonio Express-News |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Latinos-Black-communities-grow-in-San-Antonio-16385595.php |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301110840/https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Latinos-Black-communities-grow-in-San-Antonio-16385595.php |url-status=live |last1=O'Hare |first1=By Peggy }}

Over 31,000 migrants who requested asylum have been released by the Border Patrol into the city in 2019 during the National Emergency Concerning the Southern Border of the United States.{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2019/09/23/border-crisis-trump-administration-real-cost-tax-money/1739727001/ |title=Local governments spend millions caring for migrants dumped by Trump's Border Patrol |first=Alan |last=Gomez |date=September 23, 2018 |work=USA Today |language=en |access-date=September 24, 2019}}

Geography

File:San Antonio by Sentinel-2, 2020-10-01.jpg

San Antonio is approximately {{convert|75|mi|km}} to the southwest of its neighboring city, Austin, the state capital, about {{convert|150|mi|km}} from the Mexican border, about {{convert|190|mi|km}} west of Houston, and about {{convert|250|mi|km}} south of the Dallas–Fort Worth area. The city has a total area of {{convert|465.4|mi2|km2|sigfig=5}}; {{convert|460.93|mi2|km2|sigfig=5}} of San Antonio's total area is land and {{convert|4.5|mi2|km2|sigfig=3}} of it is water.[https://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4865000.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328041312/https://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4865000.html|date=March 28, 2009}} The city's gently rolling terrain is dotted with oak trees, forested land, mesquite, and cacti. The Texas Hill Country reaches into the far northern portions of the city. San Antonio sits on the Balcones Escarpment. Its altitude is approximately {{convert|662|ft|m|0}} above sea level.{{Cite web |title=Geographic coordinates of San Antonio. Latitude, longitude, and elevation above sea level of San Antonio, Texas, USA |url=https://dateandtime.info/citycoordinates.php?id=4726206 |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=dateandtime.info}}

The city's primary source of drinking water is the Edwards Aquifer.{{Cite web |last=Horne |first=Justin |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Where does our water come from? KSAT Explains |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/12/06/where-does-our-water-come-from-ksat-explains/ |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=KSAT |language=en |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206074739/https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/12/06/where-does-our-water-come-from-ksat-explains/ |url-status=live }} Impounded in 1962 and 1969, respectively, Victor Braunig Lake and Calaveras Lake were among the first reservoirs in the United States built to use recycled treated wastewater for power plant cooling, reducing the amount of groundwater needed for electrical generation.{{Cite web |last=Beneby |first=Doyle |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Energy, Future of Texas Linked to Water |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/energy-future-of-texas-linked-to-water/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=San Antonio Report |language=en-US |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043402/https://sanantonioreport.org/energy-future-of-texas-linked-to-water/ |url-status=live }}

=Neighborhoods=

{{further|Neighborhoods and districts of San Antonio|Downtown San Antonio}}

== Downtown ==

Downtown San Antonio, the city and metro area's urban core, encompasses many of the city's famous structures, attractions, and businesses. The central business district is generally understood to cover the northern half of the "Downtown Loop"—the area bordered by Cesar Chavez to the south. Due to the size of the city and its horizontal development, downtown accounts for less than one half of one percent of San Antonio's geographic area.{{Cite web |title=The Value of U.S. Downtowns and Center Cities |url=https://centrosanantonio.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/VODT17_San-Antonio_final.pdf |access-date=December 13, 2020 |website=centrosanantonio.org |page=18}}{{Dead link|date=March 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Strip (north of Downtown) houses a concentration of clubs and bars catering to the LGBT community.{{Cite news |last1=Arredondo |first1=Camelia |last2=Juarez |first2=Joe |date=October 23, 2023 |title=City Council taking steps to protect, fund Main Ave strip through proposed cultural heritage designation |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/10/23/city-council-taking-steps-to-protect-fund-main-ave-strip-through-proposed-cultural-heritage-designation/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |work=KSAT |language=en |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024012520/https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/10/23/city-council-taking-steps-to-protect-fund-main-ave-strip-through-proposed-cultural-heritage-designation/ |url-status=live }}

== North Central ==

North Central is home to several enclaves and upscale neighborhoods including Castle Hills, Shavano Park, Hollywood Park, Elm Creek, Inwood, Stone Oak, and Rogers Ranch. The area is also the location of upper-middle-class neighborhoods (Deerfield, Churchill Estates, Hunter's Creek, Oak Meadow, and Summerfield).

== Northwest Side ==

Northwest Side is the location of the main campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and the Northwest Campus of the University of the Incarnate Word, which includes the Rosenberg School of Optometry. The Medical Center District is also located in Northwest Side. Companies with headquarters in the area include Valero and NuStar Energy.

==South Side==

The South Side area of San Antonio is characterized by its predominantly Latino and Hispanic neighborhoods, who on average, account for above 81 percent of the population.{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2018 |title=Maps show racial diversity of San Antonio-area neighborhoods |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Map-shows-diversity-of-S-A-regions-12555271.php |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=mySA |language=en-US |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Kelsey |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111203853/https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Map-shows-diversity-of-S-A-regions-12555271.php |url-status=live }} Large growth came to South Side when Toyota constructed a manufacturing plant. Palo Alto College and Texas A&M University–San Antonio are located in the area.

==East Side==

{{further|History of African Americans in San Antonio}}

The East Side of San Antonio is home to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, the Frost Bank Center, and the Freeman Coliseum. This area has the largest concentration of Black and African American residents.{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2018 |title=How the Eastside Became Home to San Antonio's Black Community |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/how-the-eastside-became-home-to-san-antonios-black-community/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=San Antonio Report |language=en-US |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121012853/https://sanantonioreport.org/how-the-eastside-became-home-to-san-antonios-black-community/ |url-status=live }}

== West Side ==

The West Side is predominantly Hispanic/Latin American and working class, with pockets of wealth in the northwest and far west. African Americans are also located in parts of San Antonio's West Side.{{cite web |title=History Untold: Black community's roots on the West Side of San Antonio |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/04/07/history-untold-black-communitys-roots-on-the-west-side/ |website=ksat.com |date=April 7, 2023}} The West Side has undergone gentrification as of 2019.{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2019 |title=West Side braces for San Antonio's latest wave of gentrification |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/elaine_ayala/article/West-Side-braces-for-San-Antonio-s-newest-round-13830479.php |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=ExpressNews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204181449/https://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/elaine_ayala/article/West-Side-braces-for-San-Antonio-s-newest-round-13830479.php |url-status=live }} It includes the diverse neighborhoods of Avenida Guadalupe, Collins Garden, Las Palmas, Prospect Hill, Rainbow Hills (Marbach), San Juan Gardens, Loma Park, Loma Vista, Memorial Heights, and Westwood. It is also home to the historic Our Lady of the Lake University and St. Mary's University.

{{Wide image|Downtown San Antonio Skyline Panorama.jpg|925px|Skyline of San Antonio (2013)|align-cap=center}}

= Flora and fauna =

Natural vegetation in the San Antonio area, where undisturbed by development, includes oak-cedar woodland, oak grassland savanna, chaparral brush, and riparian (stream) woodland. San Antonio is at the westernmost limit for both Cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto) and Spanish moss.

The native Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) is a common structural pest here.

{{Unbulleted list citebundle

|{{*}} {{cite journal |year=2014 |issue=7 |volume=71 |first1=Theodore A. |publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (Society of Chemical Industry) |last1=Evans |issn=1526-498X |journal=Pest Management Science |last2=Iqbal |first2=Naeem |pages=897–906 |doi=10.1002/ps.3913 |title=Termite (order Blattodea, infraorder Isoptera) baiting 20 years after commercial release |pmid=25244627}}

|{{*}} {{cite book |year=2012 |language=en |publication-place=Amsterdam |publisher=Academic Press |number=43 |last=Dhadialla |first=Tarlochan |pages=x+531 |series=Advances in Insect Physiology |title=Insect growth disruptors |isbn=978-0-12-391500-9 |id={{ISBN|978-0-12-394412-2}} |oclc=820839000}}

|{{*}} {{cite journal |year=2017 |first3=Roger |first1=Grady |last2=Austin |first2=James W. |last3=Gold |last1=Glenn |journal=Sociobiology |s2cid=49549585 |title=Efficacy of Commercial Termite Baiting Systems for Management of Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Texas}}

}}

The Formosan Termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is an invasive pest originally from the Far East. Researchers at Texas A&M University consider it to be economically devastating.

=Climate=

{{climate chart

| San Antonio

| 37.6 | 61.1 | 1.76

| 42.4 | 67.1 | 1.79

| 49.9 | 74.3 | 2.31

| 56.9 | 80.4 | 2.10

| 65.5 | 86.0 | 4.01

| 71.6 | 91.4 | 4.14

| 74.0 | 94.6 | 2.74

| 73.6 | 94.7 | 2.09

| 68.8 | 90.0 | 3.03

| 59.4 | 82.0 | 4.11

| 48.6 | 71.4 | 2.28

| 40.8 | 64.0 | 1.91

| units = imperial

| float = right

| clear = both

| source = NOAA}}

San Antonio has a transitional humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa) that borders a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) towards the west of the city{{cite web |url=https://www.theweatherprediction.com/weatherpapers/041/index.html |title=The Roles of Geography and Climate in Forecasting Weather in South Texas |publisher=Theweatherprediction.com |access-date=March 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025224854/http://www.theweatherprediction.com/weatherpapers/041/index.html |url-status=live }}[https://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/ewx/sat/satclisum.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212140241/https://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/ewx/sat/satclisum.pdf|date=December 12, 2011}}{{cite web |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Climatemapusa2.PNG |title=Climatemapusa2.PNG file- Wikimedia Commons |date=February 11, 2008 |publisher=Commons.wikimedia.org |access-date=March 6, 2013}} featuring very hot, long, and humid summers and mild to cool winters. The area is subject to descending northern cold fronts in the winter with cool to cold nights, and is warm and rainy in the spring and fall. San Antonio falls in USDA hardiness zones 8b (15 °F to 20 °F) and 9a (20 °F to 25 °F).{{cite web |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/hardiness-zones-for-san-antonio-texas |title=San Antonio Texas USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher=plantmaps.com plantmaps |access-date=October 7, 2019 |archive-date=October 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007114935/https://www.plantmaps.com/hardiness-zones-for-san-antonio-texas |url-status=live }}

San Antonio receives about a dozen subfreezing nights each year, typically seeing snow, sleet, or freezing rain about once every two or three winters, but accumulation and snow itself are very rare. Winters may pass without any frozen precipitation at all, and up to a decade has passed between snowfalls. According to the National Weather Service, there have been 32 instances of snowfall (a trace or more) in the city in the past 122 years, about once every four years. Prior to 2021 snow was most recently seen on December 7, 2017, when {{convert|1.9|in|cm|1}} of snow coated the city.{{cite web |url=https://www.weather.gov/ewx/wxevent-20171207 |title=December 2017 Snow Event |work=www.weather.gov |access-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427124723/https://www.weather.gov/ewx/wxevent-20171207 |url-status=live }} On January 13, 1985, San Antonio received a record snowfall of {{convert|16|in|cm}}.{{cite news |title=San Antonio Suffers Worst Snowfall |agency=United Press International |date=January 12, 1985 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GAwhAAAAIBAJ&pg=5513,2984374&dq=austin+snowstorm&hl=en |location=Schenectady, New York |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430064440/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GAwhAAAAIBAJ&pg=5513,2984374&dq=austin+snowstorm&hl=en |url-status=live }}"Record Snow Buries San Antonio". Associated Press. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. A3. During the February 13–17, 2021, North American winter storm, San Antonio was blanketed with 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of snow. The cold air which accompanied this storm caused massive rolling blackouts throughout the city until the 18th. The February 15–20, 2021, North American winter storm dropped another 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) on the city on the 16th.

