Alpine, Texas Community Guide 2015 | Page 5

The Lone Star State Holland Avenue McDonald Observatory or watch for the mysterious Marfa Lights. The beauty of the Big Bend has drawn and inspired artists from all over the world. Visit almost any Alpine business and you’ll see their art displayed. Co-ops, galleries, and university students all contribute to the thriving art scene, which is highlighted each November during Artwalk - a two-day celebration that is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Dana Jones Tanner Quiqq Dana Jones AlpineDirectory_p04-05.qxp_Layout 1 5/19/15 4:09 PM Page 2 Ranching continues to be a cornerstone of life in the Big Bend, and you can expect to cross paths with working ranchers and cowboys on a typical day in Alpine. Rodeo is big at Sul Ross State University, the birthplace of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Preserving the traditions of the American West is the focus of annual events like the Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Trappings of Texas, and Big Bend Ranch Rodeo. Perhaps the best thing about Alpine is its friendly, small-town atmosphere and strong sense of community pride. In 2014, Alpine was one of 10 winners of the Governor’s Community Achievement Award -- one of the most coveted environmental and community improvement honors in Texas. And in 2013, the Library Journal named Alpine Public Library the “Second-Best Small Library in America.” Alpine is a unique combination of cultures, talents and energies working together to create one of the best places to live in Texas. Journalist Dan Rather says Alpine is “a town-city that has kept its West Texas tradition, look and feel, while adopting the best of what’s up-to-date in the Lone Star State.” We agree! We think you will, too. aT alpine by numbers Demographics Population: Alpine 2013, 6,054 Median Age: 36 Male 49.6% / Female 50.4% High School Graduates, Age 25+ / 84% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, Age 25+ / 35% Economic Median Income: Alpine - $38,942, Texas - $50,740 Various Land Area in Square Miles Alpine: 4.08 (Brewster County): 6,183.73 Employment Average Commute to Work (Minutes): 11.9 Safety Law Enforcement Offices in Alpine: Alpine Police Department Brewster County Sheriff’s Office Sul Ross State University Police Department Department of Public Safety/Highway Patrol U.S. Customs and Border Protection Elevation 4,480 ft. Area Code 432, Central Time Zone Latitude: 30.36N, Longitude: 103.67W Zip Codes: 79830, 79831, 79832 (Sul Ross State University) 2015-16 Community Guide & Chamber of Commerce Directory | alpine TEXAS 5