Immigration History

German, Austrian, and Czech immigrants settled small farms in Fort Bend County in the 1890s

About 400 Central European immigrants moved to Fort Bend County between 1890 and 1900, founding towns like Beasley and Needville.

Fort Bend County History & Culture

After the Civil War, Fort Bend County's large plantations broke up into smaller farms. Between 1890 and 1900, about 400 immigrants from Germany, Austria, and Bohemia came to the county. They worked as small farmers and merchants.

These settlers helped build towns like Beasley and Needville. They added a Central European layer to a county already shaped by Anglo settlers, enslaved Africans and their descendants, and earlier Indigenous people.

That heritage is why some small towns in southern Fort Bend County have German place names and old churches. The Handbook of Texas covers this part of the county's story.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas – Fort Bend County

More Fort Bend County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property tax in Fort Bend County

The appraisal district sets your home's value; the tax assessor-collector sends the bill and takes payment.

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Homestead Exemption

How to apply for a homestead exemption in Fort Bend County

Homeowners who live in their home as their main residence can apply with FBCAD to lower the taxable value.

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Municipal Utility Districts

Many Fort Bend neighborhoods are inside a MUD

Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) are special taxing districts that built and now run water, sewer, and drainage in many subdivisions.

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Ag Valuation

Agricultural land in Fort Bend can be taxed at a lower rate

Land used for farming or ranching may qualify for a lower tax value based on what it can produce, not what it would sell for.

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