Taylor County is included in the Abilene, TX metropolitan statistical area, and is considered part of West Texas.

Randolph Marcy, a U. S. Army engineer, passed through, scouting out West Texas-to-California routes.

The county is named for Alamo defenders Edward, James, and George Taylor.

The Butterfield Overland Mail established the Mountain Pass Station at Merkel; it was in continual use until 1861.

[5][7] In 1880, the Texas & Pacific Railroad signed an agreement to run tracks through the future city of Abilene.

[8] A wagon train of 10 Baptist families arrived in the county that year.

[5] The Abilene Board of Trade was organized in 1890, when 587 farms and ranches were in the county.

[10] In 1906, Abilene Christian University opened its doors as Childers Classical Institute.

[14] Dyess Air Force Base was established as Abilene AFB in 1942; it is named in honor of Texas native and Bataan Death March survivor Lieutenant Colonel William Dyess.

Taylor County is part of the 71st district for elections to the Texas House of Representatives.