San Antonio and New Braunfels, {{convert|40|mi|km|0}} to the northeast, are some of the most flood-prone regions in North America.{{Cite web |url=https://www.floodsafety.com/texas/regional-info/san-antonio-flooding/ |title=San Antonio Flooding – Updated November, 2020 |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927174012/http://www.floodsafety.com/texas/regional-info/san-antonio-flooding/ |url-status=dead}} The October 1998 Central Texas floods were among the costliest floods in United States history, resulting in $750 million in damage and 32 deaths. In 2002, from June 30 to July 7, {{cvt|35|in|mm}} of rain fell in the San Antonio area, resulting in widespread flooding and 12 fatalities.{{cite news |url=http://www.floodsafety.com/texas/documentaries/j2002/index.htm |title=South Central Texas June 30 – July 7, 2002 |publisher=Flood Safety Education Project |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116120549/http://www.floodsafety.com/texas/documentaries/j2002/index.htm |url-status=live }}

Tornadoes within the city limits have been reported as recently as February 2017, although they are uncommon.{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Tornado-touched-down-during-overnight-storms-2209975.php |title=Tornado rakes S.A. neighborhood |website=Mysanantonio.com |date=October 10, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2018 |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116103248/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Tornado-touched-down-during-overnight-storms-2209975.php |url-status=live }} An F2 tornado lands within {{cvt|50|mi}} of the city on average once every five years. San Antonio has experienced two F4 tornadoes, one in 1953 and another in 1973. The 1953 tornado resulted in two deaths and 15 injuries.{{Cite web |url=https://www.homefacts.com/tornadoes/Texas/Bexar-County/San-Antonio.html |title=San Antonio, Bexar County, TX Tornadoes |website=www.homefacts.com |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225055853/https://www.homefacts.com/tornadoes/Texas/Bexar-County/San-Antonio.html |url-status=live }} Based on historical data, San Antonio is the safest major city in Texas when it comes to tornadoes.{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2024 |title=Texas tornadoes: Which city sees the most twisters? |work=San Antonio Express-News |url=https://www.expressnews.com/san-antonio-weather/article/texas-city-most-tornado-prone-19353596.php |access-date=December 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720150710/https://www.expressnews.com/san-antonio-weather/article/texas-city-most-tornado-prone-19353596.php |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |last1=Franze |first1=Anthony }}

In San Antonio, July and August tie for the average warmest months, with an average high of {{convert|95|°F|0}}. The highest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|111|F|C|0}} on September 5, 2000. The average coolest month is January. The lowest recorded temperature ever was {{convert|0|F|C|0}} on January 31, 1949. May, June, and October have quite a bit of precipitation. Since recordkeeping began in 1871, the average annual precipitation has been {{convert|29.03|in|mm|0}}, with a maximum of {{convert|52.28|in|mm|0}} and a minimum of {{convert|10.11|in|mm|1}} in one year.{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/ewx/sat/satmonrain.pdf |title=MONTHLY/ANNUAL/AVERAGE PRECIPITATION SAN ANTONIO, TX (1871–2010) |publisher=National Weather Service |access-date=June 3, 2012 |archive-date=July 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717222547/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/ewx/sat/satmonrain.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{San Antonio weatherbox}}

style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
Colspan=14|Climate data for San Antonio
Month

!Jan

!Feb

!Mar

!Apr

!May

!Jun

!Jul

!Aug

!Sep

!Oct

!Nov

!Dec

!style="border-left-width:medium"|Year

Mean daily daylight hours

|style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0

|style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0

|style="background:#FFFF33;color:#000000;"|12.0

|style="background:#FFFF44;color:#000000;"|13.0

|style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0

|style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0

|style="background:#FFFF55;color:#000000;"|14.0

|style="background:#FFFF44;color:#000000;"|13.0

|style="background:#FFFF33;color:#000000;"|12.0

|style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0

|style="background:#F7F722;color:#000000;"|11.0

|style="background:#F0F011;color:#000000;"|10.0

|style="background:#FFFF35;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|12.2

Average Ultraviolet index

|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|4

|style="background:#f85900;color:#000000;"|6

|style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|8

|style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|10

|style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11

|style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11

|style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11

|style="background:#6b49c8;color:#000000;"|11

|style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;"|10

|style="background:#f85900;color:#000000;"|7

|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|5

|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|4

|style="background:#d8001d;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|8.2

Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source: Weather Atlas

{{Graph:Weather monthly history

| table=Ncei.noaa.gov/weather/San Antonio.tab

| title=San Antonio monthly weather statistics

}}

Demographics

{{See also|History of African Americans in San Antonio}}

{{US Census population

| 1850 = 3488

| 1860 = 8235

| 1870 = 12256

| 1880 = 20550

| 1890 = 37673

| 1900 = 53321

| 1910 = 96614

| 1920 = 161379

| 1930 = 231542

| 1940 = 253854

| 1950 = 408442

| 1960 = 587718

| 1970 = 654153

| 1980 = 785940

| 1990 = 935933

| 2000 = 1144646

| 2010 = 1327407

| 2020 = 1434625

| estyear = 2024

| estimate = 1526656

| estref = {{cite web | title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: San Antonio city, Texas | website=Census Bureau QuickFacts | date=2024-07-01 | url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sanantoniocitytexas/LFE041223 | access-date=2025-05-15}}

| align-fn = center

| footnote = [https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
2010–2020, 2021

}}

class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
Racial composition2020{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4865000&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418013121/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4865000&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20(PL%2094-171)&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |url-status=live }}2010199019701950
Hispanic or Latino63.9%63.2%55.6%51.3%n/a
White (Non-Hispanic)23.4%26.6%36.2%41.0%n/a
Black or African American6.5%6.3%7.0%7.6%7.0%
Asian3.2%2.3%1.1%0.3%0.2%
Indigenous1.2%0.9%0.4%0.1%<0.1%
Mixed2.3%1.2%
File:Race and ethnicity 2010- San Antonio (5559903509).png

The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 census determined San Antonio had a population of 1,434,625 residents in 2020. In 2019, the American Community Survey estimated San Antonio had a racial makeup of 88.4% White, 6.6% Black and African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 0.2% some other race and 1.7% two or more races. Ethnically, 64.5% were Hispanic or Latin American of any race.{{Cite web |title=2019 ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates Program |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city,%20Texas%20demographics&tid=ACSDP1Y2019.DP05&hidePreview=false |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=data.census.gov |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430064440/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city,%20Texas%20demographics&tid=ACSDP1Y2019.DP05&hidePreview=false |url-status=live }} In 2020, its racial and ethnic makeup was 23.4% non-Hispanic white, 63.9% Hispanic or Latin American of any race, 6.5% Black and African American, 3.2% Asian, and 2.3% multiracial or some other race.

According to the 2010 U.S. census, 1,327,407 people resided in San Antonio city proper, an increase of 16.0% since 2000. The racial composition of the city based on the 2010 U.S. census is as follows: 72.6% White (non-Hispanic whites: 26.6%), 6.9% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 3.4% two or more races, and 13.7% other races. In addition, 63.2% of the city's population was of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race. According to the 2000 U.S. census, the city proper had a population of 1,144,646,[https://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t5/tab02.txt Census 2000: Incorporated Places of 100,000 or More, Ranked by Population] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202175118/https://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t5/tab02.txt |date=February 2, 2019 }}, U.S. Census Bureau. ranking it the ninth-most populated city in the country. San Antonio has a relatively lower cost of living compared to most Texas and U.S. major cities and a strong job market.{{Cite web |title=San Antonio has a cheaper cost of living than national average |date=November 28, 2023 |url=https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/11/28/san-antonio-cheaper-cost-of-living-housing-health |access-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424162526/https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/11/28/san-antonio-cheaper-cost-of-living-housing-health |url-status=live }} However, due to San Antonio's low density and relatively small suburban population, the metropolitan area ranked just 30th in the United States, with a population of 1,592,383 in 2000. San Antonio has a large Hispanic population with a significant African American population.

The 2011 U.S. census estimate for the eight-county {{nowrap|San Antonio–New Braunfels}} metropolitan area placed its population at 2,194,927.[https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/cb07-51tbl1.pdf], U.S. Census Bureau.{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The 2017 estimate for Greater San Antonio was 2,473,974, making it the third-most populous metro area in Texas (after the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and Greater Houston) and the 24th-most populous metro area in the U.S.

About 405,474 households, and 280,993 families resided in San Antonio. The population density as of 2010 was {{convert|2,808.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 433,122 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,062.7|/mi2|/km2}}. The age of the city's population was distributed as 28.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. In San Antonio, 48% of the population were males, and 52% of the population were females. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

At the 2019 American Community Survey, there were 512,273 households and 319,673 families.{{Cite web |title=2019 ACS Households and Families Estimates |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city,%20Texas%20households&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1101&hidePreview=false |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=data.census.gov |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430051745/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city,%20Texas%20households&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1101&hidePreview=false |url-status=live }} The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.83. Of the local population,{{Cite web |title=2019 ACS Selected Social Characteristic Estimates |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city,%20Texas%20households&tid=ACSDP1Y2019.DP02&hidePreview=false |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=data.census.gov |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430031700/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city%2C%20Texas%20households&tid=ACSDP1Y2019.DP02&hidePreview=false |url-status=live }} 201,960 were married-couple households and 172,741 were female households with no spouse or partner present. An estimated 85,462 households were single-person. Roughly 218,249 residents in San Antonio were foreign-born residents. For every 100 females, San Antonio had 97.1 males.

At the 2010 U.S. census, San Antonio's median income for a household was $36,214, and the median income for a family was $53,100. Males have a median income of $30,061 versus $24,444 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,487. About 17.3% of the population and 14.0% of families are below the poverty line. Of the total population, 24.3% of those under the age of 18 and 13.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US4865000&-qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR5&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on |title=San Antonio city, Texas – ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates: 2006–2008 |publisher=Factfinder.census.gov |access-date=June 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211183424/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US4865000&-qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR5&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |url-status=dead}} In 2019, households had a median income of $53,571 and a mean income of $72,587.{{Cite web |title=2019 ACS Financial Income Annual Estimates |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city,%20Texas%20median%20income&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1901&hidePreview=false |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=data.census.gov}} An estimated 16.8% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.{{Cite web |title=2019 ACS Poverty Status Estimates |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city,%20Texas%20poverty&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1701&hidePreview=false |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=data.census.gov |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430051750/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=San%20Antonio%20city%2C%20Texas%20poverty&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1701&hidePreview=false |url-status=live }} The city of San Antonio and its metropolis was rated the poorest in 2019.{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2019 |title=San Antonio Poverty Rate Tops List Of Large Metro Areas |url=https://www.tpr.org/education/2019-09-26/san-antonio-poverty-rate-tops-list-of-large-metro-areas |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=TPR |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212155704/https://www.tpr.org/education/2019-09-26/san-antonio-poverty-rate-tops-list-of-large-metro-areas |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Jackie |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Census Bureau: San Antonio still poorest major U.S. metro but poverty rate declines |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/census-bureau-san-antonio-still-poorest-major-u-s-metro-but-poverty-rate-declines/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=San Antonio Report |language=en-US |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027010657/https://sanantonioreport.org/census-bureau-san-antonio-still-poorest-major-u-s-metro-but-poverty-rate-declines/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2019 |title=Census Data: San Antonio Region's Poverty Rate Rises, Tops Nation |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/census-data-san-antonio-regions-poverty-rate-rises-tops-nation/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=San Antonio Report |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125082144/https://sanantonioreport.org/census-data-san-antonio-regions-poverty-rate-rises-tops-nation/ |url-status=live }}

A Gallup study in 2015 determined 4% of the city and Greater San Antonio identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2015 |title=Study: 4% of SA population is LGBT |url=https://outinsa.com/study-4-of-sa-population-is-lgbt/ |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=Out in SA |language=en-US |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121144944/https://outinsa.com/study-4-of-sa-population-is-lgbt/ |url-status=live }} In 2016, San Antonio scored a 90 out of 100 in its treatment of the LGBT community.{{Cite web |title=San Antonio a gay-friendly city in Texas |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/news/politics/san-antonio-a-gay-friendly-city-in-texas/273-245633015 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=kens5.com |date=June 16, 2016 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430063346/https://www.kens5.com/article/news/politics/san-antonio-a-gay-friendly-city-in-texas/273-245633015 |url-status=live }}

= Religion =

File:San Fernando Cathedral.jpg is the see of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio.]]

The population of Greater San Antonio is predominantly Christian. Owing in part to San Antonio's Spanish and Mexican heritage, Roman Catholicism is the largest religious group in the region.{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2012 |title=Keeping the Faith |url=https://www.sanantoniomag.com/keeping-the-faith/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=San Antonio Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421042844/https://www.sanantoniomag.com/keeping-the-faith/ |url-status=live }} In addition, American missionary work and immigration into Texas have also resulted in a substantial Protestant population.{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2017 |title=Religion in Early Texas {{!}} Texas Almanac |url=https://texasalmanac.com/topics/history/religion-early-texas |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=texasalmanac.com |language=en |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121212932/https://texasalmanac.com/topics/history/religion-early-texas |url-status=live }}

The Catholic population forms the largest Christian group in the city and Greater San Antonio. San Antonian Catholics are served primarily by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio. The Latin Church's Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio was established on August 27, 1784, under the then Diocese of Galveston.{{Cite web |title=TSHA {{!}} San Antonio, Catholic Archdiocese Of |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/san-antonio-catholic-archdiocese-of |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=www.tshaonline.org}} It was elevated to archdiocese status in 1926.

According to Sperling's BestPlaces in 2020, the second largest Christian group were Baptists. The largest Baptist Christian denominations within San Antonio and its metro area were the Baptist General Convention of Texas,{{Cite web |title=Texas Baptists – Churches |url=https://texasbaptists.org/churches/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=texasbaptists.org |language=en |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031165955/https://texasbaptists.org/churches/ |url-status=dead}} the Southern Baptist Convention,{{Cite web |title=SBC Churches Directory |url=https://churches.sbc.net/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=churches.sbc.net |language=en-US |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811073354/https://churches.sbc.net/ |url-status=live }} and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.{{Cite web |title=Churches – Cooperative Baptist Fellowship |url=https://cbf.net/churches |access-date=December 14, 2020 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413050033/https://cbf.net/churches |url-status=live }} Methodists formed the second largest Protestant group and the third largest Christian group for the area. The United Methodist Church was the most prominent Methodist denomination.{{Cite web |title=Search – Find A Church |url=https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-church/search |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=The United Methodist Church |language=en |archive-date=April 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413050031/https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-church/search |url-status=dead}} From 2017 to 2020, Pentecostalism outgrew Lutheranism and tied with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the fourth largest Christian group. A major predominantly African American-led church is Denver Heights, affiliated with the Church of God in Christ.

