Sterling County, Texas

6 local notes for Sterling County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos.

Money & Taxes

Property Tax Basics

One office appraises your property and a separate office collects the tax bill in Sterling County.

Homestead Exemption

If your Sterling County home is your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption to lower your tax bill.

Groundwater & Wells

Sterling County has its own groundwater district that requires new wells to be registered before you drill.

Mineral Rights & Oil Leases

Oil was found in Sterling County in 1947 and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates all wells drilled there today.

Hunting & Wildlife

Most hunting in Sterling County is on private ranch land, but a Texas Parks and Wildlife annual permit opens public hunting statewide.

County History

Sterling County was carved out of Tom Green County in 1891 and built its early economy on cattle ranching.