Caldwell County, Texas
13 local notes for Caldwell County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country.
Money & Taxes
Property Tax Basics
Two different offices handle your property taxes
In Caldwell County, the appraisal district sets your property value and also handles tax collection — the Tax Assessor-Collector office does not collect property taxes here.
Property Tax Savings
Homestead exemption can lower your property tax bill
If your home in Caldwell County is your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption that reduces your taxable value.
Local Tax Districts
Your tax bill may include charges from several local districts
Caldwell County has many active taxing entities, so what you owe depends heavily on exactly where your property sits.
Home & Property
Flood Risk
New FEMA flood maps for Caldwell County took effect in 2026
Updated federal flood maps for Caldwell County have an effective date of June 10, 2026, which could affect flood insurance requirements for some properties.
Septic Systems
Homes outside city limits need a permitted septic system
Most rural land in Caldwell County relies on on-site sewage facilities, and Texas law requires a permit before you build or repair one.
Groundwater
A local water district oversees groundwater in the county
The Plum Creek Conservation District and Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District both operate in parts of Caldwell County and regulate water wells.
Cars & Driving
Outdoors
Hunting Regulations
Deer hunting in Caldwell County has antler restrictions
Caldwell County has antler restrictions for white-tailed deer, limiting hunters to specific buck sizes and requiring mandatory harvest reporting.
State Park
Lockhart State Park offers camping, fishing, and a nine-hole golf course
Lockhart State Park sits just outside the county seat and offers camping, trails, and a historic 1930s golf course along Clear Fork Creek.
Hunting Seasons
Dove and turkey hunting are both available in Caldwell County
Caldwell County hunters can pursue mourning and white-winged dove in fall, and spring turkey in April, all subject to current TPWD regulations.
History & Culture
Oil History
An oil discovery in 1922 transformed Caldwell County's economy
Edgar B. Davis struck oil near Luling in 1922 after seven tries, opening a field that became one of the most productive in Texas history.
County Origins
Caldwell County was formed in 1848 and named for a Texas hero
Caldwell County was carved from Bastrop and Gonzales counties in 1848 and was likely named for Mathew Caldwell, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Historic Preservation
Lockhart's 1894 courthouse and downtown are on the National Register
The Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart was built in 1894 and, along with several blocks of downtown, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.