After Lutherans, Presbyterians were the next largest Christian denomination, followed by Episcopalian or Anglicans, and Christians of other traditions including the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodoxy. The Eastern Orthodox communities are divided between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,{{Cite web |title=St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church |url=https://stsophiagoc.org// |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=stsophiagoc.org |language=en |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109042315/https://www.stsophiagoc.org/ |url-status=dead}} the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America,{{Cite web |title=Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese |url=http://ww1.antiochian.org/parishes/statedirectory/Texas |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=ww1.antiochian.org |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415093614/http://ww1.antiochian.org/parishes/statedirectory/Texas |url-status=dead}} the Orthodox Church in America,{{Cite web |title=Parishes – St. Anthony the Great Church |url=https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-so-satsag |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=www.oca.org |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205185137/https://www.oca.org/parishes/OCA-SO-SATSAG |url-status=live }} and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.stsjoachimandannaorthodox.org/home.html |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=www.stsjoachimandannaorthodox.org}} Episcopalians and Anglicans primarily are served by the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Anglican Church in North America.{{Cite web |title=Find a Church |url=https://episcopalchurch.org/find-a-church/search/zipcode |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=Episcopal Church |language=en |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030050021/https://episcopalchurch.org/find-a-church/search/zipcode |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Find a Congregation |url=https://anglicanchurch.net/find-a-congregation/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=The Anglican Church in North America |language=en-US}} Churches affiliated with the Episcopal Church form the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. Overall, the Protestant demographic was predominantly Evangelical as of 2020.

Islam is the second largest religion in the Greater San Antonio area. Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hinduism also have a significant presence in San Antonio.{{Cite news |url=https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/faith-takes-a-stand-in-san-antonio/ |title=Faith Takes A Stand In San Antonio |access-date=August 29, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829074337/https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/faith-takes-a-stand-in-san-antonio/ |url-status=live }} An estimated 0.3% of the area's population identified with Judaism according to Sperling's BestPlaces and at least 10,000 Jews live in the city.{{Cite web |title=San Antonio, TX United States |url=https://www.ou.org/communities/IMg3PkTLqJ/san-antonio-tx-united-states/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=OU Communities |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430061747/https://www.ou.org/communities/IMg3PkTLqJ/san-antonio-tx-united-states/ |url-status=live }} The San Antonio Jewish community began not long after the independence of the Republic of Texas.{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Alia |date=December 13, 2017 |title=Jewish community helped build San Antonio |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa300/article/Jewish-community-helped-build-San-Antonio-12426035.php |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=ExpressNews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125020921/https://www.expressnews.com/sa300/article/Jewish-community-helped-build-San-Antonio-12426035.php |url-status=live }} The oldest synagogue in South Texas (Temple Beth-El) is located in the city limits and located near San Antonio College.{{Cite web |title=Who We Are – Temple Beth-El {{!}} San Antonio |url=https://www.beth-elsa.org/who-we-are/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=Temple Beth-El |language=en-US |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203080209/https://www.beth-elsa.org/who-we-are/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Torralva |first=Krista |date=December 25, 2019 |title=Jewish congregation, in midst of Hanukkah, delivers meals to first responders working Christmas Day |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/education/article/Jewish-congregation-delivers-Christmas-meals-to-14931565.php |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=ExpressNews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430070150/https://www.expressnews.com/news/education/article/Jewish-congregation-delivers-Christmas-meals-to-14931565.php |url-status=live }}

= Crime =

File:San Antonio Police Officers.jpg

Crime in San Antonio began to rise in the early 1980s, similar to many urban areas in the US. In 1983 San Antonio had the tenth highest homicide rate in Texas with 18.5 homicides per 100,000 residents.[https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/17/us/7-texas-cities-are-in-top-20-in-murder-per-capita.html 7 Texas Cities are in Top 20 in Murder per Capita] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014124621/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/17/us/7-texas-cities-are-in-top-20-in-murder-per-capita.html |date=October 14, 2017 }}; New York Times online; accessed April 2017 The number of juveniles arrested in San Antonio for violent crimes tripled between 1987 and 1994, according to the Texas Law Enforcement Management and Administration Statistics Program. The number of youths arrested for unlawfully carrying firearms doubled over the same period.

In 1993, San Antonio earned the nickname the "Drive-By City" after the San Antonio Police Department recorded over 1,200 drive-by shootings, or an average of about 3.5 per day, which overshadowed the number in other Texas cities. A majority of the violence occurred on the east and west sides of the city, especially in areas with high poverty rates. Gang violence led to the deaths of their members and sometimes innocent bystanders, and housing projects such as the Alazán-Apache Courts served as hubs for various groups, which sometimes included rival gangs.[http://www.sacurrent.com/sanantonio/drive-by-city-remembering-san-antonio-gang-violence-in-the-1990s/Content?oid=2509008 "Drive-by City;" Remembering San Antonio Gang Violence in the 1990s] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404131150/http://www.sacurrent.com/sanantonio/drive-by-city-remembering-san-antonio-gang-violence-in-the-1990s/Content?oid=2509008 |date=April 4, 2017 }}; SA Current; online; retrieved April 2017 By the end of 1993 the city hit a peak in homicides with 230 killings, the highest since 1991 when 211 were killed.[https://apnews.com/a1b8a394931f8033249fd2f31f9ec951 Once Again Homicide Records Fall in Many Big Cities]; Associated Press News Archive online; accessed April 2017

In 2016, the number of murders hit 151, the highest toll in 20 years. A majority of the San Antonio homicide victims were Hispanic and African American men between ages 18 and 29. According to a study, 40% of the killings were either drug-related or domestic incidents.[https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/san-antonio-records-151-homicides-in-2016-most-in-2-decades/ San Antonio Records 151 Homicides in 2016; Most in 2 Decades] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127152357/https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/san-antonio-records-151-homicides-in-2016-most-in-2-decades/ |date=January 27, 2023 }}; CBS Local news, online; accessed April 2017[http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Homicides-in-S-A-hit-a-21-year-high-Why-10829542.php Homicides Hit a 21 Year High; Why?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404134929/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Homicides-in-S-A-hit-a-21-year-high-Why-10829542.php |date=April 4, 2017 }}; My San Antonio online; accessed April 2017 In 2020, San Antonio ranked the fourth U.S. city with the biggest increase in homicides.{{Cite web |last=Salinas |first=Rebecca |date=August 6, 2020 |title=Report: San Antonio ranks 4th among U.S. cities with biggest increase in homicide rates in 2020 |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/06/report-san-antonio-ranks-4th-among-us-cities-with-biggest-increase-in-homicide-rates-in-2020/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=KSAT |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204091940/https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/06/report-san-antonio-ranks-4th-among-us-cities-with-biggest-increase-in-homicide-rates-in-2020/ |url-status=live }} From January to June 2020, there were 71 homicides according to the San Antonio Police Department. In 2019, there were 53 reported homicides in contrast. A total of 105 homicides occurred in 2019 in the city. According to The Wall Street Journal, homicide rates were relatively low compared to previous decades.{{Cite news |last=Hilsenrath |first=Jon |date=August 2, 2020 |title=Homicide Spike Hits Most Large U.S. Cities |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/homicide-spike-cities-chicago-newyork-detroit-us-crime-police-lockdown-coronavirus-protests-11596395181 |access-date=December 14, 2020 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210912010357/https://www.wsj.com/articles/homicide-spike-cities-chicago-newyork-detroit-us-crime-police-lockdown-coronavirus-protests-11596395181 |archive-date=September 12, 2021}}

Economy

class="sortable toc" style="float:right; font-size:90%; text-align:center; margin:1em;"
style="background:#ccc;"| SATstyle="background:#ccc;"|Corporationstyle="background:#ccc;"|US
1Valero Energy Corp.29
2USAA103

San Antonio has a diversified economy with a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $121 billion in 2018.{{Cite web |title=U.S. metro areas: Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 2018 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/248083/real-gross-domestic-product-gdp-of-the-united-states-by-metropolitan-area/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=Statista |language=en |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019185110/https://www.statista.com/statistics/248083/real-gross-domestic-product-gdp-of-the-united-states-by-metropolitan-area/ |url-status=live }} San Antonio's economy focuses primarily on military, health care, government–civil service, professional and business services,{{cite web |url=https://www.bls.gov/regions/southwest/summary/blssummary_sanantonio.pdf |title=San Antonio Area Economic Summary |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=May 3, 2022 |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412133423/https://www.bls.gov/regions/southwest/summary/blssummary_sanantonio.pdf |url-status=live }} oil and gas, and tourism. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the city has become a significant location for American-based call centers and has added a sizable manufacturing sector centered around automobiles.{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2019 |title=Auto industry recruiters pitch the San Antonio region |url=https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/auto-industry-recruiters-pitch-san-antonio-region |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=Automotive News |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430035443/https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/auto-industry-recruiters-pitch-san-antonio-region |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mendoza-Moyers |first=Diego |date=October 15, 2020 |title=U.S. auto industry, San Antonio automakers bounce back from pandemic |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/U-S-auto-industry-local-automakers-bounce-back-15648310.php |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=mySA |language=en-US |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030170346/https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/U-S-auto-industry-local-automakers-bounce-back-15648310.php |url-status=live }} The city also has a growing technology sector.{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Report: San Antonio's tech workforce small but growing |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/technology/article/Report-San-Antonio-s-tech-workforce-small-but-14107958.php |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=ExpressNews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128123325/https://www.expressnews.com/business/technology/article/Report-San-Antonio-s-tech-workforce-small-but-14107958.php |url-status=live }} Located about {{convert|10| miles}} northwest of Downtown is the South Texas Medical Center, a conglomerate of various hospitals, clinics, and research (see Southwest Research Institute and Texas Biomedical Research Institute) and higher educational institutions.{{Cite web |title=Who We Are |url=https://southtexasmed.com/who-we-are/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=South Texas Medical Center |language=en-US |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127133056/https://southtexasmed.com/who-we-are/ |url-status=live }}

Over twenty million tourists visit the city and its attractions every year, contributing substantially to its economy, primarily due to The Alamo and the River Walk.[http://www.sanantonioriverwalk.com/tourism.html San Antonio Tourism], SanAntonioRiverwalk.com. Retrieved January 7, 2007. The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center alone hosts over 300 events annually with more than 750,000 convention delegates from around the world. Tourism provided over 130,000 jobs, and it had an economic impact of $13.6 billion in the local economy according to information gathered in 2017.{{cite web |title=The Economic Impact of San Antonio's Hospitality Industry |url=http://www.sanantoniotourism.com/downloads/research/TourismReport.pdf |website=Sanantoniotourism.com |access-date=July 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011060622/http://www.sanantoniotourism.com/downloads/research/TourismReport.pdf |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=dead}} The city of San Antonio received $195 million in the same year from the hospitality industry, with revenues from hotel occupancy tax, sales taxes and others.

File:Valero campus (2).JPG|220x220px]]San Antonio is the headquarters of two Fortune 500 companies: Valero Energy and USAA. iHeartMedia had been on the list but fell off,{{Cite web |title=Fortune 500 Full List (2024) |url=https://www.50pros.com/fortune500 |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=www.50pros.com |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404210059/https://www.50pros.com/fortune500 |url-status=live }} and NuStar Energy was also on the list until it was purchased by Sunoco LP in 2024. H-E-B, the 5th-largest private company in the U.S.,{{Cite web |last=MURPHY" |first="ANDREA |title=America's Largest Private Companies 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/largest-private-companies/ |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=July 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704193249/https://www.forbes.com/lists/largest-private-companies/ |url-status=live }} is also headquartered in San Antonio.

