Cleburne, Texas

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Cleburne
Motto(s): 
"This is Texas"
Template:Location map
Coordinates: 32°21′20″N 97°24′30″W / 32.35556°N 97.40833°W / 32.35556; -97.40833Coordinates: 32°21′20″N 97°24′30″W / 32.35556°N 97.40833°W / 32.35556; -97.40833
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
StateTemplate:Country data TexasTexas
CountyJohnson
EstablishedMarch 23, 1867
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
Area
 • TotalTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp
 • LandTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp
 • WaterTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp
ElevationTemplate:Infobox settlement/lengthdisp
Population
 (2020)
 • Total31,352
 • Estimate 
(2024)[3]
38,131Template:Gain
 • DensityTemplate:Infobox settlement/densdisp
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
76031, 76033[4]
Area codes817, 682
FIPS code48-15364[5]
GNIS feature ID2409480[2]
Websitewww.cleburne.net

Cleburne (/ˈklbɜːrn/ KLEE-burn[6]) is a city in and the county seat of Johnson County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 31,352. The city is named in honor of Patrick Cleburne, a Confederate general.[7] Lake Pat Cleburne, the reservoir that provides water to the city and surrounding area, is also named after him.

History

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File:Main Street, Cleburne, TX, 1910s cph.3b18657.jpg
Main Street in Cleburne in the 1910s

Cleburne is Johnson County's third county seat (the first being Wardville, now under Lake Pat Cleburne). It was formerly known as Camp Henderson, a temporary Civil War outpost from which Johnson County soldiers would depart for war (most of them served under General Cleburne). The city was formally incorporated in 1871.

File:Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne.jpg
Major General Patrick Cleburne of the CSA

Cleburne was near the earliest road in the county. The location featured water from West Buffalo Creek, making it a stop for cattlemen from the Chisholm Trail.[8]

In August 1886, the Texas Farmers' Alliance met at Lee's Academy[8] and adopted a 17-point political resolution, commonly known as the Cleburne Demands, which was the first major document of the agrarian revolt occurring at the end of the late 19th century.[9]

In 1900, Cleburne was the site of the founding convention of the Texas State Federation of Labor.[10]

Cleburne was primarily an agricultural center and county seat until the Santa Fe Railroad opened a major facility there in 1898. During this time, the population boomed, as it became a sizable city for the area with over 12,000 residents by 1920. The Chicago, Texas and Mexican Central Railway connected Cleburne to Dallas in 1882. Two other railroads had terminals in Cleburne. The Dallas, Cleburne, and Southwestern Railway completed a route to Egan in 1902, and the Trinity and Brazos Valley, nicknamed the Boll Weevil, operated from Cleburne from 1904 to 1924.[8]

Cleburne was the site of a prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers during World War 2. The POWs worked as laborers on local farms.[11]

In 1985, the city was the petitioner in the U.S. Supreme Court case City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center, Inc. after being sued over a special-use permit.

Cleburne is on the fringe of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Growth in the area has been primarily attributed to suburbanization.[12]

On May 15, 2013, Cleburne was hit by a powerful tornado that cut a mile-wide path through part of the city and damaged about 600 homes and two schools. The National Weather Service rated it EF-3, which has winds between 136 and 165 miles per hour (219 and 266 km/h). No deaths or severe injuries were reported.[13]

Geography

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Cleburne is west of the center of Johnson County, 30 miles (48 km) south of the center of Fort Worth. It is bordered to the north by Joshua and to the east by Keene. U.S. Route 67 runs through the north side of the city on a freeway bypass; the highway leads east 12 miles (19 km) to Alvarado and west 53 miles (85 km) to Stephenville. State Highways 171 and 174 run through the center of Cleburne on Main Street. Highway 171 leads northwest 19 miles (31 km) to Cresson and southeast 29 miles (47 km) to Hillsboro, while Highway 174 leads north 15 miles (24 km) to Burleson and southwest 38 miles (61 km) to Meridian.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Cleburne has a total area of 32.5 square miles (84.1 km2), of which 29.6 square miles (76.6 km2) are land and 2.9 square miles (7.4 km2), or 8.86%, are covered by water.[14] East and West Buffalo Creek run through the center of Cleburne, flowing south to the Nolan River and part of the Brazos River watershed.

