County History

Rockwall County was created in 1873 from Kaufman County

Settlers in the area pushed for their own county in the 1870s because the Kaufman County seat was inconveniently far away — and the Texas legislature agreed.

Rockwall County History & Culture

The area that became Rockwall County was first settled by Anglo-Americans in the 1840s, when it was part of Kaufman County. The distance to the Kaufman County seat made local governance difficult. In 1873, the state legislature created Rockwall County and named Rockwall as its county seat.

The town of Rockwall was incorporated in 1874. The Texas and Pacific Railway came through in 1873, spurring growth. A courthouse fire in 1875 destroyed most early county records. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad arrived in 1886, further opening the county to agricultural trade. Cotton became the dominant crop after the railroads arrived.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook — Rockwall County

More Rockwall County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property taxes in Rockwall County

Rockwall County splits property tax duties between two separate offices, and knowing which does what saves you a wasted trip.

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Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption cuts your school tax bill in Rockwall County

Texas law requires every school district to give homeowners a $140,000 exemption on their home's appraised value, which directly lowers your tax bill.

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Senior & Disability Exemption

Extra homestead exemption for seniors and disabled homeowners in Rockwall

Homeowners aged 65 or older, or those with a qualifying disability, get an extra $60,000 off their home's school district appraised value.

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Ag Valuation

Agricultural valuation can lower taxes on rural land in Rockwall County

Land used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management may qualify to be taxed on its farm productivity value instead of its market value, which is often much lower.

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