Other companies headquartered in the city include Bill Miller Bar-B-Q Enterprises, Carenet Health, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Visionworks of America, Frost Bank, Harte-Hanks, Kinetic Concepts, SWBC, NewTek, Rackspace, Pabst Brewing Company, Taco Cabana, Broadway Bank, Zachry Holdings/Zachry Construction Company, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, SAS, Globalscape, and Whataburger. The North American Development Bank, a development finance institution jointly held by the governments of the U.S. and Mexico, is headquartered in San Antonio as well. Other notable companies that maintain sizable presences in the city include Hulu,{{Cite web |title=Hulu's new San Antonio office opens |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2017/11/28/hulus-new-san-antonio-office-goes-online-slideshow.html |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.bizjournals.com |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921041255/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2017/11/28/hulus-new-san-antonio-office-goes-online-slideshow.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2017 |title=Hulu opens Viewer Experience Operations headquarters in San Antonio |url=https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/hulu-opens-viewer-experience-operations-headquarters-in-san-antonio |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=KABB |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430064444/https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/hulu-opens-viewer-experience-operations-headquarters-in-san-antonio |url-status=live }} OCI,{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2017 |title=OCI moves headquarters from downtown San Antonio to Brooks (mySA) |url=https://livebrooks.com/making-news/oci-moves-headquarters-downtown-san-antonio-brooks-sa/ |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=Brooks |language=en-US |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121174538/https://livebrooks.com/making-news/oci-moves-headquarters-downtown-san-antonio-brooks-sa/ |url-status=dead}} Capital Group, CGI,{{Cite web |title=CGI Opens Center of Excellence in San Antonio |url=https://www.cgi.com/en/cgi-opens-center-excellence-san-antonio |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.cgi.com |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430033207/https://www.cgi.com/en/cgi-opens-center-excellence-san-antonio |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2007 |title=(PRN) CGI opens center of excellence in San Antonio |url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/PRN-CGI-opens-center-of-excellence-in-San-1808784.php |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=Chron |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430035443/https://www.chron.com/news/article/PRN-CGI-opens-center-of-excellence-in-San-1808784.php |url-status=live }} Marathon Petroleum,{{Cite web |last=Druzin |first=Rye |date=October 1, 2018 |title=Andeavor ceases to exist as Marathon completes purchase |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/eagle-ford-energy/article/Andeavor-ceases-to-exist-as-Marathon-completes-13271746.php |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=mySA |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430063346/https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/eagle-ford-energy/article/Andeavor-ceases-to-exist-as-Marathon-completes-13271746.php |url-status=live }} Silver Spring Networks,{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2014 |title=Silver Spring Networks Opens New San Antonio Office as CPS Energy Smart Grid Deployment Ramps Up |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141106006604/en/Silver-Spring-Networks-Opens-New-San-Antonio-Office-as-CPS-Energy-Smart-Grid-Deployment-Ramps-Up |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430060250/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141106006604/en/Silver-Spring-Networks-Opens-New-San-Antonio-Office-as-CPS-Energy-Smart-Grid-Deployment-Ramps-Up |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2013 |title=The Smart Grid is coming to San Antonio |url=https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-kicks-smart-grid-modernization-silver-spring-networks-landisgyr/ |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=CPS Energy Newsroom |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130012025/https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-kicks-smart-grid-modernization-silver-spring-networks-landisgyr/ |url-status=dead}} Toyota,{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2019 |title=Toyota, Navistar moves 'a huge boost' to San Antonio's advanced manufacturing sector, experts say |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Toyota-Navistar-moves-a-huge-boost-to-San-14456860.php |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=ExpressNews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308171801/https://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Toyota-Navistar-moves-a-huge-boost-to-San-14456860.php |url-status=live }} Argo Group,{{Cite web |title=San Antonio-based Argo Group moving to the NYSE |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2018/04/24/argo-group-moving-to-the-nyse.html |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.bizjournals.com |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502173450/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2018/04/24/argo-group-moving-to-the-nyse.html |url-status=live }} EOG Resources, Microsoft,{{Cite web |title=Microsoft building massive expansion |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2020/01/28/microsoft-building-massive-expansion-on-west-side.html |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.bizjournals.com |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502173549/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2020/01/28/microsoft-building-massive-expansion-on-west-side.html |url-status=live }} Cogeco Peer1,{{Cite web |title=Managed hosting company changes name after its recent acquisition |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2019/08/22/managed-hosting-company-changes-name-after.html |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.bizjournals.com |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502173511/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2019/08/22/managed-hosting-company-changes-name-after.html |url-status=live }} Wells Fargo, Citi Bank,{{Cite web |title=Citi Bank unseats Frost as largest bank in SA area |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2020/09/23/citibank-unseats-frost-as-largest-bank-in-sa-area.html |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.bizjournals.com |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023025603/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2020/09/23/citibank-unseats-frost-as-largest-bank-in-sa-area.html |url-status=live }} and Boeing.{{Cite web |last=Diamond |first=Randy |date=August 27, 2019 |title=Boeing to add 500 San Antonio jobs to rehab Hornet fighter |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/Boeing-to-add-500-San-Antonio-jobs-to-rehab-14380336.php |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=ExpressNews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125023704/https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/Boeing-to-add-500-San-Antonio-jobs-to-rehab-14380336.php |url-status=live }} In December 2020, Amazon announced plans to for three new facilities in San Antonio.{{Cite web |last=Moreno |first=Julie |date=December 22, 2020 |title=Amazon announces plans for 3 new facilities, 1,500 jobs in San Antonio |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/12/22/amazon-announces-plans-for-3-new-facilities-1500-jobs-in-san-antonio/ |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=KSAT |language=en |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222225231/https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/12/22/amazon-announces-plans-for-3-new-facilities-1500-jobs-in-san-antonio/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Iszler |first=Madison |date=December 22, 2020 |title=Amazon plans to open three new facilities in San Antonio and create over 1,500 jobs |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/article/Amazon-plans-to-open-three-new-facilities-in-San-15822481.php |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=mySA |language=en-US |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222212943/https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/article/Amazon-plans-to-open-three-new-facilities-in-San-15822481.php |url-status=live }}

San Antonio has lost several major company headquarters, the largest being the 2008 move of AT&T Inc. to Dallas "to better serve customers and expand business in the future."AT&T shareholder statement regarding corporate relocation [http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=25882] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828161432/http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=25882|date=August 28, 2008}}, retrieved May 20, 2013 In 2019, Andeavor (Formerly Tesoro) was acquired by Marathon Petroleum; this merger eliminated the company and the headquarters was moved to Findlay, Ohio.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/30/marathon-petroleum-to-acquire-andeavor.html |title=Marathon creates the top US refiner with $23 billion Andeavor deal |date=April 30, 2018 |website=CNBC |access-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025506/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/30/marathon-petroleum-to-acquire-andeavor.html |url-status=live }} After a Los Angeles buyout specialist purchased Builders Square, the company's operations were moved out of San Antonio.Nowlin, Sanford. "[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFE82B06042C69&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Aquila bids for sale or merger] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101142653/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFE82B06042C69&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=January 1, 2014 }}." San Antonio Express-News. March 11, 1998. Business 1E. Published in: Polishuk, Paul. Utilities Telecommunications News. Information Gatekeepers Inc. [https://books.google.com/books?id=LN_Zp7f15X0C&dq=%22Builders+Square%22+%22San+Antonio%22&pg=PA9 8–9]. Retrieved from Google Books on July 21, 2010. ISSN 1079-2937.

The city is home to one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the U.S., and has been nicknamed "Military City, USA". The city is home to several active military installations: Lackland Air Force Base, Brooke Army Medical Center, Randolph Air Force Base, and Fort Sam Houston.{{Cite web |title=Joint Base San Antonio |url=https://www.jbsa.mil/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=www.jbsa.mil |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020163531/https://www.jbsa.mil/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=SA Bases |url=https://www.sanantonio.gov/oma/sabases |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=www.sanantonio.gov |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119152826/https://www.sanantonio.gov/oma/sabases |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=18 Things You Didn't Know About Military City USA |url=https://www.kwsanantonio.com/news/18-things-you-didnt-know-about-military-city-usa/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=www.kwsanantonio.com |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218171541/https://www.kwsanantonio.com/news/18-things-you-didnt-know-about-military-city-usa/ |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sanantonio.gov/edd/ |title=Welcome to the City of San Antonio Economic Development Department-Index |publisher=Sanantonio.gov |access-date=June 30, 2010 |archive-date=June 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605055042/http://www.sanantonio.gov/edd |url-status=live }}

San Antonio and Mexico share strong economic ties and engage in important exchanges to the benefit of their business communities. To better strengthen these business and cultural ties, the City of San Antonio opened Casa San Antonio to act as the city's trade and cultural office in Mexico.{{cite web |title=San Antonio and Monterrey strengthen economic ties |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/news/san-antonio-and-monterrey-agree-to-strengthen-economic-ties-33126431 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715013833/https://www.sacurrent.com/news/san-antonio-and-monterrey-agree-to-strengthen-economic-ties-33126431 |url-status=live }}

The Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus) causes economic devastation in the region due to the structural damage it causes. It is an invasive pest originally from the Far East.{{cite web |access-date=August 12, 2022 |year=2022 |website=Texas A&M University Urban and Structural Entomology Program |url=https://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/termites/formosan/ |title=Formosan Subterranean Termites Coptotermes formosanus |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816110813/https://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/termites/formosan/ |url-status=live }}

{{Unbulleted list citebundle

|{{*}} {{cite journal |year=2013 |issue=1 |volume=58 |publisher=Annual Reviews |issn=0066-4170 |journal=Annual Review of Entomology |first3=Kenneth |first2=Brian |last1=Evans |first1=Theodore |last3=Grace |last2=Forschler |pages=455–474 |doi=10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153554 |title=Biology of Invasive Termites: A Worldwide Review |pmid=23020620}}

|{{*}} {{cite journal |date=2009 |publisher=Annual Reviews |issue=1 |volume=54 |first2=Claudia |first1=Edward |journal=Annual Review of Entomology |issn=0066-4170 |last1=Vargo |last2=Husseneder |doi=10.1146/annurev.ento.54.110807.090443 |pages=379–403 |title=Biology of Subterranean Termites: Insights from Molecular Studies of Reticulitermes and Coptotermes |pmid=18793101}}

|{{*}} {{cite journal |year=2006 |issue=2 |volume=89 |first6=Roger |first1=James |first5=Jackie |first4=Matt |first2=Allen |last1=Austin |first3=Rudolf |last2=Szalanski |last3=Scheffrahn |last4=Messenger |last6=Gold |last5=McKern |publisher=Florida Entomological Society |journal=Florida Entomologist |issn=0015-4040 |pages=183–193 |doi=10.1653/0015-4040(2006)89[183:geftio]2.0.co;2 |title=Genetic Evidence For Two Introductions Of The Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae), To The United States |s2cid=49539716 |doi-access=free |hdl=1969.1/185562 |hdl-access=free}}

}}

First found in the state in 1957, it has since spread into the greater San Antonio area, creating a problem for the region's pecan orchards.{{cite journal |last1=Austin |first1=James |last2=Glenn |first2=Grady |year=2005 |title=Formosan termites: an emerging problem for pecan industry |journal=Pecan South |pages=36–37}}

Arts and culture

{{further|Culture of San Antonio}}

File:Tower of the Americas from the River Walk -- San Antonio.jpg

San Antonio enjoys a vibrant culture which it is known for being a popular tourist destination.{{cite web |url=https://www.tpr.org/arts-culture/2024-10-22/san-antonios-weekend-dia-de-los-muertos-events-teem-with-vibrant-life |title=San Antonio's weekend Dia De Los Muertos events teem with vibrant life |work=Texas Public Radio |last=Morgan |first=Jack |date=October 22, 2024 |access-date=March 19, 2025}} The Alamo Mission in San Antonio ("The Alamo"), located in Downtown, is Texas' top tourist attraction. Because of the mission, San Antonio is often called "Alamo City".{{cite web |last1=Popik |first1=Barry |title=Alamo City (San Antonio Nickname) |url=http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/alamo_city_san_antonio_nickname |website=The Big Apple |date=December 20, 2007 |access-date=August 6, 2015 |archive-date=August 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809041508/http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/alamo_city_san_antonio_nickname |url-status=live }}

The River Walk, which meanders through the Downtown area, is the city's second-most-visited attraction, giving it the additional nickname of "River City". Extended by an additional {{Convert|13|mi|km}} between 2009 and 2013, the landscaped walking and bike path line the San Antonio River from the "Museum Reach" beginning in Brackenridge Park through downtown, "Downtown Reach", past the Blue Star's "Eagleland" to the "Mission Reach" ending near Loop 410 South past Mission Espada.{{cite web |title=Destination SA Update 2011 |url=http://www.sanantoniotourism.com/downloads/research/DestinationSAReport.pdf |website=San Antonio Area Tourism Council |format=Report |date=March 2012 |access-date=August 6, 2015 |archive-date=January 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125030933/http://www.sanantoniotourism.com/downloads/research/DestinationSAReport.pdf |url-status=live }}

Lined with numerous shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as the Arneson River Theater, this attraction is transformed into a festival of lights during the Christmas and New Year holiday period (except for the Mission Reach), and is suffused with the local sounds of folklorico and flamenco music during the summer, particularly during celebrations such as the Fiesta Noche del Rio.

The Downtown area also features San Fernando Cathedral, The Majestic Theatre, Hemisfair (home of the Tower of the Americas, and UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures), La Villita, Market Square, the Spanish Governor's Palace, and the historic Menger Hotel. The Fairmount Hotel, built in 1906 and San Antonio's second oldest hotel, is in the Guinness World Records as one of the heaviest buildings ever moved intact.{{Cite web |last1=Salinas |first1=Rebecca |last2=Danner |first2=Patrick |date=October 23, 2015 |title=Fairmount Hotel move captivated city for six days |url=https://www.expressnews.com/150years/major-stories/article/Fairmount-Hotel-move-captivated-city-for-six-days-6585035.php |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=ExpressNews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128024944/https://www.expressnews.com/150years/major-stories/article/Fairmount-Hotel-move-captivated-city-for-six-days-6585035.php |url-status=live }} It was placed in its new location, three blocks south of the Alamo, over four days in 1985, and cost $650,000 to move.

SeaWorld, {{convert|16|mi|km}} west of Downtown in the city's Westover Hills district, is one of the largest marine life parks in the world. The San Antonio Zoo is in Brackenridge Park. The British company Merlin Entertainments developed an aquarium attraction and indoor counterpart to SeaWorld. It is inside the Shops at Rivercenter in Downtown San Antonio and is one of Merlin's Sea Life Aquariums. The San Antonio Aquarium features a number of interactive exhibits.

