Pleasanton, TX residents incorporated their home in 1917. The county seat moved to Jourdanton, but the Pleasanton economy remained stable, as the thriving cattle industry boomed in Texas. Pleasanton became the meeting place for the huge annual cattle drive to Kansas. The Stock Raisers Association of West Texas held meetings and conventions in Pleasanton, and each year, the town identified more closely with its cowboy population.
In 1966, Pleasanton, Texas began an annual tradition of the Cowboy Homecoming. Held at the lovely Atascosa River Park, often said to rival the famous San Antonio Riverwalk, the festival offers a carnival, a mock cattle drive, rodeo and fiddle contests, and the finest in western barbecue. The Cowboy Homecoming draws patrons from all over the San Antonio Metro Area and beyond, who consider it the Texan version of Mardis Gras.
Located 33 miles south of San Antonio, the Pleasanton, TX population is 8,266 (Census 2000). The 2005 population estimates indicate a 13% increase to 9,375 citizens. Pleasanton is a multi-racial community, with 51% reporting Hispanic descent, significantly higher than the Texas state average. Indian blood is also common. Almost one third of Astacosa County residents call Pleasanton their home.
Pleasanton, Texas residents reported an annual per capita income of just under $15,000. While the national average is over $21,000, Pleasanton’s purchasing power is higher. The unemployment rate was 5.8 percent (2000 data). The median rent was $301, and homeowner costs were $740. Sixteen percent of Pleasanton citizens have earned a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time to work is 28 minutes.
Residents of Pleasanton, Texas delight in nearby San Antonio's nightlife and culture. The Pleasanton Botanical Gardens are thirty-three acres of exquisite plant life, pools and fountains. Special gardens feature native Texan plants, endangered species, a Japanese Garden, a Garden for the Blind and several others. The 'Shrine to Texas Liberty', the famous Alamo, is a short drive from town. The San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium provides excellent family entertainment.
Pleasanton, Texas enjoys all the amenities of urban San Antonio, while retaining its own distinct ambience. A small community steeped in the cowboy tradition, Pleasanton, TX residents hold as their motto: "The town of live oaks and friendly folks."
