Orange County, Texas
13 local notes for Orange County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Houston / Upper Gulf Coast.
Money & Taxes
Property Tax Basics
Orange County Has Two Separate Property Tax Offices
The appraisal district sets your property value; the tax assessor-collector handles your bill and payment.
Homestead Exemption
File for a Homestead Exemption to Lower Your Tax Bill
Homeowners who live in their home on January 1 can apply for a homestead exemption to lower their tax bill.
Home & Property
Flood Risk
Orange County's FEMA Flood Maps Have Been Updated
FEMA released revised preliminary flood maps for Orange County in early 2025, which may change flood insurance requirements for some properties.
Wind Insurance
Orange County Is Not in the TWIA Windstorm Insurance Zone
TWIA is the state's backup windstorm insurer for coastal counties. Orange County is not on its covered list.
Septic / OSSF
New Septic Systems in Orange County Need a County Permit
If you are outside city sewer service in Orange County, you need a county permit before you can install a septic system.
Climate and Flooding
Orange County Gets More Rain Than Almost Anywhere in Texas
Orange County averages about 56 inches of rain per year — among the highest in the state — which makes flooding a persistent concern for homeowners.
Cars & Driving
Outdoors
Wildlife Management Area
Lower Neches WMA Offers Public Hunting and Birding Near Orange
The Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area covers nearly 8,000 acres near Bridge City and is open to public hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing with a TPWD permit.
Fishing and Recreation
The Sabine River Forms Orange County's Eastern Border with Louisiana
The Sabine River and Sabine Lake border Orange County and offer public fishing access for catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass.
History & Culture
Local Economy
Petrochemical Plants Are a Major Part of Life in Orange County
Orange County has been a center for oil refining and chemical plants since the early 1900s. Industry still shapes jobs and daily life here.
Regional Identity
Orange Is Part of the Industrial Golden Triangle
Orange, Beaumont, and Port Arthur form a regional cluster known as the Golden Triangle, one of the most concentrated industrial areas in the United States.
Arts and Culture
Orange Is Home to the Stark Museum of Art and Shangri La Gardens
The Stark Museum of Art and Shangri La Botanical Gardens are two cultural institutions in Orange funded by the Nelda C. and H. J. Lutcher Stark Foundation.
County History
Orange County Was Formed in 1852 Along the Sabine River
Orange County was carved from Jefferson County in 1852 and takes its name from a grove of orange trees that once grew near the county seat.