File:Six Flags San Antonio 2019 v2.jpg]]

San Antonio is also home to several commercial amusement parks, including Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Morgan's Wonderland, a theme park for children with special needs.{{cite news |first=Gordon |last=Hartman |title=Every Day, Morgan's Wonderland is ADA |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/commentary/article/Every-day-Morgan-s-Wonderland-is-ADA-6405493.php |newspaper=San Antonio Express-News |date=July 25, 2015 |archive-date=August 9, 2015 |access-date=August 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809205452/http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/commentary/article/Every-day-Morgan-s-Wonderland-is-ADA-6405493.php |url-status=live }} Kiddie Park, featuring old-fashioned amusement rides for children, was established in 1925 and is the oldest children's amusement park in the U.S.{{Cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Quixem |date=October 18, 2019 |title=Kiddie Park celebrating its grand re-opening today at San Antonio Zoo |url=https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/kiddie-park-celebrating-its-grand-re-opening-today-at-san-antonio-zoo |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=WOAI |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430064444/https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/kiddie-park-celebrating-its-grand-re-opening-today-at-san-antonio-zoo |url-status=live }}

File:McNayArtMuseum.jpg

San Antonio is home to the first museum of modern art in Texas, the McNay Art Museum.{{Cite web |title=McNay Art Museum in San Antonio {{!}} Tour Texas |url=https://www.tourtexas.com/attractions/mcnay-art-museum-san-antonio |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.tourtexas.com |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430035447/https://www.tourtexas.com/attractions/mcnay-art-museum-san-antonio |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2015 |title=McNay a centerpiece of S.A. culture |url=https://www.expressnews.com/150years/culture/article/McNay-Art-Museum-a-key-element-of-San-Antonio-s-6235745.php |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=ExpressNews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020234847/https://www.expressnews.com/150years/culture/article/McNay-Art-Museum-a-key-element-of-San-Antonio-s-6235745.php |url-status=live }} Other art institutions and museums include ArtPace, Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, the Briscoe Western Art Museum, Ruby City, Buckhorn Saloon & Museum (where visitors can experience something of cowboy culture year round), San Antonio Museum of Art, formerly the Lonestar Brewery, Say Sí (mentoring San Antonio artistic youth), the Southwest School of Art, Texas Rangers Museum, Texas Transportation Museum, the Witte Museum and the DoSeum. An outdoor display at North Star Mall features {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=on}}-tall cowboy boots.

The city's five missions, the four in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park plus The Alamo, were named UNESCO World Heritage sites on July 5, 2015. The San Antonio Missions became the 23rd U.S. site on the World Heritage list, which includes the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty; it is the first site in Texas. The new Mission Reach of the River Walk was completed in 2013, and created over {{convert|15| miles}} of biking, hiking, and paddling trails that connect the Missions to Downtown and the Broadway Corridor.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sariverauthority.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905133058/http://www.sanantonioriver.org/mission_reach/recreation_opportunities.php |url-status=dead |title=Welcome | San Antonio River Authority |archive-date=September 5, 2016 |website=www.sariverauthority.org}}

San Antonio's Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System is a big draw. It covers more than {{Convert|82|mi|km}} and has more than 50 trailheads.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Parks-Facilities/Trails |title=Trails |website=www.sanantonio.gov |access-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017220510/https://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Parks-Facilities/Trails |url-status=live }}

Other places of interest include the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Brackenridge Park, the Japanese Tea Gardens, and the Woodlawn Theater.

In 2015 work was authorized to begin on the restoration of the former Hot Wells hotel, spa, and bathhouses on the San Antonio River on the city's south side.John W. Gonzalez; Hot Wells Poised to Spring Alive Again: County OKs First Phase of Improvements for New Park; San Antonio Express-News; October 10, 2015; p. 1, A12

=Annual events=

Yearly events, such as Fiesta San Antonio (the city's signature event), Luminaria (a contemporary arts festival) and Fiesta Noche del Rio, add a variety of entertainment options to the area, as well as strengthening the economy. Fiesta San Antonio alone carries an annual economic impact of $340 million.[https://www.fiesta-sa.org/economic-impact/ Yearly Impact] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202071743/https://www.fiesta-sa.org/economic-impact/ |date=February 2, 2018}}; Fiesta, San Antonio website; accessed March 2018 The city also plays host to the San Antonio Film Festival every summer in August.San Antonio Film Festival; accessed March 2019

Sports

{{Main|Sports in San Antonio}}

class="wikitable sortable"
+ Professional and major NCAA D1 sports teams (ranked by attendance)
| Club

! | Sport

! | League

! | Founded

! | Venue (capacity)

! | Attendance

! | Titles

! | Championship
years

| 120px
UTSA Roadrunners

| Football

| | NCAA Division I

| align=center | 2011

| | Alamodome (65,000)

| align=center | 27,576

| align=center | 2

| |

| 120px
San Antonio Spurs

| Basketball

| | NBA

| align=center | 1967

| | Frost Bank Center (18,580)

| align=center | 18,418

| align=center | 5

| | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014

| 120px
San Antonio Missions

| Baseball

| | Double-A Central

| align=center | 1888

| | Wolff Stadium (9,200)

| align=center | 8,500

| align=center | 13

| | {{refn|group=o|1897, 1908, 1933, 1950, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2013}}

| 120px
San Antonio FC

| Soccer

| | USL Championship

| align=center | 2016

| | Toyota Field (8,300)

| align=center | 6,765

| align=center | 1

| |2022

| 120px
San Antonio Brahmas

| Football

| | UFL

| align=center | 2022

| | Alamodome (65,000)

| align=center | 27,576

| align=center | 0

|

{{reflist|group=o}}

=Professional sports=

The city's only top-level professional sports team is the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. Previously the Spurs played at the Alamodome (which was speculatively built in an attempt to lure a professional football team to the region), and before that the HemisFair Arena. They moved into the SBC Center in 2002 (since renamed the Frost Bank Center), built with public funds.

The San Antonio metropolitan area's smaller population has so far contributed to its lack of an NFL, MLB, NHL, or MLS team. City officials are said to be attempting to lure the National Football League permanently to San Antonio. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stated San Antonio was successful in temporarily hosting the New Orleans Saints following Hurricane Katrina, and that the city would be on the short list for any future NFL expansions.{{Cite web |last=Landry |first=Kennedi |date=July 11, 2019 |title=The Saints' rebirth was complete when they went back home |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2019/7/11/20678977/new-orleans-saints-relocation-hurricane-katrina-2005-tom-benson |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=SBNation.com |language=en |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111214913/https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2019/7/11/20678977/new-orleans-saints-relocation-hurricane-katrina-2005-tom-benson |url-status=live }} The city has also hosted the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers preseason camps in the past, and the Cowboys practiced in San Antonio through 2011.[http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/football/nfl/cowboys/stories/MYSA040106.1C.FBNcowboys.alamodome.7ea018dc.html Football: Cowboys returning to S.A. in '07], San Antonio Express-News, April 1, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515131306/http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/football/nfl/cowboys/stories/MYSA040106.1C.FBNcowboys.alamodome.7ea018dc.html |date=May 15, 2008}} Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged his support for the city to become home to an NFL franchise.[http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/football/nfl/stories/MYSA050506.3D.FBNcowboys.jones.c71335d.html Football: Cowboys' Jones backs S.A. team], San Antonio Express-News, May 5, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515131311/http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/football/nfl/stories/MYSA050506.3D.FBNcowboys.jones.c71335d.html |date=May 15, 2008}}

The San Antonio Clutch of The Basketball League (TBL) play at St. Mary's University.

San Antonio is home to the Double-A San Antonio Missions, who play at Nelson Wolff Stadium and are the Minor League Baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/padres-announce-minor-league-affiliate-invitations |title=Padres invite 4 teams to be Minors affiliates |website=San Diego padres |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=December 9, 2020}}

File:Soccer Bowl 2014 (17154199041).jpg during the 2014 Soccer Bowl]]

San Antonio had a professional soccer franchise when the San Antonio Thunder played two seasons in the original NASL during the 1975–1976 seasons. Professional soccer returned with the birth of the San Antonio Scorpions of the modern NASL in 2012. The Scorpions won the 2014 Soccer Bowl, the first soccer championship in city history. On December 22, 2015, it was announced that Toyota Field and S.T.A.R. Soccer Complex were sold to the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, a deal which was accompanied by an agreement for Spurs Sports and Entertainment to operate the facilities and field a team would play in the United Soccer League Championship. San Antonio FC began play in the soccer-specific stadium, Toyota Field, in 2016, and won the 2022 league championship. As a result, the San Antonio Scorpions franchise of the NASL was shut down.

San Antonio has two rugby union teams, the Alamo City Rugby Football Club, and San Antonio Rugby Football Club.

The city has played host to a number of major and minor league football teams, primarily at Alamo Stadium and the Alamodome. The San Antonio Gunslingers of the United States Football League and the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football played for two seasons each in the 1980s and 1990s, respectively; while the San Antonio Wings of the World Football League and the San Antonio Texans of the Canadian Football League each played a single season. In 2018, the Alliance of American Football announced that the San Antonio Commanders would play in the city beginning in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Reinagel |first1=Joe |title=San Antonio Commanders coach, GM share excitement about first season |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/sports/san-antonio-commanders-coach-gm-share-excitement-about-first-season/273-598430720 |website=KENS |date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=October 12, 2018 |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013014245/https://www.kens5.com/article/sports/san-antonio-commanders-coach-gm-share-excitement-about-first-season/273-598430720 |url-status=live }} The Commanders opened play at the Alamodome in February 2019. San Antonio was also home to the minor-league Toros of the Texas Football League (later the Continental Football League, then Trans-American Football League) from 1966 to 1971; and the minor-league Charros of the American Football Association from 1978 to 1981. Since 2020, the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL's XFL conference have played at the Alamodome.

The Valero Texas Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour held at San Antonio since 1922. It has been played at TPC San Antonio since 2010. Previous venues include the Brackenridge Park Golf Course, La Cantera Golf Club and Pecan Valley Golf Club; the latter also hosted the 1968 PGA Championship. The Alamo Ladies Classic was an LPGA Tour event held from 1960 to 1973.

The first Rising Phoenix World Championships was held at Grand Hyatt, San Antonio in 2015.

The city used to be home to the San Antonio Stars Women's National Basketball Association until the franchise was relocated in October 2017 to Las Vegas to become the Las Vegas Aces.{{Cite web |date=October 17, 2017 |title=WNBA Announces Relocation of San Antonio Stars to Las Vegas |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-team-las-vegas-san-antonio-stars-relocation/ |access-date=October 24, 2021 |website=WNBA |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128063507/https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-team-las-vegas-san-antonio-stars-relocation/ |url-status=live }}

The city used to be home to the San Antonio Rampage ice hockey team until the franchise was sold in February 2020 to the Vegas Golden Knights.{{Cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Daniel Villanueva, Larry |date=February 6, 2020 |title=Rampage bought by Vegas Golden Knights |url=https://www.ksat.com/sports/2020/02/06/breaking-sports-news-rampage-bought-by-vegas-golden-knights/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=KSAT |language=en |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626170234/https://www.ksat.com/sports/2020/02/06/breaking-sports-news-rampage-bought-by-vegas-golden-knights/ |url-status=live }}

=College sports=

File:San Antonio May 2018 5 (Alamodome).jpg, home of the UFL's Brahmas and the UTSA Roadrunners]]

The University of Texas at San Antonio fields San Antonio's NCAA Division I athletic teams, known as the UTSA Roadrunners. The teams play in the American Athletic Conference. The university added football in 2011, hiring former University of Miami coach Larry Coker as its initial head coach. Roadrunner football began play in 2011, with a record of 4–6. UTSA set attendance records for both highest attendance at an inaugural game (56,743) and highest average attendance for a first year program (35,521).{{Cite web |last=Clevenger |first=-- Courtney |title=UTSA football through the years |url=https://www.utsa.edu/today/2016/12/pod-football-2016.html |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.utsa.edu |date=December 8, 2016 |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430064442/https://www.utsa.edu/today/2016/12/pod-football-2016.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Alamodome |title=UTSA Football {{!}} Alamodome |url=https://www.alamodome.com/teams/detail/utsa-football |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=www.alamodome.com |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220053119/https://www.alamodome.com/teams/detail/utsa-football |url-status=live }} The Roadrunners moved to the Western Athletic Conference in 2012, to Conference USA in 2013, and to the American Athletic Conference in 2023.

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) also fields a full slate of NCAA Division I athletic teams, known as the Incarnate Word Cardinals. UIW's football team competes in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in the Southland Conference. Since 2018, UIW's football team has won three Southland Conference championships and has made three appearances in the FCS playoffs.

Trinity University fields all the typical collegiate sports, but at the NCAA Division III level. Trinity competes in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). The Trinity baseball team won the 2016 Division III College World Series, one of six national team and 21 national individual championships won by the school's athletic program in the Division III era. Prior to moving to Division III, Trinity was a national power in tennis, winning five USTA women's championships and one NCAA men's title between 1968 and 1976. Chuck McKinley won the men's championship at Wimbledon and was a member of the winning Davis Cup team as a student at Trinity in 1963.{{cite web |url=https://www.expressnews.com/150years/military-sports/article/Tennis-star-McKinley-put-Trinity-on-world-6314412.php |publisher=expressnews.com |title=Tennis star put Trinity on 'world map' |date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=January 20, 2020 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729065114/https://www.expressnews.com/150years/military-sports/article/Tennis-star-McKinley-put-Trinity-on-world-6314412.php |url-status=live }}

San Antonio hosts the NCAA football Alamo Bowl each December. The city is also home of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl,{{cite web |url=http://www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/ |title=Welcome to the 2009 U.S. Army All American Bowl |publisher=Usarmyallamericanbowl.com |access-date=June 30, 2010 |archive-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524174725/http://www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/ |url-status=dead}} played annually in the Alamodome and televised live on NBC. The Bowl is an East versus West showdown featuring the nation's top 90 high school football senior players. The game has featured NFL stars Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Adrian Peterson, and many other college and NFL stars.

The University of Texas at San Antonio fields the only collegiate men's rugby team in the city. UTSA competes in Division III Texas Rugby Union.

