Florence (Texas)

Williamson County

48-26136

Florence is a city of Williamson County in the U.S. state of Texas in the United States. In 2012, the population was 1195 persons.

Geography

The distance to the northern city of Killeen is around 30 kilometers. Located 60 kilometers south Austin. The main thoroughfare Texas State Highway 195 runs through the town.

History

In 1851, a merchant by the name of Brooks opened in the settlement of today's Florence a retail store ( general store) and gave the new town the name " Brookville ". More shops, a mill and a post office followed and the population grew. In 1957, the town was renamed in "Florence". Regarding the naming, there are several versions: Some chroniclers are of the view that this was in honor of the daughter of the merchant, Florence Brooks, others indicate that the first postmaster of Florence originated in Alabama and therefore the same name for this place in Texas was chosen. After a railway line ran through the place where the population grew to over 1000 people and it developed farms for livestock and it was grown cotton, and wheat. During the Great Depression, the population fell again and was at the end of less than 500 people. With the establishment of the military base in Fort Hood, located 30 kilometers north in 1942, the region was a residential area and the seat of service companies more attractive, which also benefited Florence. Similarly, the relocation of the headquarters of the computer company Dell worked in the 30 km south to Round Rock in 1996 favorable. Thus, the population rose to 1195 persons, representing an increase of 13.4 % over the year 2000 to the year 2012. The average age of the residents was 30.9 years in 2012 with very significantly below the average of Texas, which was 40.8 years.