Bandera County, Texas

6 local notes for Bandera County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country.

Money & Taxes

Property tax

How property taxes and homestead exemptions work in Bandera County

Bandera County has a single appraisal district (Bandera CAD) that values property, and a separate tax office that collects taxes — you deal with different offices for different issues.

Agriculture / Property tax

Ag valuation can sharply cut property taxes on rural land in Bandera County

In Bandera County, land used for farming or ranching can be taxed on what it produces instead of what it would sell for. This can mean a much lower tax bill.

Home & Property

Water / Groundwater

Bandera County has its own groundwater district — wells need a permit

Most new water wells in Bandera County need a permit from the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (BCRAGD) before you start drilling.

Flood

Flash flooding on the Medina River is a serious hazard in Bandera

The Medina River runs through the town of Bandera and can rise extremely fast during heavy rain — USGS and BCRAGD have built a flood early warning system that lets residents track river levels in real time.

Outdoors

State park / Recreation

Hill Country State Natural Area offers rugged trails and horse camping near Bandera

Hill Country State Natural Area is a 5,000-plus-acre primitive park in Bandera County open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, with camping available year-round.

History & Culture

History

Bandera County grew from a sawmill settlement into a cattle trail hub

Bandera County was carved from Bexar County in 1856. It was built first on cypress lumber, then on cattle drives. Polish Catholic immigrants were among its earliest settlers.