Government

{{further|List of mayors of San Antonio}}

File:City Hall, San Antonio, Texas (1906).jpg

File:San Antonio City Hall.jpg

The city of San Antonio is operated under the council-manager system of government. The city is divided into 10 council districts designed to be of equal population. Each district elects one person to the city council, with the mayor elected on a citywide basis. All members of the San Antonio City Council, including the mayor, are elected to two-year terms and are limited to four terms (except for those who were in office in November 2008 and are limited to a total of two terms). Houston and Laredo have similar term limits to San Antonio. All positions are elected on nonpartisan ballots, as required by Texas law. Council members are paid $45,722 and the mayor earns $61,725 a year. The current mayor is Gina Ortiz Jones, who was elected in 2025 with 54.3% of the vote.{{cite web|url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Bexar/123858/web.345435/#/detail/0004|title=Election Night Reporting|access-date=June 18, 2025}}

The council hires a city manager to handle day-to-day operations. The council effectively functions as the city's legislative body with the city manager acting as its chief executive, responsible for the management of day-to-day operations and execution of council legislation. The current city manager is Erik Walsh.

The city operates its own electric and gas utility, CPS Energy. The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) is the city's municipal body of law enforcement. The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) provides the city with fire protection and EMS service.

The city stretches into several national congressional districts and is represented in Congress by:{{cite web |url=http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/pdf/GIS/map_download/0702GG24.pdf |title=CITY OF SAN ANTONIO |website=Sanantonio.gov |access-date=April 16, 2007 |archive-date=July 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701151218/http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/pdf/GIS/map_download/0702GG24.pdf |url-status=live }}

=State and federal representation=

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Parole Division Region IV headquarters in the San Antonio Metro Parole Complex. San Antonio district parole offices I and III are in the parole complex, while office II is in another location.[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff4.htm Parole Division Region IV] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904002737/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff4.htm |date=September 4, 2011}}; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; retrieved on May 21, 2010.

The Texas Department of Transportation operates the San Antonio District Office in San Antonio.[http://www.dot.state.tx.us/local_information/san_antonio_district/ San Antonio TDT District Office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022165830/http://www.dot.state.tx.us/local_information/san_antonio_district/ |date=October 22, 2013 }}. Texas Department of Transportation; retrieved on January 11, 2010.

The United States Postal Service operates San Antonio's main post office."[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/san-antonio-10410-perrin-beitel-rd-san-antonio-tx-1435860 Post Office Location – San Antonio]; United States Postal Service; retrieved on May 22, 2010. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618122431/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/san-antonio-10410-perrin-beitel-rd-san-antonio-tx-1435860 |date=June 18, 2012}} Other post offices are located throughout San Antonio.

= Politics =

class="wikitable" style="float:center; margin:1em; font-size:95%;"

|+ San Antonio Presidential Election Results{{cite web |url=https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::1c2c1e0d-2fd1-43a8-a039-73e7023124d1 |title=Texas 2020 Congressional |website=davesredistricting.org |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228051204/https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::1c2c1e0d-2fd1-43a8-a039-73e7023124d1 |url-status=live }}

!Year

!Democratic

!Republican

!Third Parties

align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |2024

| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |57.8% 282,122

| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |41.0% 200,501

| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |1.2% 5,816

align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |2020

| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |61.91% 326,553

| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |36.53% 192,653

| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |1.56% 8,244

align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |2016

| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |57.63% 244,678

| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |36.55% 155,186

| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |5.82% 24,668

align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |2012

| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |56.0% 207,861

| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |44.0% 163,315

| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |0% 0

align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |2008

| align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}} |55.6% 220,426

| align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}} |44.0% 174,579

| align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}} |0.5% 1,795

=Growth policy=

File:Ahbroadway.jpg, an enclaved city]]

Unlike most large cities in the U.S., San Antonio is not completely surrounded by independent suburban cities, and under Texas state law it exercises extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) over much of the surrounding unincorporated land,[http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/pdf/GIS/map_download/0607GT09.pdf Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Boundary (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514135648/http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/pdf/GIS/map_download/0607GT09.pdf |date=May 14, 2014 }}, City of San Antonio Planning Department. July 28, 2006.[http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.212.htm#212.003 Texas Local Government Code section 212.003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905222913/http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.212.htm#212.003 |date=September 5, 2013 }}, Extension of Rules to Extraterritorial Jurisdiction including planning major thoroughfares and enforcing rules for platting and subdivision. It pursues an aggressive annexation policy and opposes the creation of other municipalities within its ETJ.[http://www.salsa.net/aiasa/sa-mastp.html San Antonio Master Plan] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628195115/http://www.salsa.net/aiasa/sa-mastp.html |date=June 28, 2014 }}, Public Studio (San Antonio Chapter American Institute of Architects); retrieved January 7, 2007. Nearly three-fourths of its land area has been annexed since 1960.[http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/powerpoint/Growth_Trends_092506.pps San Antonio Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities (PowerPoint)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701083642/http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/powerpoint/Growth_Trends_092506.pps |date=July 1, 2014 }}, City of San Antonio Planning Department. Retrieved January 7, 2007.

In the 2000s the city annexed several long narrow corridors along major thoroughfares in outlying areas to facilitate eventual annexation of growth developing along the routes. The city planned to annex nearly 40 additional square miles by 2009.[http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/pdf/Comprehensive/three_yr_plan/Three_Yr_Map_01_05_06.pdf Three-year Annexation Plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630222309/http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/pdf/Comprehensive/three_yr_plan/Three_Yr_Map_01_05_06.pdf |date=June 30, 2014 }}; (PDF) format, City of San Antonio Planning Department, January 6, 2006.

In May 2010, the City of San Antonio agreed to release thousands of acres of land in its extraterritorial jurisdiction along Interstate 10 to Schertz. The agreement releases a total of {{convert|3486|acre|km2}} of San Antonio's ETJ lands north of I-10 to Schertz. The ETJ lands are in an area bordered by FM 1518 to the west, Lower Seguin Road to the north, Cibolo Creek to the east and I-10 to the south.{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northeast/San_Antonio_agrees_to_release_ETJ_to_Schertz.html |title=San Antonio agrees to release ETJ to Schertz |date=May 6, 2010 |website=Mysanantonio.com |access-date=July 12, 2018 |archive-date=May 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515015201/http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northeast/San_Antonio_agrees_to_release_ETJ_to_Schertz.html |url-status=live }}

Involuntary annexation is a controversial issue in those parts of unincorporated Bexar County affected by it. Residents attracted to the outlying areas by lower taxes and affordable real estate values often see annexation as a mechanism to increase property tax rates (which are primarily driven by school district taxes, not city taxes) without a corresponding improvement in services such as police and fire protection, while the city regards its annexation policy as essential to its overall prosperity.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/crime/stories/MYSA031107.01A.Fireresponsetimes.370d0e6.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515130618/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/crime/stories/MYSA031107.01A.Fireresponsetimes.370d0e6.html |url-status=dead |title=MySA.com: Public Safety |archive-date=May 15, 2008}}

Since the city has annexed areas over time, San Antonio surrounds several independent enclave cities, including Alamo Heights, Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Kirby, Leon Valley, Olmos Park, Shavano Park, and Terrell Hills.

Education

{{Main|Education in San Antonio}}

=Higher education=

File:UTSA Entrance Sign.JPG]]

San Antonio hosts over 100,000 students in its 31 higher-education institutions. Publicly supported schools include UT Health San Antonio, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University–San Antonio, Troy University-San Antonio Student Support Center, and the Alamo Community College District. The University of Texas at San Antonio is San Antonio's largest university.

File:Trinity University (Texas).jpg]]

Private universities include Trinity University, St. Mary's University, Our Lady of the Lake University, University of the Incarnate Word, Webster University, Baptist University of the Américas, Hallmark University, Oblate School of Theology, ECPI University,{{Cite web |title=San Antonio Texas {{!}} ECPI University |url=https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/san-antonio-tx |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=www.ecpi.edu |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816151833/https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/san-antonio-tx |url-status=live }} and the Southwest School of Art, which enrolled its first BFA class in 2014.{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2014 |title=The Southwest School of Art to Welcome First BFA Class |url=https://glasstire.com/2014/08/15/the-southwest-school-of-art-to-welcome-first-bfa-class/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=Glasstire |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430035448/https://glasstire.com/2014/08/15/the-southwest-school-of-art-to-welcome-first-bfa-class/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kegley |first=Tami |date=July 19, 2014 |title=Southwest School of Art 2014 All School Exhibition Opens |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/ssa-2014-school-exhibition/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=San Antonio Report |language=en-US}} The San Antonio Public Library serves all of these institutions along with the 19 independent school districts within the Bexar County and Greater San Antonio metropolitan area.{{cite web |url=http://www.bexarcountytexas.us/schooldistrict.htm |title=Bexar County School Districts |publisher=Bexarcountytexas.us |date=March 30, 2008 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230233540/http://www.bexarcountytexas.us/schooldistrict.htm |archive-date=December 30, 2012}} San Antonio is also home to a campus of The Culinary Institute of America.{{cite web |url=http://www.foodandwine.com/travel/united-states/san-antonio-unesco-culinary-food-destination |title=This Texas City Is America's Next Great Culinary Destination |website=Foodandwine.com |access-date=November 21, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201050443/http://www.foodandwine.com/travel/united-states/san-antonio-unesco-culinary-food-destination |url-status=live }}

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), one of Latin America's most prestigious universities, has a campus in San Antonio.unamsa.edu{{cite web |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/universidad-nacional-autonoma-de-mexico-in-san-antonio |title=Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in San Antonio}}

=Primary and secondary education=

The city of San Antonio is also served by the following separate independent school districts (ISDs) which each encompass elementary, middle, and high schools:{{cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48029_bexar/DC20SD_C48029.pdf |title=2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bexar County, TX |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=June 26, 2022 |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48029_bexar/DC20SD_C48029.pdf |url-status=live }} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48029_bexar/DC20SD_C48029_SD2MS.txt Text list] – Compare the outline of San Antonio's city limits to the district boundaries.{{cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48325_medina/DC20SD_C48325.pdf |title=2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Medina County, TX |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=June 26, 2022 |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48325_medina/DC20SD_C48325.pdf |url-status=live }} – [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48325_medina/DC20SD_C48325_SD2MS.txt Text list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726154450/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48325_medina/DC20SD_C48325_SD2MS.txt |date=July 26, 2023 }} - Compare the outline of San Antonio's city limits to the district boundaries.

{{colbegin|colwidth=25em}}

{{colend}}

Additionally the following school districts do not cover the San Antonio city limits but have locations which use San Antonio postal addresses:

The city is home to more than 30 private schools and charter schools. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio operates parochial Catholic schools in San Antonio. San Antonio's private and charter schools include: Keystone School, St. Gerard Catholic High School, Central Catholic Marianist High School, Incarnate Word High School, Saint Mary's Hall, The Atonement Academy, Antonian College Preparatory High School, San Antonio Academy, Holy Cross High School, Providence High School, The Carver Academy, Keystone School, TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas, St. Anthony Catholic High School, Lutheran High School of San Antonio, and Harmony Science Academy (School of Science and Technology).

=Military=

San Antonio is home to U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training (AFBMT).{{Cite web |title=U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training |url=https://www.basictraining.af.mil/units/ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=www.basictraining.af.mil |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810145151/https://www.basictraining.af.mil/Units/ |url-status=live }} The Air Force only has one location for enlisted basic training: the 737th Training Group, at Lackland Air Force Base. All new Air Force recruits go through the same basic training at Lackland. Each year, over 35,000 new recruits go through AFBMT. In addition, METC (the Military Education and Training Campus), which provides the medical training for the U.S. military at Fort Sam Houston, hosts 30 programs and over 24,000 annual graduates. It is the largest medical education center in the world.

Media

{{Main|Media in San Antonio}}

=Print=

San Antonio has one major newspaper, the San Antonio Express-News, which has served the area since 1865. The Express-News circulates as the largest newspaper service in South Texas. The Hearst Corporation, which owned a second newspaper, the San Antonio Light, purchased the Express-News from News Corp. in 1992 and shut down the Light after failing to find a buyer.

Hearst, using the Express-News brand, also produces Conexión, a weekly magazine written by an entirely Hispanic and Latin American staff with a Latino spin on weekly events. The San Antonio Current is the free "alternative" paper published weekly with local political issues, art and music news, restaurant listings and reviews, and listings of events and nightlife around town. The San Antonio Business Journal covers general business news. La Prensa, a bilingual publication, also has a long history in San Antonio. They closed their doors in June 2018.{{cite web |url=https://therivardreport.com/la-prensa-de-san-antonio-closes-its-doors-after-29-years |title=La Prensa de San Antonio Closes its Doors After 29 Years |website=Therivardreport.com |date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614221255/https://therivardreport.com/la-prensa-de-san-antonio-closes-its-doors-after-29-years/ |url-status=live }} Edible San Antonio, San Antonio's bimonthly food magazine, is published every eight weeks. The 64-page full-color magazine, distributed free across the city, is printed in soy ink on recycled paper and covers the city's food scene with an emphasis on local food and sustainability. The San Antonio River Walk Current covers general San Antonio news. The San Antonio Observer is the only African American newspaper in San Antonio since 1995 and the largest in South Texas.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

The San Antonio Report, renamed in 2020 from the Rivard Report, is the city's only digital-only news publication.{{Cite web |last=Nowlin |first=Sanford |title=San Antonio News Site Rivard Report Changes Name as Founder Looks to Scale Back His Role |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/sanantonio/san-antonio-news-site-rivard-report-changes-name-as-founder-looks-to-scale-back-his-role/Content?oid=24225734 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=San Antonio Current |language=en}} Founded in 2011 by former Express-News editor Robert Rivard, it began as a blog but has since become a non-profit news source covering civic issues.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=http://sanantonioreport.org/about-us-2/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=San Antonio Report |language=en-US |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091133/https://sanantonioreport.org/about-us-2/ |url-status=dead}}

=Radio=

About 50 radio stations can be heard in the San Antonio area; 30 of them are in the city proper. San Antonio is home to iHeartMedia, the largest operator of radio stations in the U.S. Its flagship, WOAI AM-1200, is known for its local news operation, considered among the best in the country. It is a 50,000-watt clear channel station that reaches most of North America at night. The first radio station to broadcast in South Texas was KTSA AM-550 in 1922.

