Upton County, Texas

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

Money & Taxes

Property Tax

Two offices handle property taxes in Upton County

The appraisal district and the tax assessor-collector are separate offices in different towns — knowing which one to call saves you time.

Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption can lower your property tax bill

If your home in Upton County is your primary residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of your property.

Home & Property

Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas

Oil and gas activity is regulated by the Railroad Commission

Upton County has heavy oil and gas production, and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates every well drilled — which matters if you own land or mineral rights here.

Water / Wells

Upton County has a water district but limited groundwater conservation district coverage

Most of Upton County has no local groundwater district to set rules on well drilling. A small part of the county does fall inside a regional district. A county water district also exists, but it handles other water services.

Outdoors

Hunting

Deer and turkey hunting rules for Upton County

Upton County follows TPWD North Zone deer rules, with a bag limit of five deer per season — but most land here is private, so access requires permission from landowners.

History & Culture

Local History

Rankin became the county seat after a railroad reroute

Rankin replaced Upland as the county seat after a railroad changed its route in 1911, then oil booms shaped the town into what it is today.