Wimberley is a city in Hays County, Texas, United States. Wimberley was named after Pleasant Wimberley, who owned and operated the gristmill and cotton gin in the 1870s. The area around town is predominantly a ranching area. The population was 2,839 at the 2020 census.

History

Wimberley started as a trading post settlement near Cypress Creek in 1848, the year Hays County was organized. After William Carvin Winters built a gristmill at the site in 1856, it took on the name "Winters' Mill". When the mill was sold in 1864 to the Cude family, its name was changed to "Cude's Mill". It was sold again in 1874 to Pleasant Wimberley and took on his name. Over the years, the mill was expanded to process lumber, shingles, flour, molasses, and cotton.

The mill is gone, but Winter's home survives and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1880, Alfred vom Stein, a postmaster from San Marcos, applied to have a post office established in the community, calling it "Wimberleyville". The application was granted, but the name was shortened to Wimberley. Although the mill was shut down in 1925, the community was established and grew, becoming known as a resort town and popular with tourists. Prior to its incorporation in May 2000, it was a census-designated place (CDP).

On May 25, 2015, the town was hit by flooding during the 2015 Texas–Oklahoma floods, along the Blanco River, which flows through the town. The river crested at an estimated , which was almost above flood stage.

A Cessna 421 Golden Eagle crashed in Wimberley on April 30, 2026. The plane was carrying five members of the Amarillo pickleball club, who were all killed.

Tourism

While the city is small, it boasts many shops and restaurants. It is known for its wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Wimberley Square has various locally owned businesses, including boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and eateries. The buildings surrounding the square have limestone facades and give a rustic atmosphere. Cypress Creek runs through the square, allowing for a scenic area for recreation and relaxation. A few restaurants sit along the creek, with areas to sit and eat while enjoying nature.The Square, wmbrly.com. Retrieved July 8, 2025.

Inside the square is the Wimberley Valley Museum, with displays about the city's rich history, including its Native American and pioneer heritage.Wimberly Valley Museum, Wimberley Institute of Cultures. Retrieved July 8, 2025.

Wimberley is also known for its natural beauty, such as Cypress Creek and the Blanco River. Additionally, it is home to Jacob's Well and the Blue Hole, where anyone can swim and relax. Also, it has many places for hiking, such as Mount Old Baldy, which sits within Old Baldy Park. Climbing the 208 steps to the top gives visitors a full 360° view of the Wimberley Valley and is best enjoyed during sunrise. Old Baldy has rules and regulations, such as the prohibition of open fires, littering, drones, loud music, alcohol, glass,and Styrofoam, and tree climbing. Visitors should be careful not to disturb the wildlife, trespass onto adjacent land, or take anything from the park. Wimberley also hosts the Wimberley Zipline, which offers 10 lines, or a of line. The longest is long. While on the zipline, visitors may go up to and experience a panoramic view of the Wimberley Valley, seeing as far as . Wimberley has also become a notable destination for glamping, particularly due to its dark skies and Hill Country scenery. The Yurtopian, located on Winn Ranch Road, offers authentic hand-painted Mongolian yurts with private hot tubs and rooftop decks; it has been described as one of the town's leading overnight destinations.Yarborough, Kaitlyn. "This Once-Sleepy Texas Town Is Now A Thriving Art Hub Filled With Wineries And Wildflowers." Southern Living, March 13, 2026.Drake, Cynthia J. "Yurts So Good! Where to Glamp in Texas." Texas Monthly, April 2024.

Geography

Wimberley is located in western Hays County via road southwest of Austin and northeast of San Antonio.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , all land.

Cypress Creek joins the Blanco River in Wimberley; the Blanco then empties into the San Marcos River near the city of San Marcos, southeast of Wimberley. Blue Hole and Jacob's Well are located along Cypress Creek.

Climate

The climate in the Wimberley area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Wimberley has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Wimberley had a population of 2,839, 1,228 households, and 896 families. The median age was 56.4 years; 16.7% of residents were under 18 and 33.6% were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males, and for every 100 females 18 and over, there were 89.7 males 18 and over.

None of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

Of the 1,228 households in Wimberley, 22.0% had children under 18 living in them, 53.1% were married-couple households, 16.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.

The city had 1,538 housing units, of which 20.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.5%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percentage White 2,400 84.5% Black or African American 12 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native 17 0.6% Asian 13 0.5% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 2 0.1% Some other race 81 2.9% Two or more races 314 11.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 387 13.6%

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, 2,626 people, 1,145 households, and 726 families resided in the city. Of the 1,482 housing units, 337 were vacant; 245 of the vacant units were for seasonal or recreational use. The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 0.5% African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 2.8% from some other race, and 1.5% from two or more races. About 11.2% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 1,145 households, 21.6% had children under 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were not families; 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% were someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.21, and the average family size was 2.72.

In the city, the age distribution was 16.8% under 18, 4.8%e from 18 to 24, 16.0% from 25 to 44, 35.4% from 45 to 64, and 26.9% were 65 or older. The median age was 52.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

2012–2016 American Community Survey

For the period 2012–2016, the estimated median annual income for a household was $68,359 and for a family was $88,958. Male full-time workers had a median income of $61,429 versus $38,611 for females. The per capita income for the city was $44,219. About 8.8% of the population and 7.5% of families were below the poverty line; 17.3% of those under 18 and 3.8% of those 65 or older were living in poverty.

Education Wimberley Public Schools are part of the Wimberley Independent School District. The district has one primary school, one elementary school, one junior high school, and two high schools (Wimberley High School and Katherine Anne Porter School, a public charter high school). Students attend Wimberley High School or Katherine Anne Porter School, Scudder Primary School, Jacob's Well Elementary School, or Danforth Junior High School.

Notable people Nathan Brown (born 1969), formerly poet laureate of Oklahoma, lives in Wimberley Bob Decker (1922–1967), Minnesota state senator and educator Ray Wylie Hubbard (born 1967), Texas music legend, moved to Wimberley in his early 40s Sarah Jarosz (born 1991), bluegrass singer-songwriter, was raised in Wimberley Leon Jaworski (1905–1982), special prosecutor in the Watergate Scandal, died in Wimberley Philip McKeon (1964–2019), former child actor, moved to Wimberley in the 2000s Buck Meek (born 1987), singer-songwriter and guitarist in Big Thief Rupert Neve (1926–2021), British creator of audio recording equipment Paul Simon and his Dallas-born wife, singer Edie Brickell, have a home in Wimberley Lathan Mckay (born 1979), Film, television, documentary producer, actor, historian, writer and co-founder of the Evel Knievel Museum has lived in Wimberley since 2015. Willie Nelson, Grammy Award-winning icon, has a home in Wimberley. Kevin Welch (born 1955), singer-songwriter, moved to Wimberley in his early 50s.

References

Further reading

External links

City of Wimberley official website Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce