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Detailed Information about Clifton, TX

This document provides detailed information about Clifton, Texas, including neighborhood information, crime rates, demographics, community information, and what the city is known for.

Neighborhood Information

Clifton is a small, rural town in Bosque County, Texas, that offers a peaceful and family-friendly atmosphere. Most residents own their homes, and the town is known for its tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. It is considered one of the best places to live in Texas, with above-average public schools and a strong sense of community support.

Crime Rates

Clifton has a very low crime rate, making it one of the safer places to live in the United States. The overall City-Data crime index is 35 — approximately 6.7 times lower than the U.S. average — and fell 64% in 2024 compared to the prior year.

  • Violent Crime: Approximately 199 per 100,000 residents, roughly 46% below the national average. No murders were reported in the most recent data year.
  • Property Crime: Approximately 284 per 100,000 residents, roughly 85% below the national average.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Clifton was 3,465. The 2025 estimate is ~3,601 at approximately 0.48%/yr growth (long-run average ~0.18%/yr since 2000). The city has a diverse population with a significant number of retirees.

  • Racial Composition: The largest racial group is White (Non-Hispanic) at 53.6%, followed by Hispanic at 38.0%.
  • Median Age: The median age is 47.4 years, which is higher than the state and national averages.
  • Income: The median household income is approximately $63,696 (2023 data), slightly below the Texas state average but has been growing.

Community Information

Clifton is a Main Street city that recognizes the importance of a strong town center. The city has a diverse economy with a mix of small businesses, agricultural companies, and industrial enterprises. The local education and healthcare systems are major employers. The city is also home to a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries, performance halls, and a fine arts center.

What Clifton is Known For

Clifton is known for its rich Norwegian heritage and is officially designated as the "Norwegian Capital of Texas." The city celebrates this heritage with annual events and has the largest collection of Norwegian artifacts in the Southwest. Clifton is also known for:

  • Arts and Culture: It is considered one of the best small art towns in the US.
  • Historic Downtown: The city is home to the Cliftex Theatre, the oldest continuously operating movie theater in Texas, showing films since 1916. Originally opened as the Queen Theatre, it is the only surviving theater from founder D.C. Caraway's original three Clifton movie houses.
  • Prehistoric Discoveries: The area is known for the "Horn Shelter" exhibit, which showcases the 11,000-year-old skeletal remains of a man and a girl found along the Bosque River.

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