Texas Porch

County History

Burnet County was named for a president of the Republic of Texas

The Texas Legislature created Burnet County on February 5, 1852, carved from Travis, Williamson, and Bell counties, and named it for David G. Burnet.

Burnet County History & Culture

David G. Burnet served as president of the provisional government of the Republic of Texas. The county named after him sits on the northeastern edge of the Hill Country, covering roughly 1,000 square miles. Elevations range from about 700 to 1,700 feet above sea level. The county seat is Burnet, located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 and State Highway 29.

Early Texas Rangers arrived in the area around 1847. By 1851, the population was large enough to petition for a new county. Settlers included Anglo farmers, a Mormon colony led by Lyman Wight, and others who came for the land. By 1860, the county had more than 30,000 cattle. The Handbook of Texas at tshaonline.org has a full county history.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook of Texas — Burnet County

More Burnet County notes

Property Tax

Two offices handle your property tax in Burnet County

The Burnet County Appraisal District sets your home's value, but it also handles tax collection — the Tax Assessor-Collector office does not collect property taxes here.

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Homestead Exemption

How to lower your tax bill with a homestead exemption

Texas law lets you reduce the taxable value of the home you live in — file once with the Burnet County Appraisal District.

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Water & Lakes

The Highland Lakes run through the heart of Burnet County

LCRA runs a chain of six lakes on the Colorado River. Four of those lakes sit partly or fully in Burnet County.

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Septic / OSSF

Septic permits near the Highland Lakes go through LCRA

If your property is within about 2,200 feet of the upper Highland Lakes, LCRA — not the county — issues your septic system permit.

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