Climate

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Cleburne has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with long, hot summers and short, mild winters.[15]Template:Weather box

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 31,352 people, 11,145 households, and 7,441 families residing in Cleburne. The median age was 36.2 years, 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18, and 16.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.6 males age 18 and over.[16][17]

93.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 6.5% lived in rural areas.[18]

Of the 11,145 households, 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.0% were married-couple households, 16.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]

There were 12,079 housing units, of which 7.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 59.8% were owner-occupied and 40.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%.[16]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[17][lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percent
White 21,538 68.7%
Black or African American 1,275 4.1%
American Indian and Alaska Native 333 1.1%
Asian 185 0.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 382 1.2%
Some other race 3,866 12.3%
Two or more races 3,773 12.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 9,361 29.9%

Arts and culture

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Theater and performing arts

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File:Dudley Hall in Cleburne.jpg
Dudley Hall

Cleburne's historic downtown includes two Theaters. The Plaza Main Street Theatre, and Dudley Hall. Dudley Hall host family-friendly musicals and comedies performed by the award winning Plaza Theatre Company[21], which was founded in November 2006 by the Downtown Cleburne Association. The Plaza Main Street Theatre host the Plaza Academy, a youth offshoot of the Plaza Theatre Company.[22] Songbird Live, which offers live music, is also within the historic downtown.[23]

Within the Cleburne conference center is the Helmcamp Community Theatre stage, which host The Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players. Formed in 1980, the Carnegie Players performed in the top floor theater of the Cleburne Carnegie Library(Now the Layland Museum) untill 2010. That summer, they relocated to the conference center.[24]

Museums

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File:Carnegie library cleburne 2010.jpg
Layland Museum

The city of Cleburne manages both the Layland Museum of History, and the Cleburne Railroad Museum. The Layland's gallery is located in the Carnegie Library building. These galleries include first peoples, settlers, and 20th century sections containing over 50,000 artifacts and 100,000 photos. The Lowell Smith History Center holds the research library and a kitchen classroom.[25][26] The Cleburne Railroad Museum explores the history and influence of the railroads on the city through traditional and interactive exhibits. The museum contains a large model train room and houses over 2000 railroad artifacts.[27]

Other museums include the Johnson County Courthouse Museum, which preserves the history and artifacts of the county through the Johnson County Historical Commission.[28] The JN Long Cultural Arts Center hosts various art workshops and galleries from local artist from the area.[29] The Gone with the Wind Remembered Museum contains a comprehensive collection from the movie, as well as period pieces expounding on the history surrounding the story.[30]

The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum showcases the history of the Chisholm Trail, Johnson County, and the pioneer life of the 19th century. The attractions in the museum are as follows. The Big Bear Native American Museum, a blacksmiths shop, a restored stagecoach, the 1855 Johnson County Log Courthouse, the Douglas Harman Chisholm Trail Artifacts and Western Memorabilia Museum, a historic mule barn, a replica of the Wardville Cemetery now under Lake Pat Cleburne, Wardville Sheriff's Office and Jail, the Nolan River Schoolhouse, and The Terry Building.[31]

Annual events

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Antique Alley occurs every April and September, showcasing over 500 antique dealers along the highways around Johnson, Hill, and Ellis counties. The western edge includes the historic downtown in Cleburne.[32] SpringFest is held in April at the Market Square with live music, vendors, car show, and food trucks.[33] Whistle Stop Christmas starts in late November through early January. Events include the lighting ceremony, Christmas parade, driving tour of lights, Candlewalk Tour of Historic Homes, and Cowboy Christmas on the Trail. Pioneer Days is held in November at the Chisholm Train Outdoor Museum, celebrating the history of Texas and Cleburne.[34]

Cuisine

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File:Burger Bar in Cleburne Texas.jpg
Burger Bar 1949 in downtown Cleburne

Southern home style cooking is a staple of the local food scene featuring fried comfort foods, hearty breakfast, and fresh baked goods. Options includes Mom's Kitchen, Our Place Restaurant, Jimmie's, and R&K Cafe II, Chaf-In Restaurant, and Southern Joy Bakery & Bistro.[35]

Texas style barbecue enjoys quality options provided by Chisholm Trail Smokehouse, Fly by Night Cattle Co.[36], and West End Grill.[37][38] Local burger spots include Burger Bar 1949 and Morris Neal's Handy Hamburgers. Mug on the Square and Nolan River Coffee Company offer great brewed coffees. Soul Fire Brewing combines craft brews and pizza, with an arcade on the top floor. The Garden of Eating offers fresh, seasonal dishes made with fresh ingredients. [39]

Tex-Mex is prevalent in Cleburne with options including Taqueria Torres Mexican Restaurant, La Cima Mexican Cuisine, Barrera's, Carmelita's Pupuseria & More, El Limón, El Torito's, La Flor De Michoacan, La Gringas Taqueria, Los Vaqueros Mexican Fast Food, Montes Breakfast Burritos, Taquería Juanita, Taquería Mexicano Grille, and Taqueria Rueda's Food Truck.[40] Thai Garden Cafe offers authentic Thai dishes incuding spicy curries and noodle bowls. Giovanni's Italian Restaurant has many pasta and other Italian inspired dishes.[41]

