[5] It was settled in 1854 and named for its location on the San Saba River[6] and for Sabbas the Sanctified.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2), all land.

[7] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

[8] The 2020 United States census counted 3,117 people, 1,021 households, and 666 families in San Saba.

30.7% of households consisted of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Pecans emerged as an important crop, largely because of the work of Edmund E. Risien, an Englishman who moved to San Saba County in 1874, and made improvement of the native nuts his life's work.

Risien founded the West Texas Pecan Nursery at the junction of the San Saba and Colorado rivers.

Some of these include the San Saba Improved, Texas Prolific, Onliwon, Squirrel Delight, No.

Risien's customer base included Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and the Post Cereals Co.

The school district opened two new facilities in October 2013: an elementary building meant to host all elementary grades under one roof, and a set of science labs in a building immediately across from the main entrance to the high school.