More than 125,000 friendly people call Abilene home, as the city offers a comfortable mix of Old West heritage, contemporary culture, and traditional values. As a Top Texas Destination, there is something for everyone in Abilene. Conveniently located at the center of a 22-county area known as the Big Country — and just 180 miles from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex near the state’s geographic center — Abilene is a centerpiece for employment, retail, and medical services in West Texas that offers the perfect balance between urban and rural life. The City of Abilene is a home-rule city with a council-manager form of government featuring a mayor and six council members. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Municipal Court Judge, and all board and commis