Sports

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Cleburne Railroaders

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File:La Moderna Field.jpg
La Moderna Field

The Cleburne Railroaders are a baseball team that play in the American Association of Professional Baseball.The first iteration of the Railroaders won the Texas League championship in 1906. After disbanding the next season, a second iteration would join the Texas–Oklahoma League in 1911-1912. The Railroaders would go on to win the 1911 championship.[42] The modern Railroaders began playing in the American Association of Professional Baseball starting from 2017 to the present.[43] La Moderna Field serves as the home of the Railroaders.[44]

Annual events

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The Tour De Goatneck occurs on the last Saturday of July, hosting over 1,250 riders through the rolling hills of Johnson and Somervell counties.[45] The Johnson County Sheriff's Posse host a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo. competitions include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and bull riding.[46]

Parks and recreation

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File:Cleburne State Park October 2020 22 (Civilian Conservation Corps dam).jpg
Cleburne State Park
File:Spirit of Cleburne locomotive.png
Spirit of Cleburne in Hulen Park

Cleburne Parks & Recreation maintains many parks, fields and trails. Neighborhood parks include John P. Bradshaw Park, John S. Butner Park, P.D. Lacewell Park, J. E. Standley Park, Byron "Buddy" Stewart Park, Westhill Park, Winchester Park and McAnear Park. The Buffalo Creek Parks provide trails along both the East and West Buffalo Creeks.[47] Recreational facilities include the Market Square in downtown Cleburne, and the Booker T. Washington Recreation Center near Carver Park.[48][49] The John Warren Sports Complex provides seven lighted baseball/softball fields, twenty soccer fields, two football fields, 2 batting cages, and supporting facilities.[50] The old sports complex is also nearby.[51]

More notable parks include Carver Park, which rest along the East Buffalo Creek. Providing several picnic areas, trails, a playground, a splash pad, and the lighted Carver Park Field.[52] Hulen Park, a Lone Star Legacy Park,[53] straddles the West Buffalo Creek. Amenities include pavilions, playgrounds, games, trails, a basketball court, a baseball/softball field, the lighted Don Moore Field, and Splash Station. Hulen park also host the Whistle Stop Christmas lighting display in December. The "Spirit of Cleburne" locomotive is present at the Hulen Park as well.[54] Lakeshore Park borders Lake Pat Cleburne, providing great views of the lake.[55] Winston Patrick McGregor Park showcases native plants with walking paths, a pavilion, a pond, and a children's area.[56]

Cleburne State Park, operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife, sits southwest of Cleburne. The park encompasses 528 acres of limestone ridges and dense thickets with Cedar Lake at its center. There are many trails and campsites alongside projects built by the Civilian Conservation Corp.[57]

Economy

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Major employers include Walmart, which maintains a Supercenter retail outlet and a distribution center. Together, those facilities employ 914 workers. The Cleburne Independent School District is a major employer with 968 employees. Local government is also a major employer, providing 348 jobs, and Johnson County has 598 employees in the city. Johns Manville, Texas Resources Harris Methodist Hospital, Greenbrier rail service (operating at the rail yards previously occupied by Burlington Northern Santa Fe), Supreme Corporation of Texas, and Broan-Nutone are among other major private-sector employers. A recent natural gas boom has now brought related companies to the district and surrounding areas.[58]

Fun Town RV, the nation's largest single-location towable RV dealer[59] employs 412 at its corporate headquarters and sales office.[60]

Education

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File:Cleburne High School.jpg
Cleburne High School
File:YellowJacketStadium.png
Yellow Jacket Stadium

Cleburne is served by the Cleburne Independent School District. Elementary schools include Adams, Coleman, Cooke, Gerard, Irving, Marti, and Santa Fe. Middle schools include Smith Intermediate and Wheat Middle School. TEAM school serves as an alternate to the high school, and Phoenix serves as a disciplinary school[61] Cleburne High School provides CTE programs, fine arts, and athletic programs.[62] The fine arts department offers art, band, choir, dance, and theatre.[63] The athletics department includes baseball, basketball, cheer leading, cross country, football, golf, power lifting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.[64] CISD also maintains Yellow Jacket Stadium, a Texas Historic Landmark, where football and other sports arre played.[65]