The region's National Public Radio member is Texas Public Radio,{{Cite web |title=Texas Public Radio Stations And NPR Launch Collaborative Statewide Newsroom |url=https://www.npr.org/about-npr/759028569/texas-public-radio-stations-and-npr-launch-collaborative-statewide-newsroom |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=NPR.org |date=September 9, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=December 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214022550/https://www.npr.org/about-npr/759028569/texas-public-radio-stations-and-npr-launch-collaborative-statewide-newsroom |url-status=live }} a group of three stations; KSTX 89.1 FM is NPR news/talk, KPAC 88.3 is a 24-hour classical music station, and KTXI 90.1 is a mix of NPR news/talk and classical music broadcast for the West Central Texas Hill Country. KSTX also broadcasts "Riverwalk Jazz", featuring Jim Cullum Jazz Band at The Landing, a fixture on the River Walk since 1963.

KRTU 91.7 is a non-commercial radio station based at Trinity University.{{Cite web |title=About KRTU 91.7 |url=https://krtu.trinity.edu/about |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209204228/https://krtu.trinity.edu/about |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 9, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2020 |website=krtu.trinity.edu}} Unlike most other college radio stations in the U.S., the station plays jazz 17 hours a day and college rock/indie rock at night. College alternative station KSYM, 90.1 FM, is owned by the Alamo Community College District and operated by San Antonio College students; like KRTU, it plays the Third Coast music network during the day and alternative music at night.

Most Latin American stations in the area play regional Mexican, Tejano or contemporary pop. On January 12, 2006, Univision-owned KMYO-FM "La Kalle 95.1" changed its format from Hispanic-Rhythmic Contemporary Hits to Spanish Oldies, then named "Recuerdo 95.1". On November 10, 2006, Univision flipped KLTO Tejano 97.7's format to reggaeton in an attempt to reintroduce the format to San Antonio. Then 97.7 was flipped again to feature a rock format. The station no longer broadcasts anything in English. While still owned by Univision, it broadcast music by artists such as Linkin Park, before being sold to the Educational Media Foundation and flipping once again to Air1.

95.1 was then flipped back to the "La Kalle" format again after being flipped to feature a "95X" format. KLTO was acquired and is operated as a simulcast of KVBH-FM Vibe 107.5. San Antonio radio is diversified, due to an influx of non-Tejano Latinos, mostly from the East Coast, who serve in the city's various military bases, as well as immigrants from Mexico. Therefore, just like in the rest of the country, radio station conglomerates have been changing formats in San Antonio to reflect shifting demographics.

=Television=

File:Building for WOAI channel 4 in San Antonio, Texas.jpg

Despite the relatively large size of both the city proper and the metropolitan area, San Antonio has always been a medium-sized market. It presently ranks 33rd in the United States, according to marketing research firm ACNielsen.[http://www.nielsenmedia.com/DMAs.html Designated Market Areas] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517010320/http://www.nielsenmedia.com/DMAs.html |date=May 17, 2006}}, Nielsen Media Research. This is mainly because the nearby suburban and rural areas are not much larger than the city itself.

San Antonio-based television stations include KCWX channel 2 (MyNetworkTV), WOAI-TV channel 4 (NBC, with CW on DT2), KENS channel 5 (CBS), KLRN channel 9 (PBS), KSAT-TV channel 12 (ABC), KNIC-DT channel 17 (UniMás), KABB channel 29 (FOX), KMYS channel 35 (Dabl), KWEX-DT channel 41 (Univision) and KVDA channel 60 (Telemundo). The market is also home to three religious stations, three independent stations and one Internet-based station (210 TV{{cite web |url=http://www.210tv.com/ |title=210 TV, San Antonio's First Internet Television Network |website=210tv.com |access-date=February 13, 2012 |archive-date=February 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202065309/http://www.210tv.com/ |url-status=live }}). {{As of|2010}}, the San Antonio market has 65% cable TV penetration.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

Transportation

=Air=

File:San Antonio International Airport Ticket Counters September 2014.JPG]]

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is located in Uptown San Antonio, about {{convert |8|miles||spell=in}} north of Downtown. San Antonio International Airport is the 6th busiest airport based on passenger boardings in Texas and 44th in the United States as of 2015.{{cite web |title=Calendar Year 2014 Passenger Boardings at Commercial Service Airports |url=http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy14-commercial-service-enplanements.pdf |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=November 19, 2015 |page=1 |archive-date=October 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006014130/https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy14-commercial-service-enplanements.pdf |url-status=live }} It has two terminals and is served by 20 airlines, 15 passenger and 5 cargo ones, serving many destinations throughout the United States and Mexico. Stinson Municipal Airport is a reliever airport located {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} south of Downtown San Antonio. The airport has two runways serving primarily general aviation and is also home to the Texas Air Museum.

=Mass transit=

{{Further|VIA Metropolitan Transit}}

File:San Antonio Intersection.JPG

A bus system is provided by the city's metropolitan transit authority, VIA Metropolitan Transit. VIA began operating a bus rapid transit line known as VIA Primo{{Cite web |url=http://www.viabrt.net/ |title=Destination 2012 |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201083147/http://www.viabrt.net/ |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |url-status=dead}} in December 2012, which connects Downtown San Antonio to the South Texas Medical Center, the main campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the independent enclave city of Leon Valley. Additionally, VIA also offers VIAtrans Paratransit Service,{{Cite web |title=VIAtrans Paratransit Service |url=https://www.viainfo.net/viatrans-paratransit/ |access-date=July 14, 2021 |website=VIA Metropolitan Transit |language=en-US |archive-date=July 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714025904/https://www.viainfo.net/viatrans-paratransit/ |url-status=live }} a wheelchair accessible ride-share service for people with disabilities.

In August 2010, VIA Metropolitan Transit unveiled buses that are powered by diesel-electric hybrid technology. The 30 hybrid buses were put into service on VIA's express routes to serve daily commuters across the city. This set of buses follows the introduction of new vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, which were unveiled in May 2010. In the fall of 2010, VIA took delivery of three new buses that are powered by electricity from on-board batteries. These buses serve the Downtown core area, and are the first revenue vehicles VIA operates which have zero emissions.

VIA offers 90 regular bus routes and two Downtown streetcar routes.{{Cite web |title=Bus Services |url=https://www.viainfo.net/bus-schedules/ |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=VIA Metropolitan Transit |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218125530/https://www.viainfo.net/bus-schedules/ |url-status=live }} This includes express service from Downtown to park and ride locations in the south, west, northwest, north central and northeast sides of the city, with service to major locations such as UTSA, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld. VIA also offers a special service to city events including Spurs games and city parades from its park and ride locations.

=Rail=

San Antonio is served by two Amtrak routes: the daily Chicago to San Antonio Texas Eagle and the thrice-weekly New Orleans to Los Angeles Sunset Limited.{{cite web |url=http://www.texaseagle.com/home.htm |title=Amtrak's Texas Eagle | Welcome aboard! |publisher=Texaseagle.com |access-date=June 30, 2010 |archive-date=July 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722040111/http://www.texaseagle.com/home.htm |url-status=live }} On the days that the Sunset Limited operates, a section of the Texas Eagle continues west with it, offering Chicago to Los Angeles through service. The old Sunset Station is now an entertainment venue owned by VIA and neighbored by the current station and the Alamodome.{{cite web |url=http://www.sunset-station.com/ |title=Sunset Station San Antonio near the Convention Center, Alamo and River Walk Hotels |publisher=Sunset-station.com |access-date=June 30, 2010 |archive-date=January 18, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000118103221/http://www.sunset-station.com/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqs12 |title=Nancy Beck Young, "San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Railroad Company" |publisher=Texas State Historical Association on-line |access-date=April 28, 2013 |archive-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621030355/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqs12 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.txtransportationmuseum.org/history-rr-sa-uvalde-gulf.php |title=Hugh Hemphill, "San Antonio Uvalde and Gulf Railroad" |publisher=txtransportationmuseum.org |access-date=April 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512071002/http://www.txtransportationmuseum.org/history-rr-sa-uvalde-gulf.php |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}

San Antonio became the largest American city without an intra-city rail system when Phoenix, the former largest city without such a system, procured one in 2008. A proposed passenger rail line, Lone Star Rail, would have linked San Antonio to Austin, but was cancelled in 2016 after 19 years of planning.{{Cite news |url=https://www.kut.org/post/campo-vote-derails-lone-star-rail-project |title=CAMPO Vote Derails Lone Star Rail Project |last=Maas |first=Jimmy |date=October 18, 2016 |work=KUT News |access-date=January 23, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705003943/http://kut.org/post/campo-vote-derails-lone-star-rail-project |archive-date=July 5, 2018}}

=Road=

{{Further|List of highways in San Antonio}}File:US 281, San Antonio, Texas.JPG

San Antonio is served by these major freeways:

  • I-10: McDermott Freeway (Northwest) runs west toward El Paso, Phoenix and Los Angeles. Jose Lopez Freeway (East) runs east toward Seguin, Houston, New Orleans and Jacksonville.
  • I-35: Pan Am Expressway (Northeast/Southwest)—runs south toward its southern terminus Laredo and runs north toward Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kansas City, Des Moines, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, and finally to its northern terminus in Duluth.
  • I-37: Lucian Adams Freeway (Southeast)—runs from San Antonio through its junction with US 281 south (Edinburg and McAllen) near Three Rivers and into Corpus Christi through its junction with I-69E/US 77 south (Kingsville, Harlingen and Brownsville) to its southern terminus at Corpus Christi Bay.
  • I-410: Connally Loop—simply called Loop 410 (four-ten) by locals is a {{convert|53|mi|km|adj=on}} inner beltway around the city.
  • US 90: Cleto Rodriguez Freeway (West) through Uvalde and Del Rio to its western terminus at I-10 in Van Horn. Prior to I-10 East and US 90 West expressway being built US 90 traveled through the west side via West Commerce Street (westbound) and Buena Vista Street (eastbound) and Historic Old Highway 90 (known as Enrique M. Barrera Parkway from 2015 to 2022{{cite news |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-renames-Barrera-Parkway-Old-Highway-90-16853549.php |title=San Antonio residents, businesses reclaim Old Highway 90 with new street name |last=Santana |first=Steven |publisher=mysanantonio.com |language=en |date=February 11, 2022 |access-date=February 11, 2022 |archive-date=February 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211140008/https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-renames-Barrera-Parkway-Old-Highway-90-16853549.php |url-status=live }}). On the east side it traveled along East Commerce Street to its current alignment which runs concurrent with I-10 East to Seguin.
  • US 281: McAllister Freeway (North) to Johnson City and Wichita Falls. Southbound, it runs concurrent with I-37, then I-410 for {{convert|4|mi|km|0}}, then heads south to Pleasanton. Prior to I-37 and McAllister Fwy. being built US 281 traveled through the north side via San Pedro Avenue and the south side via Roosevelt Avenue.
  • SH 151: Stotzer Freeway runs from US 90 west through Westover Hills which includes SeaWorld to its western terminus at State Loop 1604.
  • Loop 1604: Charles W. Anderson Loop—simply called 1604 (sixteen-oh-four) by locals—is a {{convert|96|mi|km|adj=on}} outer beltway around San Antonio.

Other highways include:

  • US 87: Southbound to Victoria along Roland Avenue then Rigsby Avenue. It runs concurrent with I-10 for {{convert|52|mi|km|0}} where it goes to San Angelo northbound.
  • US 181: Starts {{convert|0.5|mi|km|1}} south of I-410/I-37/US 281 interchange and heads toward Corpus Christi via Beeville. Prior to I-37 being built, US 181 traveled along Presa Street from Downtown to its current alignment.
  • SH 16: From Zapata, it runs concurrent with I-410 for {{convert|17|mi|km|0}} along southwest San Antonio, over to Bandera Road to Bandera
  • State Highway 130: Starting at its southern terminus at I-35 South, it travels along East South Loop 410 until I-10/US-90, where it runs concurrently with the interstate until outside of Seguin, turning into a state toll road.
  • SH Spur 421: Also known more commonly as "Culebra Road" and "Bandera Road" inside Loop 410.
  • SH Spur 422: Known as the Poteet Jourdanton Freeway. It was originally planned to have a high speed direct connection to I-35.
  • Loop 345: Fredericksburg Road by locals; is the business loop for I-10 West/US-87 North.{{TxDOT|SL|345}}
  • Loop 368: Broadway and Austin Highway by locals; is the business loop for I-35 North.{{TxDOT|SL|368}}
  • State PA 1502 (Wurzbach Parkway): Limited-access, high speed road parallel to north IH-410. It has connections to I-35 (via O'Connor Road) and I-10 (via Wurzbach Road) across the north side of town.
  • Loop 353: Nogalitos Street and New Laredo Highway is the business loop for I-35 South.{{TxDOT|SL|353}}
  • Loop 13: Is the city's inner loop on the south side serving Lackland AFB, Port San Antonio, South Park Mall and Brooks CityBase traveling along Military Drive on the south side and WW White Road on the east side to its junction with I-35/I-410. The northern arc of the loop is now I-410.

