Town file
Axtell, Texas
Axtell, Texas (McLennan County, Texas) is the town in one episode of Small Town Murder, the comedy true-crime podcast: episode 695, "Slaughter Spree" (30 April 2026).
- Town
- Axtell
- County
- McLennan County
- State
- Texas
- Country
- USA
- Episodes
- 695
- Approximate location
- 31.658, -96.970
Episode 695 / 30 April 2026 / 181 min / full
Slaughter Spree
"We are going to Texas this week... this is in Axtell, Texas... in McClellan County, area code 254." about 0:04:53
The case: Murders of Robert, Zelda and Bobby Vicka (August 29th, 1989). Read the case file.
The figures, as told in 2026
- Median age
- 45.3
- Median household income
- $67,972
- Median home value
- $332,900
- Two-bedroom rent
- $940
- Cost of living
- 83 out of 100
- Religious
- 62.8%
- Property crime
- ▼ about one quarter under the national average
- Violent crime
- right at the national average
History, in brief
- Established in the early 1880s as a rail stop between Corsicana and Waco. about 0:06:36
- Post office opened in 1882. about 0:07:05
- Named in honour of a railroad officer. about 0:07:07
- The Axtell State Bank opened in 1912, which let local businesses get loans. about 0:07:13
- The town proper reached a peak population of about 400 in 1914. about 0:07:21
- Severe storms and floods in the autumn of 1914 damaged and destroyed crops and property; nobody could repay their loans, so the bank had to close. about 0:07:33
- Best known as the site of Mount Carmel Center, where the 1993 Waco siege took place. about 0:08:04
- The 1993 siege was a 51-day standoff between the FBI and the Branch Davidians that ended in fire and 86 deaths, including 20 to 28 children. about 0:09:02
- Axtell sits on Farm Road 1330 between U.S. Highway 84 and State Highway 31, eight miles northeast of Belmead in eastern McClellan County. about 0:23:11
- Otherwise a farming and agriculture community. about 0:09:38
- Czech farmer Rudolph Vicha settled in the area with his family in 1913, and the land has been in the family for a hundred years. about 1:19:36
The reviews read out
"Lived in Axtell for over 20 years and couldn't be happier; a safe and friendly community where everyone knows each other, with a low cost of living and great schools."about 0:09:57
"Axtell is a beautiful place to live but job opportunities are limited; a great place to raise a family, not ideal for young professionals looking for career growth."about 0:10:18
"Moved to Axtell for the peaceful and quiet lifestyle and has not been disappointed; the town has charm and welcoming people, but there is a lack of entertainment options and you have to drive to nearby cities."about 0:10:44
"Loves living in Axtell; a close-knit community where everyone looks out for each other, with an affordable cost of living and everything you would need."about 0:11:04
Nearest Small Town Murder towns
- Lancaster, Texas66 miles
- Gun Barrel City, Texas68 miles
- Aledo, Texas81 miles
- Stephenville, Texas83 miles
- San Saba, Texas108 miles
- Hawkins, Texas122 miles
Everything here is as told in the episode, on the date it went out; figures and places may have changed since. Endings are covered: open an episode and use the spoiler switch to read them.