PILOT POINT, Texas — Small towns in North Texas are not only changing in population, they’re also changing in demographics. 

The city of Pilot Point, located about 20 miles north of Denton, has appointed a new police chief.

Angela Mathews was sworn in as chief of police of the Pilot Point Police Department in February. With over 15 years of experience working in law enforcement, she’s the now the first African American woman to become Pilot Point’s top cop. 

“This position is an honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously. I am very excited about coming to this community, doing great things, working, building that trust and partnerships with the community and with my officers,” she explains. 

Mathews is originally from Central Texas and says what drew her to Pilot Point was the familiar feeling of home. 

“They have given me such a heartfelt, warm welcome since I’ve been here… It’s a smaller community like this, but it’s that family connection that I feel, and that’s what I like about it,” says Mathews. 

A connection that more small Texas towns may be feeling too.

“Pilot Point is also known as the North Texas horse country, and it has seen major population growth,” according to Mayor Elisa Beasley. “Pilot Point is 65 square miles of land. We’ve grown and built a seven… square miles of land. So when you think about the opportunity that’s before us, you’re talking about hundreds of thousands of people. Once we are finished growing out, we’re about 6,000 right now.”

Pilot Point not only saw a 30% increase in population from 2020, but it also saw a change in demographics.

More than 60% of the city’s population is white, but recently Pilot Point saw in increase in Hispanic and Black residents. Hispanic residents are the second largest group in the city, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. 

“Growth is here. It’s amazing. You know, we as a smaller community, we talk about when the growth gets here, when the growth gets here, it’s here,” Beasley said. 

Texas overall has seen an increase in its Hispanic population. Hispanic Texans have recently become the largest demographic group in the state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Mayor Beasley, who recently became the first Mexican American mayor of Pilot Point, believes Mathews’ appointment means the city is growing in the right direction. 

“It’s such a monumental day for us, for our community. You know, she is the first African American Black chief of police,” Beasley said.