Along with FM 471, FM 1957, and SH 211

Also, the city has multiple streets with the same (or similar) names. As examples:

  • "Military Drive", "Military Highway.", and "Military Drive West"—Military Drive loops around the western and southern parts of the city. Military Highway, also called "NW Military Drive" by the locals, serves the northwestern part of the city. Military Drive West serves the far western portion of the city. None intersect each other.
  • "Wurzbach Road", "Wurzbach Parkway", and "Harry Wurzbach Road"—Wurzbach Road serves the northwestern part of the city. Wurzbach Parkway, an expressway, is an east–west road serving the northwestern and northeastern parts of the city (and can be considered an extension of Wurzbach Road). Harry Wurzbach Road runs past Fort Sam Houston and Terrell Hills on the city's northeast side, and it does not intersect Wurzbach Road or Wurzbach Parkway.
  • "Hausman Road" and "South Hausman Road" are two roads serving Helotes and the far northwest side of the city. Hausman is a major road, and a route used by locals of Helotes and NW San Antonio as an alternative to Loop 1604 connecting to I-10. South Hausman is a suburban road that does not connect with Hausman (despite its name).

A large portion of trade between Mexico and the United States passes through the San Antonio area's interstate highway system.{{cite web |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/booming-port-laredo-puts-san-antonio-in-heart-18507293.php |title=Booming Port of Laredo a linchpin in global trade, and San Antonio's 'right in the heart of it |work=San Antonio Express-News |last1=Webner |first1=Richard |access-date=April 10, 2024 |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812033709/https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/booming-port-laredo-puts-san-antonio-in-heart-18507293.php |url-status=live }}

Of the five largest cities in Texas, San Antonio (within city limits) is the largest city in the state without toll roads. (Houston, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth have toll roads.)

San Antonio enjoys less traffic congestion than other large Texas cities. In a 2022 study by TomTom, San Antonio is only the 41st-most congested city in the U.S. and the fifth-most congested city in Texas. By comparison, Houston, McAllen, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth rank higher than San Antonio for traffic congestion.{{cite web |url=https://www.tomtom.com/traffic-index/united-states-of-america-country-traffic/ |title=United States of America traffic report | TomTom Traffic Index |access-date=December 6, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180358/https://www.tomtom.com/traffic-index/united-states-of-america-country-traffic/ |url-status=live }}

=Bicycle paths=

San Antonio has about {{convert|136|mi|km}} of bike lanes, routes or off-road paths.[http://www.sanantonio.gov/oep/sabikes/bicycleMP.aspx San Antonio Bikes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711085128/http://www.sanantonio.gov/oep/sabikes/bicycleMP.aspx |date=July 11, 2010 }}; City of San Antonio Official Web Site Off-road trails travel along the San Antonio River, linear greenways, or city parks. Although largely disconnected, the progress to create a bicycle-friendly environment was recognized when San Antonio was designated a bronze-level "Bicycle Friendly Community" in 2015 by the League of American Bicyclists.[http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2010/09/13/daily16.html Alamo City Named Bike-friendly City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924024334/http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2010/09/13/daily16.html |date=September 24, 2010 }}; San Antonio Business Journal

=Bicycle sharing=

A bike sharing service was approved by the city council on June 17, 2010.[http://www.ci.sat.tx.us/news/NewsReleases/nr10bikeshare.asp?res=1600&ver=true News Release – Bike Share Program] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617062147/http://www.ci.sat.tx.us/news/NewsReleases/nr10bikeshare.asp?res=1600&ver=true |date=June 17, 2011}} The initial program consisted of 140 bikes at 14 locations supported by a "central hub". It is expected to serve both residents and visitors. San Antonio Bike Share, a non-profit, was formed to oversee the operation, locally operated and maintained by Bike World. B-Cycle, the same system used in Denver, supplies the bike share system. It began operation in March 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/bicycling_proposals_gear_up_96533734.html?c=y&page=1#storytop |title=Bicycling proposals gear up |website=Mysanantonio.com |date=June 17, 2010}}

=Walkability=

{{As of|2021}}, Walk Score ranks San Antonio as the least walkable American city a population greater than one million and calls it car-dependent. This is due in large part to its rapid growth after World War II, the prevalence of single-family zoning and thousands of miles of missing or broken sidewalks.{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=Shepard |title=San Antonio is the least-walkable major U.S. city. Here's why its growth is to blame. |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-least-walkable-city-17653984.php |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=December 19, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522202337/https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-least-walkable-city-17653984.php |url-status=live }}

The Howard W. Peak Greenway is an {{convert|84|mile||adj=mid| system}} of hiking and biking trails that roughly forms a ring around the city. It is accessible by more than 65 trailheads and connects to dozens of parks. With construction beginning in 2007, the trails consist of the Leon Creek Greenway, the Salado Creek Greenway, the Westside Creeks, and the Medina River Greenway.{{Cite web |title=Greenway Trails |url=https://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Parks-Facilities/Trails/Greenway-Trails |access-date=October 17, 2022 |website=City of San Antonio |publisher=San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department |archive-date=July 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724172752/https://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Parks-Facilities/Trails/Greenway-Trails |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Marini |first=Richard A. |date=October 20, 2021 |title=Your guide to all 84 miles of S.A.'s Greenway hike-and-bike trails |url=https://www.expressnews.com/lifestyle/article/san-antonio-greenway-trails-guide-16536651.php |access-date=October 17, 2022 |website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130005041/https://www.expressnews.com/lifestyle/article/san-antonio-greenway-trails-guide-16536651.php |url-status=live }}

International relations

=Sister cities=

File:Darmstadt Strassenbahn.jpg

San Antonio is twinned with:

  • {{flagdeco|MEX}} – Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico (1953)
  • {{flagdeco|MEX}} – Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (1974){{cite web |url=http://www.guadalajara.gob.mx/dependencias/relacionespublicas/versioningles/sistercities.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302011742/http://www.guadalajara.gob.mx/dependencias/relacionespublicas/versioningles/sistercities.html |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |title=Sister Cities, Public Relations |publisher=Guadalajara municipal government |access-date=March 12, 2013}}
  • {{flagdeco|ESP}} – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain (1975)
  • {{flagdeco|ROK}} – Gwangju, South Korea (1981)[http://eng.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=040311000000 Gwangju Sister Cities] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704000717/http://eng.gwangju.go.kr/contents.do?S=S02&M=040311000000 |date=July 4, 2014}}
  • {{flagdeco|ROC}} – Kaohsiung, Taiwan (1981)
  • {{flagdeco|ESP}} – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain (1983)
  • {{flagdeco|JPN}} – Kumamoto, Japan (1987)
  • {{flagdeco|IND}} – Chennai, India (2008){{cite web |url=http://www.sanantonio.gov/news/NewsMayorCouncil/nrChennaiSisterCity.asp?res=1280&ver=true |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721061833/http://www.sanantonio.gov/news/NewsMayorCouncil/nrChennaiSisterCity.asp?res=1280&ver=true |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |title=Mayor announces Chennai, India Sister City Agreement |publisher=Sanantonio.gov |date=February 28, 2008 |access-date=June 30, 2010}}
  • {{flagdeco|PRC}} – Wuxi, China (2012)
  • {{flagdeco|NAM}} – Windhoek, Namibia (2016){{cite web |url=http://www.sanantonio.gov/Clerk/News-Releases-Events/ArtMID/13292/ArticleID/8990/Windhoek-becomes-first-San-Antonio-Sister-City-in-Africa-10th-total |title=Windhoek becomes first San Antonio Sister City in Africa, 10th total |website=Sanantonio.gov |access-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118163650/http://www.sanantonio.gov/Clerk/News-Releases-Events/ArtMID/13292/ArticleID/8990/Windhoek-becomes-first-San-Antonio-Sister-City-in-Africa-10th-total |url-status=live }}
  • {{flagdeco|DEU}} – Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany (2017){{cite web |url=http://www.sainternationalrelations.org/sister-cities-program.html |title=Sister Cities Program |website=Sainternationalrelations.org |access-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=October 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006154934/http://sainternationalrelations.org/sister-cities-program.html |url-status=live }}
  • {{flagdeco|ESP}} – Moguer, Spain (2018). Hometown of San Antonio founder Father Antonio de Olivares.{{cite news |url=http://www.aytomoguer.es/es/ayuntamiento/noticias/MOGUER-Y-SAN-ANTONIO-DE-TEXAS-UNIDOS-POR-FRAY-ANTONIO-DE-OLIVARES/ |title=News in web town hall of moguer |newspaper=Ayuntamiento de Moguer |date=October 25, 2016 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608072442/http://www.aytomoguer.es/es/ayuntamiento/noticias/MOGUER-Y-SAN-ANTONIO-DE-TEXAS-UNIDOS-POR-FRAY-ANTONIO-DE-OLIVARES/ |url-status=live }}

=Friendship cities=

  • {{flagdeco|PRC}} – Suzhou, China (2010 friendship city)[http://www.gsaccc.org/content/view/137/98/ The Greater San Antonio Chinese Chamber of Commerce – Wuxi and Suzhou Are Friends with San Antonio] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103034205/http://www.gsaccc.org/content/view/137/98/ |date=January 3, 2011}}. Gsaccc.org (May 28, 2010). Retrieved on December 11, 2011.
  • {{flagdeco|ISR}} – Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel (2011 friendship city)[http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/07/14/3088550/texas-mayor-signs-agreements-during-israel-trip San Antonio mayor boosts ties with Israel | JTA – Jewish & Israel News] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718102424/http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/07/14/3088550/texas-mayor-signs-agreements-during-israel-trip |date=July 18, 2011}}. JTA (July 14, 2011). Retrieved on December 11, 2011.
  • {{flagdeco|PHI}} – Baguio, Philippines (2022 friendship city){{Cite web |date=October 19, 2022 |title=San Antonio to formalize Friendship agreement with Baguio, Philippines |work=City of San Antionio |url=https://www.sa.gov/Directory/News/Press-Releases/San-Antonio-to-formalize-Friendship-City-agreement-with-Baguio-Philippines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216063014/https://www.sa.gov/Directory/News/Press-Releases/San-Antonio-to-formalize-Friendship-City-agreement-with-Baguio-Philippines |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |access-date=March 24, 2023}}
  • {{Flagdeco|Jordan}} – Amman, Jordan (2024 friendship city)

Notable people

{{main|List of people from San Antonio}}

See also

Explanatory notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite news |first=Adina Emilia |last=De Zavala |author-link=Adina Emilia De Zavala |date=December 8, 1917 |url=https://archive.org/details/historylegendsof00dezarich |title=History and Legends of The Alamo and Other Missions In and Around San Antonio |publisher=History legends of de Zarichs Online |access-date=June 2, 2014 |page=8}}

{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |title=U.S. Census website |website=United States Census Bureau |language=en |access-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-date=December 27, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/san-antonio-missions-among-five-newly-designated-unesco-world-heritage-sites |title=San Antonio Missions among new UNESCO World Heritage Sites |first=Andrew |last=Mach |publisher=PBS |date=July 5, 2015 |access-date=October 29, 2016 |archive-date=October 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030074600/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/san-antonio-missions-among-five-newly-designated-unesco-world-heritage-sites/ |url-status=live }}

[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/uqs08] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225334/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/uqs08 |date=July 10, 2018 }} Spanish Texas, Texas State Historical Society: The Handbook of Texas Online

[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/poc01] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904004804/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/poc01 |date=September 4, 2019}} The Canary Islanders, Texas State Historical Society: The Handbook of Texas Online

John H. Jenkins, ed., Papers of the Texas Revolution (10 vols.; Austin: Presidial Press, 973), p. 13

{{cite web |title=Texas – Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |access-date=April 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812191959/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/ewx/sat/satclisum.pdf |title=San Antonio Climate Summary |publisher=National Weather Service |access-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-date=December 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212140241/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/ewx/sat/satclisum.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/texas-usa/san-antonio-climate |title=San Antonio, Texas, USA – Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=March 11, 2019}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sanantoniocitytexas,US/PST045216 |title=San Antonio (city), Texas |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=August 5, 2017 |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415112331/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sanantoniocitytexas,US/PST045216 |url-status=live }}

[https://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t3/tab03.txt Census 2000: Metropolitan Areas Ranked by Population], U.S. Census Bureau.

{{Cite web |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/texas/san_antonio |title=Religion in San Antonio, TX |website=bestplaces.net |language=en |access-date=August 1, 2018}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.trinitytigers.com/history/nationalchampions/index |title=Trinity University's National Champions |publisher=trinitytigers.com |access-date=January 20, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223183959/https://www.trinitytigers.com/history/nationalchampions/index |url-status=live }}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20100816121906/http://www.viainfo.net/Communications/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=1558];

[http://www.sainternationalrelations.org/sister-cities-program.html Sister Cities Program] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006154934/http://sainternationalrelations.org/sister-cities-program.html |date=October 6, 2018 }}. Sainternationalrelations.org. Retrieved on December 11, 2011.

}}

Further reading

  • {{cite magazine |last=Rodriguez |first=Ismael Jr. |date=August 2021 |title=We Wanted to Make it Attractive for all Veterans |magazine=VFW Magazine |volume=108 |number=10 |location=Kansas City, Mo. |publisher=Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States |pages=30–32 |issn=0161-8598 |quote=A VFW Post in Texas grew its membership by welcoming younger veterans. Among several projects, Post members pioneered VFW's first-ever state-of-the-art esports cybercafé.}}