Dilley
Dilley is on the Missouri Pacific Railroad and Interstate Highway 35 sixteen miles southwest of Pearsall in far southern Frio County. The community was originally called Darlington, after a local landowner who settled in the area in the mid-1860s. The settlement was established on the International-Great Northern Railroad from San Antonio to Mexico, completed during the early 1880s. At the time Darlington had a general store and several dwellings. The community was sometimes called Ford because of a nearby Frio River crossing of an old Spanish trail, known as Rocky Ford. The I-GN built its first railroad depot, siding, and stock pen near the crossing.
Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.
Ruben E. Ochoa | © Texas State Historical Association
At a Glance
Belongs to
Dilley is part of or belongs to the following places.
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Currently Exists
Yes
Place type
Dilley is classified as a Town
Associated Names
- (Darlington)
- (Ford)
Locations
-
- Latitude
- 28.66758250
- Longitude
- -99.17661900
Has Post Office
Yes
Is Incorporated
Yes

Dilley by the Numbers
Population Counts
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Population Counts
Dilley
Pop. | Year | Source |
---|---|---|
4,405 | 2019 | Texas Demographic Center |
3,894 | 2010 | Texas Demographic Center |
3,674 | 2000 | Texas Demographic Center |
2,632 | 1990 | Texas Demographic Center |
2,579 | 1980 | Texas Demographic Center |
2,362 | 1970 | Texas Demographic Center |
2,118 | 1960 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,809 | 1950 | Texas Demographic Center |
1,244 | 1940 | Texas Demographic Center |
929 | 1930 | Texas Demographic Center |