Cleburne Christian Academy is a private school that offers preK-12 classes.[66] Hill College manages a Johnson County campus in Cleburne that offers two year degrees and workforce certifications.[67] The city of Cleburne operates a public library near the downtown core along the West Buffalo Creek.[68]


Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Template:GNIS
  3. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/cleburnecitytexas/PST045224
  4. United States Postal Service (2012). "USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code". Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. The pronunciation differs from that of its namesake, whose name was pronounced /ˈklbɜːrn/ KLAY-burn.
  7. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 84.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 "The Handbook of Texas Online: Johnson County". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  9. Goodwyn, Lawrence (1978), The Populist Moment: A Short History of the Agrarian Revolt in America, New York: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-502417-6, p.46-49.
  10. Ruth Alice Allen 1889–1979. Chapters in the history of organized labor in Texas The University of Texas publication #4143 November 15, 1941 Austin, TX: University of Texas, p.123
  11. Matt Smith "Cleburne’s inglorious captives" Cleburne Times-Review 18 Apr 2010.
  12. North Central Texas Council of Governments
  13. kwqc.com
  14. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Cleburne city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  15. US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Climate". www.weather.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  17. 17.0 17.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  18. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  19. "Census.gov". Census.gov.
  20. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  21. "Plaza Theatre Company at Dudley Hall". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  22. "Highlights in our History". Plaza Theatre Company's Wordpress. May 3, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  23. "Songbird Live". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  24. "Carnegie Players". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  25. "Museums | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  26. "Exhibits and Programs | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  27. "Cleburne Railroad Museum | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  28. "Johnson County Historical Commission". The Portal to Texas History. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  29. "About". JN Long Cultural Arts Center. June 11, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  30. "Museum Collection | Gone with the Wind Remembered Museum". www.gwtwremembered.com. February 15, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  31. "Attractions | The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum". Chisholm Trail. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  32. "Antique Alley & Yard Sale". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  33. "SpringFest 2026 | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  34. "Pioneer Days". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  35. Cleburne, Alps; https://alpscleburne.com, Trafalgar Homes of Texas- (December 16, 2024). "Best Cleburne, TX Restaurants for Every Taste and Budget". Alps Cleburne. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  36. Holt, Jo Ann (August 16, 2021). "Get a Delicious Taste of Food and Fun in Cleburne, Texas". Texas Hill Country. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  37. "Businesses". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  38. "West End Grill". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  39. Cleburne, Alps; https://alpscleburne.com, Trafalgar Homes of Texas- (December 16, 2024). "Best Cleburne, TX Restaurants for Every Taste and Budget". Alps Cleburne. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  40. "Businesses". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  41. "Businesses". www.visitcleburne.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  42. Cain, Scott (2017). Cleburne Baseball: A Railroader History. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press. ISBN 9781467137010. OCLC 959035985.
  43. "American Association". Cleburne Railroaders. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  44. "Cleburne Railroaders". Cleburne Railroaders. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  45. "Tour De Goatneck | Goatneck Bike Race | Cleburne, TX". www.thegoatneck.us. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  46. sheriffsposse.com https://sheriffsposse.com/event-directory/jcsp-prca-rodeo/. Retrieved May 31, 2026. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  47. "Buffalo Creek Parks (East and West) | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  48. "Market Square | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  49. "Booker T. Washington Recreation Center | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  50. "John Warren Sports Complex | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  51. "Cleburne Fields | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  52. "Carver Park | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  53. "Lone Star Legacy Parks | Texas Recreation and Park Society". https://traps.org/. December 20, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2026. External link in |website= (help)
  54. "Hulen Park | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  55. "Lakeshore Park (Formerly Kirtley Park) | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  56. "Winston Patrick McGregor Park | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  57. Weaver, Brandon. "Cleburne State Park Is a Quiet Park With a Big Heart". Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  58. Source: Cleburne Chamber of Commerce
  59. Statistical Surveys, Incorporated
  60. Community Life Magazine June/July 2016 Vol. 11, No. 3
  61. "Home - Cleburne ISD". www.c-isd.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  62. "Home - Cleburne High School". chs.c-isd.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  63. "Fine Arts - Cleburne High School". chs.c-isd.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  64. "Cleburne High School (Cleburne, TX) Athletics - Schedules, Scores, News, and More". athletics.c-isd.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  65. "Yellow Jacket Stadium Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  66. "Cleburne Christian Academy | CHRIST-LIKENESS. STEWARDSHIP. PASSIONATE. COMMUNITY". ccacleburne.org. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  67. "Locations". www.hillcollege.edu. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  68. "About the Library | Cleburne, TX - Official Website". www.cleburne.net. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  1. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[19][20]
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