City of Victoria

Municipality of Victoria, Texas. Victoria is located in the heart of the Golden Crescent of South Texas, equidistant from Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Corpus Christi. The Coastal Plains region of Texas is an area renown for hunting, fishing and birding. With major highways 77, 59, 87 and the future Interstate 69 all intersecting Victoria and with a prime position along the NAFTA Corridor, the City is known as the "Crossroads of South Texas. Victoria is a cultural, historic, agricultural, medical, educational and economic hub for the area and is the largest city in the seven county region. Victoria boasts a diverse population of about 62,500 and encompasses an area of approximately 34 square miles. Victoria offers several cultural outlets including the Victoria Symphony, the Victoria Bach Festival, Victoria Ballet Theatre, the Children's Discovery Museum, the Texas Zoo and the best theatre venue in the coastal region at the Welder Performing Arts Center that hosts local theatre productions and vocal concerts year-round. Victoria continues to be on the forefront of new business and technology, with a strong plastics manufacturing industry, petrochemical and industrial chemical plants, and oil and gas exploration. Victoria is also the regional hub for a diverse retail sector which makes it an excellent city to live, work and play. There are two higher education campuses within the City, Victoria College and University of Houston-Victoria, a four year university. Public education is offered by the Victoria Independent School District, which serves 15,000 students in 18 elementary campuses, four junior high schools and two high schools. VISD also boasts a world class natatorium and a performing arts auditorium were put into service in 2011. Victoria's newest industrial partner, Caterpillar, opened its new $125 million excavator plant in September 2012.