Hunt County, Texas
26 local notes for Hunt County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. DFW / North Texas.
Money & Taxes
Property Tax Basics
Two offices handle your property tax bill
The Hunt County Appraisal District sets your property value; the Hunt County Tax Office sends the bill and collects payment — they are separate offices.
Homestead Exemption
Homestead exemption lowers your taxable value
If Hunt County is your primary residence, a homestead exemption reduces the taxable value on your property tax bill.
Ag Valuation
Land taxed on farm use, not market value
Qualifying farmland and ranchland in Hunt County can be taxed based on what the land produces rather than what it would sell for.
Protest Rights
You can protest your appraisal value each year
Hunt County property owners have the right to protest their appraised value before the Appraisal Review Board if they believe it is too high.
School Districts
Hunt County is served by multiple independent school districts
Multiple independent school districts serve Hunt County, and the district covering your property significantly affects your property tax rate.
Home & Property
OSSF / Septic
Septic systems outside city limits need a permit
Any new or replaced on-site sewage system in unincorporated Hunt County requires a permit before installation.
Private Wells
Private water wells follow state rules in Hunt County
Rural property in Hunt County may not be served by a public water system, making private wells a common water source governed by Texas groundwater rules.
Flood Risk
The Sabine River and its forks flood parts of Hunt County
Most of Hunt County drains into the Sabine River basin, and bottomlands along those waterways carry flood risk that FEMA maps track.
City Limits & ETJ
City rules reach beyond city limits into the ETJ
Land just outside Greenville and other Hunt County cities may still fall under city subdivision and development rules through an area called the ETJ.
Mineral Rights
Hunt County has some oil and gas production
Oil and gas are listed among Hunt County's mineral resources, and the Railroad Commission of Texas regulates all oil and gas activity in the state.
Water Supply
Hunt County has a regional water supply plan on file
The Texas Water Development Board tracks water supply planning for Hunt County as part of the state's long-range water management system.
Cars & Driving
Vehicle Registration
Renew your registration with Two Steps, One Sticker
Hunt County vehicle registration uses the Two Steps, One Sticker system, which combines the state safety inspection and registration into one annual process.
Roads
Farm-to-Market roads cover most of rural Hunt County
Most rural roads in Hunt County are Farm-to-Market (FM) roads maintained by TxDOT, not county roads.
Outdoors
Fishing
Lake Tawakoni offers year-round fishing near Greenville
Lake Tawakoni, a 37,879-acre reservoir partly in Hunt County, is known for blue catfish, striped bass, and crappie.
State Park
Lake Tawakoni State Park has camping and hiking
Lake Tawakoni State Park sits on the southern shore of the reservoir and offers camping, hiking, boating, and birding.
Public Hunting
Tawakoni WMA allows public hunting with a permit
The Tawakoni Wildlife Management Area near Lake Tawakoni is open for public hunting under TPWD's Annual Public Hunting Permit program.
Public Fishing
Public fishing access at Tawakoni WMA is managed by TPWD
The Tawakoni Wildlife Management Area provides public fishing access along Lake Tawakoni under TPWD rules.
Rules & Licenses
Fishing License
A Texas fishing license is required on all public waters
Anyone fishing public waters in Hunt County, including Lake Tawakoni, must have a valid Texas fishing license issued by TPWD.
Hunting License
Public hunting in Hunt County requires a Texas license
Hunters in Hunt County need a Texas hunting license and, on public lands like Tawakoni WMA, an Annual Public Hunting Permit.
Burn Ban
Outdoor burning can be banned during dry conditions
Hunt County commissioners can issue a burn ban that makes outdoor burning illegal during dry or windy conditions.
Weather Hazards
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are real risks here
Hunt County sits in North Texas, a region with a history of severe thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes, particularly in spring.
History & Culture
Local History
Greenville grew into a cotton hub after the railroad arrived
After the first railroad reached Greenville in 1880, Hunt County's cotton output grew from a handful of bales to more than 50,000 bales per year by 1900.
County Origins
Hunt County formed in 1846 and sits 51 miles from Dallas
Hunt County was established in 1846 and sits in the Blackland Prairie region about 51 miles northeast of Dallas.
Higher Education
Texas A&M University–Commerce anchors the county's east side
Texas A&M University–Commerce, located in Commerce in eastern Hunt County, is a public university within the Texas A&M System.
Local History
Greenville became an early Texas leader in public utilities
In 1891, Greenville became the first Texas city to own and operate its own municipally owned electricity generating plant, according to the Handbook of Texas.
Agriculture
Beef cattle have replaced cotton as Hunt County's main farm product
Hunt County farms shifted from cotton to livestock over the 20th century, with beef cattle now accounting for more than half of agricultural sales.