City History

Cleburne Grew Fast After the Railroad Arrived in 1881

Cleburne became Johnson County's permanent county seat in 1867 and boomed after the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad arrived — the repair shops nearly doubled the city's population.

Johnson County History & Culture

Cleburne was named for Confederate General Patrick Cleburne, under whom many early settlers had served. It was incorporated in 1871. When the Santa Fe Railroad built its central machine shops in Cleburne in 1898-1899, the town's population jumped sharply.

By 1920, Cleburne had over 12,000 residents. The railroad shops remained a major employer for decades. Today the city has around 30,000 people and serves as the commercial and government center for the county. The TSHA Handbook entry on Cleburne covers the full history.

Source to confirm: TSHA — Cleburne, Texas

More Johnson County notes

Property Tax

Two Offices Handle Property Tax in Johnson County

Johnson County has a separate appraisal district and tax office — they do different jobs, so knowing which one to call saves you time.

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Property Tax

Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Property Tax Bill

If your home in Johnson County is your main residence, you likely qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value.

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Agricultural Appraisal

Ag Valuation Can Sharply Cut Taxes on Rural Land

If your rural land in Johnson County is actively used for farming or ranching, it may qualify to be taxed on its productivity value instead of market value — often a big difference.

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Vehicle Registration

Register Your Car at the Johnson County Tax Office

The Johnson County Tax Office handles vehicle titles and registration — the same office where you pay property taxes.

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