Texas Porch

Local Economy

Mills County's economy runs on livestock, not crops

Cattle, sheep, and goats make up about 90 percent of Mills County's farm income, shaping the land and community.

Mills County History & Culture

Mills County used to grow cotton. Over the twentieth century, farmers switched to livestock. Today farming brings in about $28 million a year. About 90 percent of that comes from beef cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs.

The county sits in the Hill Country. Cedar and live oak cover the rolling land. That kind of terrain is better for grazing than growing row crops.

If you are buying rural land here, expect nearby farms to run cattle and goats. Texas has a right-to-farm law. That law protects farm operations from certain nuisance complaints — meaning neighbors cannot easily sue a rancher for normal farm smells or noise. Know what is around you before you buy. The Texas Almanac and the TSHA Handbook both cover the county's farming history.

Source to confirm: Texas Almanac — Mills County

More Mills County notes

Property Tax

Two offices handle property taxes in Mills County

Mills County splits property tax duties between two offices, so you need to know which one to contact.

Read note ->

Homestead Exemption

File a homestead exemption to lower your property tax bill

If your home in Mills County is your main residence, a homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of your property.

Read note ->

Ag Valuation

Rural land in Mills County may qualify for agricultural valuation

Land used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management can be taxed on its production value rather than market value, which is often much lower.

Read note ->

Hunting

Deer hunting in Mills County has antler restrictions

Mills County falls under Texas Parks and Wildlife Department North Zone deer rules, which include a buck antler restriction.

Read note ->